What's the word on the street about the Benchmade Nagara?

A

autoopen

Joined
Mar 3, 2009
Messages
190
I love the design and who wouldn't love full Titanium slabs all for less than $70. It's got a sweet shape and a gentleman's knife feel all made in China. I'm thinking of buying one or a Griptilian or possibly a Tyrade (all in my limited price range).
Ideas, thoughts, suggestions? And please leave the it's "Made in China" BS to yourself.
Thanx for any help!
Cheers,
autoopen
 
its nice.

Im not in a hurry to sell my made in usa benchmades though. personally, Id rather have a mini griptilian because the blade shape on the nagara is a little too pointy for my liking.

also, prepare for scratches. the one I handled belonged to a friend and he had used it every day for 2 weeks and kept it in a pocket with his phone and it looks like they fought and the phone won. Im sure after a few months of carry itll look good if thats your thing.
 
I must admit that that is something I never though of... Since the fit and finish is so highly polished I didn't think that ALL scratches would show. Valid point indeed.
 
IMHO the grip is a better choice. The button to disengage the lock on the Nagara is to small, as are the thumb studs. And the detent is very strong, so that with a small thumb stud can be a problem.
 
I like the looks of the knife but why in the heck do they use titanium slabs and then attach them to solid stainless steel liners?? Why not just use the titanium slabs and keep the knife really light. :confused:

Here's a good quality video review. (do yourself a favor & skip the first 2 minutes and 30 seconds of the review where he basically just looks at the Benchmade catalogue)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wq_uiFCYKIE
 
Boozoo Chavis said:
I like the looks of the knife but why in the heck do they use titanium slabs and then attach them to solid stainless steel liners?? Why not just use the titanium slabs and keep the knife really light. :confused:
Click to expand...

It's necessary for the locking mechanism they are using.

The Nagara is an excellent knife for the price. As with any knife it you actually use it will show wear.
 
autoopen said:
I love the design and who wouldn't love full Titanium slabs all for less than $70. It's got a sweet shape and a gentleman's knife feel all made in China. I'm thinking of buying one or a Griptilian or possibly a Tyrade (all in my limited price range).
Ideas, thoughts, suggestions? And please leave the it's "Made in China" BS to yourself.
Thanx for any help!
Cheers,
autoopen
Click to expand...

I've never had a Griptilian, nor a Nagara, so I can't really speak to those two, but you did mention Tyrade, and I CAN speak to it! If it is in your budget then go for it as once they are gone there will be no more. You get a nice thick piece of blade ( .157")with two premium steels; 154CM & CPMD2. Thick liners (~.080")from hardened steel. Finally a choice of G-10 colors; black & orange (available now), and tan & blue (due at the end of the month). Really, REALLY hard to beat this deal!:thumbup::D
 
Ok. I've now done quite patient surveillance on all the ins and outs of the 3 knives I've been considering.
I'm now leaning toward the Kershaw Tyrade, my only real reserve is the composite blade. I mean will this thing split at the seams under hard use?
I now curious what anyone's thoughts are on the particular pros and cons between the Benchmade Nagara and the Kershaw Tyrade.
 
autoopen said:
Ok. I've now done quite patient surveillance on all the ins and outs of the 3 knives I've been considering.
I'm now leaning toward the Kershaw Tyrade, my only real reserve is the composite blade. I mean will this thing split at the seams under hard use?
I now curious what anyone's thoughts are on the particular pros and cons between the Benchmade Nagara and the Kershaw Tyrade.
Click to expand...

No, it will not :D

There is really no comparing the two imo. Tyrade is in a different class.
 
BoxANT said:
There is really no comparing the two imo. Tyrade is in a different class.
Click to expand...

I assume you see the Nagara as an inexpensive, high quality (but Chinese), light EDC Gentleman's folder while the Tyrade is much more a heavy duty, rough and tumble AO EDC/Tactical blade. Is that pretty much your thinking?>
 
autoopen said:
I assume you see the Nagara as an inexpensive, high quality (but Chinese), light EDC Gentleman's folder while the Tyrade is much more a heavy duty, rough and tumble AO EDC/Tactical blade. Is that pretty much your thinking?>
Click to expand...

Well, if you are comping the Ti Tyrade, then you also have to consider that it's over double the price :)

G10 Tyrade v Nagara. Tyrade is USA, better blade steel, AO, bigger (can still EDC if you don't mind larger knives), better lock (kershaw liner locks are great). Overall I think it beats out the Nagara in most categories, unless you are really looking for a certain "gentleman" look, which obviously the Tyrade does not have :D
 
autoopen said:
I assume you see the Nagara as an inexpensive, high quality (but Chinese), light EDC Gentleman's folder while the Tyrade is much more a heavy duty, rough and tumble AO EDC/Tactical blade. Is that pretty much your thinking?>
Click to expand...

