OTF knives are pretty cool and Benchmade does a fantastic job designing them, however, I think the Infidel shines best as a true fixed blade as the very nature of the blade is based on combat and tactical usage. Below are some excellent and affordable alternatives for the Benchmade North Fork 1503. With the added strength from this treatment, theres no need to worry about the wood chipping, drying out, or getting wet. 5. It has a wide belly, so you can tackle heavier utility tasks without worries. If the knife doesnt feel comfortable, then it is apparent the knife isnt manufactured by Benchmade itself. As part of the Hunt series from Benchmade, the North Fork joins the ranks as one of the most advanced hunting knives ever, thanks to its use of premium materials and the renowned AXIS locking mechanism. Benchmade Aller 380 Tiny But Mighty. Its an ambidextrous knife. I say this because it is my favorite carry of all time. In general, its best to go for a single-edged blade. My Review: This knife was designed to get down and dirty outdoors and survive just about any environmental situation. For the g10 handles. This is one knife that even a Marine wouldnt stand much chance against. If youre willing to pony up a little extra cash, and I do recommend this if you can, you can find the stylish carbon fiber version of the Benchmade Nakamura here. And for them, with a very un-Benchmade-like price of around $110, the Bugout is great. Benchmade 940 EDC 2. alain picard wife / ap calculus bc multiple choice / benchmade north fork vs bugout. However, some users did complain that the axis locking mechanism on this model wasnt as good as expected, though a little tinkering usually takes care of that. Another Tanto blade knife, this Benchmade blade is for those who love a matte, understated dark knife for EDC usage. Those things take a lot of time and expensive employees to manufacture. dr james hughes psychiatrist Navigation. That S30V steel is exactly the kind of metal Id want in an outdoor bushcrafting knife and with how solid and well balanced this knife is, its worth the 7.72 ounces of additional weight to ensure this goes in the loadout. I just yesterday received my order of this knife from Amazon. However, this is the biggest Benchmade folder and has a long clip point blade that will suit not only EDC tasks but also tasks during hunting and camping. Smaller knives (with no limit, really) are more portable. However, the wooden handle might start to look a bit beaten up. Benchmade - Bugout 535-191, EDC Folding Knife, Gold Class, Drop-Point Blade, Manual Open, Axis Locking Mechanism, Made in USA. Spider Gear SG76- this particular folding knife boasts a strong fixed blade, excellent craftsmanship and a nylon sheath for reasons of easy carry.The blade is derived from D2 steel, which is renowned for strong abrasion and wear resistant properties. Blade Style: Trailing-Point / Clip-Point / ScimitarBlade Composition: 154CMHandle Composition: G10 Pistol Grip StyleBlade Length: 4Total Length: 9.76Total Weight: 7.2 Ounces. If its an understated EDC youre looking for, pick one of their lighter, folded pocket knives. Its essential for hunters wanting to dress their harvest. The Grivory handles ensure the knife stays close to that ultra-light 2oz mark while still ensuring that the deadly Tanto blade is well supported when utilized. They would find the Mini Griptilian more comfortable and compact. I only have had my mini crooked river for a week and so far it is on top. Okay, I know, that was a lead up to virtually nothing, but nowadays we have the AXIS lock which makes Benchmades folding knives exceptionally strong. On the entire continuum of pocket knife size, the North Fork is near the top. Check for Signs of Poor Workmanship and Defects. Make no mistake, the glass-filled nylon handles found here are excellent and is one of the major reasons why this knife can be offered at such a low price. By the way, Nimravus is the genus name of a long-extinct ancient saber-toothed cat that was known for its massive and ultra deadly dagger-shaped teeth, certainly a big cat youd only want to encounter if you had the knife inspired by its most lethal attributes. 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,055) $ 24.99. . CPM-20CV is not a steel Benchmade is known to use but this particular steel offers incredible corrosion resistance while still being close in hardness to the other ultra-premium steels. Full Disclosure Here. Or the Benchmade Bailout. This is a very raw and rugged blade that actually surprised me in how utilitarian it is, despite clearly being designed to harm your enemies. Score: 4/10. The Fact is everything I love about slender pocket knives while still being one lean mean little blade. The price is quite reasonable for a Benchmade, and the performance coupled with a modern aesthetic look makes it the best Benchmade knife for giving to someone who loves knives. The Bugout's blade is extremely thin when compared to the 940. Suggested Alternatives to the Benchmade North Fork, Black Friday / Cyber Monday Camping Deals: Gear, Hiking, Survival, Outdoor Deals. