BM 930 Kulgera

pbcg

pbcg

Joined
Oct 20, 2009
Messages
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I've had my eye on the Benchmade 930 Kulgera for some time. I would really appreciate any feedback / reviews from anyone who owns one. The good, bad, and the ugly so to speak. And if a current owner thinks it's worth the price?

Thanks!
 
I have one but it is a collector, not a user, so I can't provide much insight with respect to durability etc.

It is my first and only BM and based on the fit and finish, blade deployment, etc., etc. I would certainly consider other BM knives in future.

Obviously I like the styling or I wouldn't have purchased it.

Benchmade930Kulgera2.jpg


Benchmade930Kulgera1.jpg


Kevin
 
I've wanted to get one myself. Anyone know what's up with that peice of metal (looks like) sticking out of the handle, (not the blade)?
 
Thank you very much for your input. I love the styling also, If fact that's the main attraction for me. I own several BM's, some users and a couple of collectable's. Not sure if I'd make this one a user just yet. Just love the way it looks.

Thanks again!
 
I have the Kulgera. It is a nice looking knife. It carries well: very light and slim. The blade length is perfect for many tasks, even food prep. What I don't like is the g-10 scales are too smooth and the handle is too slim. This makes the knife a little hard to hold onto when opening and closing it (I have sort of large hands).
 
I have large hands also, however, My two favorite knives are the BM 806AFCK and the McHenery & Williams 710. They are what I would call "Slim handles" and I can use just fine. Would you say the Kulgera is similar in terms of size? I live in NYC and there are no real knife stores I can go to, to get a real look. I'm going on what's in the BM catalog. Kinda hard to tell if you know what I mean.
 
No, I have the 710 also and that handle fits my hands much better..the Kulgera is much slimmer. The Kulgera's shortfall (in my opinion) is that the scales are too smooth. If I could roughen up the scales a little bit I would carry it more. Also the Kulgera's handle is long enough, it is just that a little more girth would help me to hold onto it when I am trying to close it one-handed.
 
I saw the Kulgera in the catalog when it first came out and wanted one. Then, I tried it in a local store and suddenly didn't want it. The handle is small and the metal showing on the handle makes it look unfinished (IMO). Plus, it was only about 1/2" longer than my BM/H&K 14210 and I like the style of the 14210 much better.

Some time later BM introduced the Nagara with a blue titanium handle. I did buy that one, as it looks better, feels better, is finished as well or better, and costs half as much as the Kulgera.

[Note for those who reply: Insert standard objections to Chinese made products HERE.]
 
My EDC for a long while was a 940D2CF, which I love, so when the 930 came out, naturally I had to get one too. The blue/black G10 scales are quite pretty, and even the screws have style flares that set it apart from previous AXIS lock knives. The knife simply looks great. However, I resold the 930 soon after I got it.

Like others have said, the styling is great, but I found that it was also its drawbacks. The exposed bits of the liners dug into my hands and made holding it rather uncomfortable. The rounded profile of the G10 scales also made the lock less exposed than on my 940 (and 710, 705, and 806 I previously owned), combined with the rounded edges of the AXIS lock made it much more difficult to engage (not impossible, just not as easy) for easy closing and flicking open.

It's a great looking knife, but if at all possible, I would suggest holding the knife before buying one.
 
The 930 is an excellent knife. Very well made and very nice looking. I had one for about a year and traded it off. You will not be disappointed if you pull the trigger on this one.

SB
 
Can't recommend it. The axis lock bar does not protrude far enough to get my fat thumb on it. The term "slippery button" comes to mind. Also they skinnied up the pivot hardware for some reason, so the knife is not as strong as the 940. The blade needs a sharper tip for my use. I can grind a clip point on it, but that wouldn't solve the other shortcomings. I could also scoop out the handles around the buttons to get a purchase on the lock bar, but I am not short on projects right now.
 
