Recommendation? Rift or Bedlam?

[User17]

I can't decide which one I should get. I like the design of the Bedlam a lot more, but I think that it could be too big to fit into my collection. The rift would only be available with the non-coated blade and that blue- looking handle(I'm not ordering from the US). I don't find that colours pretty to be honest. but the size would fit better.

Could someone who owns both knives show me some comparison pics, or give me some recommendation please? Which one feels better in hand? is the bedlam really so big compared to the rift? I don't use the knive for specific tasks. I am more into collecting.

 

[palonej]

Don't have a Bedlam, but I can tell you the Rift is an amazing knife!!
I think of it as the 940's big brother.
It fits the hand beautifully! Feels very substantial in hand also! It can take a beating!
The knife looks great and handles great!
I absolutely love it!
I got the Cutlery Shoppe exclusive.
Joe

 

[bigolegator]

I've handled both knives before (the Bedlam was an auto version) and I liked the Bedlam's Persian style blade better than the Rifts blade. Both knives are pretty large folders, and if you are just collecting, go with the one that appeases your senses the most. You really should try to handle them both before buying or at least have the option of returning one if you don't like it. I think more people like the Rift overall though.

 

[jbmonkey]

bedlam is one of my favorites but i like bigger blades. rift shape doesnt appeal to me, but i reserve the right to change my mind years later.

 

[jkarp_53]

Rift please. The Bedlam's not my cuppa. I own or have owned a number of Rifts and like the design.

 

[sharp_edge]

Are you buying the knife to use or to collect? If the former, what will be the main use? I hardly see the usefulness of Bedlum as a cutter or stabber. Yes it will cut but I think many other BMs will cut better than it, Rift included. If the latter, then just buy the one appealing most to you. Both are good looking folders to me, while somehow Bedlam looks more attractive.

 

[RevDevil]

The Bedlam is a better fit for me. That hump by the pinky on the Rift kills it for me.

 

[Benchmade]

I love the Bedlam. Just a cool looking knife. Feels real good in the hand too.

 

[knives_in_nature]

Bedlam all day long. And I prefer a smaller knife usually... The bedlam is just so badass!

 

[User17]

Thanks a lot guys for all your help. I decided to get the Rift off my list. It just isn't available in my desired colour and somehow I would be happy to add a bigger model to my collection.

The design of the Bedlam is just overwhelming. I understand why many people here recommended it. But while browsing through some benchmade knives, I discovered the stunning looking crooked river. I guess some of you have also experience with this one?

But I certainly use my knives, mainly for lighter everyday tasks. So I'm not only collecting.

 

[loonybin]

Thanks a lot guys for all your help. I decided to get the Rift off my list. It just isn't available in my desired colour and somehow I would be happy to add a bigger model to my collection.

The Rift is definitely my suggestion. Awesome knife that can do more than it's size and shape would indicate. If the gray/black doesn't appeal to you, then change it:

 

[hhmoore]

Rift vs Bedlam
I faced the same quandary a few years back. I walked into a knife shop planning to leave with one of them, and already leaning toward the Bedlam. To my disappointment, I didn't like it as much as I thought I would; and I ended up with the Rift. The fact that I never thought about the Bedlam again until seeing your thread tells me I made the correct choice (for me).
That is, of course, simply my own personal experience & choice...others have chosen the bedlam & been just as happy. It all boils down to which knife appeals to YOU.

 

[User17]

The Rift is definitely my suggestion. Awesome knife that can do more than it's size and shape would indicate. If the gray/black doesn't appeal to you, then change it:

The colour I could get would be to carchoal. End it doesn't appeal to me at all. Buying new scales would exceeded my budget. And I want to go bigger that's why I decided to take the Rift off my list.

Would really appreciate to get some thoughts on the crooked river.

 

[jbmonkey]

i own a crooked river as well. good size for me as i like folders bigger. useful blade shape for most normal cutting tasks. clip point is decent for finer tip work. its one of benchmades better useful designs made in a long time. i might pick it over the bedlam. certainly worth considering.

 

[User17]

Thanks. Maybe I will get both

 

[palonej]

Simply put....can't go wrong with a Crooked River!
Great knife with a LOT of blade!
Joe

 

[loonybin]

The colour I could get would be to carchoal. End it doesn't appeal to me at all. Buying new scales would exceeded my budget.

Mine, too. Those scales were done with RIT Dye (about $4 for a bottle). Now, if you want a bigger knife, look at the 810-1401 Contego!

 

[Sitzkrieg_70]

Edit: Mistakenly hit "post" way too early, which resulted in coming across as a barely literate, incoherent jackass. Trust me, when I tell you, I don't need any additional help in that department. I do a good enough job at that without prematurely posting a bunch of wacky sounding sentence fragments. Good Lord. Lol. Let me try this again. Wow. Lol.

 

[photoman12001]

I've got a couple of Rifts (black and satin blade versions of the -1401), a couple of Bedlams (due to really good prices on the Exchange), and a Crooked River. Any are fine for collecting. Here is how I would rank them as users:

1. Crooked River: It has a good general handle and blade shape that should feel good to a lot of hands and be useful for a lot of tasks. It's also the least threatening-looking of the three if that matters at all. I wish it was about 75% of its size but that's the only thing I would change. It feels a bit too big in my medium-size hands but I'm sure it works well for larger hands. It is a large knife.
2. Rift: This is a good size for an EDC knife but the bump in the grip where the pinky rests and sharp edges on the G10 make it a bit uncomfortable. It's still a good knife but I never carry them. I just have others I prefer for my EDC rotation. First-world problems.
3. Bedlam: I love the look of this knife and I've tried to carry it but the size, weight, and shape make it a bit awkward to haul around for me. The handle is very comfortable but like the Crooked River I wish it was about 75% its current size. The Crooked River is already pretty large and you can see the Bedlam is even larger.

 

[hhmoore]

The Rift actually fits my hand well - three fingers fit comfortably in the long scooped section; and my pinky falls naturally into the rear curve, missing the bump and the point at the back...but I've had hand fit issues with other knives, when it seems nobody else is complaining.