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact TalentAcquisition@benchmade.com or 1-800-800-7427. Quality is just one of the many factors, another one is LifeSharp. BUT. it may be knocked off the throne by my mini crooked river. Its sturdy G10 handle offers excellent grip when making your cuts and its 7.85-inch blade is perfectly suited for cutting through hard materials.Overall, the knife is a formidable rescue and hunting tool. Its also a little prone to chipping. The Puukko embodies what I think a lot of purist fix blade enthusiasts truly love. Again, what is it that youll do with this Benchmade? The blades are crafted from the same ultra high-quality CPM-S30V and have the same versatile drop-point design but the Ridge encompasses a synthetic handle called a Dual-Durometer handle while the Creek has an old school nylon filled wooden handle. If you want to spend even more money on some of the worlds finest custom blades, check out Benchmades Gold Class custom built blades here. That S30V steel is found across Benchmades lineup because its some of the most versatile and user-friendly steels out there and since this knife hosts a simple drop-point, you can pretty much use it for anything on anything at any time. While folded EDC knives by Benchmade are definitely prime quality and are loved by most users, their fixed blade knives are nothing to scoff at. It has a blade length that measures in at 3.24 inches long, and the handle measures in at 4.22 inches long That brings the overall length on the Bugout to 7.46 inches when the blade is fully locked out. From my selection, youve seen how Benchmade tends to make either straight, plain edged EDC knives or ones with a partial serration. That drop-point is insanely strong due to S90Vs top tier tensile strength and hardness. You must log in or register to reply here. Speaking of sliding into your pocket, youll be getting a reversible pocket clip that will allow you to carry it on either side. Disclosure. For the Bugout the lanyard hole is a part of the scales. Well, many of their knives have another feature called the Benchmade Nitrous. Moreover, the Tanto profile is great for piercing, and so that makes it the best Benchmade knife for self-defense in this list. ProHuntingKnife.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. My Review: Do I need to explain how Tactical a knife thats called the Tactical Triage is? This will give you more flexibility but lower edge retention. Shop around the Knife Exchange or Fleabay and you can easily find a slightly used CPM-20CV 555/556-1 with G10 scales for not much more than a new Bugout and less than a new North Fork with some patience. Let us know what your favorite Benchmade knife is in the comments section below or if you think there is a knife we should add to this list. With that said, the Valox handles here are nothing to scoff at and trust me, they are super durable and ultra-strong, possibly just as strong as any other material. Most of the time youre better going with a stainless blade. The Arvensis is an excellent all-around general use camp knife with a rather ominous feel to it and I think youll agree! These are among the strongest blades Benchmade makes and so long as youre up to the task of taking care of them, they will perform excellently and will provide you with best-in-class usage and longevity. At 60-62 HRC, these knives stay sharp for a long time, however, they also tend to be a little brittle, and difficult to sharpen later on. Both models use a full stainless steel liner to protect against wear, and if the blade does loosen at all you can tighten it back up with the bolt. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Youll find that the Griptilian can do every single one of them. There are no other features on the Benchmade North Fork. As a bonus, the sheath also has a space to hold a Ferro rod, which will definitely help when youre out camping. My Review: The Nimravus is host to one of the strongest penetrating points of any blade offered by Benchmade. Evaluate whether the Benchmade North Fork-1503 you intend to get is engineered for high-quality.For instance, check whether the knife has a CPM-S30V stainless steel blade and a balanced handle among other key features associated with high quality. The hardness gives the blade incredible rigidity and strength but requires a little love and care to keep in tip-top shape. Standard, because it is great for daily tasks. If youre a fan of Benchmades assisted opening and stunning wood handles, this is it for you. This is by far one of the smoothest and most incredible integral bodied knives we have reviewed thus far. Generally, Benchmade has a good reputation. If you didnt read the spec sheet yet, let me blow your mind with the fact that this knife consists of a 3.08 CPM-S90V blade and it all weighs a whopping 1.67 ounces. No OTF is going to be as strong, durable, or as rigid as a solid Benchmade fixed blade. Its a full circle EDC get r done kind of knife and Id feel more than comfortable recommending this to pretty much everyone and anyone. In many cases the answer is an unequivocal yes, however, Id