Interesting little Benchmade

Cosmic Superchunk

Cosmic Superchunk

Joined
Jan 28, 2001
Messages
3,709
Wow, I just saw this neat looking little knife on Benchmade's website called the "Benchmite" designed by McHenry & Williams featuring a new locking mechanism. It's supposed to be due out this month. Looks like a very nice little gent knife.

Pic is from benchmade.com

310.jpg


Benchmade's site states the following:

Benchmade is introducing not only a new model of knife in the Model 310 BENCHMITE but also a new locking mechanism, the LEVITATOR™ (Patent Pending) system by Bill McHenry and Jason Williams. A slight but firm squeeze on the outside scale levitates or raises the locking pin so the blade to be opened with the generously proportioned nail-nick. Closing the knife is done simply by pressing on the scale and closing the blade into the skeletonized handles. At a mere 1 ounce, the BENCHMITE will hardly be noticed in the pocket but when it comes time to cut with it, the Model 310 will outperform knives of bigger size and weight due to it’s thinness of edge and geometry of the blade itself.
 
I like the looks of it! Of course, I'd like to see it in person first . . .


More specs from Benchmade web site:

Blade Length: 1.92"
Closed: 2.85"
OAL: 4.75"
Steel: 154-CM
 
I like the looks of that knife.

Maybe I'm a little slow, but the locking mechanism is not clear to me. Squeezing the scales unlocks it? I guess they are assuming that a knife that size will only be used for light tasks and won't be gripped very tightly. Still, seems kind of contrary to common sense, like the opposite of the way a framelock behaves.
 
I'm going get one. I hope the Price comes down on the 960 so they can both be introduced into my collection.
 
Judging by the photo, it looks like you have to press on the scale at the back of the handle. In other words, this is a decidedly two-handed design (squeeze to open AND squeeze to close). That probably renders this knife relatively safe even though a squeeze to release mechanism might intuitively sound a bit odd.
 
Judging only from the photo, I suspect that when you squeeze the back portion of the scale, the front portion comes out, releasing the lock pin, as described. Notice that there are two flex points in that scale cut-out, one at each end. This is a "floating lever," a lever without a center fulcrum pin. I've seen this done in wood somewhere (the lever, not the lock)

Hopefully, this means that a firm grip on the handle keeps the lock pin end of the scale from poking out, the way a positive grip on a frame-lock works in favor of the lock, not against it.

I also would not be surprised if you could squeeze and flick open one-handed. If the lever moves a locking pin, then there would be no need for additional retaining tension-- same way it works in an Axis lock. Which, btw, was cooked up by the same gents.

And I'm pretty sure I want one. :cool:
 
Cool looking knife. The pattern on the non-lock handle looks great. Wait a minute! There's no clip, nor a lanyard hole! Ach.

I will probably be getting this or a small Spyderco compression locker soon. The blue handle really reminds me of a Salsa.

Who came up with the name, though? Sounds like an Aussie pronouncing "Benchmade". :)
 
Count me in as well, Celtic knot and wharncliffish blade shape? I'm there as well ;)

wish it had an S30V blade though :(
G2
 
Thats a really beautiful knife!

The locking mech is certainly interesting. Would really like to get my hands on it and see how it works.

Kinda reminds me of the SOG sculptura. Don't know why since the only conection between the two would be size.:)
 
From my experience, any knife that can be locked in both the open and closed positions is just waiting for a spring to be inserted (Boker Top locks, CRKT BladeLock). Now, an auto of this size and shape would skyrocket to the Top of my Want-list!!! Would they consider making it a factory auto???

DD
 
Cool little knife. Too bad it seems to have neither a clip nor a lanyard hole. I hate having knives, even tiny ones, flopping around loose in my pocket.
 
Gary G.,
I also love the Celtic knot and will buy one for that reason. It seems like a 2-handed operation though unless, as stated by others, there is no tension on the blade once the lock is released.
 
Very slick!:cool: Thanks for the post. Yet another locking mechanism??:rolleyes: I look forward to seeing one in person.
 
kinda works on the spring hair barrette theory, push down on the back and the middle where the two cut outs pass each other acts as the pivot.
 
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