Can't Decide - Kabar vs. Benchmade

I

ivan_yulaev

Joined
Oct 20, 2003
Messages
284
Well, I'm looking for an all-around utility knife. I'm stuck up between two...the Kabar 5.25in fixed blade and the Benchmade Griptillian.

I need a fairly cheap blade to carry around most places, and use mainly for light cutting work (cardboard, plastic, some wood). I greatly favor simplicity in a knife, but I do value small size as well.

Can someone tell me the differences between 1095 and 440C steel, in terms of strength? Which knife will be more durable overall?
 
If you want a knife that you can carry around at all times for utility work, go with the BM Griptillian. It might not always be possible or practical to carry the Kabar.

I'm not a steel expert by any means, but 1095 is a carbon steel and 440C is a stainless steel. 1095 will rust easier but should be tougher than 440C. Edge holding should be somewhat similiar.
 
Why not going for an Opinel? it is a
simple blade, made of something like 5160
carbon steel I think, easy to sharpen and
cuts like crazy.
It can rust easily though but with a
little care, the blade will last longer
than anything else for the price, if you don't try to chop rocks and trees with
it , =) but it will handle carboards,plastics and light woods easily.

Cheap (around $7) and sharp...:)
 
Wow, two VERY different knives. Both very good but the struggle is fixed versus folder. For me, I always choose folder unless I have chopping of prying in mind.
The BM is a great knife and 440C is a VERY good steel. It is not popular right now due to some of the "super steels" but less than five years ago it was Da bomb! If anything, it is better now.
You won't go wrong with either but will probably be able to carry the BM more easily/frequently than the KaBar.
 
Originally posted by fishbulb
I'd go with a folder if you intend to carry it around every day.
Click to expand...

What he said. A folder is much more versatile and practical as an EDC.
 
Mate, Of the knives you mentioned I'd agree with
DarkReazon on the Benchmade from Cabella's.

I've done business with Cabella's for years finding
them to be a VERY good place to buy everyting from
clothes to knives, hunting gear , etc. As a matter
of fact, I like the Cabella's Griptillian so much
I'm going to order one for myself!!:D
 
I have the mini-grip D2 from Cabela's and like it alot. It's also carried daily....get the full version or the mini in D2....you won't regret it.

Mike
 
Another vote for a Griptilian w/d2, great price, you will "probably" carry it more ?, great ergos, great steel, axis lock, gotta love it. My $0.02
 
Originally posted by shaft
its just better....semper fi
Click to expand...

Now you have me interested. Please, explain this further.

Also, with a stacked leather handle and 1095 blade the Kabar will rapidly become a mushy, rusty knife-like object if it gets wet. No similar concerns with the BM.
 
If you want fixed blade to cary around - go for Helle triple laminated stainless Fjellkniven it is quite affordable and superior then everything else - bleade, handle, sheath - all the best:
http://www.geocities.com/nozh2002/hellefjellkniven.html
Nothing better I know for this price. If you need bigger:
http://www.geocities.com/nozh2002/hellebrakar.html
1095 - cheap and tough, but I am not sure that it is better then 440C, and D2 far far ahead. Why can not you buy from Cabela's? Can you buy over Internet? Grip from there - best choose for BM for this price.
However I like Avalanche better for same price:
http://www.geocities.com/nozh2002/Kershaw-Avalance.html
Thanks, Vassili.
 
you can get the ka-bar with new synthetic handle and d2 blade if you want...Im so sick of hearing all the benchmade drivvle on here...Iv had 2 bm's and was not impressed with them at all, and as far as a defensive item goes none of their folders come close to a cuda max or my cs vaquero grande, and as for fixed blade...ill take my cs recon scout or any of the bk&t series any day of the week over a nimravus.
to each his own of course, but if your doubting the potential of the ka-bar ask your local friendly neighborhood MARINE...SEMPER FI.:grumpy:
 
Originally posted by shaft
Iv had 2 bm's and was not impressed with them at all, and as far as a defensive item goes none of their folders come close to a cuda max or my cs vaquero grande
Click to expand...

While that statement itself is open to a great deal of debate, the salient point here is that this gentleman was looking for a general utility folder, not a "defensive item". Personally I have yet to encounter a folder which I believe is better suited to general utility tasks than the Benchmade Griptilian series.