say it really depends on your situation and what you need a knife for. Youd be amazed at how this knife would start to feel like an extension of your arm. The cutting edge is about as long as its possible to fit on a 2.7-inch blade theres no wasted space, with the sharpened edge starting right at the pivot. Designed and manufactured by Benchmade, North Fork-1503 is an all-round compact knife featuring a recurved blade to help you with your cutting tasks. Another big factor here is that CPM-20CV is slightly easier to sharpen than other premium steels like S30V or M390 which makes this knife a bit easier to maintain for those of you that are new to the premium knife world. I was wondering if you had any recommendations for another Benchmade product, or another brand at a similar price point to the North Fork that might address some of the concerns I have. A blade's sharpness and integrity are a function of usage, materials, heat treatment, and geometry. I recently bought a full size Grip, and I'm in love with it. While Ive tried to point out which knife in this list is good for which set of tasks, Im going to break things down a little bit more. We are pocket knife experts that understand that you don't Pocket knife shopping is daunting. There is a choice you might care about, though, and thats whether you want a beautifully made custom Benchmade leather sheath or a lightweight and durable Kydex sheath to carry around this beast with. Can I Use a Lock Knife for Bushcraft Does It Work? Portability, regarding size, is also at direct odds with ergonomics. Wrapping it all together is a very well built polymer sheath with a snap lock and that coveted Benchmade butterfly stamped on it. I think the blade deployment concerns are valid, depending on your application. If youre a knife enthusiast like many of us here at Marine Approved, you likely already appreciate Benchmades outstanding craftsmanship and customer service. The drop-point blade shape at its core is very versatile and poses a lot of use cases, especially for general outdoor activities. The Bugout, while certainly not a bargain-bin blade, is offered at one of the lowest price points in all of Benchmade's catalog, clocking in at $160 for the base model. A lot of glass breakers you find as a kind of throw in function on many knives usually feels pretty lame but not this one, Im absolutely terrified to let it even look at a piece of glass and on top of that, its ultra-tiny and doesnt get in the way. The Benchmade Freek (actually known as the 'Super Freek') is the Bugout's big brother and delivers all of the same components but just makes them bigger. The blade shape is specifically designed to cause a lot of damage in one fell swoop. I believe this is due to state by state restrictions on double-edged blades and of course, they cant hold inventory that fits each and every states laws independently. Any outdoor memories you plan to make should include this knife and hey, perhaps those memories can be passed down through generations alongside the knife, as itll probably outlast your trekking legs. Both knives are enhanced with a lanyard hole. Blade Style: Drop-PointBlade Composition: CPM-S90VHandle Composition: Full-Tang handleless with Micro Carbon ScalesBlade Length: 3.08Total Length: 7.38Total Weight: 1.67 ounces. For this reason the Bailout is also a part of Benchmade's 'Black Class'. Before we jump into discussing the beautiful pieces of sharp and pointy steel offered by one of our favorite companies, you need to know the pros and cons of each blade shape as well as the steel they are made of. Its really as versatile as a 3.75 fixed blade can be without gimmicks or excess functionalities that youll likely never use anyways. Blade Style: Drop-PointBlade Composition: CPM-20CVHandle Composition: Slightly Textured G10Blade Length: 3.22Total Length: 7.34Total Weight: 3.46 ounces. That spring is always under tension so be extra careful with the button! For the vast majority of tasks, though, this size is just right. The Anthem is incredibly lightweight for its size and toughness and that clip is something seriously special. Never underestimate a good handle, since a sturdy, ergonomic, and grippy handle can make the knife so much better. Moreover, gripping a Benchmade knife is comfortable because the handles are made of durable glass-filled nylon and G10. If youre looking for a hunting/outdoors inspired knife for EDC, I highly recommend this particular knife. Our only wish with the North Fork knife is that it was assisted opening. - All Outdoors Guide, [] Benchmade North Fork: With a shorter but sturdier 2.7 inch blade the North Fork is a better solution if you want to give your knife some serious abuse, but it doesnt match the 1660 for sheer cutting power. If extra goodies are what you want, the Tactical Triage is worth a look. That is why the blades contain coatings. Now, there is some controversy here as many people will cry and whine about how Valox is really just a fancy word for plastic and that it doesnt encompass that Benchmade solid quality feel. I cant make a list of great Benchmade knives and skip on