Benchmade knives?

Im looking for a new knife for duty carry, and wanted some advice. Im just really getting tired of the $25.00 Kershaw ive been carrying for 6 years. Time to upgrade.

Are Benchmade knives really all they're cracked up to be? I know they have a huge reputation and they fetch a high price, but are they worth it? Is there an alternative that is just as nice, and maybe cheaper? Hows the rigidity of them when opened? Other quality?

Im looking for a good solid automatic knife, preferably with a tanto blade, black in color, that allows for tip up carry, and has good size and weight to it. Ive held the Cold Steel Recon 1 in my hands, and loved the size and weight it had to it. Is there a Benchmade auto thats similar in size to the Recon 1 that fits my needs for preferably $100-$200? I dont feel I need to spend hundreds on a knife, but Im willing to drop up to a couple bills if I have to.

I carry a Mel Pardue Benchmade axis lock with a reverse tanto blade. It's been my daily carry knife for at least 9 years or so. Tough as nails and the axis lock blades are actually faster to open than an auto knife. In short yes I think the Benchmade knives are worth the money without a doubt.

Yep. I cary a rift, and they are amazing. And if it has to be an auto, they make an auto rift to. $225 (if I remeber right) at blade HQ for the black plain edge blade w/ black handle.

GLPStandard, I have carried a benchmade since 1998 but about a year ago I started carrying an Ox Forge. I have always been pleased with bechmades and I have paragon auto as well. A good source for buying online is PVK.com. I recently purchased an HK auto because I learned they are made by bechmade and when I got it, it was every bit the quality for about $100.00. IMHO, you can not beat the OX forge for quality and durability. here is a side by side comparison with a benchmade. The Ox is the larger of the two. You can grab one from PVK for $219.00 and you won't regret it.

I have an older model that is almost exactly like the 551 Griptilian.The grip panels on mine are smooth.
I've had it just over 7 years and never had an issue. On top of that, I think that the Axis locking system is one of the best out there. Other than an automatic knife, it's the easiest one-handed opening and closing knife I've had.

I probably own a dozen or so Benchmades and yes, they are all they're cracked up to be. At the BM price point, the only other cpmetition is Zero Tolerance. I own many different brands of folders, but for the money I have used a Benchmade for my EDC for many years. You have to spend $400-$900 on a folder to make it worth the step up from BM. There are lots of models, so do some research first so you find the right one. Or just keep buying more to try them all out!

Benchmade is top notch, worth the price for sure, especially if you shop around.

I have a BM/Elishewitz Stryker 910 that I EDC for the past 15 years, and it has never failed me. Good solid knife. In hind sight,, I wish that I would've got a bowie-style point rather than a tanto-style, oh well.

Thanks for the input. Gonna shop around on their website for a knife that fits my needs best. Right now im leaning toward the AFO Auto. May go for one of the HKs too

I carried a Benchmade for years and liked it. Then a buddy introduced me to Zero Tolerence. Love these things half the price way better knife

My only auto happens to be my only Benchmade. I was issued it prior to deploying to Iraq in 2004. I believe it's the AFO 9050 or something to that effect. All aluminum handle with a combo blade made from 154CM steel. My only gripe is the size of the handle. If it were slimmer, I'd like it that much more. But it's a strong knife that has been beat to shit and keeps plugging away.

I don't care for many of their newer styles/designs as much as their older stuff but they still make a great knife. Since you said you wanted a Tanto blade, check out the Emerson CQC-7B, it's one of my favorite EDC knives. Also look at the Protech Emerson CQC-7 for an auto option. The Protechs use a spring with way more torque and opening speed than any auto Benchmade that I've owned or played with.

Sounds like the AFO II is what you're looking for. It's a great auto ~ strong, excellent blade deployment & lockup, oversized firing button for use with gloves on, glass breaker and can be carried tip-up-down left or right. Oh yea and it's warranted for life. Can't imagine that you would ever regret owning an AFO II.

You can get better, but it will cost you 3x the money for a 10% quality increase.

Benchmade is GTG

I don't have experience with BM auto's, but their folding knives with the axis lock are excellent. They are very soild when opened compared to other folders. I was as skeptical as you before owning one, but once you buy one you will see that they are certainly worth it.

