Benchmade

Benchmade Dejavoo 740 Review

Last Updated: August 12, 2019
Today I am taking a look at the ultra classy Benchmade Dejavoo. Designed by the late Bob Lum, known for his simple and elegant designs and the Dejavoo is no exception. Now that he is no longer with us, his custom pieces are becoming incredibly difficult to find so for many the only way to experience his work is through a collaboration like he did here with Benchmade.

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Purpose

As far as utilitly is concerned, the Dejavoo is in an interesting position. While I wouldn’t put it directly in the tactical role (not a lot of traction on the handle or spine, not the strongest lock), it could certainly fill that void in a pinch. Also, it’s a little large for a so called “Gents Folder,” although I think it’s a fine looking knife and is suitably refined for that role. For the same reason it wouldn’t make the top of my list for an EDC knife, although it is relatively light and would make a pretty exotic EDC blade (the “mini” is a good size for EDC). Yes the Dejavoo is somethng of an anomaly and I think for most this is more of a collectible knife, especially since Lum’s passing (RIP).

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The full size Dejavoo sports a blade just under 4 inches (3.95″ to be exact) with an overall length of 9.12″ and a weight of 4.10oz (3.2″ blade and 3.5 ounce weight on the 745). 4 ounces is impressive when you consider how much knife you are getting here… and believe me, you are getting plenty of knife. Not only is the Dejavoo big, but it’s beautiful. The long slender blade arcs slightly and a thin swedge trails almost the entire length of the spine. It’s a beautiful, almost peaceful design that is distinctly “Lum” and innately appealing. I know the looks of this knife has enchanted many over the years – even the name “Dejavoo” hints to some magic lurking beneath the steel and G10.

And speaking of steel, the blade on the 740 is made of a thick piece of S30V, a high end steel that I like because of the great combination of edge retention, corrosion resistance and ability to take a razor sharp edge. Benchmade accentuated that great steel by giving the Dejavoo a full flat grind and a really nice factory edge.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The handle of the Dejavoo is also pretty special. Just by looking at the pictures you can see the attention to detail Benchmade put in here. It has full steel liners with some very nicely finished G10 scales laid over it. The G10 is relatively smooth, and lightly finished to show the “grain” while still supplying some grip. It adds another layer of class to look of the knife. The handle is a semi flow through design, and uses a black backspacer en lieu of pillars. Everything is bolted together so you can take this knife apart if need be. The liners are also kind of special; the locking liner is made of titanium and the non locking side is made of 420J stainless steel (very tough) that has been milled out to lighten up the knife and help it feel “alive” in your hand.

I also have to say that the Dejavoo has some great ergonomics. First of all, the 740 is a good sized knife, so you are going to have plenty of real estate to accommodate various grips. Indeed, the Dejavoo feels good in either a forward or reverse grip and I don’t find myself struggling to find space for all my fingers. Also, the design itself is great. Your hand will fall in place, it’s not awkward or uncomfortable at all.

From a traction standpoint, this isn’t the grippiest knife. It’s a smooth handle, obviously designed for form over function. If you are buying this as a hard core “tactical knife” I am sure you would be disappointed. From a collector knife or even an EDC knife standpoint, this really isn’t an issue. Additionally, you will find jimping to be woefully absent… again, not really an issue in my opinion. There is a rather prominent thumb ramp (which is mirrored in the choil area, almost appearing like a “hilt” when the knife is closed) and it catches the hand nicely. Again, obviously a nod to the form over function approach that Benchmade sometimes takes with their higher end knives. In my opinion, if you want a knife that you can take into a foxhole with you, consider something built for the task, like an Emerson.

It is a nice looking clip made of a piece of folded over stainless steel. The clip rides very low, it has great retention and is well polished. My only beef is that it is right side tip down only.

Lock-up and Deployment

The Dejavoo features a thumb hole aka a “Spyderhole”. I love thumb holes, they are great designs, and it works really well here – both functionally and aesthetically. I am not sure what the deal is in terms of trademark infringement with Spyderco. Ironically, hardcore Spyderco fans may actually not like this knife because of the use of the Spyderhole, as they may view that Benchmade ripped off the design. Eh, that is the subject for another post (or perhaps a law review article) so I’ll just say “it is what it is.”

One thing to note is that the blade retention can use some work… actually it could use a lot of work as the blade practically falls out of the handle. That is a problem, especially if you are going to carry the knife loosely in a pocket or bag. It’s weird because my 2 biggest problems with the knife; tip down carry, and weak blade retention, kind of cancel themselves out because if you use the pocket clip, it’s going to be hard to accidently stab yourself when carried tip down.