I'm assuming he means it doesn't look like someone drew an elongated, squiggly potato at the drawing board and turned it into a knife?
 
Last edited:
BoxANT said:
Well, if you are comping the Ti Tyrade, then you also have to consider that it's over double the price :)

G10 Tyrade v Nagara. Tyrade is USA, better blade steel, AO, bigger (can still EDC if you don't mind larger knives), better lock (kershaw liner locks are great). Overall I think it beats out the Nagara in most categories, unless you are really looking for a certain "gentleman" look, which obviously the Tyrade does not have :D
Click to expand...


I can now see where you are coming from. I guess I'm in a bit of an awkward position where I have about $80 to spend on the "best" knife I can afford.

The truth is I love the sleek smooth elegant lines and quality of the BM Nagara but at the same time, I also really love an AO hardcore tactical beast... It's a dilemma I guess and an unfortunate one at that.
I live in Chicago and from the standpoint of the law, the Nagara being more elegant and gentlemanly would be less of a hassle for me. But I probably shouldn't let that be the deciding factor in my choice.

You mentioned a big price difference between the two blades and my online research reveals just the opposite. BladeHQ has the Nagara for $68 + shipping and yourcornerstore has the Black G10 Tyrade for $75.43 + shipping so the difference is negligible.

The only other comment you made that I don't agree with is the quality differences in each blade's respective locking mechanisms. The Kershaw's is tried and true no doubt, but the BM Nagara employs the brand new "Nak" lock and from everything I have heard it is mighty indeed. I think only time will tell any differences in weakness.
 
autoopen said:
You mentioned a big price difference between the two blades and my online research reveals just the opposite. BladeHQ has the Nagara for $68 + shipping and yourcornerstore has the Black G10 Tyrade for $75.43 + shipping so the difference is negligible.

The only other comment you made that I don't agree with is the quality differences in each blade's respective locking mechanisms. The Kershaw's is tried and true no doubt, but the BM Nagara employs the brand new "Nak" lock and from everything I have heard it is mighty indeed. I think only time will tell any differences in weakness.
Click to expand...

The big price difference is when you compare the Nagara which you know has titanium scales to the Tyrade model that has titanium as well. I think this is what is the most impressive about the Nagara, it utilizes titanium and can still come in at such a great price.

And you are correct in questioning the idea that the Kershaw lock is superior. Both knives have well designed locks and when you dealing with companies like Benchmade and Kershaw it is very rare that either company will sell a knife with a poor locking system.
 
Morimotom posted a link to my Review. To update you I still carry my Nagara and I havent had an issue with blade play. It was smooth to start with and is still as such. If you want an resonably priced gentlemans folder to me this is it. It has good materials in a nice package and isnt too flashy. If you want a beefy folder then yeah I'd go with a grippy as well.

It does have a narrow point but if you are simply using it to slice its not that big a deal. I actually like the very narrow point for picking out splinters an such.

Hey you can always buy one or the other down the road. Have you considered buying a used grippy off the exchange? I dont see Nagara's come up much but you might look there as well. Comparing a Tyrade to the Nagara is apples and cannonballs man. Completley different knives with different feels. I have both and they are just too different of a knife.

I hope with whatever you go with you get the one that suites you!
 
I've been switching between a Kershaw Blackout and my BM Nagara for a couple of weeks now. I don't usually carry the Nagara at work, since its so nice. I have nothing but nice things to say about the Nagara. Solid lock, beautiful, good blade geometry, razor sharp out of the box. small package. It is a little heavy, but that's just due to the beefy construction. I haven't handled the other knives, but I'm sure they are nice. Both Kershaw and BM are good companies.
 
autoopen said:
I can now see where you are coming from. I guess I'm in a bit of an awkward position where I have about $80 to spend on the "best" knife I can afford.

The truth is I love the sleek smooth elegant lines and quality of the BM Nagara but at the same time, I also really love an AO hardcore tactical beast... It's a dilemma I guess and an unfortunate one at that.
I live in Chicago and from the standpoint of the law, the Nagara being more elegant and gentlemanly would be less of a hassle for me. But I probably shouldn't let that be the deciding factor in my choice.
Click to expand...

If I may, these 2 knives are on complete opposite ends of the spectrum. One small sleek gentleman's knife, and the other as you said, a big tactical beast.

If you are looking to spend ~$80 on the best knife you can afford, I would suggest something more in the middle.

Maybe a Kershaw Shallot? It's nice and sleek but also AO and a decent size.

Kershaw RAM has G10 handles, amazing flipper (faster than most AO's IMO), but is a bit smaller and much lighter than the Tyrade.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top