Benchmade 585 Mini Barrage

09/05/2011 by Vlad

-Price Paid: N/A
-Used for Other
-Owned for Greater than 1 year

Comments:

I have owned one of these mini barrages for over a year, really used and abused it. Its just the nature of my work in construction and not the knifes fault it has to take such a beating, but it does stand up to it all very well. I can see why people are saying the knife should have G10 and not valox plastic grips, they do scuff and gouge easily. Apart from that i could not be happier with it the 154 stainless steel really holds an edge and is very rust resistant. I did have to send mine back to benchmade for repair and despite the obvious HEAVY DUTY work the knife had been though they repaired it for FREE with NO Questions asked, it and the company have been great and i can honestly say that I have gotten my moneys worth out of this knife many times over.

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CRKT Bear Claw

09/03/2011 by Kivalo

-Price Paid: $39.00
-Used for Light Duty/General
-Owned for 3 months

Comments:

First off, I feel bad rating a Columbia River tool so poorly, as I have had positive experiences with their other knives.

The Bear Claw design seems very useful upon first inspection, but the circular finger hole is only comfortable if you hold the knife in an inverted, upside down fashion. Holding it conventionally causes slight pressure and pain on the side of the index finger.

The included sheath is a tad oversized in my opinion, and has a very tight hold on the knife - making every type of draw difficult to do without pushing against the sheath with your thumb.

Lastly, the quality of this knife is suspect. The blade is very thin and brittle, so much so that with simple (proper) use, the tip of mine broke clean off about .5 inches down the blade after only a month. The handle scales can be slightly asymmetrical, creating a small (but annoying) scratch on the palm of the user's hand, as the scales aren't flush to the tang.

The knife was still very sharp when I first received it, but without its tip it has become basically useless.

My opinion - Skip on this and search for a cheaper knock off of this design if you think it could work for you.

Benchmade 710 McHenry and Williams

09/03/2011 by Duke

-Price Paid: $120.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 1 year

Comments:

Simply the best. This is a real piece of work. I would take this knife any day over the Spyderco Military. The D2 tool steel blade is awsome, handle fits the hand perfectly, and Benchmade pocket clips are very strong. The whole knife speaks quality, I use it as an E.D.C., also for deer hunting, it's all around great knife, capable of any job. By the way I've owned 3 Spyderco Militarys' and I just don't see the quality there, for the money they ask the blades should at least be centered on those Militarys'. You won't go wrong buying this knife. Only downfall for some might be the weight. This is one stout knife.

Victorinox Ranger

09/03/2011 by Foong

-Price Paid: $51.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for Greater than 1 year

Comments:

I owned this tool since 1993. Proud to have it serve me for the last 17 years. Just recently got myself a Cybertool 34 as a replacement. Will still keep this one for home use. Wished I could restore the blade sharpness and remove the metal file corrosion. Wonder if anyone could give me some advise on that.

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Benchmade 15030 Bone Collector Axis Mini Folder

09/03/2011 by Murry W.

-Price Paid: N/A
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 6 months

Comments:

There is not a day that I don't carry and use this knife since it was given to me for my Birthday and I could not have asked for a better gift.

I really can't fault the knife, the grip on it is the most comfortable that I have ever had in my hand and I was surprised how easy the whole instead of a traditional stud made opening the knife (it's easier and faster to flick open with just one hand).

The D2 steel holds an edge fantastically and stays sharper for much longer, with a blade design that I have found practical for everything from skinning a deer to just speeding butter on a sandwich.

Being a LEFTY, I am more than impressed with the Ambidextrous flexibility of Benchmades Axis Lock by just changing the side that the clip is on you have a "Genuine Left Handed Knife"..!!!! (a VERY safe one I might add).

The Green and Black shaded G10 Scales really makes the knife feel as if you are holding something of QUALITY in your hands, rather than a Cheaply made knife from China.

The greatest bonus to me was when I discovered that this beautiful and perfectly functional knife was made right here in the good old USA.

Two thumbs up on this one and I an honestly say that I would recommend this knife and Benchmade as a great American Knife Manufacturer to any one that is looking for a high quality, practical, reliable and functional knife that will last them a lifetime.

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CRKT Ultima 5in

09/01/2011 by Forsaken

-Price Paid: $42.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 6 months

Comments:

I EDC this knife for self defense, this would not be my primary survival blade as it is too thin of a blade, however it does have excellent penetration and slashing ability. It could work for survival situations but I would strongly recommend something different. All in all an excellent knife.

KaBar Full Size KaBar

09/01/2011 by Forsaken

-Price Paid: $50.00
-Used for Outdoor/Survival
-Owned for Greater than 1 year

Comments:

I have no negatives with this knife, I love mine. This knife is perfect for anyone and everyone from the occasional woodsman to the hardcore survivalist. If you don't own one, get one.

