My new Benchmade--HK 14205!

H

heekma

Joined
Jul 2, 2010
Messages
226
Howdy folks,

Just recieved my Benchmade HK 14205 in the mail from cckw--great transaction, BTW--and I gotta say, this is one heck of a knife.

I've got a fair assortment of Benchmades, and IMHO, the fit and finish on this is a notch or two above typical Benchmade standards--and generally they're no slouch in that department.

The SS scales are polished, but not skeletonized, which gives the knife a nice feeling of heft. The G10 scales have a sublte pebbled texture and are thin and flat, offsetting the weight by losing some bulk and width.

The blade is a Snody design--so it's big and beefy, .15" thick and plenty sharp for such a thick blade. The bladestop is similarly beefy and looks to be at least 50% larger than what's used on other models.

The back is open with barrel spaces with slight "pyramid" machining. Nice touch--I hate it when Benchmade cheaps out and uses a plastic spacer rather than SS or G10.

The pivot and Axis lock on this one is the smoothest I've felt from Benchmade, yet it locks up with zero play in any direction, no matter how firmly you torque the blade and handle.

The knife doesn't seem to get a lot of play and it's a shame--this looks to be one of the most well-made Benchmades I've come across.

The pic was borrowed from another site, can't take pics of my new toy since I'm at work:



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Best,

Heekma
 
Nice choice. I've been eyeballing the 14205 for a few months now. Thanks for helping me make my decision.:thumbup::D
 
I have the 14210, and it agrees with everything you said (except its liners are skeletonized). It's a great design. I'll add the jimping is very good and the bottom choil, though visually it doesn't seem drastic, is deep enough that there's no chance of your finger slipping out. The only thing I don't like is the tip ends so close to the butt that I've cut my palm closing it one handed (specifically, with index and thumb pulling the axis lock down and the butt of the knife resting on my palm). Is it the same on the 14205?
 
Congrats! I agree, the 14205 is a diamond in the ruff, its smooth as glass, and a real tough bugger.
 
I don't have the 14205, but I do have the 14200. Same blade, but with aluminum bolsters and rubber grips. I do have the 14205 on a wish list somewhere, when they get it in I'll probably buy it.
 
I'm down to three Benchmades that are my choice for keepers from this company.
710D2
14205
551D2

I think the 14205 is a superb knife!!
 
Shawn,

Happy to help a fellow knifeknut over the "edge" when it comes to a purchase decision.:thumbup:

Cobra,

Get one! You won't be disappointed...

Kreole,

I don't have the issue with the tip sticking out past the scales with the 14205, but these Snody collaborations from Benchmade can be a little...off...sometimes. I betcha they'd take care of it for you though.

dc,

This 14205 has only two other Benchmades for competition when it comes to super-smooth opening with zero play: The full-size Rukus and the Gravitator. I've read BM seems to go the extra mile on these HKs, maybe there is some truth to that after all.

Christian,

I've got the Tanto version of the 14200 on the way--what do you think of the rubber scales? Do they make the knife feel cheap? Do they have a soft, grippy/rubbery texture or are they harder?

Flatlander,

I like the cut of your jib, sir. I agree 100% with those choices. In fact, the 710 D2 is in the crosshairs for the next purchase at the end of the month.:thumbup:

John,

I don't mind the HK logo at all. Butterfly/HK/whatever, it's all the same to me. At least it's not the "Bone Collector" logo on the side (still a favorite knife though).:D

Like Christian said, buff it out if it bothers you--or just use it hard enough to wear it off instead.;)

Thanks for the responses folks,

Heekma
 
heekma said:
Shawn,

Happy to help a fellow knifeknut over the "edge" when it comes to a purchase decision.:thumbup:

Cobra,

Get one! You won't be disappointed...

Kreole,

I don't have the issue with the tip sticking out past the scales with the 14205, but these Snody collaborations from Benchmade can be a little...off...sometimes. I betcha they'd take care of it for you though.

dc,

This 14205 has only two other Benchmades for competition when it comes to super-smooth opening with zero play: The full-size Rukus and the Gravitator. I've read BM seems to go the extra mile on these HKs, maybe there is some truth to that after all.

Christian,

I've got the Tanto version of the 14200 on the way--what do you think of the rubber scales? Do they make the knife feel cheap? Do they have a soft, grippy/rubbery texture or are they harder?

Flatlander,

I like the cut of your jib, sir. I agree 100% with those choices. In fact, the 710 D2 is in the crosshairs for the next purchase at the end of the month.:thumbup:

John,

I don't mind the HK logo at all. Butterfly/HK/whatever, it's all the same to me. At least it's not the "Bone Collector" logo on the side (still a favorite knife though).:D

Like Christian said, buff it out if it bothers you--or just use it hard enough to wear it off instead.;)

Thanks for the responses folks,

Heekma
Click to expand...

The rubbers are grippy, but kinda firm at the same time. The handle "grabs" your hand when you put it in your pocket next to your knife. (Because of the rubber.)
 
Well dang it!! I've not been a big BM buyer, but in the last few, 3 or less, months, I've bought 4 BM's. Now I read this and realize that I must have it. Do I have a case of Benchmaditis?:eek:;):)
 
cutter17 said:
Well dang it!! I've not been a big BM buyer, but in the last few, 3 or less, months, I've bought 4 BM's. Now I read this and realize that I must have it. Do I have a case of Benchmaditis?:eek:;):)
Click to expand...

Cutter,

For your Benchmaditis, I'd say take two 14205s and call me in the morning. If symptoms persist, take a 710D2--that'll take care of it for sure!:D

Best,

Heekma
 
Heekma,

The 710 is my favorite Benchmade. You got to get one.
I'd love to see one in S30V but BM's D2 is great stuff I have to admit.
 
Looks nice. I'll add it to the list. I have my eye on a few folders that aren't out yet first though. So many choices!
 
Good catch. The 14205 is probably one of the best Benchmade knives out there, and is absolutely my favorite design from them.

(Just wish there was a 4" model.)
 
you could also buy the ganzo knife version lol.....


ganzo.jpg
 
Yea, I would love to see a 4" 14205 model. The blade is thick enough.
Joshua J. said:
Good catch. The 14205 is probably one of the best Benchmade knives out there, and is absolutely my favorite design from them.

(Just wish there was a 4" model.)
Click to expand...
 
Great choice and a great knife! A big one too; there's so much inertia once you get the blade moving that it opens as slick as a greased bowling ball with a nice solid "klink" when it locks up. You could probably baton with it if you had too, or pry open a door if necessary. And don't overlook its brother, little Timmy, the HK14210 - easily one of the best Benchmades.
 
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