How do you feel about Benchmade's "Infidel" name?

Chris Meyer said:
I think the reason for the name is rather obvious. According to Benchmade (an American company), the knife was designed for "operators" (aka Special Forces). In case you guys have forgotten, we are in a war with a bunch of psychos who consider us "infidels" and want us dead! What better in-your-face name than "infidel" could you have for a weapon to dispatch our enemies to their 72 virgins? Anyone who takes offense at the name is probably on the wrong side of this war. Screw political correctness, I say good for Benchmade!

Semper Fi
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I never thought about it like that. It makes sense the way you say it. I'm for sure on our side man. I get it now. Thanks. ;)

I guess I'm an Infidel too. :D
 
Chris Meyer said:
I think the reason for the name is rather obvious. According to Benchmade (an American company), the knife was designed for "operators" (aka Special Forces).
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Keep in mind that anyone can design a knife for The US Navy Seals, or for Special Forces, or for "Operators" (telephone or otherwise). But, that doesn't really mean anything. Most of the knives designed for these people are designed with no input from them and will never be of any interest to -- much less actually used by -- these people. The Infidel is completely different. It was designed at the request of the US Military and with their active participation, and they are buying it and using it today. The Infidels purchased and used by the military are cosmetically a little different (and I think the blade is single-edged), but it is basically the same knife.

Why market it to civlians too? Well -- truth be known -- I suspect it's a shot across the bow (or right into the hull) of one of Benchmade's favorite fellow knife manufacturers. But, practically, my guess is that the military isn't buying enough to justify the tooling cost. This is one reason I wanted to -- and did -- buy one.

This also explains the high price. Given the legal restrictions surrounding this knife and given its limited utility, sales aren't gonna be high. But, the tooling costs were very high since this knife has nothing in common wth any previous BM knife. So, the price has to be high to recoupe that investment.
 
Gollnick,

Would you provide proof that they were designed for the US Military and with their active participation?

I find this hard to believe, as there are many other knives that would be a bit more suited to the job.
 
SIFU1A said:
i'm proud to be an infidel lol.
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The Islamists would call me an infidel and based on their religion I am proud also. But what is an operator? :confused: What qualifications does one need to buy this knife and be classified as an operator? :confused:
 
The term "operator" is a back-formation for someone connected with special forces operations.
 
Chin Mullet said:
Gollnick,

Would you provide proof that they were designed for the US Military and with their active participation?
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That is what I've been told by BM personnel.
 
I here they have one coming out soon called the "Pacifist". There's no blade in it, just a really cool handle.
 
bladeprince said:
I here they have one coming out soon called the "Pacifist". There's no blade in it, just a really cool handle.
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:D :thumbup:

Didn´t Benchmade considered the name to other manufacturers in the way, they believe, they can do it as well or better and not belived only one or two can produce that type of knife?

Why are we talking free associations instead of Benchmades intention?

You know, i felt kind of :jerkit: by the "Presidio" - name. Anytime i spell the name, i felt... But i would never have asked Benchmade, why they named the knife that way nor would i have started a thread about this.

If someone feels kind of :jerkit: about "Infidel", enjoy it but keep it for yourself because it isn´t really knife related.

Or are we seeing a new wave of pc?
 
bladeprince said:
I here they have one coming out soon called the "Pacifist". There's no blade in it, just a really cool handle.
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Designed at the request of and with the direct participation of the French military, no doubt.
 
Gollnick said:
Designed at the request of and with the direct participation of the French military, no doubt.
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LMAO...poor Frenchies.

I hear the French are running the UN force in Lebannon...which is kinda like putting Steven Hawkings in as a blocker against the Steelers...nice one Kofi.
 
It could have been worse...

the US Army could have been guarding Lebanon and buying the Infidel knives for $4,500 ea. - from Haliburton.
 
Nordic Viking said:
It could have been worse...

the US Army could have been guarding Lebanon and buying the Infidel knives for $4,500 ea. - from Haliburton.
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Don't give em any ideas...
 
Does the US military have a known history of using OTFs at least somewhat regularly? :confused: I would think that such a complex design would be unfavorable, despite the expert tooling of companies like Microtech. Or, why would OTFs be more desirable to the miltary than side-opening autos?

It's hard for me to believe they would favor any OTF over a design like the BM 3500 series button lock side-openers. I write this because the side openers are inherently simpler and are still operable under spring failure and "gunked-up"(somewhat) conditions.

Last question: Why would the military favor a single-edged blade? It's not like they're applying pressure to the spine of the knife. It would appear to me that a double edge simply grants more sharp cutting edge when one side begins to dull with use.

Keep in mind that I only have experience with the button lock side-openers. Given this though, I'd trust one for a small knife if I had to deploy.
 
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