As for the lock, Benchmade went with a liner lock here. I can see an argument for wanting an axis lock with this knife (and yeah, I love the Axis lock), but in truth, I think it would make for a totally different looking knife. There are plenty of options for axis lock fans (Griptilian, Onslaught, etc), and this stays true to the original Lum design, so a liner lock is fine with me. Lockup is nice and tight, although the lock bar itself is not the strongest I have seen. People have been fixing both the weak lock and retention by wedging a small piece of paper between the scale and the liner down by the butt of the handle.

Value

As far as value is concerned, I think price (just north of $120 for the model shown here) is fair when you consider the great materials and fit and finish. The smaller version sells for a little less and might make for a more practical EDC type knife. I think they are both fairly priced.

Benchmade Dejavoo Review – Final Thoughts

Well, what can I say? The Dejavoo is such a beautiful knife it makes it easy to ignore the little flaws. The major flaws, issues with retention and lockup, can be easily fixed with a small piece of paper wedged in between the lock bar and the scale. Color the paper with a Sharpie and you won’t even see it. Some might find modifying a brand new $100+ knife with a post-it-note to be a cardinal sin. However, there is so much that the Dejavoo does right, and it does it with class… it truly is worth a second look.

Benchmade Knives Mini-Dejavoo, Black G-10, Plain

Ergonomic Handle Design Round
Thumb-Hole Opener
Ultra-Premium Blade Steel
Country of origin: USA

Photo Credits: Many many thanks to Voygin for use of the beautiful photos. He does amazing work and has a very impressive collection.

Benchmade 915 Triage Review

by Dan Jackson 17 Comments

Last Updated: July 28, 2019
Rescue knives often go unnoticed in the knife community. There are large groups of enthusiasts gathered around tactical, survival, and EDC knives, but I have yet to see the rescue knife develop such a loyal following. One could argue that the average person doesn’t “need” a rescue knife, but do we really have a need for the collection of high end tactical knives stashed away in the safe? No, I argue that rescue knives traditionally “aren’t as cool” in the eye of the average consumer, and as a result most people haven’t been as excited about them.

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Well Benchmade is working hard to end that stigma and show that rescue blades can be just as cool and collectible as any other type of knife, by introducing the 915 Triage. But this knife doesn’t just look good. The Triage is part of Benchmade’s “Black Class,” which means it’s been designed and built with professional use in mind.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Triage has an overall length of 8.2″, a 3.5″ blade, weighs 5.1 ounces, and is made in America. The Triage, like most rescue knives, is a pretty big knife. This is a beefy knife and it has some heft when compared with something like the Benchmade Griptilian, which is comparable in length yet weighs only 3.2 ounces. However, we have to remember that the Triage has some extra hardware (a 440c safety cutter and a carbide glass breaker), has full stainless steel liners, G10 scales, and is built for maximum strength and durability.

The Triage sports a modified sheepsfoot shape blade with a high flat grind and a fine, slightly curved edge with just a slight amount of belly. This blade style is essential for a rescue knife because the blunted tip allows you to get in close to people you are rescuing without stabbing them. The flip side is, if you need something with stabbing capabilities, the 915 won’t have them. But this is a specialized tool so it was wise not to try and compromise. You have the option of a plain or combo edge, with a BK1 matte black coating or a plain satin-finished blade.

Benchmade chose N680 stainless steel for the blade. Made by Bohler-Uddeholm, this Swedish steel is specifically formulated for high corrosion resistance, even in salt water environments. It should come as no surprise that Benchmade has been using this steel in a few of their dive knives with great success.

Benchmade heat treated the N680 on this particular knife to 57-59 HRc, which will maximizes toughness for this particular steel while providing good edge retention and sharpenability. I think this was a great choice for a rescue knife because again, this thing is going to get abused. Its going to get wet and it probably won’t be sharpened as often so the unique properties of this steel will help preserve performance and enhance durability.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The 915 Triage handle is a semi-open design with textured G10 (available in black shown here, or safety orange) over full stainless steel liners. Like many Benchmade liners, they are made of 420J, which is tough stuff. As I mentioned previously, this adds weight, but it also adds strength. In the high stress hard use environments I could see this knife being used, I think it’s a good trade-off. The G10 used here is plain in appearance, but extremely grippy thanks to the aggressive texture applied in the factory.

In addition to the grippy G10, the ergonomics of the 915 are quite solid. There is no jimping on the spine of the blade, but there is a good amount on the handle, and it allows for good purchase and control. The handle is also nice and large, offering a comfortable forward or reverse grip. Also, the ergos are good when you are using the hook-shaped safety cutter, which is important since many people will be buying the knife for that feature.