the Freek knife, can I? This particular steel is especially strong in terms of tensile strength which allows this knife to be heavily abused and put through the wringer whether youre a camper, fisherman, or using the knife to work. Check out our benchmade north fork backspace selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. On the back its straight for about half its blade length then curves gently down to give a fine, slim tip. We are currently looking for former Marines to join the team who are interested in writing about tactical gear, survival gear, hiking supplies, etc. These were actually designed later than the others and were requested by Benchmade enthusiasts. However, its not textured so you might not get as much grip as youd expect from other EDC knives. If you have the full size grip I'd double down on the Bugout, very suitable office knife and anywhere else for that matter. That interesting texture you see near the spine of the blade is simply laser-etched tacticoolness to help you open it up if you do happen to feel like neglecting the giant hole since it was originally designed to be a two-handed manual opener. A folder is more compact and safer to carry, but when open and locked the blade is rigid enough for anything youre likely to ask of it. My Review: The Puukko 200 is a Scandinavian inspired general use utility knife with a fixed blade consisting of CPM-3V. Today many EDC enthusiasts have also embraced this great pocket knife. No matter which sheath or set of handles you choose, the Saddle Mountain series is sure to be as rough and tough as you are with absolutely no exceptions. The Bugout doesnt try and do anything fancy. Traditional hunting knives have been a lot larger, but short blades like this are becoming a lot more popular. The action that runs on bearings is not going to be ideal if youll be exposing your knife to loads of dust and other debris, but if you arent and youre capable of keeping it relatively clean, the action is insanely smooth. You might be asking yourself, there are so many factors to consider, how could you ever choose just one? I would say northfork. The clip is textured just like the single-piece body of the Anthem which is a very nice touch, something Id expect from paying this much but despite the price, it still feels over the top and like they really took notice of the small details. For installation instructions, click here. $200 for probably the best spear-point assisted folder consisting of CPM-S30V steel is actually a pretty good deal if you really enjoy this type of thing. Compared to cheap knives that become rusted, dull, or broken easily, Benchmade knives are durable and tough. Have some money burning a hole in your pockets and you need something that your buddies are sure to gawk at? The CPM-s30v stainless steel blade is built like a tank, and it can take care of skinning your hunt very easily. Where the blade meets the handles on the inside is covered by steel liners, ensuring the handles cant bow or bend and eliminating the flex you see in cheaper plastic-based handles. Stay tuned for the first newsletter in the morning, straight to your inbox. With the purchase of a Benchmade knife, you have the option to mail in your knife when it gets dull or requires maintenance and Benchmade will have it back to you in less than two weeks looking and performing as if it was brand new. Its also rust and corrosion resistant to a great degree, and it retains a razor-sharp edge even after heavy duty. Never heard of that in any forums ether so I'm guessing if you give it a try on your North Fork you'll find it isn't the case. 1. All others will prefer the Mini-Barrage. Grivory is basically a super hard plastic that Benchmade used for this knife due to its lightness without sacrificing rigidity. Of course, if whipping this terrifying thing out doesnt scare off your attacker, it is just as easily used in disabling an attacker as it weighs nearly 6 ounces, hosts a very deadly reverse-tanto with a tight point, and is massive, coming in just under 10 when unfolded. I think the Bailout is amazing. My Review: The Benchmade Griptilian is one of the most well-known multi-purpose folders in their lineup and this is due to its versatility-first approach. Secondly, all Benchmade knives are American made right here in Oregon City, Oregon. My Review: The Anthem 781, to many, is just a pretty piece of expensive metal and thats unfortunate because I think this knife is far better than most people realize. Instead, you get ALL the goodies! This site contains affiliate links. I'm just a survivalist and knife lover. The knifes drop-point utility blade is made from s30v steel, which is as sharp as you can get nowadays, and a lot of great Benchmade knives make use of this material. It might remind you of Morakniv or Mora knives with the roundish handle and stubby blade. The Griptilian doesnt exactly exude fashion or style but what it does do is get the job done. This is definitely not the run of the mill Benchmade experience Ive known to expect but it is a refreshing design that gives the user plenty of deployability options.