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Benchmades on Mt. Everest
- Thread starter Dexter Ewing
- Start date
Gollnick
Musical Director
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- Mar 22, 1999
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- 29,258
Climber 1: "Wow! That was a great climb! All the way to the top of the world and back down. Now, let's go to Disneyland!"
Climber 2: Patting and searching his pockets "Wait a minute..."
Climber 3: "What is it?"
Climber 2: "We've gotta go back up."
Climber 1: "What do mean?"
Climber 2: "I lost my knife."
Climber 1: "We'll get you a new one."
Climber 2: "You don't understand... it's a Benchmade."
Climber 3: grabbing gear and turning back "He's right. Let's go."
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Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
Climber 2: Patting and searching his pockets "Wait a minute..."
Climber 3: "What is it?"
Climber 2: "We've gotta go back up."
Climber 1: "What do mean?"
Climber 2: "I lost my knife."
Climber 1: "We'll get you a new one."
Climber 2: "You don't understand... it's a Benchmade."
Climber 3: grabbing gear and turning back "He's right. Let's go."
------------------
Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
Kodiak PA
Gold Member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 1998
- Messages
- 2,447
I remember reading the book Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer. This is a fantastic book about the Everest expedition in '96 where a number of people died including guide Scott Fisher. When Russian climber Anatoli Boukreev (who later died climbing another mountain) went to find his boss he and his Sherpa specifically were looking for Scott's favorite pocket knife to give to his son. That really stuck with me when I read that.
If you have a chance to read this, I would really recommend it...it is a fantastic book about how commercialized Everest has become and literally novices are trying to get to the top by paying lots of money to be guided.
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~Greg Mete~
Kodiak Alaska
Buck Collectors Club-Lifetime Member
JKM-Chai
KnifeKnutt@aol.com
If you have a chance to read this, I would really recommend it...it is a fantastic book about how commercialized Everest has become and literally novices are trying to get to the top by paying lots of money to be guided.
------------------
~Greg Mete~
Kodiak Alaska
Buck Collectors Club-Lifetime Member
JKM-Chai
KnifeKnutt@aol.com
- Joined
- Dec 25, 1998
- Messages
- 7,394
pretty cool. I have to say that the 940 is a nice knife but probably wouldn't be my first choice for climbing Mt Everest. If I were going to pick a Benchmade I would choose another.
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Dennis Bible
....Almost here, The Leading Edge....
http://www.theleadingedgeonline.com
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Dennis Bible
....Almost here, The Leading Edge....
http://www.theleadingedgeonline.com
- Joined
- Dec 28, 1998
- Messages
- 120
Good to know that Benchmade's are "Everest proven"
If you are interested in high altitude climbing, I recommend David Breashears book.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0684853612/qid=987696749/sr=1-1/ref=sc_b_2/107-7401612-5200534
He is the guy behind the IMAX Everest movie, as well as some scenes of "Cliffhanger" (Stallone movie) and "Seven years in Tibet"
(the story of Austrian climber Heinrich Harrar with Brad Pitt). I found his book even more interesting than Krakauers work.
If you are interested in high altitude climbing, I recommend David Breashears book.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0684853612/qid=987696749/sr=1-1/ref=sc_b_2/107-7401612-5200534
He is the guy behind the IMAX Everest movie, as well as some scenes of "Cliffhanger" (Stallone movie) and "Seven years in Tibet"
(the story of Austrian climber Heinrich Harrar with Brad Pitt). I found his book even more interesting than Krakauers work.
- Joined
- Dec 1, 1999
- Messages
- 452
Greg,
Since you enjoyed "Into Thin Air", be sure to get Anatoli Boukreev's book called "The Climb". It provides an alternate view of what happened. Krakauer layed a lot of blame at Anatoli's feet.(My theory is that it's the New York socialites fault. She tired out all of the Sherpas.) When you read Anatoli's book you get a whole different perspective on what happened. Especially how Russian climbers view a guides duties. It is very different from how us Westerners view it and explains a lot of his actions. Another book with spectacular pictures is "Mount Everest: Mountain Without Mercy". This is put out by David Breashears and the Imax Film corporation. You might recognize Breashears from "Into Thin Air". He was heading the first expedition to ever film the ascent in Imax. He also abandoned his quest so he could help with the rescue. This book has incredible pictures of the '96 expeditions. The last book on climbing that I will recommend is called "The Zone".
