What Benchmades do you NOT like?

L

Lennyo3034

Joined
Nov 27, 2012
Messages
490
So there are multiple threads on people's favorite Benchmades, I figured I'd make one on Benchmade's that people thought weren't up to par with their others. Lets keep bashing to a minimum here. I'll start:

Griptillian. Yes I know it's the most popular model, but I don't like the feel of the Nortyl GTX handles. I'm also 1 for 4 on them coming with the blade centered, and they are just a little too thick for my tastes. I have one shot show grip, and one Wilkins grip that are a little better, but I still carry others.

My particular 520. Loose stop pin, and I could never get this one smooth. Others I've handled were fine. I really like knives that show wear with use, and the Aluminum scales are perfect for this. I may buy another one and put my current blade/scales on it.

Anyone else have ones that just never get any pocket time?
 
I have a 3300 Infidel that I never carry. That knife is way up there on the cool factor, but actually being a useful knife? Not for me. So she just sits in my safe, the pretty little queen that she is. :cool:
 
The 810 Contego. I love everything about it, except it's size. If it came in a smaller version, say in the 3.25 - 3.5" range I'd have one for sure. Also don't like the 755 - it's TOO small.
 
I've also shunned models from the Grip series due to the scales. Knives like the Adamas, Bedlam, older 610 Rukus, maybe the larger Onslaught would not be on my radar simply because I prefer smaller models. Fixed blade hold no interest, but I've turned the corner with aluminum handled models like the 520/525 and do like the worn in look that comes with use.
 
Over the years I have bought and sold a lot of Benchmades and some of the ones that I just couldn't warm up to would be:

275 Adamas - This one for me could be a keeper if they release one with a satin/stonewashed finished blade. I am not a fan of coated blades.
420 Resister - For me the handles were way too thick and don't like cone shaped thumb studs.
810 Contego - For me it was just an oversized Rift with more aggressive G-10 and better blade steel. I really like the Rift so the Contego didn't impress.
860 Bedlam - Size is the issue here. If Benchmade would decide to release a Mini-Bedlam I would be very interested.
912/913 Nitrous Stryker - I have been a fan of the 910 Stryker for years but the Nitrous version of the Stryker I thought was unnecessary. The original still stands as the best.
915 Triage - Initially when this one first came out I felt like I really should like it but after owning a couple of them they just never grew on me. Great concept though
930 Kulgera - I like everything about this knife except the exposed liners.
 
boobar said:
Over the years I have bought and sold a lot of Benchmades and some of the ones that I just couldn't warm up to would be:

275 Adamas - This one for me could be a keeper if they release one with a satin/stonewashed finished blade. I am not a fan of coated blades.
420 Resister - For me the handles were way too thick and don't like cone shaped thumb studs.
810 Contego - For me it was just an oversized Rift with more aggressive G-10 and better blade steel. I really like the Rift so the Contego didn't impress.
860 Bedlam - Size is the issue here. If Benchmade would decide to release a Mini-Bedlam I would be very interested.
912/913 Nitrous Stryker - I have been a fan of the 910 Stryker for years but the Nitrous version of the Stryker I thought was unnecessary. The original still stands as the best.
915 Triage - Initially when this one first came out I felt like I really should like it but after owning a couple of them they just never grew on me. Great concept though
930 Kulgera - I like everything about this knife except the exposed liners.
Click to expand...

Bob, I would say your list is very similar to mine, except, as said, for the 912/913...but I Do favor my PE satin 910 as the one really worth discussing. And of note: of all the Osborne models I ever kept, the 930 was the only one I sold without a second thought.
 
jkarp_53 said:
Bob, I would say your list is very similar to mine, except, as said, for the 912/913...but I Do favor my PE satin 910 as the one really worth discussing. And of note: of all the Osborne models I ever kept, the 930 was the only one I sold without a second thought.
Click to expand...

There was something funny about how the 930 felt in the hand with the exposed liners. If the knife had come through with G-10 covering the entire liners like every other Benchmade I probably would still own one.
 
Benchies with holes and several assisted opening. There were a few AO's that I would have went for if not for that fact.
 
fetzer85 said:
The 810 Contego. I love everything about it, except it's size. If it came in a smaller version, say in the 3.25 - 3.5" range I'd have one for sure. Also don't like the 755 - it's TOO small.
Click to expand...

