Benchmade Water Series Adira (Full Size) Review:

Sibyrnes said:
Hmm, I'm getting the impression that you don't like Quiet's new knife🤔
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Hey, if he doesn't like it, he doesn't like it. In the past month and a half, I have continued to use and carry mine despite:

- There being other options that are arguably a better use of the $250 this cost me. I should know, I own most of 'em.
- The rusting liners issue (LOL Classic Benchmade)
- Benchmade continuing to be complete bonkers clownballs with their pricing on many of their other models, and candidly speaking, I don't even recommend them as a brand to look at for the non-knife people in my life. That honor always goes to Spyderco and Buck, incidentally.

Despite all that, it's a good looking knife and it's a large, lightweight knife that carries well. I used it last night to slice up a bunch of cardboard, and it's still razor sharp so BM is clearly properly heattreating their Magnacut. I like it, and don't require that others do. It has effectively knocked my Adamas knives out of my rotation, which is crazy but it is what it is. Similar size, lock, and blade-shape yet doesn't weight two lbs? Nice!

I did see a lot of these Water series knives blow out from BM's table, and other tables carrying them while at BLADE, so it seems others like them as well. Anyway, that's not really an indicator of anything.
 
sledbot said:
$250 for one oz of magnacut, an oz of cheap plastic and an oz of stainless steel is utter stupidity. Not to mention that made in USA means absolutely nothing with benchmade because their QC is worse than most name brand knives coming from Taiwan and China. The native chief salt is basically the same size, half the price, and probably a better tool. The Adira felt like a cheap hollow plastic knife because that's exactly what it is. No doubt it will sell just as long as BM can keep tricking people into believing that it's the same company which built the reputation, even though it is not.
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The Native Chief is also a backlock, which is not as easy to manipulate as the AXIS lock is. Also, that needle-point on the Native Chief is very pointy, whereas I like the broader, more useful blade shape on the Adira. So, both are relatively inexpensive knives. The NCS runs $191, so a little under $60 less. I like both knives, but frankly, I see the value proposition because the AXIS lock puts the Adira over the top for me, as well as it not being bright yellow, so your mileage may vary. Mine certainly does, thanks!
 
Quiet said:
Hey, if he doesn't like it, he doesn't like it. In the past month and a half, I have continued to use and carry mine despite:

- There being other options that are arguably a better use of the $250 this cost me. I should know, I own most of 'em.
- The rusting liners issue (LOL Classic Benchmade)
- Benchmade continuing to be complete bonkers clownballs with their pricing on many of their other models, and candidly speaking, I don't even recommend them as a brand to look at for the non-knife people in my life. That honor always goes to Spyderco and Buck, incidentally.

Despite all that, it's a good looking knife and it's a large, lightweight knife that carries well. I used it last night to slice up a bunch of cardboard, and it's still razor sharp so BM is clearly properly heattreating their Magnacut. I like it, and don't require that others do. It has effectively knocked my Adamas knives out of my rotation, which is crazy but it is what it is. Similar size, lock, and blade-shape yet doesn't weight two lbs? Nice!

I did see a lot of these Water series knives blow out from BM's table, and other tables carrying them while at BLADE, so it seems others like them as well. Anyway, that's not really an indicator of anything.
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Well, I like your new knife and if you do then it’s worth every penny. I know new Benchmades are expensive but I don’t mind spending on something that can last a lifetime with an American company that stands behind their products. Look what people spend on Chinese knives! Hell, check out the Exchange here and see what people spend on trinkets!
 
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MINI REVIEW OF THE MINI ADIRA

The Adira Mini Seems nice so far... It has a smooth action unlike a couple of $50-100 cross-bar locks I've bought from Civivi and CJRB and returned. The blade is not very heavy so it needs a little help to drop, but it's Not due to a gritty or too tight pivot.

The blade drops faster as it breaks in with just a few dozen openings, but the reverse flick has not become easier with break-in. My index finger seems to always get in the way of the axis lock when I try the reverse flick, due to the ergonomics.

The handle feels (and sounds) very light and hollow, with so much material removed inside; yet the scales do NOT flex AT ALL when squeezed together, due to the lattice-like support system inside where the handle has cutouts. I like the lanyard and the way that I can remove it and reinstall it if I wanted to. the mini's handle fits my hand and locks me in tightly.

I think I would like to try the shorter "split arrow" black coated deep carry clip, but worry it may not be treated well enough for corrosion resistance. The stock clip feels and looks a little too long. Otherwise is it a very attractive knife.