This is the book that turned me on to climbing. It has three seperate true adventures from the climbing world. The first one is perhaps the greatest story of one mans perserverance that I have ever heard. Three men go up Denali and only one returns. The incredible part is that he has to get down alone, with a broken neck. The next story involves Scott Fisher from "Into Thin Air" and an incredible rescue on K2. (The second highest peak in the world and considered the most dangerous.) I am really rambling and I guess you can tell that you guys touched on a topic that interests me to no end. I will shut up after I recommend a non-climbing book by Jon Krakauer. The sad part is that I can't remember the title. It's about a total greenhorn who goes into the Alaskan Bush with nothing but 10#'s of rice and lives and dies in an old abandoned bus. He left a diary and Krakauer assembles what happened from it. You actually get to peer into a man's mind as he slowly starves to death at the hands of nature. Very deep stuff. Anyway, if you can't track any of these books down Greg, drop me an email and I could ship 'em up to you.
Take care,
Jim McCullough
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Next time you feel your life is sooo tough, read this- Some American Heroes
[This message has been edited by HUNTER3897 (edited 04-19-2001).]
Since you enjoyed "Into Thin Air", be sure to get Anatoli Boukreev's book called "The Climb". It provides an alternate view of what happened. Krakauer layed a lot of blame at Anatoli's feet.(My theory is that it's the New York socialites fault. She tired out all of the Sherpas.) When you read Anatoli's book you get a whole different perspective on what happened. Especially how Russian climbers view a guides duties. It is very different from how us Westerners view it and explains a lot of his actions. Another book with spectacular pictures is "Mount Everest: Mountain Without Mercy". This is put out by David Breashears and the Imax Film corporation. You might recognize Breashears from "Into Thin Air". He was heading the first expedition to ever film the ascent in Imax. He also abandoned his quest so he could help with the rescue. This book has incredible pictures of the '96 expeditions. The last book on climbing that I will recommend is called "The Zone".
This is the book that turned me on to climbing. It has three seperate true adventures from the climbing world. The first one is perhaps the greatest story of one mans perserverance that I have ever heard. Three men go up Denali and only one returns. The incredible part is that he has to get down alone, with a broken neck. The next story involves Scott Fisher from "Into Thin Air" and an incredible rescue on K2. (The second highest peak in the world and considered the most dangerous.) I am really rambling and I guess you can tell that you guys touched on a topic that interests me to no end. I will shut up after I recommend a non-climbing book by Jon Krakauer. The sad part is that I can't remember the title. It's about a total greenhorn who goes into the Alaskan Bush with nothing but 10#'s of rice and lives and dies in an old abandoned bus. He left a diary and Krakauer assembles what happened from it. You actually get to peer into a man's mind as he slowly starves to death at the hands of nature. Very deep stuff. Anyway, if you can't track any of these books down Greg, drop me an email and I could ship 'em up to you.
Take care,
Jim McCullough
------------------
Next time you feel your life is sooo tough, read this- Some American Heroes
[This message has been edited by HUNTER3897 (edited 04-19-2001).]
Hunter,
Here are a few titles that you might find interesting:
The Crystal Horizon (by Rheinhold Messner). He gives his account of his historic climb of Everest, wherein he was the first person to climb Everest solo, and the first to do it without oxygen.
All 14 Eight-Thousanders (by Rheinhold Messner). He gives his account of climbing every peak higher than 8,000 meters in the world. He was the first (is he still the only one?) to do this. He talks about all sorts of stuff, from the technical aspects of the climbs, to how it affected people's perception of him, to how it related to the death of his brother (a climbing partner) and break-up of his marriage, to how he dealt with funding and commercialization, to what he learned from his experiences.
