For the handle, you have a choice between traditional materials like wood or horn, modern composites, or even an all-metal handle. Boasting an excellent combination of handy features that suits everyday use, North Fork-1503 has proved to be a very reliable all-round knife. However, its also very functional when you use this as your daily carry knife. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. It encompasses everything we like to see in an EDC including a versatile drop-point, the super-strong AXIS locking mechanism, a good pocket weight to size ratio, a strong and tight clip, and an overall high-quality build design that should suit you through a variety of different tasks. 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. The edge itself has a wide, almost flat grind and a slight recurve before it arcs up to the point. Got feedback? 5. Created for hunting The knife's drop-point blade is ideal for the avid hunter. Blade Style: TantoBlade Composition: 154CMHandle Composition: ValoxBlade Length: 3.6Total Length: 8.35Total Weight: 4.51 Ounces. If youre an avid outdoorsman looking for a knife you can carry to work with you and then head off into the fields after you clock out, this your knife. The very first look convinces you that this knife would not slip from your grip. Its good for being used on a fishing boat where your hands and the grips are generally always going to be wet. North Fork 1503 comes with Benchmade's AXIS lock, which is fully ambidextrous and extremely strong. The owner of this website does not guarantee offers on this site, and all offers should be viewed as recommendations only. Many people choose fixed blades over the folding counterparts because they believe the fixed blade is less prone to failure and is stronger overall and while that was true for a very long time, its still true! If you are not happy or you got a defective product, you can avail of a refund. You can also get any modifications made and they will only charge for the accessory, not the fixing. I don't like my mini grip. The Benchmade Bugout was originally designed as a lightweight pocket knife for hikers and others who prefer ultra-light knives. Both knives fit the same use case and both knives are of the same exceptional Benchmade quality. For steller cutting, piercing, and prying tasks, this is the best Benchmade knife you can hope to find. Score: 4/10. This is not the case here, though, as the Fact is incredibly strong and since its crafted out of billet aluminum with a premium S30V blade, itll run right up there with full-size heavy-duty knives. Full Disclosure Here. Sure, it doesnt take a rocket scientist to know that a knife consisting of a titanium handle is probably of decent quality but what a lot of people miss is that the chunk of titanium consists entirely of just one single piece. I don't like the flimsy scales. Blade Style: Drop-PointBlade Composition: CPM S30VHandle Composition: Sealed Wood or Patterned G10Blade Length: 2.97Total Length: 6.97Total Weight: 3.41 ounces. Well, many of their knives have another feature called the Benchmade Nitrous. Designer: Benchmade Mechanism: AXIS Action: Manual-opening Blade Steel: CPM-S30V (58-60 HRC) Blade Length: 2.97" (7.54cm) Blade Thickness: 0.114" (2.90mm) Open Length: 6.97" (17.70cm) Closed Length: 3.90" (9.91cm) Handle Thickness: 0.53" (13.46mm) Weight: 3.16oz. Throw it in your truck, keep it in your bugout bag, use it with your survival kit, whatever, this knife is so light and compact that youll forget its there until you need it! Its hard to explain, but this knife is pretty darn cool for the right person. george kovach cilka. That point is very strong and plenty capable of penetration while the belly has a ton of slashing real-estate along with a very nasty serration near the handle that is open and easily utilized against an assailant. Are Benchmade Knives Worth the Expensive Price Tag? Our only wish with the North Fork knife is that it was assisted opening. cpm3v is the steel used to craft the plain drop point blade. For this reason the Bailout is also a part of Benchmade's 'Black Class'. These two are just the right size, with smooth hinges, easy one-handed operation, and locks that work easier and more reliably than any other test. The Bugout is available with Grivory, titanium and CF-Elite. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. The Grivory handle is essentially as good as polymer, plus it doesnt get slippery even when wet. Of course, if youre already familiar with how to use one, youll be ready to rock and roll and strap this puppy on your MOLLE vest! Lastly, I certainly cannot go without mentioning the beautiful leather dangler loop sheath that comes with this knife. 