Thanks, Mark!

I think this is a milepost model for Benchmade, right along with the HD Hardtail, a real quantum step in quality. Materials and design, you just can't buy a better knife, at least if you are looking for a hard duty folding knife.

It is extremely thick. You have to make the commitment to carrying a knife that is really stronger than it needs to be at the expense of pocket room...it is not a heavy knife though, it's light weight belies the fatness. On with my point about extremes...

This is a knife built to cut REALLY hard. All that strength in the handle and blade...but it is relatively small. You can cut really hard, but the cuts will be...short. The short blade length determines that. To me that something of a contradiction in design goals.

I am sure to you guys that probably just sounds like reaching for something not to like, and I give you that. I am just trying to describe why I'll be waiting for the 4" version, and when I get one, the pocket clip will stay in the box and I'll be searching the after-market for a really wide belt pouch.

I'm not really sure what that shoulder on the end of the lock bar is all about either...Benchmade thinks the knife will be used with such force that too much of the lock bar will travel over the blade tang and stick? Doesn't seem likely with this size knife. The lock bar is too thick to jam between the blade and the handle scale...seems an unnecessary complication to me.

But again, this knife is so well made, it really is a milepost for Benchmade, in my opinion, every bit the equal to a Zero Tolerance or a Strider.

You make a good point Steve. However I would attribute that to the original designer than Benchmade. I guess we could question why make the smallest version of this knife first?

From a designers standpoint, I bet it was a case of "gee, some folks want a smaller version so make one..." So you just scale down the larger versions, and in the process many of the original design features that make sense on a larger knife are overkill on a smaller one. Sort of like the Skirmish. I felt the mini lost the intent of its larger sibling.

But again, folks love overbuilt stuff. How many folks bought a Hummer to drive in 3 inches of snow?

It is a good question, as to why Benchmade chose to make the smaller version. Maybe it is a licensing agreement? Maybe Benchmade felt there was a hole in the line up (around this sized knife) and this would fill it? If you get too many knives in a certain category, they start to all flop. I often feel Spyderco can get this way with the LBK (Little Big Knife)category. Nothing lasts because there are just too many knives in the same size range in the line up. Maybe they chose the mini because it would come in a price point better suited to current economic realities.

But you are right, Benchmade has shone they can build a knife that can put a Strider square in its sights, and do so at a third the cost. I still love my Striders, and what they are doing with finishes is pretty cool.

solid review mark!

Oustanding review mark, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us.

quote:

Originally posted by MCM:
For fun, hold it closed in a closed fist.
Accident? or by design?

quote:

Originally posted by bchan77:
MCM, what are you trying to say? (I don't have the knife myself).

That maybe this knife is a good support in the fist should you ever need to feed someone a knuckle sandwich?

Ha! I think you're right, Siu.

Yeah I think so. If you close your fist and look at it from the back of your hand, then put the closed knife on top of your fist it's kinda shaped like that. Down to the flat part on the left, huh?

Hey, that's pretty cool!