Touching the Void (By Joe Simpson, I think). About a climber who had to be left for dead by his climbing partner after a severe fall, and made it back down the mountain with broken legs, frostbite, and various other injuries.
Here are a few titles that you might find interesting:
The Crystal Horizon (by Rheinhold Messner). He gives his account of his historic climb of Everest, wherein he was the first person to climb Everest solo, and the first to do it without oxygen.
All 14 Eight-Thousanders (by Rheinhold Messner). He gives his account of climbing every peak higher than 8,000 meters in the world. He was the first (is he still the only one?) to do this. He talks about all sorts of stuff, from the technical aspects of the climbs, to how it affected people's perception of him, to how it related to the death of his brother (a climbing partner) and break-up of his marriage, to how he dealt with funding and commercialization, to what he learned from his experiences.
Touching the Void (By Joe Simpson, I think). About a climber who had to be left for dead by his climbing partner after a severe fall, and made it back down the mountain with broken legs, frostbite, and various other injuries.
- Joined
- Dec 1, 1999
- Messages
- 452
Evolute,
I am very familiar with Rheinhold but have not read those books or the last one you listed. Thanks for the heads up. Perhaps a short term swap is in order if you own them. If not I will get them at Barnes & Noble.
Dexter,
Sorry about the topic Hijack.
Jim McCullough
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Next time you feel your life is sooo tough, read this- Some American Heroes
I am very familiar with Rheinhold but have not read those books or the last one you listed. Thanks for the heads up. Perhaps a short term swap is in order if you own them. If not I will get them at Barnes & Noble.
Dexter,
Sorry about the topic Hijack.
Jim McCullough
------------------
Next time you feel your life is sooo tough, read this- Some American Heroes
I have some objections to this entire thing.
Knives have been used before on Everest climbs, and I don't recall any mention of the specific knife anyone carried. So, when it comes to exposure for BM this thread is probably it. Unless BM runs an advertising campaign; 'Benchmade - Official Knife of the Everest Expedition' kinda like 'Buick - Offical Car of the Phoenix Open'.
As for the BM 940 it's nothing more than a lightweight gents knife with a poor handle shape for someone wearing thick gloves, even without gloves it provides a poor grip for a draw cut. Not something I would consider a hard use knife.
For such an extreme endeavor one would want the best equipment. I know someone locally who went over there (did not make it to the top) and took a Sebenza with him. A far better choice.
And the expedition itself seems ill advised. The 96 tradgedy was caused by socialites determined to get their glory no matter the cost or risk to others. The climbers were not up to the task without significant help from the guides. And there were unnecessary deaths as a result.
There are some things which one should not attempt due to personal and physical limitations and risk to others. There are things I would like to do but it would be unwise due to prior injuries and physical limitations.
The addition to the expediton of someone who is blind regardless of his previous accomplishments (Everest is not just another climb) will put significant additional stress on others which lessens their chances of survival. I think this is reckless.
Ron
Knives have been used before on Everest climbs, and I don't recall any mention of the specific knife anyone carried. So, when it comes to exposure for BM this thread is probably it. Unless BM runs an advertising campaign; 'Benchmade - Official Knife of the Everest Expedition' kinda like 'Buick - Offical Car of the Phoenix Open'.
As for the BM 940 it's nothing more than a lightweight gents knife with a poor handle shape for someone wearing thick gloves, even without gloves it provides a poor grip for a draw cut. Not something I would consider a hard use knife.
For such an extreme endeavor one would want the best equipment. I know someone locally who went over there (did not make it to the top) and took a Sebenza with him. A far better choice.
And the expedition itself seems ill advised. The 96 tradgedy was caused by socialites determined to get their glory no matter the cost or risk to others. The climbers were not up to the task without significant help from the guides. And there were unnecessary deaths as a result.
