First Benchmade - North Fork or Axis Flipper?

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Darkera

Joined
Oct 22, 2016
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374
I've been looking at getting a Benchmade knife for some time and currently considering the Axis Flipper 300 or the 15031 North Fork. I'll probably head to the store in a couple weeks and check them out in person, but I'm wondering if anyone can offer a comparison of the two from experience?

I've never had a flipper or even handled a knife with an axis lock, so it's all new to me. Aesthetic-wise, I'm not a fan of the gimping on the North Fork blade, but they both look pretty nice. I was originally going to get a Griptilian as my first because of its reputation, but I have to admit I'm not much of a fan of the look of tactical knives.

Any advice would be appreciated!
 
Between the two, North Fork. Better steel and ergos IMO. Plus the Axis lock doesn't need or work as well as other lock types as a flipper. Not a big fan of recurve blades, but thats the only real downside to the north fork.
 
I have a 300 and a North Fork. The 300 was a gift (so I'll never sell it), but I rarely ever carry it. I carry the North Fork fairly often.

The 300 looks nice and is fun to play with - but it is very bulky and pretty heavy, which makes it difficult to carry. It has a really short, fat blade which means it isn't a very good slicer, no matter how sharp the edge is. It has a LOT of belly, which on this knife brings the tip up really high, and honestly it makes it difficult to use the outer 1/3 of the blade..

The North Fork is about the size of a mini grip - good size for EDC. It feels much nicer than a mini grip due to the handle materials and exposed liners. The high flat grind and balanced blade geometry makes for a pretty good slicer. I'm not typically a fan of recurves either, but on this knife the recurve is very mild and actually (IMO) makes this knife better than it would be without it. It has the added benefit of making the belly feel a bit larger, but without pushing too much of that belly out to the tip. So really, on this knife, the recurve is really only a downside if you don't like sharpening recurves; but honestly if you have the right type of sharpener (I use a spyderco sharpmaker), the recurve is no harder to sharpen than any other blade shape.

Bottom line: the North Fork is a way better EDC.
 
I'd also suggest the North Fork out of the two you mentioned. I've had both and the NF was a better everyday knife for me because of the size and ergos. I never warmed up to the thick, stubby blade of the 300. I'd really suggest you reconsider a Grip, though. It's not really a tactical knife like some of them are (think BM Stryker or Al Mar SERE). The Grip is more in the general purpose / utility category. And it's very good at that.
 
I would go for the NF also, IF those are the only choices.
I agree with Dale, give the Grip a good hard look. I wouldn't classify it as tactical either. More of a utility knife than anything......IMO.
Good luck choosing!
Joe
 
I just got a new Benchmade 928 Proxy a while ago and havnt put it down, awesome quality framelock flipper, one piece G10 front scale/back spacer. Crazy sharp cpm20cv.
First BM iv owned in a few years.
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Sent from my SM-G360G using Tapatalk
 
+1 on the North Fork... It's a great little knife, that even pushes the 940 out of my pocket regularly.

I personally also like it better than the Grip (full liners, wood rather than plastic scales), but ymmv.
 
Thanks a lot guys. I was thinking the Flipper might be a bit too chunky and that seems to be the unanimous opinion. Assisted open on the Flipper isn't necessary for my use either.

I live in Canada and not only are the prices significantly higher, but I don't have access to a lot of models (and not too inclined to deal with shipping across the border). I did find a store in town that has the 940 and other models I hadn't looked at; too bad they don't have the Proxy, that looks like a great knife. My other knives are mainly clip points so I'm looking for a drop point or something more robust, if not the Crooked River would be an option... pricey but beautiful.

You're right about the Griptilian being more utility than tactical. hmmm I'll visit the store this week and post pics of whatever I buy! Thanks.
 
Darkera said:
Thanks a lot guys. I was thinking the Flipper might be a bit too chunky and that seems to be the unanimous opinion. Assisted open on the Flipper isn't necessary for my use either.

I live in Canada and not only are the prices significantly higher, but I don't have access to a lot of models (and not too inclined to deal with shipping across the border). I did find a store in town that has the 940 and other models I hadn't looked at; too bad they don't have the Proxy, that looks like a great knife. My other knives are mainly clip points so I'm looking for a drop point or something more robust, if not the Crooked River would be an option... pricey but beautiful.

You're right about the Griptilian being more utility than tactical. hmmm I'll visit the store this week and post pics of whatever I buy! Thanks.
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I know what you mean, Canadian prices are currently on par with Australian prices. I was lucky to pick up my 928 Proxy on ABF for a great price in as new condition.

Sent from my SM-T113 using Tapatalk
 
Corey79 said:
I know what you mean, Canadian prices are currently on par with Australian prices. I was lucky to pick up my 928 Proxy on ABF for a great price in as new condition.

Sent from my SM-T113 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I knew the Canadian dollar was down but this is the first time I really noticed it.

My list has grown to North Fork, Crooked River, Foray, Griptilian, or the Valet. I'm heading to the store tomorrow to take a look at them all. The Crooked River looks beautiful; I wanted a smaller drop point and a cheaper knife, but it could be hard to say no to it. I can see how the knife hobby adds up quickly.
 
I'm starting to see some very positive reports on the Foray. I had one and sold it because I had so many other folders in that size range. I'm beginning to think I made a mistake.
 
Well, I didn't end up picking the North Fork or the Axis Flipper...

After handling a few models I was taken with the Crooked River, but it was far too large for what I was looking for. I already have a nice custom Buck 110 and some larger knives. But it was such a beautiful knife and the tastefully-executed traditional/modern mix was right up my alley. I prefer traditional, but it's a toss-up between the wood and G10 scales.

The Foray was more what I was looking for size-wise, but it was a bit more "tactical" and not as showy as the Crooked River.

So I am now the proud owner of my first Benchmades: a Crooked River AND a Foray :D
 
dalefuller said:
FYI... there is a mini-Crooked River in the works, IIRC. I saw a thread about it in the BM subforum a few days ago. Here's the link: http://knifenews.com/benchmade-mini
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Nice!

Long story short, I went to the store and bought the Foray. I got back to my car and started wondering if I made the right decision - great knife, near perfect size (maybe the handle could be a bit bigger for grip/save my fingertips), etc. But it just doesn't have the beauty of the Crooked Fork. I started having buyer's remorse but knew it was the "practical decision" given my needs. Then I got to work and there was a cheque for a few hundred dollars on my chair, basically free money I wasn't expecting. So of course my mind was made up and I grabbed a Crooked River on the way home from work.

I even told the person at the store that I'd love a mini-Crooked River and was tempted to email Benchmade to ask. But I'm still glad I got it, although I will definitely pick up the mini at some point when it comes out.

And I just told my wife no more knives for a long time...
 
I picked up a Foray about a month ago and nothing has knocked it out of my pocket yet. Perfect size, great looks.
 
I don't know why I was a bit disappointed after buying the Foray, this is a great EDC knife! It's only been a few days but I really like this knife, it's exactly what I was looking for.

My only improvement/suggestion for the Crooked River would be to use a more showy wood for the handle... or maybe even use spalted or stained Douglas-fir from Oregon.

I'm very happy with Benchmade and glad I got both.

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