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BM 930 Kulgera
- Thread starter pbcg
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2005
- Messages
- 10,038
Thanks Dag-nabit,
Yes I read that the liner bothered someone when it was held firmly. I wasn't 100% sure that was an exposed peice of the knife's liner hanging out there and why it would be for goodness sakes on an otherwise very pretty knife.
It puts me off from buying the Kulgera, which turned my head the second I looked at it but since noticing that - it doesn't look right to me now.
That's just one guy's tastes - I say if ya like 'em buy 'em! :thumbup:
Yes I read that the liner bothered someone when it was held firmly. I wasn't 100% sure that was an exposed peice of the knife's liner hanging out there and why it would be for goodness sakes on an otherwise very pretty knife.
It puts me off from buying the Kulgera, which turned my head the second I looked at it but since noticing that - it doesn't look right to me now.
That's just one guy's tastes - I say if ya like 'em buy 'em! :thumbup:
To the poster who mentioned the B-M 'Nagara' - and didn't want criticism on PRC-made knives, consider this: Benchmade dropped the entire Red Box line this year! All gone!! Perhaps the ultimate statement...
By all standards, most reviewers liked the Nagara, however. Never saw one - still awaiting a 930 Kulgera, too. I did finally see the B-M HD 'Hard Tail' - nice knife. Sadly, it was at a H-D dealer - and you could have made a down payment on a new H-D for less!
I, too, won't buy a B-M again without testing the 'hand-fit'. I also learned that some things I never expected to like would be really great knives - last year's Bob Lum style Tanto blade (I hate Tanto blades!) 760BK LTi. I fondled one and had to have it! Wonderful knife... hardly noticed that weird end... This year's 741, an AXIS lock Lum design - keeper on paper, is a counter example. Three trips to the pusher - fondled one each time - left with the cobwebs still encircling my wallet. The B-M 150 'Glory' fb - never thought I'd say this - I like that knife... $350 is a bunch, of course, so I won't have one any time soon. Gotta try 'em out!
Stainz
By all standards, most reviewers liked the Nagara, however. Never saw one - still awaiting a 930 Kulgera, too. I did finally see the B-M HD 'Hard Tail' - nice knife. Sadly, it was at a H-D dealer - and you could have made a down payment on a new H-D for less!
I, too, won't buy a B-M again without testing the 'hand-fit'. I also learned that some things I never expected to like would be really great knives - last year's Bob Lum style Tanto blade (I hate Tanto blades!) 760BK LTi. I fondled one and had to have it! Wonderful knife... hardly noticed that weird end... This year's 741, an AXIS lock Lum design - keeper on paper, is a counter example. Three trips to the pusher - fondled one each time - left with the cobwebs still encircling my wallet. The B-M 150 'Glory' fb - never thought I'd say this - I like that knife... $350 is a bunch, of course, so I won't have one any time soon. Gotta try 'em out!
Stainz
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2009
- Messages
- 85
I am the original poster and BM DID NOT DROP the Nagara or the Red Line--rather they moved many of the Red Line products to the HD and H&K product lines. It seems they are positioning the BM brand as US only and jacking up the prices (see other threads on the new physical store/15% discount policies).
The "new" HD Nagara is to have HD logos instead of BM logos, but is otherwise the same knife.
Overall the Nagara is simply a better design than the Kulgera, and probably moved to HD to keep the Kulgera from looking bad.
By the way, I don't care one way or another about criticizing PRC products, its just an old and well-worn topic.
- Joined
- May 25, 2006
- Messages
- 3,982
I've owned a couple of the 930's and traded them off, just could not get used to the exposed liners, thought and still think that was a design flaw. Grip the knife and the liners are not comfortable for heavy use. Mind you, that's just my opine, I love the Osborne models, pretty much every other one are keepers.
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2010
- Messages
- 1,635
I have 10 Benchmades and the 930 is my favorite. Unlike alot of folks here that say they use their knives, I actually do and you won't be dissapointed with a 930. Great knife.
What's with all the pictures of so called "EDC user knives" on this site where the knife looks like it just came out of the box?