There are some things which one should not attempt due to personal and physical limitations and risk to others. There are things I would like to do but it would be unwise due to prior injuries and physical limitations.
The addition to the expediton of someone who is blind regardless of his previous accomplishments (Everest is not just another climb) will put significant additional stress on others which lessens their chances of survival. I think this is reckless.
Ron
- Joined
- Dec 1, 1999
- Messages
- 452
Ron,
I agree with a lot of what you said. As I said in my earlier post, I feel the socialite significantly contributed to the '96 disaster. Some people just don't belong on mountains in the class of Everest and K2. Being able to climb Mckinley/Denali really doesn't qualify you to attempt these peaks either. If the expedition comprised only of this guy, his guide, and the Sherpas, that's one thing. Then the only people in danger besides himself is the people he hired. (A devil's advocate would say that more people would be put in danger during the rescue) If they choose to rent out their services on his behalf, then they will pay the consequences if things turn ugly. On the other hand, if you have other paying clients along and something goes wrong, then he instantly becomes a detriment to the survival of the rest of the group by using up the guide's and the Sherpa's energy taking care of him. From what I have read, people really underestimate how quickly the weather can turn and how much the altitude affects judgement and motor skills. Even if you use bottled oxygen, at that altitude, your body isn't able to utilize what it's taking in. Simple tasks like putting your glove back on, can turn deadly. While it's fun to pull for the underdog, I would be inclined to agree that he doesn't belong up there.
Jim McCullough
------------------
Next time you feel your life is sooo tough, read this- Some American Heroes
I agree with a lot of what you said. As I said in my earlier post, I feel the socialite significantly contributed to the '96 disaster. Some people just don't belong on mountains in the class of Everest and K2. Being able to climb Mckinley/Denali really doesn't qualify you to attempt these peaks either. If the expedition comprised only of this guy, his guide, and the Sherpas, that's one thing. Then the only people in danger besides himself is the people he hired. (A devil's advocate would say that more people would be put in danger during the rescue) If they choose to rent out their services on his behalf, then they will pay the consequences if things turn ugly. On the other hand, if you have other paying clients along and something goes wrong, then he instantly becomes a detriment to the survival of the rest of the group by using up the guide's and the Sherpa's energy taking care of him. From what I have read, people really underestimate how quickly the weather can turn and how much the altitude affects judgement and motor skills. Even if you use bottled oxygen, at that altitude, your body isn't able to utilize what it's taking in. Simple tasks like putting your glove back on, can turn deadly. While it's fun to pull for the underdog, I would be inclined to agree that he doesn't belong up there.
Jim McCullough
------------------
Next time you feel your life is sooo tough, read this- Some American Heroes
I think that a better choice in a folder would be the Spyderco Military (serrated). It's big opening hole and large grip make it ideal for handling with thick gloves. It is also relatively light in weight to similarly sized folders. Another factor to consider are the merits of aluminum scales (on the BM 940) to G10 (on the Military) in frigid conditions.
I don't know anything about mountain climbing but wonder if a fixed blade knife could be a viable option. It could be quicker to deploy and less prone to freeze up in the closed position.
Just $0.02 from someone who knows nothing about climbing.
I don't know anything about mountain climbing but wonder if a fixed blade knife could be a viable option. It could be quicker to deploy and less prone to freeze up in the closed position.
Just $0.02 from someone who knows nothing about climbing.
Hunter,
Sorry, but a book swap is not possible. My ex got those books when we split up. That's probably for the best; she's a much more serious and skilled climber than I am, anyway. We're still close friends, and I could borrow those books if I wanted to, but I can't loan them to you.
Sorry, but a book swap is not possible. My ex got those books when we split up. That's probably for the best; she's a much more serious and skilled climber than I am, anyway. We're still close friends, and I could borrow those books if I wanted to, but I can't loan them to you.
