Need a recommendation, please...

Brad737

Brad737

Joined
Sep 14, 2010
Messages
41
Hello all,

Several years ago, I got started carrying Benchmade knives, and ended up buying my Dad a 921 Switchback for Christmas one year. He's carried and used it religiously...so much so that the small blade broke off and a lot of the blue finish has worn off the grips.

Since it was a Christmas gift, I got the blade laser etched at Benchmade, so the knife has a little sentimental value to Dad. Due to its dilapidated state, I decided to send it back to Benchmade for restoration. Unfortunately, they don't have the small blade in stock anymore, and they only have black grips, not blue. (I doubt he'd care about that...)

Since I can't restore Dad's knife, I figured I'd try to find him a nice replacement. Dad really prefers two bladed folders. (I'm a Griptilian and Barrage man myself...). Since BM doesn't make any 2-bladed folders anymore, can any of you recommend a suitable replacement?

It doesn't have to be a Benchmade, although I do want it to be a high-quality knife. And I'd prefer to get him something with a decent warranty, and good availability of replacement parts, because it appears Benchmade doesn't really support older knives.

Many thanks,
Brad
 
I can't suggest anything in particular, but you may get more hits/suggestions if this was in the general section. Perhaps? Best of luck!
 
940/943 - similar size, same handle scale material, same blade steel, AXIS lock goodness.
 
Brad...

I don't think BM is doing anything in a traditional two-bladed knife right now. Their small Summit Lake seems to be as close as they come. It's a very nice knife. I've handled one in a shop, but it's a single blade lockback. If your dad can go to a single-bladed knife, that's certainly one to consider. If you really want to stick with BM (and they're a good company to stick with), I can recommend the North Fork folder in either G10 or Dymondwood. I really love mine for a smaller folder. It'll be a single blade with an AXIS lock, but it's right in the size range of a Trapper or some of the larger Stockman models that other companies make. I don't know how it compares to the older BM two-bladed traditionals. As far as discontinuing support for a discontinued knife model, you're going to run into that with most companies. Once the supply of new parts runs out there's not much that can be done to replace worn or broken parts.

If you're looking for other two-bladed traditional styled folders, GEC and their kin make very nice ones. I've had mostly Northfields myself and their 1095 blades are very well done. I like them better than Queen's D2 blades. The knives are tough and functional as well as nice looking. IIRC, Spyderco is making a two-bladed folder in a bit more modern vein. A. G. Russell also has some very nice two-bladed folders on his web site, including some larger ones that are closer to the size of a Switchback.

I I was going to go back to traditionals, I'd still go with Northfield, though. They're just a very well made knife.
 
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It's not that Benchmade doesn't support older knives. When parts stock run out there's nothing they can do. What you might do is keep your eyes open on eBay and other locations and if another of the same models come up you can always use the parts, esp. that small blade. But as long as they offer their LifeSharp program, you can send the knife up for servicing and cleaning.

And yes, the 940 series would make for a great replacement being about the same size and look.

Joe
 
923s-01 may be in stock somewhere. I tried searching the site where I found them before, but it seems to have been removed.
 
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