Darn it Steve, you are going to talk me into buying one of these yet! Could it possibly give my 520 a run for it's money?

I really like mine. The ergonomics are great and the double bolster design is classic. I replaced the G-10 bolsters with carbon fiber inserts which in my opinion cleaned up the overall look of the knife by reducing the logos. However, the skulls are quite subdued and really don't hurt the overall look of the knife too much if you don't mind that look. You can see what it looks like with CF here:

http://benchmadeforum.com/eve/...58106573/m/177105331

quote:

Originally posted by shytbyrd:
Darn it Steve, you are going to talk me into buying one of these yet! Could it possibly give my 520 a run for it's money?

The 13100 could ......for sure , its very heavy duty feeling. Just my 2 cents .......dj

quote:

Originally posted by shytbyrd:
Darn it Steve, you are going to talk me into buying one of these yet! Could it possibly give my 520 a run for it's money?

It's a different bird (no pun intended) than the 520. The 520 has a very tactical personality while the Hardtail is more classic in look and feel. But that is all the more reason to have both. The Hardtail is kind of like a hybrid between a Buck 110 and the AFO auto. The bright finish on the aluminum frame is a little blingy, but at heart, it is a very massive and solid frame. All at a very light weight too.

The primary grind on the Hardtail is wide, and it cuts very well, maybe just a few percentage points more effort required than with the 520, but it's a tiny difference.

The skulls in the inserts are rather cool, in my opinion. I want to sand the "Harley Davidson" off of the blade flat, but so far I haven't been successful in removing the thumb studs. I don't have the right tool, and I don't want to mess them up. I'd really like to replace the thumb studs with something a little smaller. I removed the clip, since I like to carry bigger knives in a belt pouch. It wasn't very comfortable either, and one skull too many.

Thanks for your input Steve. I will probably only buy one knife this year so it looks like it will be between the hardtail or the new 806.

I already have an 806D2, so the hardtail may get the nod.

I just picked up a fullsize Hardtail and I must say that at first blush the knife appears to be a winner.

Well finished and well executed, the knife feels good and comfortable in a variety of grips.

Anyone know who designed this knife? Very well done whoever you are.

I do have one question - anyone taken one of these apart yet? I was wondering how many screws hold the two sides together.

Yes Sirs,

I'm convinced !
The 13100 hardtail is actually a class knife (at least).
I didn't like the HD advertising bill boards on it, due to that I postponed buying one.
I actually was (and still) hoping to see the same knife being released as a blue class knife.

Now I had the chance to buy a prototype so I couldn't resist and I did buy it.
And at receipt opening the box and handling it a bit ...... Wow what a knife!
Great feel and ergo's, also great finish.
I like the classis Buck / Puma blade shape!
I guess I now need a user

Now Benchmade .... I could inmagine a blue class limited edition....
You know .... a knife in a blue box and a blade with a less in your face butterfly on it!
Picture this, Ti bolsters with a CF or micarta inlay and a M4 blade.
Guess I'm bit daydreaming now.......

Oh, I did read somewhere in a other thread that BM is reading and listening on this forum.
BM please read the above post and learn