jokrswylde
Basic Member
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2004
- Messages
- 442
Just getting around to writing a review of a couple of new knives I took on a overvight hike/camp in the Sypsey Wilderness in Central Alabama. The knives I took were the TigerSharp Large Helium RES (replaceable edge system) and a new BM fixed blade designed by Steve Fecas. The specs on the 2 knives are :
Benchmade-
Blade steel is N690 stainless steel, Rockwell hardness is 58-60HRC, satin finish, plain edge. Black Zytel handle. Black molded Zytel sheath w/muliple carry options. Blade length is 4.11" O.A.L. is 8.84", weighs 3.58oz
Tiger Sharp-
Large: Closed: 3.75" Open: 6.5" Blade: 2.75"
Tigersharp uses Cryogenically treated GIN-5 steel with an RHc rating of 61 on all knives. Linerlock with aluminum handles and liners.
I purchased these knives in a never-ending quest to cut weight while hiking, and both knives are relatively light. The thought of having a razor sharp blade without carrying a stone is what led me to try the Helium. I picked up the Bm for $20 bucks at the local knife shop (it is the red box/import variety) and could not believe the knife I got for the money. Solid construction,razor sharp out of the box, kydex sheath, all for 20 bucks! The Tiger Sharp I got for around $50.
Both knives carry easily with the BM easily attached to the shoulder strap of my Lowe-Alpine. The Helium was used to carve/whittle a hiking stick out of a maple branch blowdown. At camp, both knives were used to do normal camp chores, opening packages, removing splinters, etc. We did catch a few bluegill and the Helium did a slightly better job in the filet department. I also changed blades with my hands covered in fish scales/grime in under 90 seconds. (THe Helium comes with a pe and a ps blade). Again the BM imo is a whale of a knife for 20 bucks. It was used to whittle weenie roasting sticks and the ergonomics are pretty solid, the scales are comfortable and provide a firm grip. Also practiced some throwing with the BM and managed to stick it in a log 11/20 times ( Hey, that's like batting over .500!!) After carving our initials in the same log it was time to head to the trailhead. When I got home and began cleaning gear, I noticed that the BM would still shave hair and their was no tip deformity after throwing. The Helium would not shave hair, but still sliced up some rope pretty easily. And 8 bucks gets you two more razor sharp blades! ( I removed the blade and gave it a few passes on the sharpmaker and it sharpened up easily).
For around 70 bucks I got two knives that serve my purposes well. Even though the BM is an import, the quality is there. The TigerSharp performed great with a solid lockup and easy blade replacement. All in all I have found a lightweight hiking combination that I am extremely pleased with. I recommend checking them out...they are really neat knives for the money.
Benchmade-
Blade steel is N690 stainless steel, Rockwell hardness is 58-60HRC, satin finish, plain edge. Black Zytel handle. Black molded Zytel sheath w/muliple carry options. Blade length is 4.11" O.A.L. is 8.84", weighs 3.58oz
Tiger Sharp-
Large: Closed: 3.75" Open: 6.5" Blade: 2.75"
Tigersharp uses Cryogenically treated GIN-5 steel with an RHc rating of 61 on all knives. Linerlock with aluminum handles and liners.
I purchased these knives in a never-ending quest to cut weight while hiking, and both knives are relatively light. The thought of having a razor sharp blade without carrying a stone is what led me to try the Helium. I picked up the Bm for $20 bucks at the local knife shop (it is the red box/import variety) and could not believe the knife I got for the money. Solid construction,razor sharp out of the box, kydex sheath, all for 20 bucks! The Tiger Sharp I got for around $50.
Both knives carry easily with the BM easily attached to the shoulder strap of my Lowe-Alpine. The Helium was used to carve/whittle a hiking stick out of a maple branch blowdown. At camp, both knives were used to do normal camp chores, opening packages, removing splinters, etc. We did catch a few bluegill and the Helium did a slightly better job in the filet department. I also changed blades with my hands covered in fish scales/grime in under 90 seconds. (THe Helium comes with a pe and a ps blade). Again the BM imo is a whale of a knife for 20 bucks. It was used to whittle weenie roasting sticks and the ergonomics are pretty solid, the scales are comfortable and provide a firm grip. Also practiced some throwing with the BM and managed to stick it in a log 11/20 times ( Hey, that's like batting over .500!!) After carving our initials in the same log it was time to head to the trailhead. When I got home and began cleaning gear, I noticed that the BM would still shave hair and their was no tip deformity after throwing. The Helium would not shave hair, but still sliced up some rope pretty easily. And 8 bucks gets you two more razor sharp blades! ( I removed the blade and gave it a few passes on the sharpmaker and it sharpened up easily).
For around 70 bucks I got two knives that serve my purposes well. Even though the BM is an import, the quality is there. The TigerSharp performed great with a solid lockup and easy blade replacement. All in all I have found a lightweight hiking combination that I am extremely pleased with. I recommend checking them out...they are really neat knives for the money.