When I first heard of the tempest I was somewhat apprehensive. I had owned a rush for a very short amount of time, approximately 1.40 days.
As Im sure you have guessed, it turned out to be a dissappointment (it was one of the 1st ones made).
The tempset is a rush in a larger "package". 4.50" closed, 7.75" open with a 3.25" blade.
Weight= 3.6oz
Handle= T6 aluminum
Blade= ATS-34 (all other models 420 HC)
The rush I had bought I returned due to one of the thumb studs being slightly "bent". The only other thing that bothered me about it was the fact that the liner lock is a bit on the thin side and the tang of the knife, instead of being modified like benchmade's (modifiend liner lock), it does not allow for wear. The lock tends to travel "far right" when engaging, like most buck liner locks do. Its nice when a manufacturer, maker, etc. grind the tang so that there is either room for wear (higher ramp), or a stop to keep the lock from going to far and causing a lock failure.
Now I know from making liner locks (and making knives for over 23 years) that if you have a ramp that is too high it will fail, the lock slip back and you end up with an emabarrassing failure (hopefully not painful though). However it can be done, and has been, but that takes work, it cannot be done "half-hazzardly". The other extreme is to have the tang ground straight, or have a very low ramp, which could precede lock failure. Tolerances in this area are as important as the pivot, back spacers, etc., if not even more important! Benchmade is very wise in this area, as they provide a good ramp level and also a slight "stop" ground in at the top of the ramp, hince their design the "modified liner lock".
Well, back to the tempest. I bought the tempest in ATS-34, one of my favorite blade steels. One that I can use regularly and strop when needed.
The handle of T6 aluminum was nicely done. It had a nice gun metal gray annodizing, very clean, nicely curved on all edges. The feel of the knife was excellant, not to heavy, not to light, just right for an edc.
The blade, with its new buck "2000 charp" edge was very sharp right out of the box. The "2000" edge is basically nothing more than a low bevel grind. The edge appears to be "buff polished" like most factory blades, but it was nicely done, very clean lines, etc.
I have to say I really like the buck "ASAP" opening mechanism, assisted, opening, etc.
Its very quick, responsive, and unlike most assisted openers, really has a nice kick to it, without flipping it out of your hand. It also features a safety, which seems to be very well thought out. "Hince" no accidental openings in the pocket (which could hurt your future chances of starting, or "expanding" your family (Please excuse me for anyone who took this in an improper manner, not meant so).
This is one nicely done factory folder, very nice to carry, unobtrusive. For those of you who like a low profile clip, and tip up carry, this is the knife for you!!!
This knife is very similar to the buck sirus, which just happens to have a solid T6 handle, and from what I have seen, seems very similar to this knife, save it has a reversible clip (the sirus with reversible clip is the one with the flames laser cut in the handles with the gold/orange colors, I cannot speak for the other sirus models).
Overall this is a very nice knife, the only apprehension I have is the strength of bucks liner locks. You can tell (?) not much is put into the locks, as far as pre-planning for lock wear, or using heavier liner locks. This would be more expensive. Have they had any complaints? I dont know, but I would think nothing has been said about them?
Will it pass a "spine-whack" test? It might for one, maybe to "whacks", but anything more than that and I would step back. Now, I am not a fan of "spine-whack" tests. Personally, in my own opinion, knives are not meant to be abused, nor treated like fixed blades. So you get what you pay for. of course there are some out there that should never leave the factories. With this said though, buck's warranty is good and Im usre they would repair any problems.
With this said, it is a very nice knife, but not one made to be abused. Of course you should never abuse your knives, if you do, just remember a knife is made to be used as a tool, not as a crow bar, and not to act out a "scene" in a cold steel video.
Overall I think this knife is a real value, one worth having!
The ASAP opening mechanism is fun, "addictive" and overall its a well made folder!!
The only thing I would like to see is more "emphasis" on the design of their walker-lock interpretation. If this was done, they would truly make some outstanding folders that could easily compete with the "best of them".