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? A compact AXIS folding hunting North Fork knife with a recurved blade to assist with processing duties. I have not tried the North Fork yet. Personally, I prefer a subtle matte or black coated blade, even though they tend to get scratched quite easily. (89.58g) Features You May Also Like Mini Crooked River Family As low as $300.00 The differences are namely quite clear. Three screws on each side hold the handle together, and a hex bolt acts as the blade pivot. The company is located in Oregon in the US. If extra goodies are what you want, the Tactical Triage is worth a look. First, even right out of the box, there are different definitions of "sharp." Related Gear: Benchmade Bugout ReviewBuild Your Ultimate Bugout for National Knife Day 2023Benchmade OTF Knives for 2023 - We Review Our Favorites! I will mention that the handle may sometimes catch on your pockets if its a real tight fit, due to the ergonomic pistol grip style design, however, I still recommend this as a solid EDC as I believe most people wont have an issue with deploying the knife and since its so light, especially the carbon fiber version, its super comfortable and easy to carry. Tough types of steel that retain their sharpness well. 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. Its a more substantial knife. Typically, I wouldnt ever recommend something like this to someone new to handling knives but this little kit is an excellent way to introduce a dagger style knife for self-defense. I personally chose the gut hook version of this knife because I think there are tons of other drop-point fixed blades from Benchmade and the gut hook makes this one stand out. If that 4 blade is a tad too much for ya, you can give the 15085-2 Mini Crooked River a look here at this link which sports a 3.4 blade and shaves off about 2 ounces of weight! Blade Style: Drop-PointBlade Composition: CPM-S30VHandle Composition: Lightly Textured G10Blade Length: 4.4Total Length: 9.15Total Weight: 7.72 ounces. My Review: The Nimravus is host to one of the strongest penetrating points of any blade offered by Benchmade. The FRN handle gives a good grip, and a big thumbhole allows easy opening without studs getting in the way. 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 think the blade deployment concerns are valid, depending on your application. The manual axis lock can also be released one-handedly. 4.9 out of 5 stars 23. In order to compare them all side-by-side, weve created this guide encompassing each and every one of our favorites. 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. the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, Incredible blade quality, assisted open, perfect combination of compactness/functionality, Light, simple, well-made, full size blade, full-function, Beautifully constructed, assisted open, good value, Pricey, blade lock mechanism not intuitive, Expensive, low profile handle, flexy plastic construction, Slender handle makes it hard to apply even pressure, thin blade is fragile, Immaculately constructed knife in a form-factor that is easy to carry and large enough for virtually every task, For a full-function, full-size pocket knife, this is as light as it gets, and is the premier option for all sorts of human-powered adventures, A slender, svelte pocket knife with great materials and a reasonable value, Proprietary Stainless (between 440A and 420), Assisted, ambidextrous thumb stud; back-of-knife finger tab, Scissors, nail file, small screwdriver, tweezers, toothpick, key ring. Instead, you get ALL the goodies! 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. This is by far one of the smoothest and most incredible integral bodied knives we have reviewed thus far. The size is such that it clips relatively unobtrusively to your pants pocket. This extends the blades longevity and ensures it doesnt lose its razor sharp edge. The website might not work correctly. Traditional hunting knives have been a lot larger, but short blades like this are becoming a lot more popular. These materials differ in terms of weight and price, and thus offer little in the way of a fair comparison. Make sure these handles are well-textured, and youre all set. Spyderco folding knives tend to come with a thumb hole in the spine instead of a thumb stud to open the blade, and thats called a Spydie hole. The 3V depends on personal prefernce but it won't break when prying and so on despite having a thin tip. Most knives of such models are very compact so that you could easily carry them around while camping and hiking. But what are the other differences between the two? All Benchmade knives are made in America and are also labeled the same. It's really hard to pick against a mini grip. Something I think youll notice right out of the box is how strong and sturdy the knife feels while appearing elegant and sleek. That passion has led me to build this site, Read on for my story. Blade Style: Drop-PointBlade Composition: CPM-3VHandle Composition: Diamond Textured Rubber SantopreneBlade Length: 3.75Total Length: 8.25Total Weight: 4.51 ounces. While this one has a slightly shorter handle and will make your pinky finger dangle free, its expected for such a small knife. A little oiling also makes sure the axis locking joint is smooth as butter. The handle is rubberized Santoprene, and the texture wraps around the entirety of it. The Benchmade North Fork is a very neat little knife, perfect for everyday carry; it doesnt take up much pocket space and it isnt heavy either. It also comes super sharp out of the box, boasting a full flat grind. The knife is of a Sheepsfoot blade, and its quite useful in daily utility works. A: The Benchmade Knife Company is behind Benchmade knives. 