The pocket clip is a blackened version of Benchmade’s typical deep carry pocket clip. This is a strong clip with good retention. It buries the knife discretely into the pocket, but still leaves enough for the user to grab easily. The handle has been drilled and tapped for ambidextrous tip up carry. The Triage is a heavier knife, but it still caries well thanks to the strong deep carry clip. All said, I am a fan of this pocket clip.

Lock and Deployment

The 915 Triage uses the tried and true Benchmade Axis lock. I’ve talked about this lock at length, but suffice to say it’s one of my favorite locks on the market. The Axis lock is strong, yet it is still smooth and easy to disengage. I also like how it is completely ambidextrous, and that you you can keep your fingers away from the blade when closing. Lock up is solid on my knife. It is not uncommon for axis lock knives to develop some side to side play, and if that happens a little lock-tite and the turn of a torx wrench puts you back in business.

Deployment on the Triage is fast and smooth thanks to prominent ambidextrous thumb studs and phosphor bronze washers. This is a time-tested formula for Benchmade and it works here as well. That said, I would be curious to see what this knife is like with a thumb hole. The blade is already pretty wide, but it might work well with a thumb hole. At any rate, the knife opens and closes smoothly. Blade centering is good on my knife.

Special Features: Safety Cutter and Carbide Glass Breaker

For many people a big part about what makes this a rescue knife is the additional features. Namely, the safety cutter and glass breaker. The safety cutter folds out and features a large (and sharp!) hook. Benchmade chose 440C for the cutter and I think it’s an excellent choice. 440C is good steel and when it’s properly heat treated it will work well. A cutter like this is used in those situations where the relatively big blade is either impractical or impossible to use.

The cutter doesn’t have a true lock, it clicks in place kind of like a slip-joint. It is reasonably secure and the rescue hook blade is extremely sharp. This is not a novelty or gimmick – this will cut through seat belts, clothing, and even shoe leather with ease.

The carbide glass breaker is sunk into the butt of the handle. It’s not big, but it will get the job done.

Benchmade 915 Triage Review – Final Thoughts

The Triage is a thoughtfully designed and well made knife. I like the practical design, the high quality materials, and the outstanding fit and finish – which is par for the course when you are talking Benchmade. What I like is how Benchmade took the rescue knife concept, upgraded it, and also turned it into something cool.

I am not a first responder, so I can’t comment on the knife with regards to how well it works in a first responder situation, but I can say that this is a robust knife and unique knife. I see no reason why it wouldn’t work well in a rescue situation. The glass breaker and safety cutter are fully functional and made to Benchmade’s typical standards. The knife itself is fully functional: it’s comfortable to use, it cuts well, and is easy to maintain.

Whether you are an actual first responder looking for an every day tool, or a normal person wanting a heavy duty EDC, I think the 915 Triage has a lot to offer, and remains the coolest rescue knife to ever cross my desk.

Benchmade - Triage 916 Rescue Knife, Safety Hook and Glass Breaker with Black G10 Handle (916SBK)

HIGH-QUALITY: The N680 stainless steel blade has the best corrosion resistance of any blade steel, making it ideal for saltwater applications. The G10 handle is durable, impervious to moisture, and stable under extreme temperatures.
MADE FOR RESCUE: The Triage 916's opposing bevel blunt-tip blade style, safety hook, and glass breaker make it ideal for rescue. It's al
WELL-DESIGNED: Benchmade's AXIS lock is exceptionally strong and fully ambidextrous. The Triage 916 is a manual knife that can be opened and closed with either hand.
ALWAYS READY: The 916's quick, one-handed opening makes it easy to hold and use. The reversible pocket clip offers ultimate accessibility.

I recommend purchasing the Benchmade 915 Triage at Amazon.com or BladeHQ. Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Benchmade 710 Review

by Dan Jackson 23 Comments

Last Updated: December 29, 2018

I recently reviewed the Benchmade Griptilian, a model I consider to be a classic Benchmade knife. The Benchmade 710 is another one of those classic Benchmade knives.

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The 710 was designed by knife makers Bill McHenry and Jason Williams. This is a father and stepson team that invented the Axis lock. They subsequently and then sold the rights to the Axis lock to Benchmade. Benchmade asked McHenry & Williams to design a knife to feature this new locking mechanism and the 710 is what they came up with. The 710 is the first Benchmade knife to ever feature the Axis lock.

Since it’s introduction the 710 has received a lot of praise. Most notably the 710 earned the Shooting Industry Magazine’s Knife of the Year Award after it was introduced in 1999.

Needless to say both the 710 and the Axis lock went on to become big hits, and now more than a decade later both the knife and the locking system are still wildly popular among users and enthusiasts alike.

