Well, I thought this would be a good time to write a formal review of one of my favorite Benchmades, the HK 14200. I got this knife from my girlfriend for Christmas, and it seems it is getting a LOT of pocket time. This is my first real review, so we will see how it goes.....

Well lets see. The knife came in a nice HK box, basically the same one that all Benchmades come in (slide out drawer type), in a HK drawstring bag. The first things that I thought were, "wow this thing is heavy", and then upon opening "man this thing is a freaking tank"! It was very impressive to say the least. I would say that this would rival a few ZT's ive handled in heftiness and overall feel of ruggedness.

Now looking at the knife itself, everything on it seems to be overbuilt. THICK steel liners, THICK blade, and of course the buttery lockup of the axis lock everyone loves. The liners have nice machined spacers that do inherantly give the knife some style. The handles are a 60/40 rubber shell over cast aluminum. The grip is superb, very grippy, but not to the point that the rubber feels cheap or like it will get ruined from pocket carry and peel like some cheap knives. I would say that the closest thing that I can compare it to would be the gerber gator rubber handle. The aluminum, abeit cast, is perfect as far as fit and finish is concerned. The handle mates with the liner perfectly and there are no gaps.

This is by far the smoothest axis benchmade, or knife period, that I have ever opened. It BARELY takes a flick with the thumb and the blade opens and locks fully. I think a lot of that is because of the weight of the blade, it sorta opens itself using intertia once you get it going. Lockup is incredible, absolutely no lateral or vertical blade play at all.

I was able to get the 154cm to hair popping sharpness easily, and it seems to keep its sharpness for quite some time with an occasional stroke or 2 on the fine stone and a strop. Thumbstuds have a pyramid type machine to it that grips your thumb without being sharp.

I do have 1 small rant about the knife. The pocket clip screws into the liners, and it sits on top of the rubber. When you go to tighten down the pocket clip, it squishes the rubber out the sides of the clip, and no matter how tight you get it, the clip moves back and fourth because there is no stable base for the clip to clamp down onto. I think a slightly longer screw and a sleeve to put under the clip as to sort of space it out so its not tightening to the rubber would fix the issue, but it is really my only gripe with the knife, and all my clips come off anyways because I cannot use them at work. All in all, I think this is one of the most underrated Benchmades, and should you stumble across one, pick it up, it may be hard to put down...

Nice review.. Looks good. it on my list, but then again so isnt every friggan knife BM has..

Very nice. I think I want one now. Gee thanks, now I gotta spend MORE money.

Great review .

I've always like the feel of this one. A buddy of mine has one (or had it, don't know if he still does). Seems pretty balanced, weight wise, and you're right, it is pretty darn smooth. Very fun to flick out.

I may have to look into one of these again. Never really was inclined to pick on up, but I may have to revisit it.

quote:

Originally posted by knife_junky:
Nice review.. Looks good. it on my list, but then again so isnt every friggan knife BM has..

There are a few of us who've been bitten like yourself...you are in good company...

Anyway, skip this heavier model if you like and get a 14205. Same basic dimensions with
G-10 instead of the rubber handle scales.

..Or get both.

+1 on the 14205 if you can't get the 14200. I actually preferred the 14205 over the 14200.

Good review by the way.

I picked up the 14205 about a month ago, a tank it is... Very nice none the less. It got me in the mood to EDC again. I bet I used it a dozen times the first day, not sure what I was doing when I didn't have a knife on me.

I picked up a 14205 when they first came out, it's since been one of my most used knives. The thing gives the feel that it's indestructible, much like the 420 does but in a thinner, easier to carry package.

After I got a 14205 I sold my 420, just couldn't carry it outside of a large pouch. The '205 remains one of my favorites.

solid review. ive always admired that model