Recommend me my first Benchmade!

A

adams-usmc

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Aug 30, 2011
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I have decided that Benchmade will be my next folding knife. I have knives from Strider, and Spyderco that I carry every day, and now I've decided that I want something new in the rotation. I don't buy knives to look at. I buy knives to work with, cut stuff, and get stuff done. I won't buy a safe queen, but I love unique knives.

Here's a little bit about what it will be used for... I work in a tool and die shop. I work in assembly, and I am constantly cutting rubber hoses, cutting open boxes, and getting dirty. You should see my Yojimbo 2 after a day of teardown on a die. Covered in grease, and aluminum dust. It gets the high pressure air treatment at the end of the day, and a wipe down with alcohol, and it's good to go.

I live in Indiana, so no limit on blade length. Pocket clip is a must, I'm fond of S30V, but am open to anything. I do not like springs in my knives...just a personal preference. I'm not afraid to spend money on a good tool, and Benchmades warranty is legendary from what I understand, and the Axis lock is intriguing. I only have experience with one Benchmade (580 Barrage) that I bought for my father. I like it, but it's assisted opening which is not my cup of tea so to speak.

If you have a recommendation, I'd love to hear them.
 
From your specs, it sounds like a flat ground blade with a good balance of toughness and edge holding is what you're looking for. The M4 Contego comes to mind. It's a bit large for my taste, but the blade is perfectly capable of doing your chores. If size doesn't matter, I think I'd recommend that one. I suggest M4 over something like M390 because of the toughness of M4. I know how tough it is. I don't have any experience with M390 in actual use.
 
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For you first Benchmade, I would suggest something with an Axis lock. Keep it pure and manual though. No assist or auto for your first one that way you get a true impression of it.

I'd say a 710 or a Ritter Grip (large or small).
 
Can't go wrong with a 710. A classic...around since 1999 i believe... first production knife with the Axis lock. It's popularity & the fact that it is still made goes to show what a great knife it is. In term of size you get a nearly 4" blade in a easily pocketable, slim package. Stainless steel liners, and a D2 blade on the standard version. The slight recurve on the blade will make cutting the hoses more fun :) and honestly it is so slight that keeping it sharp on the Sharpmaker is pretty easy.
My first Benchmade was a Griptilian, but since I got my first 710, the Grip ended up in a drawer...
I found that the 710 just carried better clipped in a pocket, and the G10 handles are pretty good too...

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710 D2 & Griptilian 553:
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710 & ParaMilitary 2 - blade / handle ratio is excellent on the 710...
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Hard or harder use, Contego hands down. Either the CPM-M4 or M390 versions will do. Both are exceptional knives with great steels.

The Adamas is another hard use knife made to take abuse but it's a lot of knife in the pocket, very wide handles so if that doesn't bother you I'd give it serious consideration. Once for once I think it the strongest knife in it's class.

For a bit smaller sized blade then the Rift. A solid hard use knife that wont let you down. I carried and used one for work for years and can attest to it's utility and strength.

Beyond that there are many models to choose from. Most Benchmade knives tend to be inherently stronger so I don't see how you can really go wrong one way or the other.

The new HK 14715 for under $100 is another standout and looks suitable for hard use. Built tough and made to use. I have one but haven't used it yet so I can't personally say from experience but for the money I think it's a great option.

Good luck on whatever you choose

All the best!
 
The Axis Stryker is my current overall favorite Benchmade knife. Provides a full grip, has full liners, great blade weight and size, and looks sweet, too. I have been using a serrated version for work since April and it has been ideal. Mine is the tanto but the drop point is a definite future purchase.

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jazub said:
The Axis Stryker is my current overall favorite Benchmade knife. Provides a full grip, has full liners, great blade weight and size, and looks sweet, too. I have been using a serrated version for work since April and it has been ideal. Mine is the tanto but the drop point is a definite future purchase.

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Click to expand...

+ 1 for the Stryker. How could I have forgotten about it!

For it's blade size I don't think you can do better.

I carried an original 910 Stryker (liner lock version) for years and used it for work and it was definitely subjected to hard use and held up surprisingly well. The new AXIS version has a slightly smaller blade but add the AXIS and I think it makes it that much better.

I think For a knife with it's blade size the new Stryker is hard to beat!
 
I would 110 % recommend a 940, I've owned 5 of them and they are a fantastic design. S30V , axis lock, price isnt crazy. Super light weight, good resale , just an ideal knife imho.
 
I will second the Contego and the 710. Either would work for what you intend. Others may be better, but I have both and can recommend them. The Contego has M4, and the 710 has D2, both steels with good edge holding, but if you act fast, one of the dealers is selling the 710 in M390. Actually, looks like they still have the 810 in M390 also.
 
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Thanks for the replies guys.

I am really liking the specs on the Contego, and it seems like it is my style. Built like a tank, but still very aesthetically appealing. I was going to buy another Spyderco, but figured I'd switch it up, and I've been interested in Benchmade for a while.

Looks like I'll give the Contego in CPM-M4 a go. It looks right up my alley.
 
honest everything mentioned above will work for ya, im a huge m390 fan have it from different brands (benchmade, spyderco) love the steel, takes a wicked sharp edge holds it for a long time and super easy to sharpen
 
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