Anything other than a gold class is meant for work, they are tools and they really can do the things that alot of posters say they can without actually trying them. If you want a knife to slice food, get a kitchen knife.
What's with all the pictures of so called "EDC user knives" on this site where the knife looks like it just came out of the box?
Anything other than a gold class is meant for work, they are tools and they really can do the things that alot of posters say they can without actually trying them. If you want a knife to slice food, get a kitchen knife.
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2009
- Messages
- 1,298
I can't speak for everyone that posts pics, but I usually take photos of my knives when I first get them. User, or collector, the first photos are of a fresh out of the box knife.
When I'm using my knives I'm generally too busy to take pictures, unless I'm planning a review or something, therefore the only photo I often have of a knife is from when it was new.
Kevin
The Kulgera has been my "always with me" knife since picking up a new one about three months ago. #1 at home, backup when I leave the house.
I love the small slim size. It is beautifully made. A few passes on the xfine Sharpmaker put a nice edge on it. The G10 scales are smooth, but this does make the Kulgera easy to pull out of a shirt or pant pocket.
At the current $130 price for a new Kulgera you get a refined gentlemens folder. IMO the design compromises place this knife in the light duty/but still useful for SD category.
I love the small slim size. It is beautifully made. A few passes on the xfine Sharpmaker put a nice edge on it. The G10 scales are smooth, but this does make the Kulgera easy to pull out of a shirt or pant pocket.
At the current $130 price for a new Kulgera you get a refined gentlemens folder. IMO the design compromises place this knife in the light duty/but still useful for SD category.
Of the benchmades that I own (benchmite, mini grip, 2 ritter m4 grips, mini barrage) the kulgera came the least sharp, its actually pretty bad. Even the red class Vex I got was sharper. The only one close to as bad was the red line pardue.
In addition, the blade was off center and the axis lock kinda sticks.
The blade seems the least functional of my knives (well not including the tanto Vex).
I bought because I liked the way it looks and the one I tried (a friends), was super smooth. This one was not. I still like it, but I can say I am a bit disappointed.
In addition, the blade was off center and the axis lock kinda sticks.
The blade seems the least functional of my knives (well not including the tanto Vex).
I bought because I liked the way it looks and the one I tried (a friends), was super smooth. This one was not. I still like it, but I can say I am a bit disappointed.
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2000
- Messages
- 1,017
I owned one for a couple of years until I gave it to a friend, liked it alright.
Nice, slim and fairly light weight it also held up well-No problems after two years
work carry.
Only problem I had with it was the lock, The Axis bolt (?) was set too far down in the handles and a little difficult to get unlocked some times. It would stick.
Nice, slim and fairly light weight it also held up well-No problems after two years
work carry.
Only problem I had with it was the lock, The Axis bolt (?) was set too far down in the handles and a little difficult to get unlocked some times. It would stick.
holy crap, this is ironic, my kulgera has feelings!!!
just a couple a minutes ago after saying i was a bit disappointed with my kulgera, it bit me!! small layer of skin off my thumb, barely noticed it, no blood, but it definitely bit me...
lol, the kulgera is definitely a she.
just a couple a minutes ago after saying i was a bit disappointed with my kulgera, it bit me!! small layer of skin off my thumb, barely noticed it, no blood, but it definitely bit me...
lol, the kulgera is definitely a she.
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2010
- Messages
- 1,635
That makes sense, probably so in about 50% of the cases I suppose.
I was totally pleased with mine. The only real issues I had with it I wouldn't really call issues, but they're shared by others. That would be the palm biting and the AXIS lock sticking. However being a new Benchmade customer and a new user of the AXIS lock, i didn't realize this was anything particular to this knife. So I simply paid a little extra attention to keeping my palm out of the way when closing the knife, and pulling the AXIS lock back with both thumb and index finger so it doesn't stick. In hindsight, I may have went with a different knife if I knew about this but on the other hand I wouldn't know what little characteristics I would be getting with it, and to me it's not bothersome enough to say I would go a different direction.