As Im sure you have guessed, it turned out to be a dissappointment (it was one of the 1st ones made).
The tempset is a rush in a larger "package". 4.50" closed, 7.75" open with a 3.25" blade.
Weight= 3.6oz
Handle= T6 aluminum
Blade= ATS-34 (all other models 420 HC)
The rush I had bought I returned due to one of the thumb studs being slightly "bent". The only other thing that bothered me about it was the fact that the liner lock is a bit on the thin side and the tang of the knife, instead of being modified like benchmade's (modifiend liner lock), it does not allow for wear. The lock tends to travel "far right" when engaging, like most buck liner locks do. Its nice when a manufacturer, maker, etc. grind the tang so that there is either room for wear (higher ramp), or a stop to keep the lock from going to far and causing a lock failure.
Now I know from making liner locks (and making knives for over 23 years) that if you have a ramp that is too high it will fail, the lock slip back and you end up with an emabarrassing failure (hopefully not painful though). However it can be done, and has been, but that takes work, it cannot be done "half-hazzardly". The other extreme is to have the tang ground straight, or have a very low ramp, which could precede lock failure. Tolerances in this area are as important as the pivot, back spacers, etc., if not even more important! Benchmade is very wise in this area, as they provide a good ramp level and also a slight "stop" ground in at the top of the ramp, hince their design the "modified liner lock".
Well, back to the tempest. I bought the tempest in ATS-34, one of my favorite blade steels. One that I can use regularly and strop when needed.
The handle of T6 aluminum was nicely done. It had a nice gun metal gray annodizing, very clean, nicely curved on all edges. The feel of the knife was excellant, not to heavy, not to light, just right for an edc.
The blade, with its new buck "2000 charp" edge was very sharp right out of the box. The "2000" edge is basically nothing more than a low bevel grind. The edge appears to be "buff polished" like most factory blades, but it was nicely done, very clean lines, etc.
I have to say I really like the buck "ASAP" opening mechanism, assisted, opening, etc.
Its very quick, responsive, and unlike most assisted openers, really has a nice kick to it, without flipping it out of your hand. It also features a safety, which seems to be very well thought out. "Hince" no accidental openings in the pocket (which could hurt your future chances of starting, or "expanding" your family (Please excuse me for anyone who took this in an improper manner, not meant so).
This is one nicely done factory folder, very nice to carry, unobtrusive. For those of you who like a low profile clip, and tip up carry, this is the knife for you!!!
This knife is very similar to the buck sirus, which just happens to have a solid T6 handle, and from what I have seen, seems very similar to this knife, save it has a reversible clip (the sirus with reversible clip is the one with the flames laser cut in the handles with the gold/orange colors, I cannot speak for the other sirus models).
Overall this is a very nice knife, the only apprehension I have is the strength of bucks liner locks. You can tell (?) not much is put into the locks, as far as pre-planning for lock wear, or using heavier liner locks. This would be more expensive. Have they had any complaints? I dont know, but I would think nothing has been said about them?
Will it pass a "spine-whack" test? It might for one, maybe to "whacks", but anything more than that and I would step back. Now, I am not a fan of "spine-whack" tests. Personally, in my own opinion, knives are not meant to be abused, nor treated like fixed blades. So you get what you pay for. of course there are some out there that should never leave the factories. With this said though, buck's warranty is good and Im usre they would repair any problems.
With this said, it is a very nice knife, but not one made to be abused. Of course you should never abuse your knives, if you do, just remember a knife is made to be used as a tool, not as a crow bar, and not to act out a "scene" in a cold steel video.
Overall I think this knife is a real value, one worth having!
The ASAP opening mechanism is fun, "addictive" and overall its a well made folder!!
The only thing I would like to see is more "emphasis" on the design of their walker-lock interpretation. If this was done, they would truly make some outstanding folders that could easily compete with the "best of them".
