The Fact is everything I love about slender pocket knives while still being one lean mean little blade. To get the most out of the Barrage 583, Id suggest you break it in properly. The blade is carefully tuned and consists of excellent materials. Its lightweight and might feel flimsy at first. Copyright All Outdoors Guide 2023 | About Us. The price of a Benchmade is primarily based on three things. They are also easy to put an edge on. Ideally, the knife suits anyone keen on getting a reliable folding knife.North Fork-1503 isnt ideal for knives buyers with a relatively small budget.Again, its razor sharp blade can potentially make it unsafe for inexperienced hunting knife users. The 3V depends on personal prefernce but it won't break when prying and so on despite having a thin tip. For the handle, you have a choice between traditional materials like wood or horn, modern composites, or even an all-metal handle. Spicy_Mex 2 yr. ago. And for them, with a very un-Benchmade-like price of around $110, the Bugout is great. Lastly, this knife doesnt come with the typical Benchmade technologies we have come to know and love. Pick a clip point. For now, feel free to continue reading. I have not tried the North Fork yet. Id argue that this is an excellent knife for someone looking in the premium folding Tanto section. What Other Pocket Knives Should You Consider? The full tang construction makes sure that the blade is more durable and steadier than folded knives. This is an obvious safety concern, but could also be considered a pro if you are using it heavily for certain outdoor tasks. Benchmade North Fork Review February 5, 2015 GEAR INSTITUTE RATINGS 98 Construction & Materials 10 Ease of Use Steel Quality & Edge Retention 10 Durability 10 The Good Good value Well made Dymondwood handle scales Works well as back-up or secondary hunting knife The Bad Blade is too small to be a primary hunting tool Feels a bit small in hand It's my first Benchmade purchase, and honestly I'm a bit disappointed with it, considering the price point. This uses an internal sprung bolt that locks into the rear of the blade when its opened. The deep carry clip also makes it an ideal choice. The latter is layered from maple and Baltic birch laminations, pressure-bonded with resin into a wood-plastic composite thats completely moisture-resistant. We will start with the fact that there are different editions of the Bailout and the Bugout. Its astonishingly functional for a knife this size, and it comes hair-splitting sharp out of the box. Related Gear: Benchmade Bugout ReviewBuild Your Ultimate Bugout for National Knife Day 2023Benchmade OTF Knives for 2023 - We Review Our Favorites! All of them are pretty durable, and grip depends on the shape or finish more than the material, so go for whatever youre comfortable with. Probably youre looking for some recommendations so heres one: The North Fork by Benchmade. 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! Your message has been sent privately to our editorial staff for review. Keep a onein your pocket and a fixed blade in your pack. We independently buy, test, and rate all the products we review. But what are the other differences between the two? 5 Jun. Benchmade calls this a hunting knife and yeah, I could understand that, but really, I think this is more of just a flat out awesome design thats refreshing and unique to the usable and functional fixed blade industry. It's a small, unobtrusive deep carry tip-up design that can be flipped to the other side if you're a lefty. The pocket clip is secure and can be switched from one side to the other, depending on your hand preference. []. The slim point is ideal for precision work and while its not as strong as a sheeps foot form its still tough enough for most everyday cutting jobs. Due to its lightweight and versatility, this is the top folding knife of our backpacking knives guide here. However, a lot of customers thought calling it Bugout is a bit of a stretch, since a true Bugout knife would ideally be more capable. These are the fastest and least requiring effort to open and use a spring to flip the knife out immediately. 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. If you have the full size grip I'd double down on the Bugout, very suitable office knife and anywhere else for that matter. The bugout never gets carried. Best Arcteryx Hiking Shorts Guide: Which Is Right 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. Its hard to explain, but this knife is pretty darn cool for the right person. Its a more substantial knife. It checks all the boxes for an excellent EDC knife by utilizing high quality long lasting S30V steel, a drop-point that is technically a bit modified as it has a slight recurve within its belly, and your choice of either a sealed woodgrain finish or the ever so popular G10 handles. Are Benchmade Knives Worth the Expensive Price Tag? 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. However, if youre wearing work gloves, that problem vanishes. The folding knife isnt just built for hunting, but also suitable for other uses as well.This Benchmade North Fork 1503 review explains everything about this versatile, tactical knife. No ads. The Bugout is a supremely good design and easy choice only if weight and ease of carry is of primary concern. If its an understated EDC youre looking for, pick one of their lighter, folded pocket knives. 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. A steeper angle may very well be sharp, but it doesn't cut very well because the faces must force the material apart further after making the initial cut. Also, because every knife requires constant sharpening (despite what certain budget knife manufacturers claim), it must be easy to resurface. The Griptilian is host to many of our favorite Benchmade attributes such as the AXIS lock, allowing tons of pressure to be applied on the spine of the knife without fear of locking mechanism failure. 