General Dimensions and Blade Detail

The 710 is on the large side. The overall length is 8.8″ with a 3.9″ blade, a blade thickness of .115″ and a weight of 4.5 ounces. Obviously this is not a feather light every day carry (EDC) blade. Personally I find this more of a “nights and weekends carry” when I can carry a bigger knife. That said I know plenty of people EDC the 710.

The blade is a modified clip point shape with an elegant unsharpened swedge that comes to a fine point, ideal for piercing and thrust cuts. The edge has a slight recurve which helps with draw cuts and allows the already long blade to perform like a slightly larger knife. The 710 has a hollow grind which begins high on the blade and makes this an excellent slicer.

Benchmade went with D2 steel for the blade. D2 is a “semi-stainless” high carbon tool steel known for its toughness and edge retention. Benchmade has heat treated the blade to a rockwell hardness of 60-62 which is quite hard, especially before the introduction of super steels like S90V. The nice thing about D2 is that it can actually handle this kind of hardness without becoming brittle and chippy.

One potential issue with D2 is because it is such a hard and tough steel it is more difficult to sharpen. The recurve doesn’t help. This is the kind of knife that you will want to maintain regularly. Allowing this knife to get completely dull will make it difficult to resharpen without diamond stones. I would recommend a Spyderco Sharpmaker with diamond rods to maintain this knife. While I am able to keep a decent edge on my 710, I readily acknowledge that it is not the easiest knife to sharpen.

Another potential issue is corrosion. Like all steels, D2 can rust. D2 has a high chromium content, which helps to prevent rust, but there is not enough chromium to classify it as a stainless steel. D2 is comprised of approximately 12% chromium, and a stainless steel is usually classified as 13% or above. This is why D2 is often referred to as a “semi-stainless” steel. Regular cleaning and a little preventative maintenance will go a long way to combating issues with corrosion. However, you can see in the pictures of my knife some patina and staining that has formed.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The 710 has a G10 and stainless steel handle with a Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon (FRN) backspacer. The 410 stainless steel liners have been skeletonized to reduce the weight and the machined G10 is very handsome. Generally, I like the handle a lot, although I do have some criticisms. First of all, I prefer open (pillar) construction with my handles. It makes the knife much easier to clean so to see a FRN backspacer here is a bit of a disappointment. That said, this isn’t a deal breaker and ultimately what we have here is a very strong handle.

What may be more concerning is the texturing on the G10 handle. The texturing is not that aggressive and the handle can become slippery when wet. On a tactical knife, this bothers me. Also, there isn’t a finger choil, which again can compromise the integrity of your grip. The McHenry and Williams flared the handle (in both the thumb ramp and finger choil area), this does help the grip, even in the absence of any functional jimping (which is typical for Benchmade and not an issue for me). If you are seriously considering the 710 as a weapon, I would try one out in person before committing the $140+ this knife retails for.

That said, the handle feels great with it’s rounded edges and lightly textured scales. For an EDC / user knife, the handle will be adequate for most purposes. I imagine Benchmade went with a slightly less grippy texturing to give the knife a more refined look and in order to appeal to a wider audience.

The pocket clip is a standard blackened Benchmade clip. The 710 allows for ambidextrous tip up carry. Some might lament the lack of a “4 corners” pocket clip, but personally, I only use tip up anyways so this is not a big deal (I’d love to hear some comments if this is truly an issue for you). The knife rides low in the pocket, with about a half inch of the handle poking out of the top. For me, this is perfect. I like something to grip onto when I am trying to pull the knife from my pocket.

Deployment and Lock

Not a whole lot needs to be said here, the deployment and lock of the 710 is excellent. This is largely due to the Axis lock and Benchmade’s stellar quality control. If I was writing this review back when the 710 first came out, this probably would have been the longest part of the review, but the Axis lock has been proven and I have written at length about it.

Just to cover a couple points however, the axis lock on the 710 is as smooth as butter. The knife has beefy phosphor bronze bushings which provide a low friction environment to allow the blade to fly out when deployed. With a little practice this knife can deploy almost as fast as an automatic. The lockup is very solid with out any play. I’ll also say the blade retention on this knife is also very good so you don’t need to worry about it accidentally opening in your pocket.

Benchmade 710 Review – Final Thoughts

The Benchmade 710 is a true workhorse of a knife. I have put my 710 through a lot over the years, and it has never failed me. It’s large and comfortable handle matches up to an equally large and sharp blade. The end result is a tool that is ideally suited for outdoorsmen, law enforcement, and military personnel. I enjoy the simplicity of the 710. It sort of reminds me of Glock handguns. It’s not a fancy design, but it works, and it forged the way for many excellent Benchmade knives featuring the axis lock.

