Spent quality time with the Benchmade Altitude

[Peakbagger46]

My usual hunting blade for some time has been an Esee 3hm. I picked up a used Altitude on the exchange a bit ago and added it to my hunting pack.

After making a clean shot on a cow elk, the real work of skinning, quartering, and packing (four trips in my frame pack) began. I decided to start the field processing task with the Altitude figuring I’d switch to the Esee after it dulled. Two and a half hours later, the skinning and quartering job was done and the little blade was still very sharp!

Very impressed with the S90V steal and overall blade geometry. With the para cord wrap and excellent jimping, I had wonderful control of the knife. Once I got the meat home I continued to use the knife to butcher meat. An occasional touch up on my Sharpmaker’s ceramic rods was all that was needed.

Once the work was done I elected to trash the para cord and re wrap it. Very impressed with this little scalpel of a knife.

https://imgur.com/gallery/R606Wxt

 

[E.D.C.]

Always wanted one of these.

 

[MarkN86]

I've always said you don't need that big of a knife to get the job done, and I agree it's easier with a smaller blade like that due to better control. I helped gut and skin a whitetail with a Kershaw Scallion, having an exceptionally sharp edge helped it outpace a dedicated hunting knife with an edge that was a bit neglected.

Glad you found something that works for you, I know you said you hunt high in the mountains. Every ounce is like a pound at high altitude and the minimalistic design seems like it fits the bill perfectly.

Good looking kill, by the way.

 

[craytab]

My usual hunting blade for some time has been an Esee 3hm. I picked up a used Altitude on the exchange a bit ago and added it to my hunting pack.

After making a clean shot on a cow elk, the real work of skinning, quartering, and packing (four trips in my frame pack) began. I decided to start the field processing task with the Altitude figuring I’d switch to the Esee after it dulled. Two and a half hours later, the skinning and quartering job was done and the little blade was still very sharp!

Very impressed with the S90V steal and overall blade geometry. With the para cord wrap and excellent jimping, I had wonderful control of the knife. Once I got the meat home I continued to use the knife to butcher meat. An occasional touch up on my Sharpmaker’s ceramic rods was all that was needed.

Once the work was done I elected to trash the para cord and re wrap it. Very impressed with this little scalpel of a knife.

https://imgur.com/gallery/R606Wxt

I was going to post asking you to give us more information. Then in the quote I can see you did! With the black text and the FA+ Dark setting I could not see the write up!

Glad to see the knife and steel perform well!

 

[Hale Storm]

I've always lusted after one of those. Unfortunately, I have XXL hands and that blade just doesn't feel right. Too small obviously. I guess as an amateur knife maker I could fashion some thick scales onto it but why go to all that trouble when there are plenty of other Benchmade offerings that will work.
On the note of not needing a big knife. I once field dressed a whitetail doe with nothing more than a cheap novelty knife. A little slip joint not more than 3" closed with two blades. It was all I had at the time and I was a mile or so from camp.

 

[evilgreg]

I was going to post asking you to give us more information. Then in the quote I can see you did! With the black text and the FA+ Dark setting I could not see the write up!

Glad to see the knife and steel perform well!

lol, thanks for this--I didn't see the quote at all until I read your reply and went back to look for it.