Hey pbcg if you want to handle some knives before buying check out Paragon Sports. I visited NYC in August and paid them a visit after a suggestion by a fellow forumite (sorry I forgot who). They carry Benchmade, Spyderco, Kershaw, SOG, Leatherman, Al Mar, CRKT (I think), and the largest B&M Victorinox selection I have ever seen. Aside from those manufacturers they also carry CRK and many custom knives including DDR, Howard Viele, and Bob Terzuola, among others.
 
Thanks for posting this question. My afterwork and weekend EDC is a BM 940, and I have been eyeing the BM 930 because it has a bit more blade length, which might be nice for cutting food.
 
I got a BM 930 recently and it is an excellent knife. It's lightweight and nice looking, and fits nicely in the pocket. The metal sticking out is the liners: the scales do not completely cover them. It's a stylistic decision that obviously some will like more than others (I think it looks pretty nice).

My biggest complaint, and this is a general BM complaint rather than specifically about the 930, is that the factory edge can be highly variable. I played with a couple side by side, and one was pretty sharp and the other just had a rough, sub-par edge on it. It's not the end of the world; I spent the time putting a good edge on mine and it's held it well (admittedly I haven't had call to use it for more than light cutting tasks).
 
Wow, thank you all so much for your opinions! I really do appreciate it! Locust, I remember Paragon sporting goods. Last time I was there I might have been 15 or so to buy some weights. Long time ago LOL! Think I'll head down and see what they have. Didn't know they carried knives, let alone BM's.

Thanks agian all..
 
Greetings PBCG: I have a Kulgara. The 930 is a beautiful knife. IMO most of the design elements were devoted to appearance rather than utility and function. The knife is overall a medium size well constructed folder with many cosmetic touches. The blue/black swirl G10 is subdued and tasteful. The liners have a black chrome appearance. Benchmade must have been pleased with their appearance because they stand proud of the G10 along the back and front of the handles. The thumb studs and scale screws are also more ornate than necessity would dictate. The blade shape is pleasing and unusual for this price point. the S30v steel came very sharp from the factory. It is a very nice high quality production folder. It is usually the first knife that non-knife people notice when I am showing off my collection. It usually sits in my safe. It is a bit wide for a thin knife and a bit thick for a flat knife. The low profile thumb studs require me to "dig in" with my thumb when opening and the smooth scales make a good grip difficult. The blade is relatively narrow. The rear of the cutting edge quickly clears the liners and is available to cleanly remove a few layers of thumb pad skin before the blade has completed enough of it's opening arc to be in a more user friendly orientation. Slippery scales, low profile smooth thumb studs and a narrow blade are not a good combination of factors if one is not TOTALLY concentrating on opening. When closing, the blade tip extends to within a few millimeters of the rounded butt of the knife. This means that the tip is inclined to bite my palm before it is safely below the liner since it is exposed until almost fully at rest. I gave up flipping it closed by pulling back the axis lock bar and using inertia. I have quite a few axis lock Benchmades and this is the only model that bites me when flipping it closed. The exposed jimping on the liners create "hot spots" in my hands when engaged in prolonged cutting. IMO the Kulgara is a dress knife. It feels solid and well made. It is smooth in operation and visually appealing. Quality materials are used throughout it's construction. It's appearance garners quiet attention. It is nice to look at but built more for show than go. OldDude1
 
OldDude1, You gave me the most comprehensive and desired feedback. Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you very much! This is exactly why I posted the question on the forum. I've been a fan of and buying BM's for over fifteen years. Have to tell you I've been disappointed many times. Not that they were not quality or what was described in the catalog, but when I held it in my hand it was not what I hoped for. At this point buying another knife is a luxury not a necessity and I'm trying to be more selective. (Tax return is coming lol) Thank you again, I really appreciated it! Be well

Paul
 
I really wanted a Kulgera when the first came out and was close to buying one. I decided to keep using my BM 940 Osborne for this role instead due to what some others have said. Nice looking knife though and who knows I may end up with one yet.
 
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