With that said, the 710 is far from perfect. D2 steel was probably a great choice back when this knife first came out, but these days there are better options. Also the recurve makes this knife more difficult to sharpen. The recurve adds subtle elegance to the 710, but I’d be willing to sacrifice some classiness for ease of sharpening. Finally, the texturing on the handle is a little weak. For a work knife I’d like to see grippier G10.

The 710 is a classic with much deserved reputation. This is a design that has stood the test of time, and is still an excellent knife after all these years. At the end of the day, the 710 it cuts well and feels good in the hand. What else do you need from a big folding knife? If you are a fan of folding tactical knives, then you should check out the 710 at some point. This modern classic still gets the job done.

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I recommend purchasing the 710 from Amazon and BladeHQ. Buying anything through any of the links on this website earns BladeReviews.com a small commission (at absolutely no cost to you) and helps support the site. Any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Benchmade Griptilian 551 Review

by Dan Jackson 29 Comments

Last Updated: November 30, 2019
The Benchmade Griptilian is a household name in the knife world. It is one of Benchmade’s most popular designs and it appears in countless variations.

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For many, this will be their first “real knife”. A gateway blade into the world of high end pocket knives. It was one of my first nice pocket knives, so it holds a special spot in my heart. What’s interesting, is that I still have and use this knife almost a decade later. I originally wrote this review back in 2011, so this is a very long term hands-on review of the Benchmade Griptilian.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The full size Griptilian has an overall length of 8″, a 3.45″ blade, weighs 3.25 ounces, and is made in the USA. This isn’t a small knife, but Benchmade has managed to keep the weight down. By way of comparison, the Mini Griptilian has a a 2.9″ blade, an overall length of 6.78″ and a weight of 2.56 ounces.

If you are at all like me, you may be on the fence about whether to get this full size Griptilian or the Mini Grip. I actually purchased a Mini-Grip first, but I ended up swapping it out for a full size because I wanted something with a full size handle. I know a lot of people who prefer the Mini-Grip for an EDC knife. It’s all a matter of preference.

Depending on whether you are looking at the thumb hole version or the thumb stud version the knife will have either a sheepsfoot blade with a thumb hole or a drop point blade. Both blade shapes come in 154CM stainless steel and both blade types will have a long hollow ground edge with plenty of belly. The drop point edge is very attractive to me, so that is what I ended up purchasing. It has a swedge that finishes in a fairly stout tip – good for piercing tasks. The knife was extremely sharp out of the box. All in all this is a very nice blade which is great for EDC chores.

The standard Grip comes with a blade made of 154CM stainless steel. 154CM is a highly regarded stainless steel manufactured by Crucible Industries in the USA. While fancier (more expensive) steels have come on the market in recent years, I still appreciate 154CM because it takes a nice edge and is easy to sharpen. I actually prefer 154CM over S30V in many applications because 154cm is so easy to sharpen, while S30V can be stubborn to sharpen. 154CM is a proven steel and is a good fit for a working man’s knife like the Griptilian.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle of the Griptilian is made of Valox, which is an injection molded high density resin. It’s plastic. I know some people don’t care for the Valox handle because it has a lightweight and the plasticy feel. Personally, I think it is a practical choice for the handle as the material is both lightweight and tough, but I understand how fans of more substantial knives could be turned off by the product.

After years of people complaining, Benchmade finally issued a G-10 version of the Griptilian and Mini Grip in late 2015. I still like the original plastic handled version, but the G-10 version is beautiful and definitely an upgrade. Check out my review of the G-10 Griptilian here.

This handle has a closed back design, which means it is a little more difficult to clean than a knife with pillar construction. The handle is held together with screws and everything is nicely finished. Benchmade makes a ton of these knives and they seem to have their manufacturing and quality control protocols dialed in.

As far as ergonomics are concerned, the handle is chunky and covered with texturing. I would expect no less from a knife called the “Griptilian”. There is a run of jimping on the spine of the blade, and little jimping in the plastic placed strategically around the handle. The knife feels good in the hand and there is no lack of traction. I have used my Griptilian for years now and it continues to be a solid performer.

The Griptilian comes with Benchmade’s standard steel pocket clip. The clip is a classic no-nonsense design that has stood the test of time and can be found all over Benchmade’s lineup. The handle is drilled and tapped for ambidextrous tip up carry. All in all this is one of my favorite clips. It has great retention, buries deep and looks normal. The only potential issue is that the black finish will quickly began to wear like mine has. That is not an issue for me, and if you send the knife in for sharpening, Benchmade will include a new clip.

