My Review: The Super Freek is well-known by its ultra-hard and super tough CPM-M4 steel blades that are certainly not for a beginner knife owner. The differences are namely quite clear. Go with the Benchmade Bugout. If youre a fan of Benchmades assisted opening and stunning wood handles, this is it for you. Check out our benchmade scales north fork selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. Blade Style: Drop-PointBlade Composition: CPM-S30VHandle Composition: Textured G10Blade Length: 3.7Total Length: 8.6Total Weight: 5.81 ounces. george kovach cilka. The first thing you might notice is the lack of scales. Because everyone is different, Benchmade includes offerings for both the OTF (Out the Front) and OTS (Out the Side) lovers. It feels a lot like super high-quality Balisongs with how it flips effortlessly and the sound it makes. It has a base G10 layer and a gray and black layered and milled G10 layer on top. All trademarks property of their respective owners Ships in 1-2 business days, custom lasermarking will add 8 business days. 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. Benchmade 535 Bugout drop-point fine-edge knife was designed with modern outdoor adventurers in mind, incorporating lightweight, robust materials in an extremely slim, yet ergonomic package. The North Fork from Benchmade is well made. This will also give you the advantage of a stronger knife. The Fact is everything I love about slender pocket knives while still being one lean mean little blade. Wrapping it all together is a very well built polymer sheath with a snap lock and that coveted Benchmade butterfly stamped on it. Step 3 Shape:Blade shape is a very personal choice. MADE FOR HUNTING: The North Fork 15031-1's drop-point, recurved blade is ideal . The knife makes use of an assisted opening mechanism that you can access with just one hand, any hand. I'm just a survivalist and knife lover. I greatly appreciate that this slim and functional knife features a Tanto point blade. The attribute that dubs it a hunting knife is the modified drop point blade. The spring-loaded characteristics are made possible by utilizing two omega springs custom-built in-house at Benchmade that push the locking bar into place when the tang of the blade exceeds their allotted tension. Their edge holds well, and they do not deteriorate or rust for a long time. The 3.24-inch long and .090-inch thick premium-quality CPM-S30V stainless steel blade is razor-sharp, has great edge retention, good centering, and high corrosion resistance. Q: What Materials Are Used to Create Benchmade Knives? That exceptionally high hardness level allows this blade to retain its edge even when highly abused for an extremely long time, making this blade very low maintenance and ready to go when you need it most. From my selection, youve seen how Benchmade tends to make either straight, plain edged EDC knives or ones with a partial serration. 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. Blade Style: Drop-PointBlade Composition: CPM-3VHandle Composition: Diamond Textured Rubber SantopreneBlade Length: 3.75Total Length: 8.25Total Weight: 4.51 ounces. [Answered]. The Axis Assist is a friendly fellow that takes the effort youve put into opening the blade and multiplies it tenfold springing the blade out the rest of the way and making for a quick and easy deployment that is still largely controlled by you. These are not an EDC style utility knife but more so something to use as a last resort in a sticky situation. The Benchmade Bushcrafter is the perfect knife for someone that doesnt worry about knicks and dings, the guy/gal that abuses their knife and really puts the craftsmanship to the test. Benchmade doesnt make a whole lot of spear-point folders but when they do, they cost an arm and a leg and probably result in a bit of hot temperament come checkbook balancing day with your significant other. Due to the straight edge, it will be easier for you when you do need to sharpen the Barrage. If you think that 7.25 total length would be tough to conceal or a bit overkill, you can check out the Benchmade Mini SOCP here. The drop-point blade shape at its core is very versatile and poses a lot of use cases, especially for general outdoor activities. First, the designers they employ and the complicated craftsmanship a lot of their knives consist of. The Aller 380 is a multi-purpose Wharncliffe knife that encompasses a screwdriver, pry tip, micro bit slot, money clip, bottle opener, and of course, that handy slicing Wharncliffe blade. Larger knives are better in bigger than average hands and for bigger than average tasks, but the size of the North Fork is just right for most people in most applications. If youre looking for a hunting/outdoors inspired knife for EDC, I highly recommend this particular knife. No sponsored content. The New Benchmade Bugout 535BK-4 is a Striking Version of the Original The Benchmade Claymore and Shootout Two