What do you think of the Benchmade Rift?

B

bchan77

Joined
Dec 6, 2007
Messages
447
I once showed my Benchmade Rift to a friend. His immediate remarks: "Wow, is that knife UGLY! Can't they make a flat handle for a knife?" Well, to be honest, I also think the handle is a bit strange at first, but after a time carrying it I think it offers a very good grip that is better appreciated through actual handling. If you have a Rift what is your opinion of the handle?
 
One of the best "grippy" handles out there. I think nothing is worse than a slick handled knife (OK, maybe a dull one.) If you have never tried the Rift with gloves on, or in cold weather...You should try it. I give the handle 8/10.
 
I am not a fan of Osborne-designed knives and have been disappointed by most new Benchmade releases. However, when this limited edition with CF scales and M4 blade came out, I decided I "needed" to have it:

IMGP3101.jpg


So, my impressions: still ugly as hell (although less so than a Gaucho), but the blade is actually very functional and the contoured CF scales are awesome. And probably a good long-term investment considering the small run. Would I buy the regular Rift with 154CM blade and G10 scales? No, but then I tend to be a snob when it comes to knives;)
 
for some reason i love the way the rift looks, and i love the blade shape. i really need to pick one up
 
Nice score LorenzoL- if I'd seen that option I would've bought it too!
 
The rift is THE knife for me. It is my favorite out of all I own or have handled. I don't think its ugly either. I would give up an apendage for the M4 version but all my searching did not find one.
 
I used to like it, but now I can't get over the handle shape. To me, the handle shape looks reversed. Why is the small finger cut out on the bottom of the handle instead of the top for the index finger to rest on?
 
From the pics of the 950 I didn't like it very much, but at the shop I frequent they had a few and I was able to take the time to play with one for a while and it went home with me. The knife's about the same size as the 520 Presidio without the ribbed aluminum scales. Actually the 950/Rift is a great carry and the 154cm blade is a great slicer.

I traded off the original with the blue/gray scales in favor of one of the black 950-1 models and love the thing.

Like so many other knives, you have to play with one to see if it's a good fit and ditch the ideas you may have from photos. Warren Osborne does some very good stuff and this one is one of my faves.
 
I was unaware that a knife being ugly had anything to do with how it performed as a knife.

The rift is one of the ugliest knives Ive ever seen, but luckily I can only see about 4 inches without my glasses so I would just take them off whenever I had to use it and I would be rewarded with a nice feeling handle and a good blade shape for just doing normal stuff.

the 950-1 does some things to alleviate the eye sore factor but still.

Im still convinced the spyderco military is utterly ridiculous looking but I love that thing and I wouldnt give mine up for very many knives.
 
MVF said:
Nice score LorenzoL- if I'd seen that option I would've bought it too!
Click to expand...

Let's say that with their usual wisdom:foot: Benchmade decided that collectors in the U.S. were not worth of this knife and so they made it only for Canadians:(
Luckily I got tipped off about a Canadian online retailer that had a few and managed to get one. I think this LE sold out in about a week.:eek:
 
Yeah, the place I called up there had a couple and by the time I called back they were gone...:foot: Well, the CF and M4 steel really does make the knife special. Good score Lorenzol!
 
The Rift is a nice knife overall. They're super smooth openers.
You'll notice that it has a lot of blade packed into an edc friendly handle size. The blade provides more cutting edge than my Endura despite technically being shorter.
I love the scales with that great machined pattern that provides excellent grip. It also makes the scales look somewhat like a Giger painting.
The shape of the handle took some getting used to for me. At first I didn't like it because it felt different than knives I was used to. However, after giving it a chance, it felt better and almost perfect in size shape and texture the more I used it.
I also felt that the lack of jimping was a negative aspect at first. Once I really held this knife more and used it, my conditioned notions were proven wrong. This knife really doesn't need jimping due to the shape and texture of the handle.
Overall, it is a very nice knife with excellent steel, fit/finish, size, great lock and some very cool looks.
 
Last edited:
Sword of Morning said:
My only other complaint is the liners could have used some jimping similar to a Grip or 710 up front. However, I am sure this would have been too much of a distraction from the aestetics.
Click to expand...

I have never found the jimping on the 710 to be anything other than aesthetic =/ Luckily Ive never had to stab anything with it because I suspect I might slip forward if my hands were really sweaty and/or greasey for some reason.
 
I find the RIFT amazing looking, both handle and blade design. Having owned one I did find it a little heavy and bulky. As mentioned in another post the lack of jimping was a little frustrating as well. The MSRP is a little high for this knife, but there pre-owned pirces are excellent for a knife of this caliber.
 
Love it, but i noticed that when i really use it for heavy cutting, the handle cuts my hand, it needs some serious grinding down the edges of it
 
I have to say I love my rift. I've never had a problem with it or the handle. I bought it because of the way it looks. As soon as I saw it I had to have it. I love the blade on it also.
 
I like the Rift a lot. I just wish that BM had built this one in the mold of the Skirmish and Rukus. Since it is advertised as a combat folder I would like to see a thicker blade, ie .160",like the Skirmish, along with the double thick liners of the Rukus, 080" I believe. Would add a little to the weight but not a whole lot.
 
I bought a Rift cause I really like the looks of it. The handle looked, innovative bladeshape, that had to be a winner. But when I got it something was missing. It was a little too heavy, the Axis lock really wasn't my thing...to be honest I don't know what exactly made me sell it. I did it and I don't regret it. There would also have been some new Kershaws to ease the pain...:D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top