How does the Griptilian carry? While the Griptilian is lightweight for its size, this is a thick knife. At over half an inch thick you will likely notice it in the pocket. All said, it carries well. The standard clip is not a deep carry pocket clip, but it buries most of the knife into your pocket. Here is a pocket shot:

Deployment and Lock

Whether you opt for the version with thumb studs or the thumb hole, the Griptilian deploys with alarming speed. Seriously, this is one of the fastest deploying and smoothest opening knives I own and it’s one of my favorite features of the knife. I’ve taken mine apart for cleaning a couple times, and Benchmade has installed some of the biggest phosphor bronze washers that I have ever seen on a folding knife. No doubt this is part of the reason why deployment is so smooth.

The Griptilian uses Benchmade’s axis lock which I have written about quite a bit in the past. It’s an excellent lock and it really works well with the Griptilian. There is a lot of weight in the blade which makes it easy to really flip the knife out fast and it makes for a solid lockup. Also, the axis lock gives you a variety of ways to open and close the knife. I find myself playing around with the deployment of this knife a lot. It’s a durable locking system that allows the knife to easily be open and closed with one hand.

Benchmade Griptilian 551 vs. Benchmade 551-1 G10 Griptilian

As I mentioned in the handle section, Benchmade released the 551-1 G10 Griptilian in 2015. This was after years of people complaining about the plastic handles of the original 551. I have both the G10 and regular version, and wrote an in-depth review of the G-10 Griptilian.

Here is a picture of the original Griptilian, the 551-1, and a Doug Ritter Griptilian with Wilkins GRIP aftermarket G-10 handles:

The G-10 version is awesome, but it’s also about $100 more than the regular version. Naturally, people want to know if the G10 version is “worth it”. I can’t really answer that, because everyone is different and value is relative. Some people will see the value in the G-10 version, some people wont, and some people won’t even see the value in the regular FRN Griptilian.

I will say that the 551-1 is immaculate. Benchmade did an absolutely beautiful job with the knife, and I can easily see where the extra money went. They didn’t just slap on some G10 handles, they considered every aspect of the original Griptilian and tweaked it when building the 551-1. It’s a wonderful knife. If you have the money and interest, then my suggestion is to spring for the G-10 version. With that said, the original 551 is still as serviceable as it ever was, and remains one of my all time favorite pocket knives.

Benchmade Griptilian vs. Mini Griptilian

Ok, so you have decided that you want some sort of Griptilian. Often the hardest part is choosing between a full size and a mini. I recorded a comparison video for you to help make the decision a little easier:

At the end of the day, both the full size and Mini Grip are excellent knives. I can easily justify having both in my collection. With that said, if you have to pick one, then my blanket advice would be to buy the mini-grip if you plan on carrying it in a suburban environment (ie, if you plan to use it at work, and you work in an office). The full size Griptilian is a good size knife, and some will consider it threatening if you use it in public.

Here is a size comparison with the Mini Grip:

If you can get away with carrying a bigger knife and like bigger knives, then go for the full size Griptilian.

A Few More Comparisons…

Since the Griptilian is such an iconic knife, people can’t help but compare it to other knives. I’ve used it as a reference piece in a number of articles.

One obvious comparison is with the Spyderco Paramilitary 2. I actually wrote an entire article comparing the Para 2 with the Griptilian. Since I went into such detail in that article, I won’t re-hash it here, but it’s worth checking out if you want to compare the 2 knives.

Another interesting comparison is with the Benchmade Bugout:

I like the comparison because in many ways the Griptilian was the original lightweight folding knife, and the Bugout can almost be considered a refinement. The Bugout came out at least a decade after the Griptilian, and it benefits from a lot of refinements. It’s thinner, lighter, with blue anodized standoffs and a super thin blade.

The Bugout is a more expensive knife, but I really like it. I think it’s worth the extra money. Of course, there is room in my collection for both knives.

Benchmade Griptilian Review – Final Thoughts

The Benchmade Griptilian has a well deserved reputation of being both an outstanding pocket knife, and a modern classic. Benchmade started with a timeless and functional design, and built the knife to be lightweight, fast, and functional. The thickness of the handle and choice of plastic for the handle material will be turn offs for some, but personally I like how the the knife feels in hand, and have no problems with the choice of handle material. And these days we have the G-10 551-1, so if you don’t like the black plastic, go for the G-10.

My Griptilian has seen years of use, and it still finds a lot of time in my pocket. This is my highest form of endorsement. I have owned my Griptilian since 2011, and I still have it in my regular rotation. This is after reviewing hundreds of pocket knives. Over that course of time I have bought and sold dozens and dozens of knives. I still have my Griptilian and I still use it. That alone should tell you something.