KaBar Fin Fixed Drop Point

09/01/2011 by Forsaken

-Price Paid: $38.00
-Used for Outdoor/Survival
-Owned for Greater than 1 year

Comments:

I bought this knife on Amazon.com, since then I have used it as a throwing knife, shovel, hatchet, hammer, oh yeah and a knife, with absolutely no damage to the blade or handle. In fact the only visible damage is the reckon coating wearing off from digging. Since my first purchase I have bought three more for BOB's, my glovebox, and my buddies. I will be buying more of them in the future because I absolutely love these blades. If I could only have one knife this would be it.

CRKT Crawford Kasper Dragon

09/01/2011 by Tyrone

-Price Paid: $20.00
-Used for Light Duty/General
-Owned for Less than 1 Month

Comments:

I can't really knock this knife for any reason. The build quality of this knife is great, the handles don't rattle, mine are flush fit. The deep finger choil is great and the knife feels very solid in the hand. Mine came razor sharp from the box so I could shave with it and not touch a bit of skin. All in all I can't knock this knife in any way, for what I paid for it, it is a great knife. I've used the Wharncliffe style blade for some light outdoor work when i've been fishing, and the steel is still razor sharp.

Benchmade 525 Mini Presidio

08/29/2011 by Jerry

-Price Paid: N/A
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 1 year

Comments:

I purchased a new 525S to replace my old 527S that had fallen into a fire while I was burning off some brush from my land. I can say that the 527 Volax scales really don't like being in a fire (LOL), so out with the old in in with the new.

I guess I have been luckier than most and got my 525S at a bargain price, it's built like a Sherman TANK and if I have an issue it would be the quality of the coating on it's aluminum scales. I don't normally treat my EDC carry knives all that hard but I have noticed a bit of rub-off.

But the build quality and materials makes it a great American knife, I would use the words Commercial or Military Grade compared to the 527. I like to have some "MEAT" in my hands when I am using a knife and the 525 does give you that feeling, I hope that this one last me a lifetime and stays out of the fire...:)

CRKT Ripple

08/28/2011 by Tyrone

-Price Paid: $75.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for Less than 1 Month

Comments:

I recently acquired a Ripple from a local dealer, the Acuto+ steel holds a very sharp edge for a very long time, The factory edge came shaving sharp. The flipper powered by the IKBS (Ikoma Korth Bearing System) is butter smooth yet yields no blade play of any kind. The handle is very slim yet ergonomic and feels great in the hand. It is a perfect EDC folder and is also great for dressy occasions.

Benchmade 15030 Bone Collector Axis Mini Folder

08/28/2011 by Mark P.

-Price Paid: $98.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 6 months

Comments:

I had been looking around for a new knife to replace my old one of 40 years for some time. The knife was still perfectly OK, but it was time for something newer, a little smaller, lighter and it seemed a good time to give it to my Son anyhow.

I looked at SOG, Kershaw, Spyderco and Benchmade, the one thing that was very important to me was that the knife was high quality and AMERICAN MADE. I didn't want anything that was made in China or just Assembled in the USA (meaning it was made in China with some one just putting the clip on it and placing it in a box here in the USA).

I finally after speaking to there customer service and actually talking to an "American" for advice (NOT a Peggy like in those funny commercials on TV), I decided on Benchmade that is 100% American made as the brand that I wanted.

I don't buy things on the internet I need to feel what I am buying, so I headed to the nearest dealer that Benchmade directed me too.

After handling a very good selection of Benchmades products I decided on the Mini Bone Collectors Folding Knife, the Drop Point Blade Shape is perfect for anything from Skinning to Pealing an Apple and the D2 Tool Steel holds it's sharpness better than my old 404 steel ever did.

The new Axis Lock beats my old Lock Back HANDS DOWN and any of it's competitors that have tried copy it, they can't even come in a poor second to it's utility, functionality and quality.

I personally am right handed but some times have to use a knife in my left hand and from comparing the competition I can honestly say that the Axis Lock is the only truly safe Ambidextrous knife system for one handed use without your fingers being any where near the blade.

By the way the clip does change sides if you are a lefty and I would imagine that this would be a "God Send" for left handed people.

The ergonomics of grip of this knife is extremely comfortable so you can get a good solid hold on the knife and because it's such a good grip the gimping is noticeable without being uncomfortable.

I had a choice of either G10 scales or a Walnut Wood for only $5.00 more, over Black Coated Stainless Steel Liners and Spacer. To me it was a no brain'er and I got the Walnut. The dealer was about my age (not a young man) and he did have a chuckle saying that he sold 3 to 1 of the Walnut to the G10, he personally was a very nice man and was very helpful with a great scene of humor (you just don't get that personal touch buying on the Internet do you).

I have given this knife 10 points all the way, because I believe that if you pay peanuts you get monkeys and this knife will out last me I am sure...