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. The mechanism works by giving you the regular pull-down and open motion of the original Axis Lock but, by pulling the bar just a bit further, the blade springs out instantly. Its very secure and positive. Some recommended products may use affiliate links. Carbon takes a better edge and holds it longer, but stainless needs less maintenance to keep the rust off it. 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. Those things take a lot of time and expensive employees to manufacture. For Sale: Custom & Semi Production Knives (Dealer), KnifeMaker's Market: Knives & More for Sale, Wanted: Knifemaker / Craftsman / Related Services, Busse / Swamprat / Scrapyard Knives For Sale, For Sale: Traditionals, Slipjoints, "Old Timey", International (Non-US) For Sale & Trade Forums. We are pocket knife experts that understand that you don't Pocket knife shopping is daunting. 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. Its not for everyone and its not the most versatile thing Benchmade has ever made, but it is beautiful and its extremely slim and low profile. Here Are the Best Benchmade Knives for EDC 1. Alright, its not that bad. The quality of a folding knife is ultimately among the most essential things you should consider way before you purchase a folding knife. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); UFABET UFA089.COM. The main drive behind its design was to produce a tool with the performance for dressing out a deer in a small package. Sure, youre still getting a very high-end blade consisting of premium CPM-S30V so it certainly is no joke of a knife, but the handles are purpose-built to be grippy and functional while maintaining a light overall package. Unlocking is achieved by two studs running in slots cut through the handle, one on each side. I wont lie to you, these arent exactly the saw-teeth youd want for camping or outdoor use, but they will cause wounds that a normal drop-point would never be able to cause, ensuring your assailant is immobilized and you are free to carry on. Disclosure. Bugout. Keep in mind that the warranty is valid when you buy from authorized sellers. Its heavy, its long, its deadly, its the ferocious Nimravus. I wouldnt suggest this as an EDC or as a knife for a beginner but more so something youd keep under your pillow or in your truck if youre traveling through a rough neighborhood. As I mentioned before, Benchmade has released this knife in tons of different colors and styles and if that 3.24 blade is a little too long for your Bugout loadout, Id strongly recommend giving the Mini Bugout 533 a look as well which can be found here. The price is pretty dang high, you could get value and use out of much lower-priced Benchmade knives, however, the Anthem is one of a kind and truly is a piece of incredible engineering that, if its your flavor, is well worth the money. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. The re curve does very well at cutting and it shines when you draw cut something as the re curve assists in cutting. The Benchmade North Fork is a handsome folding knife designed for hunting, but it has all the right features to make for a great everyday carry blade as well. Of course, this thing has virtually 0 self-defense properties and it wouldnt ever be a knife Id rely on for camping or survival but it is easy to carry on a keychain so that you always have a tiny suite of tools on hand at all times. It is light and relatively compact, especially considering that it has a full-size blade, full-function usefulness, and carrying options. The owner of this website does not guarantee offers on this site, and all offers should be viewed as recommendations only. I have owned 5 northforks and just about as many mini grips. The main drive behind its design was to produce a tool with the performance for dressing out a deer in a small package. The attribute that dubs it a hunting knife is the modified drop point blade. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Is it worth it to pay extra for high-quality American made goods? The blade might seem unassuming and simple, with its plain edge and drop point, however, theres little it cant do. 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. Just be aware of this before you buy. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. All others will prefer the Mini-Barrage. I recommend it for the same reason the others did not. The Benchmade North Fork knife is super smooth. Let us know! Okay, fine, I will, but only because I really enjoy saying the word triage. Q: Does a Benchmade Knife Have a Lifetime Warranty? The company is located in Oregon in the US. Selection Criteria Is the Benchmade North ForkThe Right Knife For You? Check them out on our Fire Starters page here. Aside from one major variable, the ergonomics of the North Fork knife are virtually identical to those of the Benchmade Mini-Barrage 585. Alright, that was cheesy, but the Altitude is a seriously cool knife and as much as it is cool, its actually functional. I feel like the other two are good options, but the northfork feels like it has a "soul". My Review: Oh boy, when I first saw this monstrosity I was pretty intrigued as to what the heck is going on with that blade, then I realized these were designed for aviation use and all I could think about was all the wack stuff Airmen have said to me. 30 Best Benchmade Knives in 2023 (Ranked by Category), Here Are the Best Benchmade Knives for EDC, Here Are the Best Folding Self Defense