new knives in the Benchmade stable, the Claymore and Shootout represent two different actions. Benchmade North Fork Review- Solid Hunting Knife and EDC Option Homegrown Outdoors 542 subscribers Subscribe 114 11K views 2 years ago Review of the Benchmade North Fork (15031-2) folding knife. The very first look convinces you that this knife would not slip from your grip. Things That Don't Suck: Benchmade Mini Bugout 533BK-2 EDC Folding Knife Between those two even with the variants of the mini grip, I would still choose the northfork all day. My vote is for the mini grip. r/Knife_Swap. I have owned 5 northforks and just about as many mini grips. If you are not happy or you got a defective product, you can avail of a refund. That has now morphed into a love for studying and researching different aspects of knives. We like this size compromise. Your message has been sent privately to our editorial staff for review. The 15003-2 comes with a dark brown leather sheath that is of super high quality, however, it doesnt last long since its so good at hugging the blade that the blade actually tears into the leather. In 1988, Benchmade rolled out a revolutionary locking mechanism dubbed the Benchmade Axis Lock. It does have a thicker heavier blade than the others but this in tun makes for a smooth balanced action and have little blade play. Now, just under two Benjamins for a 154CM blade does sound a bit pricey, but this blade encompasses a flavor in a pocket knife form factor that youll be hard-pressed to rival with anything else on the market today. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2PCS Handle Patch G10 Micarta Blade Scales Fit For Benchmade North Fork Knife at the best online prices at eBay! Its really as versatile as a 3.75 fixed blade can be without gimmicks or excess functionalities that youll likely never use anyways. Basically, following this means youre looking out for extremely high quality and durability and you save up or sell something or do whatever you gotta do to get it and then youre good to go for a very long time without the need to buy another knife anytime soon. We will explain! Before buying the knife, check for design to ensure you are getting a well-balanced knife as intended by Benchmade.Otherwise, you might actually purchase a folding knife with a terrible design if you forget to check whether the Benchmade North Fork-1503 you are investing in is well-designed. Some of the reasons I personally prefer the Bugout over the Mini Grip include the longer blade length at 3.25 vs 2.91, the blade shape lending itself better for slicing, the weight reduction, and the awesome short carry clip. Benchmade 940 EDC 2. The North Fork from Benchmade is a classy, functional piece of equipment eclipsed by the Mini Barrage only in that the MB has assisted opening functionality. Lastly, I certainly cannot go without mentioning the beautiful leather dangler loop sheath that comes with this knife. It will cut well for years and years, and Benchmade will sharpen it in a process that is also, well, smooth. Its ambidextrous, anodized, and feels very luxurious in the grip. The handle is available in two variants, both made up of scales attached to a steel frame; the 15031-1 has scales made from G10 composite, while the 15031-2 uses Dymondwood. These high-grip sections make it easy to control the blade for fine cutting, even when its wet or slimy if you like to hold your index finger along the spine while skinning theyll give you some extra security. Stay tuned for the first newsletter in the morning, straight to your inbox. Best Arcteryx Hiking Shorts Guide: Which Is Right for You? Keep a onein your pocket and a fixed blade in your pack. Related Gear: Benchmade Bugout ReviewBuild Your Ultimate Bugout for National Knife Day 2023Benchmade OTF Knives for 2023 - We Review Our Favorites! Its heavy, its long, its deadly, its the ferocious Nimravus. Benchmade 535 Bugout Review | Tested by GearLab Today many EDC enthusiasts have also embraced this great pocket knife. I mean seriously solid, as in I would be utterly shocked if you managed to seriously damage this thing. Blade Style: TantoBlade Composition: CPM-3VHandle Composition: GrivoryBlade Length: 3.38Total Length: 8.07Total Weight: 2.05 ounces. The other Benchmade blades are similar and provide good quality as well. (0.090" Bugout / 0.115" 940) As a slicer, the Bugout is fine, but IMHO, a daily carry knife should be able to handle all kinds of tasks from cutting to prying, and the ever most important, to shotgun that beer! The blade is carefully tuned and consists of excellent materials. All of your hunting buddies probably have the same boring wood grain scales with the same boring blades but you? The razor-sharp, partially serrated blade is 3.6 inches, perfect for daily utility work. 