It's very sharp, and shaves arm hair well, but is still a little thick behind the edge. The blade stock and somewhat thicker thick edge should resist chipping very well, without being too thick.

pZzu65U.jpg

chCnQ3F.jpg

https://imgur.com/Hz1jE1v
 
DocJekl said:
MINI REVIEW OF THE MINI ADIRA

The Adira Mini Seems nice so far... It has a smooth action unlike a couple of $50-100 cross-bar locks I've bought from Civivi and CJRB and returned. The blade is not very heavy so it needs a little help to drop, but it's Not due to a gritty or too tight pivot.

The blade drops faster as it breaks in with just a few dozen openings, but the reverse flick has not become easier with break-in. My index finger seems to always get in the way of the axis lock when I try the reverse flick, due to the ergonomics.

The handle feels (and sounds) very light and hollow, with so much material removed inside; yet the scales do NOT flex AT ALL when squeezed together, due to the lattice-like support system inside where the handle has cutouts. I like the lanyard and the way that I can remove it and reinstall it if I wanted to. the mini's handle fits my hand and locks me in tightly.

I think I would like to try the shorter "split arrow" black coated deep carry clip, but worry it may not be treated well enough for corrosion resistance. The stock clip feels and looks a little too long. Otherwise is it a very attractive knife.

It's very sharp, and shaves arm hair well, but is still a little thick behind the edge. The blade stock and somewhat thicker thick edge should resist chipping very well, without being too thick.

pZzu65U.jpg

chCnQ3F.jpg

https://imgur.com/Hz1jE1v
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Doc, thanks for the review. I VERY briefly handled one of the mini models at a shop I went to a week or two back, and thought it was a really nice knife in similar fashion to my large Adira. This one definitely seems more EDC friendly, that's for sure. I may end up with one eventually.
 
Sibyrnes said:
Man, you guys are tempting me.
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I'd still be more concerned about the omega springs rusting, than I am concerned with my Sage 5 Salt and Para 3 LW both in Magnacut. I might even be worried about the coil spring in my Manix 2 Salt in Magancut.

But I can rinse this off after wet and blow it out, and/or flood it with WD40 to displace the water, or use a spray bottle of some CLP used for cleaning guns to soak the internals. Then later I could take the Adira apart to do a proper cleaning, but in the meantime the internals should not see rust.
 
DocJekl said:
I'd still be more concerned about the omega springs rusting, than I am concerned with my Sage 5 Salt and Para 3 LW both in Magnacut. I might even be worried about the coil spring in my Manix 2 Salt in Magancut.

But I can rinse this off after wet and blow it out, and/or flood it with WD40 to displace the water, or use a spray bottle of some CLP used for cleaning guns to soak the internals. Then later I could take the Adira apart to do a proper cleaning, but in the meantime the internals should not see rust.
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This is really all the point, isn't it? As you describe, if you take care of your knives, then it's going to be 100% fine. Hell, early days of my outdoors/camping "career" here in Florida (and previously in Georgia), between the daily afternoon summer rains and the 800% humidity, my carbon steel knives got wet and sweaty all the time. I simply made sure I wiped them down and dried them often and didn't store them in the sheathe and I never had any rust issues.

If folks want a knife they can use in or on the water/shore, then literally just drop it out of their hand into the tacklebox or tote bin for use next time, then no, an Adira isn't for them. A Salt model probably will be alright.
 
sledbot said:
$250 for one oz of magnacut, an oz of cheap plastic and an oz of stainless steel is utter stupidity. Not to mention that made in USA means absolutely nothing with benchmade because their QC is worse than most name brand knives coming from Taiwan and China. The native chief salt is basically the same size, half the price, and probably a better tool. The Adira felt like a cheap hollow plastic knife because that's exactly what it is. No doubt it will sell just as long as BM can keep tricking people into believing that it's the same company which built the reputation, even though it is not.
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My BM knives are well made, virtually flawless. I buy BM knives at gun shows from authorized dealers….great low prices.
 
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Taz said:
I lost my Benchmade Bugout a while back and am looking at the mini Adira as it's replacement for something a little bit beefier/bigger. I kinda like the blue handle color, too. I want to try one locally for hand fit before I decide on the mini or regular.

I haven't tried Magnacut at 60-62 (usually spec 64 on my stuff), so I am curious how people find it performs and holds an edge. I'm not using a folder for heavy duty tasks, so lowering the HRC down for more toughness doesn't really appeal to me and I usually carry a FB that sees more of the abusive stuff.
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From what I’ve seen, higher hrc is more prone to rust. So they usually lower it for these “water” blades.
 
Thanks for the reviews guys. Somewhat tempted - but I pre ordered a native Chief Salt and will see what I think of it first (should it ever arrive!)
I have a couple of fixed blades in LC200 and have gifted a Salt in H1 but kind of want an ocean folder/EDC.

My standard bugout did fine last trip when washed with dish soap and water then dried at the end of cutting bait. No issues with the spring etc.
 