Benchmade Knives, Here Are the Best Fixed Blade Self Defense Benchmade Knives, Here Are the Best Benchmade Folding Camping, Hiking, and Hunting Knives, Here Are the Best Benchmade Fixed Blade Camping, Hiking, and Hunting Knives, 21. Lastly, lets take a look at the Dymondwood handle. Flipping this open with one hand quickly becomes second nature and is, in my opinion, more satisfying than even some of the best assisted-opening knives. The Benchmade Bugout is a medium-sized utility knife. Another thing that contributes to making this knife a prime choice for hunting is the gut hook that folds into the handle. I bought it to use around the farm (orange handles makes it easy to find if I lay it down somewhere). A: Their amazing quality is what made Benchmade knives stand apart from other kinds of knives. The Benchmade Bugout was originally designed as a lightweight pocket knife for hikers and others who prefer ultra-light knives. 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. The manual axis lock can also be released one-handedly. 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. Despite that, I feel that this is quite a good Benchmade EDC. Blade Style: Ringed DaggerBlade Composition: 440HCHandle Composition: Full-Tang Handless DesignBlade Length: 3.22Total Length: 7.25. First, the designers they employ and the complicated craftsmanship a lot of their knives consist of. I'm going to revisit this and will update the post with our findings (and your concerns). The handle has two attachment features. Be sure to check out the latest pricing here. Top 10 Best Benchmade Knife Reviews in 2023, Benchmade Mini Griptilian Sheepsfoot knife. Lifesharp support will receive your knife and immediately disassemble it for inspection. Blade Style: Drop-PointBlade Composition: CPM-S30VHandle Composition: Textured G10Blade Length: 3.7Total Length: 8.6Total Weight: 5.81 ounces. In short, it is smoothness. 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. My Review: Benchmade made things quite easy by aptly naming this bad boy a simple and sweet EDC. There was a small time period where some of the Benchmade knives were outsourced in other countries but those days are now gone. Standard, because it is great for daily tasks. The handle is rubberized Santoprene, and the texture wraps around the entirety of it. The Bugout has a very thin handle - it's fine for light tasks if that's all you need it for. Its quite rare in a folded knife, youd notice. In all reality, this knife was designed to be abused and it will withstand constant daily abuse in harsh elements with no problems and thats why the Crooked River is a solid choice among outdoor sportsmen. 5. The Bugout was designed for the modern outdoor adventurer, incorporating the lightest, best performing materials in an extremely slim yet ergonomic package. When you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. CPM 3V and CPM M4. However, we cannot call it a great value. The reversible pocket clip offers ultimate accessibility. How to Sharpen a Machete Most Effective & Easy Way at Home. 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. Benchmade knives are made in the USA and have amazing things and quality associated with their name. Were glad you dig this post! If you are not happy or you got a defective product, you can avail of a refund. Basically, a dependable cutting tool has a role to play in anything you do outdoors. The double-sided spear-point can be found here and is an excellent option as well, but only if its legal where you reside so make sure you check up on that before buying! Aside from the blade, the handle is another thing that demands attention. Theyre easier to sharpen, though. If you dont have a good sharpener, I recommend you buy one alongside your purchase as you will undoubtedly need one. Grivory is basically a super hard plastic that Benchmade used for this knife due to its lightness without sacrificing rigidity. Understanding the shape and the steel of your future blade will be the largest deciding factor of how the blade behaves when used in your specific environment and situations! In fact, the Bugout is probably the best, general use knife in the Benchmade line up given its price, design, performance, size, and weight. Features AXIS lock folding mechanism Drop-point, CPM-S30V premium stainless-steel blade (58-60HRC) Blue Grivory handles with anodized aluminum barrel spacers We are currently looking for former Marines to join the team who are interested in writing about tactical gear, survival gear, hiking supplies, etc. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. The Bailout is available with fine 'tool steels'. Moreover, users have said that the blade does not rust or corrode even if kept wet and used in rainy or humid weather conditions. It is ultimately one of the worlds best folding knives that are perfectly designed to provide uninterrupted long term use.The package offers a lifetime warranty, a comfortable wooden handle and a high quality CPM-S30V stainless steel blade. Sure, sharp is sharp; the blade has a pointed edge, or it doesn't. This site contains affiliate links. 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. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. [Easy] How to Clean Rust off of a Gun Without Damaging it? We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. If you just want one knife and one knife only that exudes quality and is as versatile as it gets, the Benchmade Turret should be at the top of your list. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc or its affiliates. 