Benchmade 15030 Bone Collector Axis Mini Folder

Reviewed 11/04/2011 by Albert

-Price Paid: $79.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 1 year

Comments:

I was recommended this knife by a friend and at first was a little wary about buying one, but once I got one into my hands I knew I had to buy one without any hesitation.

The ergonomics of the grip is superb and the blade is extremely versatile for anything thing from gutting a rope to simply spreading butter on sandwich.

The G10 scales makes the knife feel like a mans knife compared to many others I handled before deciding on it and the D2 steel although not a real stainless does seem to be reasonably rust resistant for every day use.

I personally prefer a chunky knife to grab onto and this one does do that, although the only thing is the sharpening does seem to take a bit more effort than a 440 Stainless BUT it's hold it edge for much LONGER so I guess it's a trade off..!!

They are not Cheep but you know the old saying if you pay peanuts you get monkeys, so in balance I am giving the knife all 10's as a well balanced American Made Knife that I think should last me a lifetime..:)

Reviewed 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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Reviewed 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...

Reviewed 08/20/2011 by Old Bill

-Price Paid: $105.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 6 months

Comments:

This may or may not be the right reason to give a knife full marks right across the board however when you (as many do) suffer from Arthritis it's the most important reason.

I have always carried a pocket knife since the first time I was given one by my Late Father about 55 years ago and would feel naked now without one. However over the last few years gripping one had become an increasing problem, I looked around and was determined to find one that had the ergonomics that I needed.

I have to admit that when I put this one into my hand I was shocked at how natural it felt and how well I could hold onto it without any pain. I say that because it looked to me like it was meant to be some COOL looking knife for a young person, with its Logo and design (just goes to show looks can be deceiving).

The D2 Tool Steel doesn't worry me as I am use to a higher carbon blade and have always looked after my knives (I am a bit old school I am afraid). The Blade shape is also perfect as an outdoors person and any every day use.

This AXIS LOCK by Benchmade has is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING and makes one hand opening a breeze, a feature that I thought I would never have in a knife (being an old Lock-back man).

The price tag wasn't cheap at $100.00, but let me tell you the truth when you have Arthritis price is the last issue on the list.

Whats the use in paying half the money for a knife if you can't use and the brown wood Walnut Scales are beautiful to the eye and at my age a little bit if luxury over the G10 scales doesn't hurt either...:)

Reviewed 07/30/2011 by Tony

-Price Paid: N/A
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for Less than 1 Month

Comments:

Well I have to say that I was a Griptillian Fan until now and really, really hesitated at buying this one and only at the "Bargain Price" that I was offered it at perked my interest.

My local Gun Dealer was sadly closing his doors for the last time that day and I could buy it for well below his dealer cost, I thought why not (besides he did a Godfather on me and made me a an "Offer I Couldn't Possibly Refuse".

I don't want to fog any ones opinion by disclosing what I paid for it and I did walk out of the store thinking that it was more like a gift to a valued customer of many years on his last day of business.....

This new Bone Collectors Edition was just especially comfortable in my hand at the time (without being rough and still NOT losing traction to it's grip). Even having small hands I have always found the Mini Griptillian to be a little short and the Full Griptillains just a bit big (also a bit rough and sharp edges to the feel), but this new Bone Collectors Edition are fare superior in the ergonomics of there scales (grips)and design.

I will never get rid of my old Yellow Mini Griptillian, BUT it will be spending a lot more time in my desk draw from now on..!!!

I was extremely lucky to get the model with "Wooden Scales" and I just love the G10 back spacer on the spine of the knife, I am really a G10 Fan opposed to the Cheep and Down Right NASTY Valox that is being used by Benchmade on it's 585 Model.

This knife just feels so surprisingly NATURAL in the palm of your hand or when gripped and the D2 Steel just makes for a very well rounded pocket package.

To be perfectly honest regarding the scales materials, the truth is that no man made material can match the feel of a natural material like Wood....!!

The bottom line to any Benchmade Knife is "THE AXIS LOCK" and I can't find any one else that has a locking system to match it for ergonomics, strength, ambidextrous use or just plan SAFETY.

It's an easy one handed open flick and an easy close with your fingers well away from the blade, if you are working and perhaps not putting your full attention on the knife that's very important to me....:)

I have never been an everything in BLACK sort of guy and really hate the Henry Ford "You can have it in any color you want, PROVIDING it's BLACK" mentality. So the Brown Color and Wood Grain is very attractive to me personally and meets my needs as a Gentleman's Every Day Pocket Knife that looks and feels stunning.

This is probably the happiest that I have ever been with a Benchmade Purchase (not withstanding the bargain that it was)and I would dare say that like myself you won't be disappointed either....!!!

Reviewed 02/06/2011 by TxSxB

-Price Paid: $94.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 6 months

Comments:

The Benchmade Mini Bone Collector is a fantastic knife and a pretty good value. The Mini Bone Collector features nicely contoured G10 handles with a "rib cage" cutout in them for increased grip, D2 tool steel for the just under 3" blade which gets nice and sharp and offers great edge retention. The knife also features a thumb-hole opener and Benchmade's butter smooth Axis lock, the knife is completely ambidextrous with a pocket clip position for both the left and right side. All in all the mini bone is a very good knife, tough, sexy, and very well put together. I would highly recommend this knife in the under $100 range.