Why so little love for HK knives?

dkb45

dkb45

Joined
Dec 16, 2012
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I just got another HK knife today and I am wondering why there is so little love for them floating around. Of all options available for the price, they are probably the most competitive, and come in just about every option imaginable (between the different models).

My current models are the Enigma, Conspiracy, and Monochrome, and I love them all. The Enigma has a wonderful blade shape with an awesome pseudo assisted opening. The Monochrome is the smoothest flicking knife I have ever seen (even beating my Mini Grip), and it is anorexic slim with a good steel to boot, and getting it for $25 helps. The Conspiracy is the biggest value to me, with it flicking open smooth with a really beefy blade and a titanium frame lock... what isn't to love about it?

I am always a hair on the leery side for cheap Chinese knives, but the HK line by Benchmade really does score a goal. They are also one of the only lines by BM that mostly be competitively priced, or at least I don't think they are subject to the draconian pricing laws for USA Benchmade products.

Feel free to share your love of disdain for HK knives. Also, feel free to suggest models (that aren't serrated) that would be a good addition to my collection.
 
I own a couple including the conspiracy. They are okay, but hardly the best for the money.
 
I liked the old ones from 2005 made by Benchmade in Oregon and Boker in Solingen, Germany. I still have them:

HK 14250S made by Benchmade & HK X-15-T.N. made by Boker:

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I like the Benchmade H&Ks but dunno anything about who makes them now.
 
One of my favorite knives is the HK Ascender. Excellent F&F, good ergo's, made from quality materials. The lockup is sound and strong. Been using one for years with very good results. The 9CR13 steel is decent enough. What's not to like about it?

I also think the HK Monochrome is a great little knife. Also have the original Red Class Monochrome in N690 steel. Both are good quality knifes at a very decent price.

For a "budget" line I think they offer very good value. At least the one's I've owned.
 
I've been carrying my Nitrous Blitz recently. Once adjusted correctly and Loctited, its a sweet assisted opener with good steel and its very lightweight. I also have the Enigma and the Soldat but I wasn't as impressed with those two. They are suitable for the price though. The F&F on my Enigma was rather poor.

I prefer Lone Wolf knives to H&K. The Lone Wolf Swale and Trask are two great knives.
 
I'm going to have to get a Lone Wolf at some point. Just gotta get one of the lefty friendly models and I will be fine.
 
The "Red-headed stepchild" syndrome hits any product that is a shoot-off of the big name.
 
I had an HK Ally and gave it away. Ergonomics sucked and the F&F did, too. It did cut well, and the serrations were well done, so there's that. For the money I'd rather have an Opinel, a Kershaw, or one of the cheaper Cold Steel folders.
 
I love my hk nitrous blitz. I used it every day for about 2 years. I dropped it several times and snapped off the tip of the blade. Sent it back to bm and got a brand new blade for 25 dollars, what a deal. I think the assist is much better than the kershaw speedsafe. I have been more into zt knives lately, but I still carry it at least once a week.
 
I've wanted a Soldat for a while. Other options just kept jumping infront of it. The button lock, and thumb hole were major plus for me.
 
dkb45 said:
I just got another HK knife today and I am wondering why there is so little love for them floating around. Of all options available for the price, they are probably the most competitive, and come in just about every option imaginable (between the different models).

My current models are the Enigma, Conspiracy, and Monochrome, and I love them all. The Enigma has a wonderful blade shape with an awesome pseudo assisted opening. The Monochrome is the smoothest flicking knife I have ever seen (even beating my Mini Grip), and it is anorexic slim with a good steel to boot, and getting it for $25 helps. The Conspiracy is the biggest value to me, with it flicking open smooth with a really beefy blade and a titanium frame lock... what isn't to love about it?

I am always a hair on the leery side for cheap Chinese knives, but the HK line by Benchmade really does score a goal. They are also one of the only lines by BM that mostly be competitively priced, or at least I don't think they are subject to the draconian pricing laws for USA Benchmade products.

Feel free to share your love of disdain for HK knives. Also, feel free to suggest models (that aren't serrated) that would be a good addition to my collection.
Click to expand...

I've been wondering about the Conspiracy. How is the fit and finish? How is the lock up? If the ti frame lock is done right it could be a great value, even with the less than exiting HIJKLMNOP steel.

I like titanium, so it could be a great user/beater so I wouldn't mess up my more expensive knives.
 
ebidis said:
I've been wondering about the Conspiracy. How is the fit and finish? How is the lock up? If the ti frame lock is done right it could be a great value, even with the less than exiting HIJKLMNOP steel.

I like titanium, so it could be a great user/beater so I wouldn't mess up my more expensive knives.
Click to expand...

Blade is about .25" thick, the G10 scale provides excellent grip, and the lockup feels about as solid as a ZT 550. My only complaint is that the jimping is a little sharp (some people like that) and the lock bar is a little sharp. The blade also appears to be factory edge, and is beyond Kershaw sharp. I would give it about a 8.5/10.

If you are unfamiliar with 9Cr13 it performs similarly to VG-10. Holds an edge a bit better than AUS-8 in my experience. Easy to sharpen and takes a screaming edge easily.
 
dkb45 said:
Blade is about .25" thick, the G10 scale provides excellent grip, and the lockup feels about as solid as a ZT 550. My only complaint is that the jimping is a little sharp (some people like that) and the lock bar is a little sharp. The blade also appears to be factory edge, and is beyond Kershaw sharp. I would give it about a 8.5/10.
If you are unfamiliar with 9Cr13 it performs similarly to VG-10. Holds an edge a bit better than AUS-8 in my experience. Easy to sharpen and takes a screaming edge easily.
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Thanks. I am going to look into it.
 
Yo Mama said:
I've wanted a Soldat for a while. Other options just kept jumping infront of it. The button lock, and thumb hole were major plus for me.
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The button lock, thumb hole, and blade steel are the postives. The handle is strange its like skeletonized FRN its makes the knife feel too light (almost cheap). But the knife performs well, my issues with it aren't very serious.
 
HK14205 is one of the best knives Benchmade ever made. Would really love to see it make a come back wearing a butterfly and steel upgrade (M390). I love the 14205!!!!!
 
atony said:
HK14205 is one of the best knives Benchmade ever made. Would really love to see it make a come back wearing a butterfly and steel upgrade (M390). I love the 14205!!!!!
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Couldn't agree more!!!
 
I've been carrying this. Great knife for the money. N680 steel, very thin FFG wharncliffe, great kydex sheath, USA made,and a pretty good deal at $50.
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