How tuff is a Benchmade 523 and what is the tuffest tanto folder...

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TheCarbideRat

TheCarbideRat

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Hey guys I work with alot of tools for a living, and I know a bit about knives but does anyone have some skinny on just how tuff this knife really is. They [Benchmade] tout the tanto tip as extra strong, well, ok but *how much stronger*? The steel is 154CM and tell you the truth the tip does not appear overly stout to me, I would really like to know of any stress testing done to this model hopefully tested right up to and past the breaking point so as to give me an idea of how much load is safe...I know I will be inclined to pry something relatively heavy with this knife sooner or later, not a question of if. I EDC'd a SERE 2000 for 3 years and it is a great unit in itself but I want to go tanto now, and see what it's all about. Any thoughts for me, including what is the baddest ass +/-4 in. tanto folder for under $200 in your opinion, by the way the Mantis tanto looks total mall ninja, thanks in adv.
 
I'm thinking the BM 760 probably has the strongest tanto tip in the Benchmade line-up at the moment, but the framelock isn't the stronger lock in comparison to the axis-lock.

I suspect you'll have to look elsewhere for the strongest tanto-tip/knife-lock combination.

Perhaps an Extrema Ratio, RAO maybe?
 
Funny .. I have a RAO but as much as I'd like to I can't EDC it at work, it would be a political ordeal I am sure due to it's size. thanks, I am looking for tip strength as well as overall strength, willing to sacrifice a small amout of prybar capability for sliciness. Good pick that 760, I'll have to investigate that one.
 
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Check out Emerson knives. I was looking for the 523 and i found the CQC 7, now i have 3 different 7's. Really great knife, rock solid liner lock (i know i know its only a liner) but the chisel grind and 154Cm is a good deal for hard work. + EKI knives has one of the best customer service in the market ;) You cant go wrong with it.

Ps. All EKIs has a 0.125 blade thickness
 
Well, you could also look at the Microtech SOCOM. Microtechs cost, some say too much given the customer service issues they have, but all my side-openers, manual or auto, have been well-put together and reliable.

Most important, though, is that Microtech uses blades a little thicker than most companies use.
 
Bencmade 760: GREAT knife, but I need a completely straight leading edge, the image I saw has is it as slightly curved, I could have it reground but it's initial cost makes that an obstacle.

Emerson 7: Again a super unit, the titanium liners are a draw and it's more in line with what I want to spend, almost a perfect match for what I am looking for except the chisel grind I don't know how easy that is to sharpen, I do my own sharpening w/ diamond block.

Microtech SOCOM: Not really out of my price range but I prefer to boycott knives this expensive, regarding their whole line, not just the SOCOM. I also have a negative on the handle. Handles are a big deal to me. I am sure some guys like this one just not me, thanks anyway for your post ortho.
 
The CQC-7 is very easy to sharpen, and keep sharp. A diamond block will work fine due to the blades straight lines. I use mine almost daily. It has held up extremely well over the years/excessive amount of wave openings(it was my first waved knive and I beat the hell out of it) Just follow the directions on the Emerson site for sharpening. I bought my second one today, got it at a local dealer's gunshop for 147$.

I've used it for stripping wire, prying open wooden crates, cutting very thick micarta (used in transmission voltage circuit breakers) and it still will shave hair with ease.
 
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