Kershaw Chive vs Benchmite II

R

Ring

Joined
Jan 27, 2006
Messages
179
I did use the search feature. Lots of info on the Chive, not much on the Benchmite.

I am looking for a small thin quality knife for my pocket. I have run across the 2. I do know that the Benchmite II is not US made.

My concerns/questions.

Gee whiz factor of chive is nice, but not necessary. 2handed opening is ok. But i am worried about it opening in my pocket. I realize there is a lock, but I am unsure of its security.

Blade steel. I have a Benchmade with ATS-34 and I love the durability of the blade in terms of sharpness. I dont really abuse the knifes, just like a sharp edges. Will I better served with the Benchmite steel (AUS-8?)

I am unfamiliar with the Benchmites steel (AUS-8?).

Some opinions and advice will be nice. Or possibly some other choices?


Thanks for your time and help
 
Ring said:
Gee whiz factor of chive is nice, but not necessary. 2handed opening is ok. But i am worried about it opening in my pocket. I realize there is a lock, but I am unsure of its security.
Click to expand...
I've got the Chive. Bought it when I made an international trip and flew for the first time post-911 last year (in my checked luggage, didn't want a high end knife to get snagged by TSA).

The lock bar in the Chive is a small tab that slides across the blade tip, preventing it from being opened. It works very well. Also, many people here will attest to the fact that it is not easy to accidentally open a non-lock-bar-engaged Kershaw AOs while in pocket (carrying clipped I'd guess). I have a buddy who broke the lock bar in his Leek over a year ago and has never had an accidental opening. The Chive is too small to open one-handed. Either 2 hand or assisted open is the only way to go with it.

I don't fault the blade for being 440C. It keeps a sharp edge very well, and is extremely easy to touch up. The Chive also has a very nice recurve which when properly sharpened will slice and cut well. The blade is too small to do much chopping. The Chive is my smallest knife, and my sheeple-friendly carry.

Also I should mention that the stainless Chive I own is a frame-lock. I think I paid $25 at Wal*Mart for it.

Sorry, I've never handled a Benchmite so I cannot compare.
 
I bought my father a Benchmite 2 for Xmas this year and had the chance to play with it for a while before I gave it away. It is a nice little knife. It can be opened one handed just by pressing the button and flipping it open. You might need to fiddle with the blade screw a little, but it can be done. Lock up is tight. Virtually no blade play.

AUS-8 will not serve you quite as well as the ATS 34, but is a respectable steel none the less. Pretty comparable to 440C and probably bettr than the 440A that Kershaw uses for the Chive.

Also the Benchmite locks both open and closed, so opening in he pocket is not an issue.
 
OK correction - the Chive is 420HC :foot: According to Joe Talmadge's Steel FAQ, 420HC is high carbon and almost comparable to 440C; with 440C being comparable to AUS-10 (and AUS-8 compares to 440B).

Still, a nifty little knife.
 
I only have the Benchmite II. But a couple things...you can one hand open (and close) the Benchmite II with practice. It's very flickable (but you have to press the lock down before and during flicking).

AUS8 is a pretty good steel...that's my second AUS8 knife, and they're pretty all around decent....I think I like 440C more, but I only have one of those. This one seems to have better edge retention than my M16 and no rolling yet.

Assisted opening, in my opinion, is not very useful. That said, it's pretty fun, and 90% of my knife usage is in the flicking and admiring range...

I do prefer my stuff to be made in America, but my main interest in it not being made in China (merely politics)...Japan/Taiwan etc are acceptable and do produce good stuff.
 
I like my Chive very much, I don't think for intended purposes anything greater than 420HC is necessary. It takes a fantastic edge, and while it doesn't hold it long....it takes less time to touch it up to razor sharp again. I really like framelocks and the SAO is also very neat as its lightning fast. I don't have a Benchmite just yet but I'm sure one will make it into the collection sooner or later. PGH~
 
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