I've noticed that the AXIS lock is probably "mounted" or "drilled" (for lack of a better term) a few thousandths of an inch too low, because I only have problems with it sticking if I apply a reasonably amount of energy into ejecting the blade with my thumb, or flicking it.
I've never had any problem opening it with the thumbstud as I adjusted the pivot screw to be quite loose. I don't know if this is particular to the Kulgera, but one can keep the knife very loose with zero blade play. Mine snaps out fully engaged and lock with simply a brush on the thumbstud. I have had a couple of thumb-to-blade encounters with it, but this was only when I was being careless and flicking it open as fast as I could and while the pivot was still pretty thight. It requires such little force to fully engage now, that half the time I need only pull the lock back and gravity pulls the blade down and I can just open it by moving the handle on the blade pivot until it's engaged, and I can close it the same way. Very, very smooth pivot.
I can't share experiences with being unable to get a good grip on the G10. The contours and ergonomics of the handle help this though, so perhaps that is what causes the liners to be uncomfortable, in that they're relying on the contours of the knife to compensate for the grip that's not up to their standard. I don't know, that's just all speculation, as I haven't had any problem with it, and that's including using it in the middle of a stream and cutting some pretty high-density upholstery foam that the blade got kind of binded in.
I'm not sure I buy the idea that the jimping on the back is wearing into anyone's hand--and if it is maybe you should try not to treat the knife like it was a grip-tester
. The jimping is so dull on the liners that I don't see how it can even be useful let alone uncomfortable, and I'm definitely not stating that as advantageous. Not only is the jimping too dull to matter, but the placement on the liners left me wondering what they were thinking. Instead of above the AXIS pivot or on the ramped portion of the blade, the only viable jimping is located so far back that you would have to hold the knife as if you were trying to snap a pencil just to be able to make contact with it.
I'll take people's word on the idea that the liners are causing discomfort. I'm not sure how hard someone needs to hold on to this knife, but unlike the jimping I do see this ergonomics bit as being a real issue, but in my personal opinion and experience only if you're really holding on to the thing with a very hard grip for at least an hour or more. I've worked with it cutting up thick stacks of cardboard for 2 hours straight without any discomfort, but cutting up some upholstery foam that had a habit of binding the blade, I found my hand getting a little sore after about 30 minutes and I went and got my Buck 119 to complete the job.
I don't really know what kind of tasks people are occupying themselves that they're making their hands uncomfortable holding this, or not able to get a good grip on it. I've cut cardboard, rope, plastic, all sorts of packaging material with it and it seems perfectly suited for moderate tasks. As far as buschcraft kind of stuff, I've taken it hiking with me and it seems perfectly capable, but I would rather have a fixed blade for this than any of Benchmade's folders. I've handled a 940 and I find it to be extremely similar to the Kulgera in the type of work I would expect it to do.
Anyway, I'm just saying that I think it's more suited for work than a lot of people here are giving it credit for. To me if you have to use this knife in a task where you have to hold on hard enough that it's hurting your hands, you should probably get a beefier knife. The liners and scales are not that substantial, and there's only two bolts and the pivot holding the knife together. I don't find myself inspired to ever bear down on the knife with a lot of force, but I don't think it would have any trouble matching the 940's ability in this context; it would just be a more comfortable blade for that heavy use--and I mean heavy in a literal sense.
I'm very happy with mine, aside from having the spring on my AXIS lock wear out--though that's not really particular to the Kulgera. I think I can see the exposed liners being uncomfortable if you're using the knife heavily (again literal sense, lots of force and exertion ) for extended periods of time, but overall holding this knife, I would not really think, "Oh, yeah, this is definitely the knife I need for durability." It's so light, and you can literally feel the flex and stress in the liners if you put a good lateral force on the blade. I get this same feeling from the 940, but the difference I see is that while they're both probably fully capable of making those types of heavy cuts, I personally would feel more secure using the 940 than the 930, but only by a little; both models are too light and flexible to get any extreme use, and so I went with a 930 for that reason.