I recommend the Griptilian if you are in need of a larger EDC knife or utility knife. If you are looking for a smaller knife, then check out the Mini Grip. Both are great. If you want something higher end, then go for the 551-1, or the 556-1. At this point there is something for everyone in the Griptilian lineup. You can’t go wrong with the Griptilian.

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Benchmade Nimravus 140BK Review

by Dan Jackson Leave a Comment

Last Updated: July 26, 2019

The Benchmade Nimravus is one of Benchmade’s original fixed blade designs. It has stood the test of time and remains popular to this day. A “Nimravus” is an ancient cat with large teeth. I’d say that’s fitting when you consider this blade’s profile.

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Benchmade has offered the Nimravus in a number of blade steels and colors over the years. Today I’m checking out a 154CM version that has been blacked out completely.

General Dimensions and Blade Characteristics

The Nimravus has a blade length of 4.5″, a total length of 9.45″, weighs 6.2 ounces, and is made in America. This is a lightweight tactical fixed blade. Generally, a tactical fixed blade is going to be primarily used as a utility knife, but it needs to be able to serve in a defensive role as well. The Nimravus has the ability to flex into both of those roles. The 4.5″ blade gives you plenty of options. This knife will get plenty of work done, but can also be used as a martial blade if necessary.

The Nimravus comes both tanto and drop point versions, and you can get it with a plain edge or partially serrated. I opted for the drop point with partial serrations. Partial serrations can be handy for cutting rope and other fibrous materials, and it doesn’t dull as quickly as a plain edge, which can be helpful for use in the field when you may not have ready access to a knife sharpener.

My drop point blade has been given a high flat grind. The blade gets thin behind the edge, and this knife can assist with food prep, baton smaller pieces of wood, and take care of the myriad of small tasks that crop up in the out-of-doors. There is a partial swedge, that is mostly for decoration. The tip is fine and must be used carefully.

My blade has been coated in BK1, Benchmade’s proprietary poly-ceramic coating. BK1 is tough stuff, but it does show wear. Personally, I’m not a big fan of blade coatings, and would prefer to see Benchmade offer this knife in a stonewashed or satin finish. Especially since this knife is offered in stainless steel.

Speaking of stainless steel, my Nimravus came in 154CM. 154CM is the same workhorse steel that Benchmade uses on their Griptilian. It’s an excellent all-round steel, exhibiting good edge retention, corrosion resistance, and easy sharpening. This is a proven steel that is a good choice for this smaller fixed blade knife.

Handle and Ergonomics

The Nimravus is a full tang knife that has two hard-anodized aluminum handle scales. Handle construction is simple and neat. The scales are fastened to the handle with large torx hardware. Everything has been meticulously finished. The edges of the handle are chamferred and sit slightly proud of the aluminum scales. The scales themselves are deeply textured for traction.

This is a very grippy knife. The handle scales provide excellent grip, there is a large finger choil to keep the knife securely in hand, and there is a row of toothy jimping. I find the jimping too toothy without gloves. It digs into the pad of your thumb, and can be uncomfortable. Thankfully, the aluminum handles have been milled so you can hold the knife in a pinch grip. I find that to be more comfortable.

The balance point of the knife is right behind the finger choil. It gives the knife a neutral feel and hand and helps the Nimravus feel fast and balanced.

Rounding things out is a metal pommel with a hole for a lanyard. While it isn’t designed to be a glass breaker per se, this pommel could be used to break some glass or as an impact device.

Sheath

The Nimravus a sturdy nylon sheath with a kydex insert. The sheath offers several methods of attachment and you can remove various straps and connections to modify the knife as you like, however, I much prefer the optional kydex (hard plastic) sheath.

As far as nylon sheathes go this one is top notch, but the durability of the kydex sheath is hard to beat. Keep in mind that it’s a $40 option, which may seem pricey but I assure you that it is money well spent if you are going to seriously carry this knife. In a perfect world I’d like to see this come with the knife.

A final thing to note about the nylon sheath is that it comes MOLLE compatible. For those that use MOLLE (a system of attaching gear to yourself and your equipment) this is a nice feature that you don’t find with a lot of sheathes and it is worth taking a moment to mention.

Benchmade Nimravus Review – Final Thoughts

The Nimravus is a lightweight and capable knife that could fit the role of a large EDC or tactical blade. One thing that I may not have communicated through the review is the quality and level of fit and finish. This knife is well built. The blade is thinly ground, the balance is good, and the finish is everything you would expect from Benchmade. This is a durable blade and a convenient size to get real work done.