I’m reviving this thread …
After looking at this thread and salivating over the Mini Adira Water Series knife, I decided to take the plunge. While I have several Benchmade knives, including a few Gold Class LE, I haven’t purchased one in many years. I was drawn to this one by the CPM Magnacut blade and the general price point. Overall, I think it’s a great knife, smooth and light with the deep carry clip that I enjoy. That said, as noted above, the supplied ‘paracord’ lanyard is really substandard. I needed something more substantial and I really dislike ‘looped’ lanyards. I kept the bead and tied a simple Snake Knot lanyard. This one is nice and stiff and suits the knife better IMO. I like this knife and will likely add an Intersect to the stable.
IMG_6742.jpeg
 
SCFlyGuy said:
I’m reviving this thread …
After looking at this thread and salivating over the Mini Adira Water Series knife, I decided to take the plunge. While I have several Benchmade knives, including a few Gold Class LE, I haven’t purchased one in many years. I was drawn to this one by the CPM Magnacut blade and the general price point. Overall, I think it’s a great knife, smooth and light with the deep carry clip that I enjoy. That said, as noted above, the supplied ‘paracord’ lanyard is really substandard. I needed something more substantial and I really dislike ‘looped’ lanyards. I kept the bead and tied a simple Snake Knot lanyard. This one is nice and stiff and suits the knife better IMO. I like this knife and will likely add an Intersect to the stable.
View attachment 2668194
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Nice!!! Enjoy it...
 
It is really simple to me. The Spyderco Salt is the one that delivers what is promised in their marketing.

I don't care what anyone says if those omega springs rusted in those conditions, out at sea they are going to be toast in no time unless you spend more time cleaning it than working or vacationing.

The Adira should not be marketed as a salt water knife. I don't buy it that Benchmade overlooked anything in the design. I think they just figured that highly rust resistant Omega Springs are not as cheap to make as their standard springs and just went with the standard springs because they didn't care enough.

At the beach or out to sea for long periods of time you best get a Spyderco Salt.
 
greater said:
It is really simple to me. The Spyderco Salt is the one that delivers what is promised in their marketing.

I don't care what anyone says if those omega springs rusted in those conditions, out at sea they are going to be toast in no time unless you spend more time cleaning it than working or vacationing.

The Adira should not be marketed as a salt water knife. I don't buy it that Benchmade overlooked anything in the design. I think they just figured that highly rust resistant Omega Springs are not as cheap to make as their standard springs and just went with the standard springs because they didn't care enough.

At the beach or out to sea for long periods of time you best get a Spyderco Salt.
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I agree for the most part; but for people that insist on a Benchmade, this can still be addressed somewhat by rinsing with fresh water, shaking it out, spraying with WD40, shaking it out, and then liberally oiling the pivot and springs. A fixed blade would also be a better choice.

If that is too much trouble, and a folder is still needed, I agree that a simple Salt Sage 5, Salt Para 2, or Salt PM2 (without springs to rust) would be a better choice.
 
Well Quiet and some of you other guys have convinced me - I am now the new owner of the full size Adira and I love it. You can see a photo and some comments in the "Who's Buying New Benchmade" thread. I'm looking forward to using my new knife but I'm currently recovering from Carpal Tunnel surgery and it's a bitch! But thanks for the great review. I doubt my Adira will ever see salt water. I bought it as a general EDC for hiking, boating, camping and just general yard work and trail maintenance. When looking at some of the other knives that can compare to the Adira I think it is a good deal.
 
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Sibyrnes said:
Well Quiet and some of you other guys have convinced me - I am now the new owner of the full size Adira and I love it. You can see a photo and some comments in the "Who's Buying New Benchmade" thread. I'm looking forward to using my new knife but I'm currently recovering from Carpal Tunnel surgery and it's a bitch! But thanks for the great review. I doubt my Adira will ever see salt water. I bought it as a general EDC for hiking, boating, camping and just general yard work and trail maintenance. When looking at some of the other knives that can compare to the Adira I think it is a good deal.
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My mini Adira will be for similar use, and never see salt water. I just wanted something for camping that was more shaped for my hand than my Spyderco Salt series that don’t have contoured scales.
 
I handled a Mini Adira at a knife store yesterday. In my opinion, pictures don’t do it justice. It’s a super nice knife in person. Felt very refined. Like something I would like to carry.

I didn’t walk out of there with it but I drive by that knife store about once a week on my delivery route. Knowing that I can pull into the parking lot and buy it on a whim is going to be hard to resist.

It’s outside of my normal price range but that might not be enough to keep me from buying it. I liked it a lot. Can’t stop thinking about it and we all know how that ends.
 
I carry a Manix salt when fishing/snorkeling/etc but I really like the design of the Adria better. Does anyone know if they are using stainless springs in these now?
 
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