I think the ornate design portions of the Kulgera set it off on the wrong foot in many people's minds. They don't consider it a worker, say they can't get a good grip, etc. Well okay, I'll merit that, but only in extreme scenarios as I have yet to meet a circumstance that I didn't feel comfortable enough to use the Kulgera for other than that foam, and it's done very well for every other circumstance, but I think the big separating factor is extended use. I only ever need to use a knife for about a max of five hours, and that's usually with very little force being exerted on the knife frame. If I had to cut foam with this knife I'd be looking for something else.
I wouldn't sell the Kulgera short, but I don't know if I would buy one while looking for a work knife. On the other hand it works great for an extremely capable EDC that doesn't scare non-knife people and works well as a dress knife. In my mind it's really one of the only "gentlemen's folders" that I've seen that I would take to a hike or a job, so I kind of see the 930 as the 940's classier, less utilitarian but equally capable cousin.
I think I'm going to agree about out of the box sharpness ( even though I don't care as I re profile any new knife I get ): My Red Class Ambush came sharper out of the box. It was still very sharp and could shave arm hair, but my friend's 940 that I traded up for a day I felt was much sharper, and it seems I'm only echoing the experience of other users.
I got mine for $100 on Benchmade's website as part of a warranty replacement for my Ambush. I wouldn't pay the full $205 Benchmade MSRP, but if a person wanted a gent's folder that they can use for practically any task they don't need a fixed blade for, I don't think that $130 is too up there in price when comparing it to Benchmade's 940 which can be found for a bout the same price and is very similar to the 930.
To make a long story short: If you want a gent's folder that can work hard for a little bit, the Kulgera is worth it. If you just need a hard working folder, go ahead and get a 940 instead: It's extremely similar, and more suited to extended use.
I've noticed that the AXIS lock is probably "mounted" or "drilled" (for lack of a better term) a few thousandths of an inch too low, because I only have problems with it sticking if I apply a reasonably amount of energy into ejecting the blade with my thumb, or flicking it.
I've never had any problem opening it with the thumbstud as I adjusted the pivot screw to be quite loose. I don't know if this is particular to the Kulgera, but one can keep the knife very loose with zero blade play. Mine snaps out fully engaged and lock with simply a brush on the thumbstud. I have had a couple of thumb-to-blade encounters with it, but this was only when I was being careless and flicking it open as fast as I could and while the pivot was still pretty thight. It requires such little force to fully engage now, that half the time I need only pull the lock back and gravity pulls the blade down and I can just open it by moving the handle on the blade pivot until it's engaged, and I can close it the same way. Very, very smooth pivot.
I can't share experiences with being unable to get a good grip on the G10. The contours and ergonomics of the handle help this though, so perhaps that is what causes the liners to be uncomfortable, in that they're relying on the contours of the knife to compensate for the grip that's not up to their standard. I don't know, that's just all speculation, as I haven't had any problem with it, and that's including using it in the middle of a stream and cutting some pretty high-density upholstery foam that the blade got kind of binded in.
I'm not sure I buy the idea that the jimping on the back is wearing into anyone's hand--and if it is maybe you should try not to treat the knife like it was a grip-tester
. The jimping is so dull on the liners that I don't see how it can even be useful let alone uncomfortable, and I'm definitely not stating that as advantageous. Not only is the jimping too dull to matter, but the placement on the liners left me wondering what they were thinking. Instead of above the AXIS pivot or on the ramped portion of the blade, the only viable jimping is located so far back that you would have to hold the knife as if you were trying to snap a pencil just to be able to make contact with it.I'll take people's word on the idea that the liners are causing discomfort. I'm not sure how hard someone needs to hold on to this knife, but unlike the jimping I do see this ergonomics bit as being a real issue, but in my personal opinion and experience only if you're really holding on to the thing with a very hard grip for at least an hour or more. I've worked with it cutting up thick stacks of cardboard for 2 hours straight without any discomfort, but cutting up some upholstery foam that had a habit of binding the blade, I found my hand getting a little sore after about 30 minutes and I went and got my Buck 119 to complete the job.