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. The North Fork-1503 is designed to feel comfortable in your hands. My Review: The Nakamura is one of my personal favorites as I believe it blends the beautiful craftsmanship Benchmade is capable of with ultimate versatility and toughness. Spyderco vs Benchmade Which Should You Choose? 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. Although designed for hunting this is also an excellent general-purpose blade. Check out our benchmade north fork backspace selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. The Bugout is a really great knife, but pocket jewelry it ain't. The Benchmade Bugout is pure 100% utilitarian practicality, and there wasn't any room to pack on the flash. Blade Style: Double-Sided Spear-PointBlade Composition: D2Handle Composition: Scale Textured 6061-T6 AluminumBlade Length: 4.52Total Length: 9.21Total Weight: 5.11 ounces. upenn summer research program for high school students. As a result, you need to thank the handle for this knifes superb portability. It might remind you of Morakniv or Mora knives with the roundish handle and stubby blade. By far my favorite benchmade edc even over my 940's. 154CM is extremely well-rounded, not really excelling in any one category but providing an overall balance between durability, corrosion resistance, edge retention, and sharpening difficulty. [Answered]. Some of our team have accomplished amazing feats like climbing 6000 feet to the top of mountains, others have explored every dirt trail they could find and we even have some people that have backpacked solo on various continents. This makes the knife practical for everyday use. Not many knives give off such a premium feel while costing under two Benjamins AND being as rough and tough as the Foray. Blade Style: Drop-PointBlade Composition: CPM-S30VHandle Composition: G10Blade Length: 3.48Total Length: 8.33Total Weight: 5.28 ounces. Benchmade Saddle Mountain 15003-2 or 15003-1, Here Are the Best Tactical Benchmade Knives, Unique Benchmade Knife Designs and Notable Mentions, 30. My Review: The Benchmade Bugout is a classic and has been around for quite some time. The All-Outdoors Guide team is comprised of enthusiastic experts that enjoy helping others that aspire to be better at outdoor fun. But first, please take a few moments to sign up as a member of our EDC community below. It feels a lot like super high-quality Balisongs with how it flips effortlessly and the sound it makes. Use oil to lubricate the opening mechanism and play with it for a few hours. The Arvensis is an excellent all-around general use camp knife with a rather ominous feel to it and I think youll agree! Both knives are enhanced with a lanyard hole. My Review: Adding a little flavor to the list is the SOCP dagger and trainer combo offered by Benchmade. The Bugout's blade is extremely thin when compared to the 940. Make no mistake, these Valox handles are seriously high quality and are only going to be found in premium knives with premium price tags. OnlyKnife.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. Like you said, hunters and frequent users may have a different take on it. Wrapping it all together is a very well built polymer sheath with a snap lock and that coveted Benchmade butterfly stamped on it. A: Great high-quality steel such as 154CM and CPM-s30v are used to create Benchmade knives. Ever since Benchmade set out to craft the best and most tactical knives in 1988, the company has never disappointed its clients for it has been manufacturing high quality knives each year.Benchmade North Fork 1503 is a relatively new entrant into the market, but the tactical folding knife is already winning the hearts of many folding knives users. Its small, but extremely well made, and packs in a lot of performance for a tool this size. Of course, what youre getting isnt even a full plastic design. The surgically sharp blade comes perfectly centered. I think the Bailout is amazing. That is fully half of the job the Axis Lock plays. 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. 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. Or the Benchmade Bailout. Its not only suitable for hunting but also tackles utility tasks and performs well as a cord cutter. 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. 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. [wc_share_buttons class=][/wc_share_buttons]. Despite being pricey, Benchmade North Fork 1503 still remains a high quality and extremely durable all-round folding knife. 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. Simply, I have to apply intended pressure to get the blade out, which is more reassuring to me given my concerns with the North Fork. It is a boutique piece of equipment, and losing such an expensive pocket knife out on a camping trip would certainly be a tragedy. 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! Click Here To Learn More! 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. Check for Signs of Poor Workmanship and Defects. The first thing you might notice is the lack of scales. North Fork 1503 comes with Benchmades AXIS lock, which is fully ambidextrous and extremely strong. Its grippy and made of Valox, and though that gives this knife a sort of cheap feeling, it actually keeps the weight of the knife down. Check out the beautifully crafted hand-built Damasteel Foray here. Its unique flat top serrations are quite easy to sharpen even on a flat stone. Instead, you get ALL the goodies! The Axis Lock comes integrated with three different action flavors: Axis Assist, Axis Automatic, and Axis Dual-Action Automatic. I cant make a list of great Benchmade knives and skip on the Freek knife, can I? The Griptilian doesnt exactly exude fashion or style but what it does do is get the job done. I've replaced my minis with a Bugout: Longer blade, slimmer in the pocket, lighter weight, easier carry.