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. Benchmade knives are made in the USA and have amazing things and quality associated with their name. FUCK ME NOW. What is a Spydie hole, you ask? Theres also a sprung, Parkerized pocket clip. Looking for a lightweight EDC pocket knife? The only two folding knives I own are the Bugout and a full size Grip. Its astonishingly functional for a knife this size, and it comes hair-splitting sharp out of the box. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Alright, that was cheesy, but the Altitude is a seriously cool knife and as much as it is cool, its actually functional. upenn summer research program for high school students. I like the low visibility these EDC blades offer. The 440HC steel is not like the typical premium hard to sharpen steels that Benchmade usually uses and can be sharpened relatively easily in a short amount of time. Folders still arent technically as strong as a full-tang fixed blade but they are plenty strong enough to get the job done without worry. On the other hand, if you want a hard steel knife that you wouldnt twist or rock too much, you can pick a higher HRC. They would find the Mini Griptilian more comfortable and compact. For being a manual opening knife, this thing sure is buttery smooth and that thumb stud is perfectly implemented in a way that allows you to flip open the knife as you pull it from your pocket, making a seamless transition between its carried state and its deployed state. Its most reliable when you use your finger and thumb to pull back both studs together, but it can also be easily operated with one stud. The Axis Automatic mechanism is a little more aggressive than the Axis Assist and works by ejecting the blade immediately when the Axis tension bar is pressed. Which just about always also means pleasantly functional. My Review: This knife was designed to get down and dirty outdoors and survive just about any environmental situation. The Bailout, however, is enhanced with a tanto blade. What You Should Know About Benchmades Lifesharp Program, Mini Bugout 533 a look as well which can be found here, Check out the beautifully crafted hand-built Damasteel Foray here, check out the Mini Freek found at this link here, Check out the Barrage that went on a diet here at this link, 15085-2 Mini Crooked River a look here at this link, Benchmade 15080BK Crooked River Gold Class, double-sided spear-point can be found here, For example, the Benchmade Bugout 535-191 Gold Class edition, Benchmades Gold Class custom built blades here, How to Unregister a Gun in your Name? My final thoughts are this: This knife is not worth the money if youre looking for a tough and durable do-it-all EDC knife. If you dont already have a nice EDC, check out the loads of fantastic EDC knives weve reviewed above from Benchmade. Im a huge fan of small slender blades because they tend to lack the tensile strength required for a rugged lifestyle. When it comes to the handles ergonomics, this knife beats all the rest. The grind leaves a stiffening spine to about three-quarters of an inch from the point, and there are two grooved sections to give better purchase for your thumb just in front of the pivot, and at the front end of the spine. Benchmade Nakamura 484 7. Q: Does a Benchmade Knife Have a Lifetime Warranty? Most people likely end up with a drop-point shaped blade when searching for an EDC and that makes sense, considering the drop-point is one of the most versatile blade shapes, however, the reverse-tanto can be just as versatile and when done correctly, as it is on the EDC 940. Three tapped holes left and right just beside the lanyard hole mean the clip can be mounted on either side. This Benchmade EDC is made of CPM-s30v American steel, which is quite impressive in a foldable pocket knife. The latter is layered from maple and Baltic birch laminations, pressure-bonded with resin into a wood-plastic composite thats completely moisture-resistant. They are, however, easy to sharpen in the field, even with limited means. Blade Style: Drop-Point|Blade Composition: CPM-S30VHandle Composition: Dual-Durometer Glass-Filled NylonBlade Length: 3.5Total Length: 7.84Total Weight: 3.77 ounces. This extends the blades longevity and ensures it doesnt lose its razor sharp edge. The full tang construction makes sure that the blade is more durable and steadier than folded knives. Best Alternatives to Yeti Cooler | Coolers Like YETI. We Are Hiring! My Review: The North Fork is sold as a folding hunting knife and although it certainly fits the bill, I also think many people can benefit from the overall versatility and toughness this knife provides in an EDC role. No self-respecting sailor will ever be without a knife to help with rigging repairs or clearing damaged gear. Blade Style: Drop-PointBlade Composition: CPM-20CVHandle Composition: Anodized Billet Titanium With Triangular Scale TextureBlade Length: 3.5Total Length: 8.06Total Weight: 3.66 Ounces. Types of Rifles Every Shooter Should Know About, Rifle Vs. If you need serrated knives for tasks like rope cutting or some light sawing that cant be accomplished by a straight edge, consider a partially serrated EDC. You need something with a cutting edge long enough to be useful, but it also needs to be a size you can carry anywhere. Use oil to lubricate the opening mechanism and play with it for a few hours. If you dont have a good sharpener, I recommend you buy one alongside your purchase as you will undoubtedly need one. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support. benchmade north fork vs bugout. We cannot discuss them all in this comparison. Valox is also a lighter material and easier to work with giving the designers and artists a little more room to add character to the knifes appearance and ergonomics. However, if you keep it dry, these beautiful handles remain perfectly serviceable. Blade Style: TantoBlade Composition: 154CMHandle Composition: Rib Textured 6061-T6 AluminumBlade Length: 4.5Total Length: 9.45Total Weight: 5 ounces. At first glance, it kind of looks like a silly gimmick, but after closer inspection, youll realize how incredibly helpful and handy having this tiny little tool on you can be. The clip-point blade has origins dating back to the deadly scimitar days so its very fitting that Benchmade used this blade shape to design this blade as it really does feel a lot like a modern-day scimitar! You can sharpen it in the field, but we recommend doing it at home and taking your time. This is a greater feat. Our only wish with the North Fork knife is that it was assisted opening. 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. What are the differences, Spyderco Delica 4 vs Spyderco Paramilitary 2, Spyderco Endura 4 vs Spyderco Paramilitary 2, Spyderco Paramilitary 2 VS Benchmade 940 Osborne, Spyderco Para 3 vs Benchmade 945 Mini Osborne. This is a great mechanism for those of you who dont like the feeling of the blade springing out of its handle but more so would rather a bit of control and a bit of automatic spring action. North Fork is a great little folder but thickest through the handles. In addition to federal law requirements, Benchmade complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. Both models are excellent, youll just need to choose what fits you the best! However, the wooden handle might start to look a bit beaten up. These materials differ in terms of weight and price, and thus offer little in the way of a fair comparison. Start Your Benchmade Career Today. The All-Outdoors Guide team is comprised of enthusiastic experts that enjoy helping others that aspire to be better at outdoor fun. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, benefits, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.For more information about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, please see this government poster: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal. These knives do not require a lot of attention or maintenance, they dont whimper in the face of harsh elements or heavy usage, and they simply get the job done every single time. Despite the manufacturer recommending this knife for hunting purposes, I actually consider this the best Benchmade knife for EDC due to its superb edge retention and sharpness as it comes out of the box. []. cpm3v is the steel used to craft the plain drop point blade. 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. Marine Approved is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associate Program. These are among the safest and most reliable locking mechanisms found in folding knives on the market thus far. 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. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. North Fork-1503 is exceptionally well-designed. 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,055) $ 24.99. . benchmade north fork for sale | eBay The second thing you might notice is the saw teeth on the back of the blade. But what is it that makes Benchmade different from other makers of small knives? It's extremely lightweight for a knife this capable, and due to the axis locking mechanism, it's very user friendly as well. The Arvensis is an excellent all-around general use camp knife with a rather ominous feel to it and I think youll agree! Here you also see that the Bailout was intended for tactical use. - 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. I REALLY appreciate all the thoughts and opinions. I'm going to circle back and take a look at this. While Benchmade still offers knives with regular manual locking mechanisms, theyre rare and usually found on their lower-tier offerings. Whether your hike takes you across town or to the top of Kilimanjaro, we can help find you the best gear for your money. As a result, customers have reported this to be the best Benchmade knife for backpacking because it has a comfortable grip and is easy to sharpen with an ordinary knife sharpener. The Bugout is a great knife. Glass-filled nylon handles are generally a bit