- Joined
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- Messages
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On Benchmade's forum, the reason for the choice is explained (note that the choice was not made by inexperienced climbers, or somesuch):
http://192.41.25.213/ultbb/Forum1/HTML/001627.html
--JB
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e_utopia@hotmail.com
[This message has been edited by e_utopia (edited 04-19-2001).]
http://192.41.25.213/ultbb/Forum1/HTML/001627.html
--JB
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e_utopia@hotmail.com
[This message has been edited by e_utopia (edited 04-19-2001).]
- Joined
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- Messages
- 3,625
Very interesting.
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Wayne.
"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tennyson
Ranger motto
A few useful details on UK laws and some nice reviews!
http://members.aol.com/knivesuk/
Certified steel snob!
------------------
Wayne.
"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tennyson
Ranger motto
A few useful details on UK laws and some nice reviews!
http://members.aol.com/knivesuk/
Certified steel snob!
I have to admit that I don't know exactly what their needs are, weight, well yeah that's easy to figure out, beyond that I don't know.
I hope it serves them well.
When I consider that he wrote to BM asking for advice, and his remark that it was the best blade he's ever seen, I tend to think that he's not knowledgeable about what is available.
But, hey if it works for him that's what counts.
[This message has been edited by RKnight (edited 04-19-2001).]
I hope it serves them well.
When I consider that he wrote to BM asking for advice, and his remark that it was the best blade he's ever seen, I tend to think that he's not knowledgeable about what is available.
But, hey if it works for him that's what counts.
[This message has been edited by RKnight (edited 04-19-2001).]
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- Messages
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Owwwwch!!!!
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Wayne.
"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tennyson
Ranger motto
A few useful details on UK laws and some nice reviews!
http://members.aol.com/knivesuk/
Certified steel snob!
------------------
Wayne.
"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tennyson
Ranger motto
A few useful details on UK laws and some nice reviews!
http://members.aol.com/knivesuk/
Certified steel snob!
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2000
- Messages
- 3,221
Given that most climbers get by just fine using el-cheapo hardware store knives, a Benchmade 940 may well be the best knife he's seen. Personally, I'd prefer a fixed-blade, but if I was going to use a folder for something like this, the 940 would definitely be near the top of my list, among production knives (of course, I would more likely carry a custom if I was going to climb Everest with it, but most people have no idea that custom knives even exist).
And the 940 is a good choice. It's light, it's strong, and Benchmade's Axis knives can be easily operated with gloves on. Try releasing a lockback or liner lock with heavy gloves, then compare that with an Axis lock. The Aluminum scales don't really matter, since climbers on Everest have this tendency to wear gloves.... Also take into account that when someone is speaking to a company which just gave them free stuff worth a good deal of money, they have a tendency to be a little bit on the polite side.
--JB
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e_utopia@hotmail.com
And the 940 is a good choice. It's light, it's strong, and Benchmade's Axis knives can be easily operated with gloves on. Try releasing a lockback or liner lock with heavy gloves, then compare that with an Axis lock. The Aluminum scales don't really matter, since climbers on Everest have this tendency to wear gloves.... Also take into account that when someone is speaking to a company which just gave them free stuff worth a good deal of money, they have a tendency to be a little bit on the polite side.
--JB
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e_utopia@hotmail.com
- Joined
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- Messages
- 3,278
hunter, the book your looking for is "Into the Wild" by the same author.
It is one of my favorite books of all time,even though i have only read it once.I cant find a copy,though.Gotta keep looking in the bookstores.
This book also talks about crackauer's climb on devils thumb (i think thats the mt he climbed). i believe t said he was there (the mountain) for three weeks.like i said,only read it once,so i might be wrong.
It is one of my favorite books of all time,even though i have only read it once.I cant find a copy,though.Gotta keep looking in the bookstores.
This book also talks about crackauer's climb on devils thumb (i think thats the mt he climbed). i believe t said he was there (the mountain) for three weeks.like i said,only read it once,so i might be wrong.