I agree the 710 is a bit to big and the smaller version 705/7 are a bit to small, also I love the rift but again I find it a bit large.
 
Anything with a handle smaller than a 746 mini-onslaught. My hand barely fits on the 746 as a sort of 3.5 finger knife, anything smaller is too small for my sausage fingers.
 
Benchmade makes so many different styles of knives that it's only natural that any one person wouldn't like all of them. Same goes for Spyderco and Kershaw.
There are quite a few models that I know, just by looking at them, wouldn't be for me. However every singe BM I've ever owned has been excellent in terms of quality, design, and execution. I've never had one that I would call poor quality. I can't say the same for any other make. The only one off the top of my head that I didn't really like was the Shot show G10 Griptillian. It was an excellent, well designed, and well made knife. It was was just a little too thick for my tastes, and a little too expensive.
 
cchu518 said:
Benchies with holes and several assisted opening. There were a few AO's that I would have went for if not for that fact.
Click to expand...

I'm with you on the not liking Benchmades with hole openers. The only one that I could make an exception for would be the AFCK. It's too much of a classic to pass up. As far as assisted openers go I used to avoid them but after getting a couple with the AXIS assist (615-1, 581-1102, & 1000001 Volli) I really like them.
 
Funny...I haven't really looked seriously at a BM since the AFCK/TSEK models. I prefer the "hole" of the AFCK over the stud of the TSEK, but I carry the TSEK daily.

Nothing really against them, I've just filled the need with those models and haven't really looked further. And it absolutely has nothing to do with a lack of faith in BM quality-that would never be a question for me.

It's probably just because I gave up on "collecting" knives a few years back and thinned the herd of anything I wouldn't carry outside of the house...
 
Anything with Harley Davidson written on the side. No offense to anyone who loves the HD's, but mixing Benchmade with Harley Davidson is like mixing Diet Coke with Pappy Van Winkel, or for the scotch drinkers, Diet Coke with Lagavullin or Johnny Blue. It just isn't right.
 
Accelerator said:
Anything with Harley Davidson written on the side. No offense to anyone who loves the HD's, but mixing Benchmade with Harley Davidson is like mixing Diet Coke with Pappy Van Winkel, or for the scotch drinkers, Diet Coke with Lagavullin or Johnny Blue. It just isn't right.
Click to expand...

[Removed]

Shoki-1 at a great price!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I didn't dig the rift as much as a lot of ppl do. I held the Contego briefly and it did not feel good in my hand at all. And I've never handled one, but I never cared much for the onslaught. Im sure all these knives are high quality and great blades but there are so many others that I feel suit me better. And if money was no object and I could afford anything I wanted id still own them all haha
 
I guess I represent the other side of the spectrum in that I have little or less use for the smaller sized blades or gentleman type BM knives.

When I was introduced to BM, my primary knife usage was work related and to that end the larger, stronger folding knives designed with harder use in mind best suited my cutting needs.

Generally I prefer a blade at least 4" and no less the 3.5", built around a stronger frame.

Now retired I'm the first to admit my cutting needs have changed tremendously but I guess my preferences for larger knives remains.

My past and present all time BM favorites are the AFCK, Rukus, Skirmish, 910 Stryker, 710, Rift, Adamas, Onslaught and currently the Contego. An awesome knife on so many levels.

As a long time BM enthusiast, and from a hobbyist prospective I don't have any dislike for the smaller BM knives, rather a preference for larger ones based on past usage, experience and needs.

There are many of the smaller knives I'd love to have for no other reason then to own them as I can appreciate their beauty and function. Like the 940, a true classic that I've yet to own but is definitely on the list to have one day. And several others Ican think of.

I think what I'm also saying is how lucky we are that BM makes such diverse range of knives that meet's the needs of so many different users, there really is something for everyone.

If I had to say there was one BM knife I really don't care for that would have to be the Griptilian. I know it has many fans and I'm sure it's a great knife and all for the price. That it's currently BM's best seller has to say something as far as how good it is, however, it's such a departure from what I envision and what I'm used to when I think BM it really just doesn't do anything for me at all on any level. To each his own though...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top