Benchmite II

K

Krull

Joined
Aug 18, 2005
Messages
869
Ok here's how this went:I mentioned I was gonna get a Boker autoknife,but I went and bit on a Buck Rush...so today I'm at my mall and played with a Boker at the knife store there,decided I like AO knives since I can carry them anywhere and they're basically the same.

Enter the Benchmite II,I'd heard of this at NewGraham and thought I'd like the Benchmite a lot more with AUS-8 then 154CM,and it's $$ less to boot!
So what does little Krull see at the knife store today? yep you guessed it! I must have played with the little bugger for five minutes,put it back,then said to myself "the hell with it" and got myself a Benchmite! :thumbup:

So if anybody has any questions I'm all ears,and if ya want me to give a long term impression I'm game. ;)

Here's a quick review of it:
Stainless scales are nicely done;and the Levitator lock works great,and locks tight (I need to practice to be able to "flick" it open) it may be lower-cost but it sure don't feel like it! overall finish is on par with my Al-Mar SLB.
Steel is as mentioned AUS-8 and is scary sharp,I like AUS-8 as my Al-Mar has taught me it's a worthy steel.

I need time to test more,but I'll for sure put this as my EDC for the day-to-day stuff,maybe set aside my SLB and Ladybug from front line duty :D
 
Did you get a chance to see or handle the one with the black pearl coating? I'm wondering if it's a good finish in terms of feel look on that particular model.
 
I'd like to see a long term review, maybe some pics. The new blade profile and thumb nick doesn't quite do it for me. :(
 
My Benchmite II is running fine. It takes a modification of technique, but when you learn to flick while pressing the lock down, very one hand openable. As best I can tell, if a regular lock is called a lockback, than the levitator should be called a lockside. It works pretty much the same way. Mine passed basic spine whacks, but it's not going to be used for anything intense, and so I didn't need to do severe testing.

The thumb nick doesn't look bad to me, but it is entirely useless....it actually cannot be used, since it locks closed. Not a smart addition.

It's small and non threatening, which is nice. Lack of a pocket clip though makes it hard to find in your pocket. Stainless steel handles probably get scratched up easily also, so I won't want it to share with my keys. But its low price (sub 25 dollars), makes it very replaceable.

All in all, I like it.
 
No jujigatame they just had the one plain finshed,I don't care for blade coatings since they wear off and tend to get ratty looking.

The thumb nick on mine has some kind of gray coating in it (paint? teflon?) that I dunno what to make of;while it has no pocket clip I don't mind as much as might have before,carrying a Spyder Ladybug showed me a small clipless knife is best carryed in an upper shirt pocket.

I'm starting to get a hang on "flicking" it,the little bugger sure flys open! :D
I like smallish knives 'cos they don't make sheeple freak when ya go to open a candybar or slit a box.

I consider a knife like this "medium" duty and I'll at most cut up some boxes with it and really do about 98-99% of what needs done with a knife.Mine seems to have a bit of side-to-side play but zilch up-and-down still won't bug me since it's all metal..if it were zytel I'd be worryed!

Well I'll keep ya posted on it from time to time,we'll see if it goes loose,but I doubt it! Benchmade makes great stuff.;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top