I've been reading these forums for a while and have been using these forums for information regarding care for these knives. The last knife I as issued was a Pardue Griptillion not sure of the model but came in an olive drab color. My recent knife that was just issued to me was a Benchmade Infidel 3300, I've been using this knife for the past 2 months on everything from cutting flexy cuffs off detainees to bottles of water for brushing my teeth, this knife is truly EDC. With that being said, it is not the best of spring loaded knives to be EDC, I've just recently ran into issues with the blade not returning into the handle when the knife is held upside down with the point of the blade facing downwards. It has a slightly "mushy" feeling as it is trying to retract the blade and most of the time it will not lock back into the handle. The deployment of the blade however, is point on, always reliable; I've yet to have it jam on me while deploying the blade. I've read pretty much all of the posts regarding the infidel on this forum and have heard so many requests for information pertaining to EDC on this knife. I'm considering field stripping it to clean the internals so that maybe the original snappy action of the knife will be returned. I had all the info needed thanks to a link posted on this forum on how to disassemble this knife. I will try my best to keep you guys and gals posted on my findings. Send me any questions you may have and I will answer them to the best of my ability.

As you are finding out, an OTF auto is not the best knife for the sandbox. I'm very surprised you were issued an Infidel and not a 9053SBT, 5000SBK, or 9100SBT.
OTF autos are very tempermental, and a small amount of foreign material inside the mechanism can make it unusable.
I'd honestly send the Infidel home to be enjoyed when you get back. Get yourself a good side opening auto, or another type of folder. The last thing you need is your knife failing when you really need it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: fst96ss,

Thanks for the info on how the Infidel is working in the real world and THANKS for your service!

If I was in Iraq the 3300 as cool as it is would not be my first choice as an EDC. The 5000SBK is easily my favorite Benchmade knife. It is tough as hell and will not let you down. If you can't fix the Infidel I'd go with a 5000. Good Luck.

IMHO.....the only thing you can really count on is a fixed blade ........ carry both

+1 on what DJ just said. I'd carry a 140 or a 145 instead. Much less for sand and crud to do anything to and a lot faster to deploy in a tight situation.

Same here, Delta, good luck out there and come back safe and sane!

The above posts are right on in my opinion.
I am sure that the 3300 is a great tool but I would make sure that there were several options ahead of it at any given time to defend myself.
I am quite sure that you are way ahead of the game on this.

I would like to ask for some pictures of your knife.
It would be nice to see a "used" Infidel.

Keep up the good work over there and thanks!

-don

just like any weapon you carry with an intent on using it, you carry a backup, im sure the army had a reason for picking these up, but then again there are alot of things issued to us that may seem "needed" and just get sent home for the friends to enjoy. IE the benchmade rescue hooks that are issued, used to cut through just about any material, mainly used for seatbelt cutting for seatbelts that dont get used in a tactical environment. and yes, we have better things for cutting clothes to dress wounds. I do however carry a fixed blade K-Bar as my "backup" i would highly doubt the use of a pocket knife for a full on weapon replacement in this type of war; lol or any knife at that. I'm not so much in the business of buying high dollar knives but I do like the benchmades ive had so far, so I could see myself purchasing one later on down the road. thanks for the comments and ill try and post as often as i can (no promises) ill throw some pictures up here of the knife as well as soon as i get some free time. Thanks for your guys' support!

BTW opdate on the knife, im still looking for a torx to open this beast up.

Hey. Anything we can do to get you a torx set/blue box? Of course it would probably take freaking forever. I would gladly send you my own.

-G

I sent one to a soldier in Iraq. I takes about 8 days Priority mail. Just make sure you fill out the customs forms and bring 5 copys when mailing.

Stan