Originally posted by shaft
and as for fixed blade...ill take my cs recon scout or any of the bk&t series any day of the week over a nimravus.
Click to expand...

For the most part I'd agree with that. However, I would take any of those knives which you mentioned over any Kabar of which I am aware.

Originally posted by shaft
to each his own of course, but if your doubting the potential of the ka-bar ask your local friendly neighborhood MARINE...SEMPER FI.
Click to expand...

I've owned a Kabar, and it was alright but nothing great. Although it indeed does have "potential" (as does any object) there are a number of fixed blades available for a similar price which are generally superior. It certainly is not as well suited to EDC and general utility as a Griptilian.

Regardless of whether a knife is used by the Marines or Evel Knievel each product must be evaulated on its own technical merits, and not the people who use them.
 
but there is nothing wrong with using the cuda for a general use folder...and he asked about the ka-bar not 684 differt knives if these are his choices get a ka-bar in d2...if this dont work or breaks hes doing something not ment for a knife. Id rather buy a schrade old timer than a BENCHMADE,over priced over rated...if he wanted a real utility piece get a sog plier

and for who uses them if its good enough for daily combat im sure it will work in the civillian world...SEMPER FI:grumpy:
 
First, I really, really doubt that anyone uses their knife for "daily combat".

Second, a sample of two BM knives is so miniscule as to be useless statistically. You can form your own impressions, but it isn't going to hold any weight with anyone, especially considering that you continually bash BM without any qualitative evidence.

Third, a CUDA Maxx costs almost 2.5 times as much as a Griptilian.

Last, a Griptilian is pretty much ideal for an working EDC, considering price, steel, lock, weight, durability, and fit/finish.
 
Originally posted by shaft
but there is nothing wrong with using the cuda for a general use folder...
Click to expand...

Certainly not, although the size may not be for everybody if you are a fan of big folders then it is an excellent product. Likewise, as far as I am aware there is nothing wrong with using a BM Griptilian in a general utility role.

If there are some specific features of this knife that would make it unsuitable for this usage, please enlighten us as to what they are.

Originally posted by shaft
Id rather buy a schrade old timer than a BENCHMADE,over priced over rated...if he wanted a real utility piece get a sog plier
Click to expand...

Odd that you describe a Griptilian which can easily be had for around sixty dollars as being over priced, and in the same breath recommend the even more expensive CS and Cuda folders. It would seem that if a sixty dollar knife is overpriced then one which costs almost thrice that would be out of contention entirely.

After reviewing a number of your previous posts it would appear as though you have some irrational dislike for Benchmade products in general. It also appears as though you have not indicated any real reasons why this is so. I would be quite interested to further understand the reasoning behind this position.

Originally posted by shaft

and for who uses them if its good enough for daily combat im sure it will work in the civillian world...SEMPER FI:grumpy:
Click to expand...

This is a common misconception, which ignores the fact that many aspects of the usage that a product will see change significantly when one moves from this "daily combat" of which you speak into the civilian world.

The H1 is a good example of this. While it performs admirably as a military vehicle, the very properties which make it able to do so also render it wholly unsuitable as a means of civilian transport. While it can be used to get around town, there are other choices available which are much better.
 
can only comment on bm; you will not be disappointed, providing it feels comfortable
to you. knife itself will serve you well.
 
I said I only OWNED two I do have extensive use of them and seen them being snapped on a daily basis doing simple cutting and prying tasks...no I do not like benchmade , and for what they are they are overpriced and over hyped.I didnt say he was going to use it as a combat knife on a daily basis...but IF its good enough for that use it WILL WORK as a edc or utility piece, as for the h1 they do work well for civillian world thats why they sell them, thats why theres a h2, everyone dont want to drive a volvo wagon or honda...like some people dont like benchmade ohhh ya they are hand made of these great materials, but they are SMALL, if some people prefer a ladies size knife so be it, and it does have its place but so does a ka-bar.and yes i do understand that they can sell more if they are under 4 inches...i get it, I made my choice on his question because of experience in the field not cutting some cardboard in the basement, or cleaning my nails. any benchmade is inferior to a custom forged piece so if you want a GOOD thing have one made if you want a cheap piece get whatever, its a knife it cuts things, a box cutter is better than most things to open whatever you have anything bigger you dont need a knife you need shears or a pry bar not a knife.

SEMPER FI:grumpy:
 
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