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. 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. Looking for a lightweight EDC pocket knife? Carrying and utilizing the Griptilian on a daily basis is extremely easy and for that reason, I believe many people would agree, the Griptilian is one of the best values and best overall EDC knives offered by Benchmade today. You can check out the full review of this knife here. The only two folding knives I own are the Bugout and a full size Grip. Glass breaker, rescue hook, lanyard hole, drop-point with three different serrated or fine edge options, super light but durable G10 resin-soaked fiberglass body, and the ever so loved AXIS locking mechanism. Bugout. Its fully ambidextrous and grippy but isnt too abrasive on the palm. Blade Style: Drop-PointBlade Composition: CPM-M4Handle Composition: G10Blade Length: 3.6Total Length: 8.46Total Weight: 4.3 Ounces. Benchmade has wisely kept the Mini Bugout's clip plain and simple. 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. It seems like they keep bringing it back with new styles, new grips, new colors, etc and I really like that because the Bugout has a special place in my heart. Your message has been sent privately to our editorial staff for review. (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! While this boasts a Dymondwood handle and a tough drop point blade with a serrated spine, the shining point of this knife is the folding gut hook that comes along. They look about as tactically cool as you can make a knife and the fixed blade variant of the original OTF is solid. While you might be thinking this will be your next EDC of choice, Im thinking this would make a great gift! The handle is simply just an extension of the D2 steel from the blade and although I personally like that, many Adamas owners actually wrap this bad boy up in some nice paracord. Have some money burning a hole in your pockets and you need something that your buddies are sure to gawk at? upenn summer research program for high school students. Because often I need to use my EDC for piercing or prying, and this sturdy, capable tip means I can do that without worrying about the tip snapping off. I wouldn't call it a slicer like the bugout but it all depends on what your full purpose is farm work I believe you will enjoy the northfork the most and the wood scales are awesome plus full liners. Is it worth it to pay extra for high-quality American made goods? Benchmade is the kind of knife that follow my favorite mantra buy once cry once. 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. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Benchmade makes sturdy knives that are lightweight. If youre looking to get yourself the best Benchmade knife, theres a chance youll be ruined for any other knife brands, especially when it comes to EDC knives. Secondly, all Benchmade knives are American made right here in Oregon City, Oregon. 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. Are you 'simply' looking for a good and lightweight EDC pocket knife? I do have to say that the North Fork has really caught my eye. Copyright All Outdoors Guide 2023 | About Us. There are a few factors to look at there. More importantly, its great for a bit of carving work. The Bedlam features two blade finish options, one being a regular satin finish and the other being my personal favorite on this model, the black Cerakote, which matches up nicely to the hardware finish and the black G10 handles. Benchmade OTF Knives for 2023 - We Review Our Favorites! Throughout the list, Ill provide my thoughts on our favorite Benchmade knives across several different categories and throughout both fixed and folding knives in those categories if applicable. It might remind you of Morakniv or Mora knives with the roundish handle and stubby blade. The original Freek, the 560, isnt available new anymore from what I understand and since the new version, the 560-1, encompasses CPM-M4 steel instead of what was previously used, thats why this version is dubbed the Super Freek, even though its not technically called that by Benchmade. Below are some excellent and affordable alternatives for the Benchmade North Fork 1503. Theres a lanyard hole at the pommel end, which is drilled through the liner and exposed by cutouts in the scales. This puts the tang of the blade between the steel stopping pin and the AXIS spring-loaded bar, ensuring its fully locked and isnt able to retract in any manner under any usage without using the thumb button to move the tensioner bar out of the way. Our test team (and likely you) like this feature. 