Nothing wrong with Benchmade. But, I would not compare a$25 Kershaw to a BenchMade or to other Kershaws for that matter.

Sounds like a cheap Kershaw made in China. Most of the US made Kershaws start at around $50 and go into the hundreds in the Zero Tolerance line.

I wish there were no Kershaws made in China.

Oh, Kershaw does make a US made Blur with a Tanto blade.

Tanto Blur

$64 at Walmart instead of $110 direct from Kershaw

I carry Benchmades because they have a large selection of knives that can be carried left handed.

Also, the Axis lock is the best lock I've see.

I have Griptilians and Barrages, both regular and mini versions and about 5 other models.

It's all I carry.

Now that I have a BM Mini Griptilian I no longer want to carry anything else. It is a great every day carry knife knife and the smaller size makes it easy to carry in any pocket. It has gone to Afghanistan and back and it gets used every single day and still works great. I changed from a Kershaw storm and the weight, size, and quality was a huge step up with the Benchmade.

From the sounds of it you are LEO? I would look in to registering on Benchmade's website. They offer a discount to service members, LEO, etc.

Be careful, once you buy one, your collection of BM knives will grow.

Not sworn LEO, im a volunteer for the Sheriffs Posse and i also work Security Forces as a govt contractor for the USAF so i dont think id qualify for their LEO discount but i might give it a shot. Thanks for the advice

I carry a 915 Triage everyday and loved it so much i bought a 916 Triage with molle pouch to keep on my turnout suspenders and they both gets lots of hard use. I cant recommend Benchmade enough.

They've been hit and miss with me. First benchmade I ever had was an Ares with the green/black G10 scales. It was well put together but it wasn't very sharp from the factory, very steep edges. Unfortunately I lost that knife several years ago.

The next benchmade I owned was the Rift, which was also a decent knife. Steep edges again. The texture on the G10 scales was so aggressive it would get stuck in my pocket when I'd try to pull it out. I just sold it on ebay.

The next benchmade I bought was the 760 LFTi. Beautiful knife but poorly executed. Titanium frame lock but the lock lacks springiness. They put some sort of adjustable blade stop on it and with it adjusted all the way out the blade is barely locked to the point that it has no play when opened. Almost no blade retention when closed.

I just bought a 581 barrage and this is the sharpest and highest quality benchmade I've had so far. Very happy with this knife.

Anyone mention the Presidio? I have one in tanto and it's been awesome. Built like a tank. Probably 5 years of daily carry and it still fires hard.

I've been carrying the same BM auto since 1998 and have used it for everything from knife, screwdriver, prybar and hammer. It is beat to shit but still opens perfectly and sharpens right up. I did carry a Griptilian for the three years I lived in Virginia since autos are a big no no there. Great knife.

I am sold on Benchmade, never let me down.

Double tap.

I have carried a Benchmade 910 with a combo blade tanto, for almost 8 years, are they worth the money? Every penny, they are definitely top notch quality. I personally would look for one with a Spear or Drop point over the tanto, they are much better designs for sharpening and general use than tanto is. I have spear point Mel Pardue 530 that has become my daily carry and I find it far more useful than the tanto style. The axis lock is very quick opening and very strong. My 910 is a liner lock which also works very well.

Benchmade are great. You buy quality one and they are Made in the USA. Very few of the big names are anymore.

Another vote for Benchmade. I have one of the older Benchmade HK models (14200) and it's built very well. I'm buying one of the newer models tomorrow - the Adamas folder - and will definitely be buying an Infidel with my income tax return.

They're very good knives for the money.

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The warenty speaks for itself.I broke the tip off on a old no longer made knife.Sent it to the repair station.
They no longer carried that model so no replacement blades available(20-25 bucks for replacment blade)
They reshaped the blade. replaced spring, bolts,and factory sharpend it with a charge of 0 dollars.
Sent it back UPS on their cost.Yep you get what you pay for.

Benchmades are great. I've got a handful, but have been carrying an AFO 9050 for like 12 years. It is the ATS-34 blade steel. It is built like a tank, you won't be dissapointed

Benchmade is solid IMO. I really like their "axis lock" system and prefer it over any other out there.

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