I don't really know what kind of tasks people are occupying themselves that they're making their hands uncomfortable holding this, or not able to get a good grip on it. I've cut cardboard, rope, plastic, all sorts of packaging material with it and it seems perfectly suited for moderate tasks. As far as buschcraft kind of stuff, I've taken it hiking with me and it seems perfectly capable, but I would rather have a fixed blade for this than any of Benchmade's folders. I've handled a 940 and I find it to be extremely similar to the Kulgera in the type of work I would expect it to do.
Anyway, I'm just saying that I think it's more suited for work than a lot of people here are giving it credit for. To me if you have to use this knife in a task where you have to hold on hard enough that it's hurting your hands, you should probably get a beefier knife. The liners and scales are not that substantial, and there's only two bolts and the pivot holding the knife together. I don't find myself inspired to ever bear down on the knife with a lot of force, but I don't think it would have any trouble matching the 940's ability in this context; it would just be a more comfortable blade for that heavy use--and I mean heavy in a literal sense.
I'm very happy with mine, aside from having the spring on my AXIS lock wear out--though that's not really particular to the Kulgera. I think I can see the exposed liners being uncomfortable if you're using the knife heavily (again literal sense, lots of force and exertion ) for extended periods of time, but overall holding this knife, I would not really think, "Oh, yeah, this is definitely the knife I need for durability." It's so light, and you can literally feel the flex and stress in the liners if you put a good lateral force on the blade. I get this same feeling from the 940, but the difference I see is that while they're both probably fully capable of making those types of heavy cuts, I personally would feel more secure using the 940 than the 930, but only by a little; both models are too light and flexible to get any extreme use, and so I went with a 930 for that reason.
I think the ornate design portions of the Kulgera set it off on the wrong foot in many people's minds. They don't consider it a worker, say they can't get a good grip, etc. Well okay, I'll merit that, but only in extreme scenarios as I have yet to meet a circumstance that I didn't feel comfortable enough to use the Kulgera for other than that foam, and it's done very well for every other circumstance, but I think the big separating factor is extended use. I only ever need to use a knife for about a max of five hours, and that's usually with very little force being exerted on the knife frame. If I had to cut foam with this knife I'd be looking for something else.
I wouldn't sell the Kulgera short, but I don't know if I would buy one while looking for a work knife. On the other hand it works great for an extremely capable EDC that doesn't scare non-knife people and works well as a dress knife. In my mind it's really one of the only "gentlemen's folders" that I've seen that I would take to a hike or a job, so I kind of see the 930 as the 940's classier, less utilitarian but equally capable cousin.
I think I'm going to agree about out of the box sharpness ( even though I don't care as I re profile any new knife I get ): My Red Class Ambush came sharper out of the box. It was still very sharp and could shave arm hair, but my friend's 940 that I traded up for a day I felt was much sharper, and it seems I'm only echoing the experience of other users.
I got mine for $100 on Benchmade's website as part of a warranty replacement for my Ambush. I wouldn't pay the full $205 Benchmade MSRP, but if a person wanted a gent's folder that they can use for practically any task they don't need a fixed blade for, I don't think that $130 is too up there in price when comparing it to Benchmade's 940 which can be found for a bout the same price and is very similar to the 930.
To make a long story short: If you want a gent's folder that can work hard for a little bit, the Kulgera is worth it. If you just need a hard working folder, go ahead and get a 940 instead: It's extremely similar, and more suited to extended use.
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2009
- Messages
- 1,134
i had one for a year or so. never removed any skin from anywhere with it. i flicked it all day long opened and closed. no problem.
this is clearly a dress knife but functionaly it's fine, you won't cut yourself just by opening/closing it.
now i gave it to my brother who is not a knife guy at all, he carries it daily, i have to sharpen it twice a day as he uses it a lot (plays with mostly) and he never cut himself at all, and certainly not when opening/closing.
i gave it because my brother wanted a knife and that was the only one i was willing to part with. i wouldn't have sold it otherwise.
great knife overall just not very heavy duty, if you like slender knives it will fit well. and btw mine was waaay smoother than a grip, very nice opening and closing.
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