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. My Review: Before we get started its important to note that the Infidel 133 was originally an out the front automatic knife (OTF) whereas the knife I am reviewing is a fixed blade. Ships in 1-2 business days, custom lasermarking will add 8 business days. It's plenty sturdy IMO and the tiny pocket clip is fantastic. The Anthem is incredibly lightweight for its size and toughness and that clip is something seriously special. The Axis Dual-Action is kind of a blend between the two aforementioned Axis mechanisms. 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. Go with the Benchmade Bugout. Some recommended products may use affiliate links. Fortunately we can discuss the types of steel used. For the price, you get great quality and lasting design. 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. If its an understated EDC youre looking for, pick one of their lighter, folded pocket knives. The fidget factor and aftermarket options bumped up the score a little bit, but this knife isn't trying to be a looker. Furthermore, some of the metals they use can be especially hard to sharpen on your own. 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. Of course, this doesnt exactly cover you if you snap a blade trying to pry open a locker or a knife youve ground a divet in using a power grinder, but in the event that sort of thing accidentally happens, you can still send the knife in and they will repair whatever necessary for a relatively fair price. The Axis Lock comes integrated with three different action flavors: Axis Assist, Axis Automatic, and Axis Dual-Action Automatic. the blade would come out without my intending it. It's always handy this way, and largely unobtrusive except in the most formal of situations. It's a more solid feeling knife than its bigger brother because the liners fill almost all of the handle area. Its long and slender with a very high-class elegant finish that really exudes craftsmanship without being over-engineered or snarky in appearance. Okay, fine, I will, but only because I really enjoy saying the word triage. COMFORTABLE: The 15031-1's lightweight design and textured handle make it comfortable to hold, use, and take anywhere. I personally prefer the thumb hole over the harsher thumb stud. Benchmade 15031 North Fork is a compact hunting knife that's also perfect for everyday carry. The 15003-1 comes with a black molded Kydex style sheath that, in my opinion, would last longer and likely give you a bit more value. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); UFABET UFA089.COM. 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 that, I feel that this is quite a good Benchmade EDC. We only review top-scoring products, and top-performing pocket knives are all well made of excellent materials. Do you want random dudes to smile in awe and quickly ask Bro, is that a Benchmade? Maybe you do, maybe you dont, but thats the kind of brand recognition Benchmade has earned by delivering exceptional customer loyalty and overall quality. These knives were developed to be used by first responders and contain the tools you would expect to use to pull someone out of a wrecked vehicle. I recently bought a full size Grip, and I'm in love with it. What I really love about the Puukko 200 is its simplicity. I have owned 5 northforks and just about as many mini grips. To no ones surprise, the Arvensis is probably one of the most well balanced 6-7 combat-focused fixed blades on the market that is affordable to the average person, and Im using affordable loosely, of course. The first thing you might notice is the lack of scales. In addition to making some of the most iconic and popular knives for everyday carry, Benchmade also has a long and storied history with their outdoor knives. Drop point blades are great for regular utility work, and if you dont need any piercing power, go for a Sheepsfoot tip. Even when soaking wet, you never feel like youll lose grip and the lock is so strong you could support the weight of an average man on it all day without worry. For the g10 handles. GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. It's been in the box since I bought it. 