My favorite new big knife is

[STR]

I don't often jump the gun on a new purchase before having it a while but this knife is so perfect all around for everything I look at in a folder that I can just see now its going to be a frequently carried one.

If you guys are looking for a great folder look no further. The HK BenchMade 14205 is it. What a knife! And with my addition here of the Wave to my own it now has it all!

I saw a salesmans sample of one of these BenchMade 14205 models a while back and tried desparately to talk the guy out of it. Didn't get far but anyway, it was worth the wait. Typical of all BM Axis locks its silky smooth to open and close. The blade came sharp as all others I buy just as expected and peforms well plus having already owned the BM14200 the blade is very familar to me. I basically turned my 14200 into this knife by changing the scales on it and then later doing the same to two customer knives (one is pictured here below in the first pic from a good while back that I did over in Black Canvas Micarta) .

Pretty as that 14200 is it had some overly sticky handles in those rubber bolsetered looking scales they put on it and although very nice in the hand in my opinion it really lost a lot of appeal for me in how tacky it was to slide in and out of my pocket. These G10 scales with some very mild texturing are the ticket and thanks to the change I have not had problems finding myself having to use both hands to get it back on my pocket correctly after using it like I did frequently with the 200 model until I changed it out to smoother scales. Its much better now this way from the factory if you ask me!

I don't need to tell you guys that the axis lock is quite strong and that its proving itself more and more over time in both that super strength it has and reliability but also the BM 154CM steel is very seldom brought up as a problematic steel. It works very well for this knife. I think these HK knives are the best in the line up currently offered from BM personally but they are knocking out a lot of good ones across the board right now too.

My wife calls these HK knives "Hunter Killers" which I find amusing. I think she watched Terminator one too many times there!

Thanks for looking.

STR

 

[dalefuller]

I'm eagerly awaiting your impression of the 14205. It's next on my "buy" list, but I've been waiting for BM to address the issue of the blade hitting something inside the knife when it was closed and getting a little flat spot. I carry a 14210 now and even bought a couple of backups, I like it so much. I want to 14205 for a larger camping/hiking carry since my wife seems to have taken a fancy to my Para-Millie.

I can tell you that the AXIS lock and G10 scales on the 14210 are tough enough to survive a drop onto a concrete patio from 4 feet up with no ill effects. The springs are in place and work fine and the G10 didn't chip or crack. All I got was a small dent that is nearly invisible now that I've cleaned the white concrete dust out of it.

And the 154CM blade is now sharp enough to push cut newsprint without me holding the paper. I wasn't sure about sharpening a recurve blade, but I seem to be doing something right.

 

[STR]

So far Dale, the only thing I don't like as much as the 14200 is that the buttons for the axis lock mechanism stick out farther on this model. If the scales were just a bit thicker I think it would be better. Otherwise its a perfect knife. It bit me the other day but I didn't let that keep me from using it the rest of the day. After I Waved the blade it became even harder to put down.

STR

 

[dalefuller]

Funny you should have that happen. My 14210 bit me just after getting her. That's the only time in recent memory that I've gotten attacked by one of my own knives.

Good to hear about the 141205. I want to get one before we go on holiday in October so I can take her to the woods with me.