Here is the Nimravus next to my Ka-Bar BK-16, a more inexpensive tactical fixed blade:

It is lightweight enough to be a backup blade, but it’s got enough length on it that you could use it as a primary field knife or tactical option. For those seeking a piece of Benchmade history, or simply a good fixed blade knife, the Nimravus is well worth considering.

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If you would like to buy a Benchmade Nimravus, I recommend purchasing it at Amazon.com or BladeHQ. Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Benchmade 14210 Heckler and Koch Snody Review

by Dan Jackson 1 Comment

Last Updated: November 29, 2019
For those looking for a rock solid edc knife with a sub 3″ blade, the Benchmade 14210 may be just the ticket. This knife is part of Benchmade’s Heckler and Koch (HK) line, which is a partnership between the two companies where the knives are made by Benchmade and branded with HK insignia.

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A number of interesting designs have emerged from this line, all with a no-nonsense tactical feel. The HK 14210 is no different although this time Benchmade teamed up with custom knife maker Mike Snody to give us a really unique looking blade.

Purpose

For purposes of this review I am mainly examining the 14210 from an EDC knife standpoint. With a blade just under 3″ this knife could work well in areas requiring a smaller knife that doesn’t compromise strength and performance. I think the 14210 could function as an emergency tactical knife as well due to its stout design.

General Dimensions and Blade Characteristics

The 14210 has a blade length of 2.95″, an overall length of 6.80″ and a weight of 3.08 ounces. 3 ounces for an EDC knife is very reasonable, and the 14210 has a pleasant “heft” to it in hand. For those interested in, say, a Benchmade Griptilian but are looking for something a little more unique and exclusive this knife might fit the bill. The 14210 uses the same 154CM stainless steel as the Griptilian. As I have mentioned in other reviews, 153CM is a very good high end blade steel known for it’s all-around performance and good corrosion resistance.

Where the Snody 14210 departs from the Griptilian is with its very unique blade shape. This is a modified drop point blade, defined by a long swedge, a slight recurve and a hollow grind. The recurve makes the smaller sized blade cut like a bigger knife and I was pleased with how razor sharp this knife came out of the box. I also liked the grey finish on this knife; it wears well and looks good.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

This handle benefits from a simple design. It has an open back with pilars. It also has sculpted G10 handle scales over 420J stainless steel liners. The liners have been milled out and help keep the weight of this stout blade manageable. This is a very simple handle design but it feels very strong.

The ergonomics on the 14210 are very nice for a smaller blade. The G10 scales are sculpted and a pattern of lightly textured lines run down the length of the blade. This texturing could be improved to provide a better grip, but I think it’s fine for most EDC tasks. There is a nice thickness to the handle and the edges of have been smoothed for a more comfortable grip. There is a large thumb ramp on the top of the blade with very aggressive jimping. That thumb ramp works really well with the shallow choil, providing excellent control over the knife. While this isn’t the most innovative handle shape I have seen, it certainly does the job here.

The pocket clip is a simple, unbranded Benchmade clip finished in a flat black. This is the “arrow” clip common on a lot of Benchmade’s knives. The clip allows for ambidextrous tip up carry and is retained with 3 sturdy screws. The retention is good and the clip is mounted high so that the blade rides low and unobtrusively in your pocket. All in all I am very pleased with this clip.

Lock and Deployment

The HK 14210 has Benchmade’s patented axis lock technology. The Axis lock is wonderful and it works flawlessly here. My deployment was a little stiff out of the box, but after breaking the lock in a bit it has really improved the deployment. The blade is fairly thick and heavy so it really builds some momentum and flings the blade out. I really feel that with a knife like this, you really don’t need an assisted or automatic knife. One handed opening is fast and easy, and it’s just as easy to close this knife one handed as well. The fast deployment and the axis lock are major features of the knife.

Benchmade 14210 Review – Final Thoughts

The 14210 is a great folding EDC knife with a sub 3″ blade. 154CM steel, a rock solid handle, smooth deployment and solid axis lock all make this a great knife to consider carrying. The size and weight are other pluses that make this a great EDC option. I find the axis lock and full liners to make this knife extremely durable. The overall quality and attention to detail created an extremely loyal following for the Benchmade HK 14210.

Benchmade 14210 Heckler & Koch Snody Design Axis 3.4in. Plain Edge Blade Tactical Folding Knife

Lengths: Blade - 2.95in., Overall - 6.8in., Closed - 3.85in.
Blade Material: 154CM. Plain Edge. Handle Material: Aluminum
Lock: patented AXIS locking mechanism. Black G10 Handle Scales.
Modified Drop-Point with Recurve and Dual Thumb-Studs.
Double 410 Stainless Steel Liners. Weight: 3.08 oz.

Editor: I recommend buying the Benchmade 14210 at Amazon. Thank you for reading.