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. My Review: First and foremost, the Saddle Mountain is more of a lineup of knives that just a single knife itself. As such you don't have to worry about that. Q: What Materials Are Used to Create Benchmade Knives? :) These knives are exceptionally dangerous and have very little utility value. For legal reasons, many of the double-sided versions of this knife come dull. Check out our benchmade north fork backspace selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. This is one of the best customer care programs any knife company in the market has to offer right now. Being one of the largest and most successful knife manufacturers in the world, Benchmade has a wide selection of knives across multiple categories. It's my first Benchmade purchase, and honestly I'm a bit disappointed with it, considering the price point. The North Fork's handle is made from wood that's been vacuum-impregnated with resin to increase durability. In his free time, he enjoys hunting, hiking, running, shooting guns, and reviewing gear. My Review: This knife isnt for everybody, thats for sure, however, if youre an avid hunter who would rather expend energy on the actual hunt itself as opposed to getting to your stomping grounds, this may be an alternative worth considering. I would say northfork. A flick of the wrist sends the blade out, and it worries me that if I were to drop it by accident, etc. The Bailout, however, is enhanced with a tanto blade. My Review: This knife feels like youd find Rambo pulling it out of his boot after exhausting his arsenal of other weapons for that finishing kill. 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. 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. 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. In 1988, Benchmade rolled out a revolutionary locking mechanism dubbed the Benchmade Axis Lock. UPDATE:Also, as the reader Clayton mentioned in a comment to this review, the quick release is more sensitive than most knives (and isnt spring-loaded). Weve talked about super simplistic knives earlier on in this guide and I think Ive hit home some solid models for those of you who dont need extra goodies. This method of identifying fake Benchmade knives is excellent because it works in-person as well as online. Blade Style: Spear-PointBlade Composition: CPM-S30VHandle Composition: G10Blade Length: 3.6Total Length: 8.42Total Weight: 4.11 ounces. My Review: The Foray is a get the job done well rounded little pocket knife that I think anyone could get some seriously good usage and value out of. On the entire continuum of pocket knife size, the North Fork is near the top. A: You can purchase it from an authorized seller on Amazon. Blade Style: WharncliffeBlade Composition: CPM-S30VHandle Composition: Slotted G10Blade Length: 1.6Total Length: 4.48Total Weight: 1.8 ounces. This knife doesnt offer a whole lot of versatility and it wouldnt exactly be my first choice to go camping with, but if someones primary goal was to cause me or my loved ones harm, the Contego is the folding knife Id look for to defend myself with. 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. Selection Criteria Is the Benchmade North ForkThe Right Knife For You? I know some users who absolutely appreciate this. The Freek was purpose-built to be a heavily abused EDC style knife. Its most noticeable trait is the Dymondwood scales. 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. 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. It is this size that seems to offer the best compromise of ergonomics and portability. This knife is made to deploy when you really need it most, as opposed to being abused on the daily, so it makes sense why they swapped out S30V for 3V instead. Blade Style: Clip-PointBlade Composition: 154CMHandle Composition: Diamond Textured G10Blade Length: 6.44Total Length: 11.72Total Weight: 11.74 ounces. This is one of the best knives we have ever tested with a wooden handle, What makes a super pricey knife twice as good as one that costs half as much? If youre a fan of Benchmades assisted opening and stunning wood handles, this is it for you. Benchmade Griptilian 551 4. This is probably one of the sleekest and lightest self-defense knives on the market today that most people would also find quite handy in a wide array of non-life threatening situations. The thinner spine near the tip on the reverse-tanto allows for quicker and more nimble cutting through tight spaces and thus makes this knife extremely versatile for precise tasks like carpentry, woodwork, etc. Those people are right when it comes to personal preference and I understand where theyre coming from, I really enjoy many of Benchmades premium handles that arent plastic-based. Are you going to wiggle, rock, and twist the blade often to get your job done? Pick something with a slightly lower HRC rating. I greatly appreciate that this slim and functional knife features a Tanto point blade. These are the fastest and least requiring effort to open and use a spring to flip the knife out immediately.

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