lighter than G10 handles as well as significantly cheaper than carbon fiber, so I believe the handle they chose fits perfectly with the ideology behind the knife, versatility, and usability above all! Its not much in terms of versatility, although I suppose it is usable across many applications, however, its very clear this knife was designed to perform sustained damage in a combat situation. If you already have a solid EDC and youre looking for something with a little flair and flavor, feast your eyes upon one of the gnarliest blades Benchmade has designed to date. The Bailout has a separate backspacer. I would like to hear your thoughts and Im sure other readers would as well! Kershaw 1660 Review - The Ultimate EDC Knife? On the entire continuum of pocket knife size, the North Fork is near the top. With the Benchmades limited Lifetime Warranty, Benchmade North Fork 1503 is meticulously built for lifetime use.With the tactical knife also comes a LifeSharp Service keep , a service offered purposely to keep the knife in good working condition all the time. To get the most out of the Barrage 583, Id suggest you break it in properly. These materials differ in terms of weight and price, and thus offer little in the way of a fair comparison. Full Disclosure Here. Amazon.com: Benchmade Whether you are planning to go hiking, camping, or a backpacking trip, the Benchmade Bugout 535 7.46-Inch Folding Knife is a great knife for EDC purposes. Its not only suitable for hunting but also tackles utility tasks and performs well as a cord cutter. A compact AXIS folding hunting North Fork knife with a recurved blade to assist with processing duties. This is an obvious safety concern, but could also be considered a pro if you are using it heavily for certain outdoor tasks. You can also get any modifications made and they will only charge for the accessory, not the fixing. The Bugout was designed for the modern outdoor adventurer, incorporating the lightest, best performing materials in an extremely slim yet ergonomic package. 3. Blade Style: Double-Sided Spear-PointBlade Composition: D2Handle Composition: Scale Textured 6061-T6 AluminumBlade Length: 4.52Total Length: 9.21Total Weight: 5.11 ounces. They look about as tactically cool as you can make a knife and the fixed blade variant of the original OTF is solid. With a high quality CPMS30V stainless steel blade, the folding knife is exceptionally well-balanced. Your blade must be sharp and stay that way. That good old homegrown quality and attention to detail dont come cheap and although I dont know the specifics, the information found here on Glassdoor indicates average wages that far exceed what Id expect most foreign knife manufacturers to offer their employees. 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. The 3V depends on personal prefernce but it won't break when prying and so on despite having a thin tip. Simple whittling would be "beneath" the capabilities of the North Fork if it weren't just so enjoyable to shave precise curlicues with the razor sharp blade. It's a more solid feeling knife than its bigger brother because the liners fill almost all of the handle area. Pick a clip point. 4.9 out of 5 stars 23. If you consider best compromise of ergonomics and portability. Not everyones going to find it perfect with a short blade the thumb studs might interfere with some cutting operations, so some users might have preferred a thumb hole instead. It is light and relatively compact, especially considering that it has a full-size blade, full-function usefulness, and carrying options. I will mention this about the clip, it isnt like the standard Benchmade deep carry clips and doesnt do well on exceptionally thin material like gym shorts but feels great and stays in place snuggly when used on thick materials like jeans or tactical pants. LifeSharp service from Benchmade means whenever you need to sharpen, hone, or fix your Benchmade knives, you just send them to their factory and they fix it for you. This design reduces how many different parts are used, raises the overall durability of the knife, removes the need for liners and allows for far less hardware and mounting points, and makes for an overall exceptional ergonomic experience. The Rescue Tool is in the same form factor as the original SOCP dagger but instead of a spear-point blade, youll be getting a belt cutter and pry tool. Privacy | Cookies | Terms. Benchmade Knives Custom Handle Scales Custom Bugout Scales Custom Bugout Scales These custom scales fit any version of the 535 Bugout from Benchmade. Opening and closing them is not a hassle because they have an excellent axis lock mechanism. Blade Style: Drop-PointBlade Composition: CPM-S30VHandle Composition: Glass-Filled NylonBlade Length: 3.45Total Length: 8.07Total Weight: 3.88 ounces. Benchmade Saddle Mountain 15003-2 or 15003-1, Here Are the Best Tactical Benchmade Knives, Unique Benchmade Knife Designs and Notable Mentions, 30.