Autos are neat, but the AXIS lock system is so easy to use that there isn't much functional purpose for it. In some cases, the manual counter has advantages. I think this is especially true with AXIS as I think the manuals can be deployed faster than auto, but they can also be opened slowly in an area where people surrounding you may freak out if a knife 'snaps' open with full force.
The other advantage is price...you can find the manual Rift used and in great condition for $100 shipped all day long!
As there are hundreds of knives made by Benchmade alone, do you mind if I ask a few questions?
What size blade were you thinking?
What materials are you cutting the most?
Will this be your every day carry knife?
Do you like any particular features?
Will this be carried much with delicate clothes such as dress slacks?
Do you have much experience sharpening knives?
Will the knife see much marine/aquatic usage?
What knife do you have now and what are your thoughts/impressions/likes/dislikes?
As for sharpeners, my personal opinion is that the Spyderco SharpMaker is one of the best sharpeners in its price range. It is also very versatile in that it can sharpen almost anything. I also find it to be the easiest sharpening system I have used out of the various ones I own. A SharpMaker with Ultra-Fine rods and a strop is a great setup for maintaining a razor edge that is sharper than what the edge was from the factory!
Sharpeners are important too, so you have a tough decision ahead! (ps: get both!!!) While Benchmade will sharpen for free, it's a pain and allowing the knife to get very dull before sharpening will decrease the service life because you remove more metal. Frequent touchups (say 3 minutes on a strop or stone every week) will give you a razor sharp knife 24-7, and will result in far less metal being removed and so the blade itself will last longer.
