Made in the USA

Benchmade Infidel Review

To be completely honest, my first association with the Infidel is nutnfancy. I recall his video review from years back. He may have replaced it with this one. The Infidel struck me as a cool knife, but a total novelty piece. At the time I watched his videos, buying a $400 automatic out the front pocket knife was exceedingly low on my list of priorities.

Buy the Benchmade Infidel at BladeHQ

But I’ve slowly gotten more into automatic knives. They are a sub-niche of the already niche hobby of knife collecting, but it’s a sub niche I’ve enjoyed exploring. For a layperson like myself, I see them more as a novelty than a daily carry tool, but the novelty has yet to wear thin. After checking out a few Microtech OTFs I’ve decided to venture into the realm of the Infidel, Benchmade’s flagship automatic.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Infidel has an overall length of 8.95″, a 3.95″ blade, weighs 5.00 ounces and is made in the USA. This is a big knife. Compared to the Halo VI it isn’t, but compared to everything else in my collection this this an objectively large knife. Benchmade offers a mini version, which may be better for daily carry, if you can carry it. This full size Infidel has a certain heft in the hand, and it stretches out in an instant. Definitely a piece for the professionals or the collectors.

Benchmade does make a Mini Infidel with a blade a little over 3″. I haven’t handled one, but it looks a little more pocketable.

The blade is a spearpoint affair, double edged and hallmarked by a long fuller that descends down the blade, terminating in a shape that resembles either a heart of set of dog testicles. The edge is applied to only the button side of the blade, a chisel edge not unlike an Emerson. Speaking of edges, the have been almost perfectly applied. This was either done by a robot, or some had an exceptionally steady hand at the grinding wheel. The 4 flat grinds are also all beautiful. Totally even and symmetrical. The blade has been well done.

You have a choice or an uncoated blade, or coated in Benchmade’s black BK1 coating as shown here. All things equal I would have preferred an uncoated blade, but I won’t complain about this coated option. It subdues the knife a bit and suggests that the Indifdel is strictly for business. Of course in my case “business” entails opening an especially stubborn bag of Cheetos, rather than assisting an outspoken insurgent shuffle his mortal coil, but as Nutn’ would say “your mileage may vary.” Indeed, Dude. Indeed.

Benchmade offers the Infidel in D2 steel. Back in the day when this knife first came out, D2 would have been a fine choice, but today it’s considered more of a budget steel, and we are even seeing it appear on bargain knives like the Rat 1. Benchmade needs to revisit this and update the blade steel.

My reasoning for this is that D2 has a reputation for being stubborn to sharpen. I believe that reputation is deserved with Benchmade’s heat treat. My 710 is a workhorse, but it’s a bitch to sharpen that recurved D2 blade. On the flip side, D2 has good edge retention and excellent toughness. It can be a real workhorse steel if you know how to keep it sharp, and the story goes that heat treat wizards like Bob Dozier have been able to heat treat D2 in a near mythical fashion that transcends what you get with a Benchmade.

But I’m writing this review at the end of 2019. In a few weeks it will be 2020. The D2 that was a good choice back in the early 2000s when this knife was originally produced, is not such a great choice today. Personally, I’d love to see M390 or an equivalent on this $500 piece. I think the price tag commands that. But even a decent stainless like 154CM or S35VN would be preferred here, although at the price point the consumer likely deserves M390 or CPM-20CV. D2 has the added wrinkle of D2 being “semi-stainles” and prone to patina. That’s another reason why springing for the coated version isn’t a terrible idea.

While the D2 blade can assuredly get the job done, I’m not a big fan of D2 on this uber expensive knife. And we live in a day in age where we don’t need such a compromise steel on a knife like this. Benchmade should at least give us another option.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle is made mostly of black anodized aluminum. There are a couple visible liners that appear to be stainless steel or titanium. Everything is held together with torx bolts. Handle construction is solid. There are no unintentionally sharp edges, and the parts line up perfectly. The handle has a pleasant heft to it, and the entire package reminds me of a meticulously built tiny hard-anodized aluminum coffin. What’s not to like?

The Infidel feels great in hand. I like how the weight meaningfully shifts as you deploy the blade. The open knife is blade heavy, with the balance point back behind the thumb slide. That may have some significance if you are using the knife in more of a martial arts capacity, as if you hold the knife with your thumb behind the button it gives you a neutral feeling in hand. My plebian tasks for the Infidel don’t really take advantage of that balance. I find myself more forward on the handle, bearing down on a block of cheese, angling under the fold of an envelope, or slicing the top off a plastic bag.

Still, the knife feels good in the hand. There are 2 dramatic finger choils that make natural resting spots for your thumb, or they can be grasped securely in a fist. The anodized aluminum has that light texture that reminds me of a chalkboard. The handle itself is generous and is bound to work well for most people. I give the ergonomics high marks.

You know you have acquired a serious piece of hardware when your folding knife comes with it’s own MOLLE equipped pouch. I enjoyed that with the old Benchmade Adamas and I am enjoying it here with the Infidel. There is something satisfying in a “who let the dogs out?” kind of way when you pop open the pouch with your thumb and pluck out the Infidel. Of course a pouch like this could be practical for law enforcement, military, or some other use case where it’s appropriate to wear MOLLE gear. Sadly, I find those occasions are few and far between for me.

Thankfully, Benchmade also equipped the Infidel with a deep carry pocket clip. This is much more practical for a civilian like me. The pocket clip is large, black chrome, and has “THE INFIDEL” emblazoned on it in distressed lettering. Oy vey. It looks cool in the way a Ford Raptor looks cool, gauche and unnecessary. Again, not appropriate for every occasion, but when you can pull off a piece like this it fits the bill.

And the pocket clip itself works great. It’s large, offers excellent spring retention, and buries your pocket knife deeply and securely in the pocket. And I want a secure clip for my $500 pocket knife. The last thing I’d want to do is lose it, or have it clatter out onto the floor when I sit down.

Here is your overexposed pocket clip shot:

That shiny clip is tough to photograph.

Deployment and Lockup

The Infidel is a dual action out the front automatic, meaning you can both open and close the blade with the pull of a button. The button on this knife is a large stepped block of raw aluminum. It stands out from the handle, a stark point of contrast on my otherwise black knife. That’s fine as it is a very functional button. You press forward on it with your thumb to get the knife open. A good amount of travel and force is required, but when you push back hard enough the blade springs forth with a substantial clack.

I think the amount of force and travel required is just right. You don’t want this knife accidentally opening, and the long throw switch makes this a purposeful knife to use. But isn’t so bad that it tears up the pad of your thumb. I can absentmindedly flick this blade open and closed all day, much to the chagrin of my girlfriend or anyone else within earshot.

Here is another size comparison with the Spyderco Delica and Spyderco Endura:

Lockup is pretty darn tight. There is a little wiggle in each direction, but not much. There will almost always be that compromise in an out the front auto, unless you are willing to spring for something like the Deadlock. But those start at $1,000, assuming you can get your hands on one. I’ll review one eventually. But this is about the Infidel, and I’d say the lockup on the Infidel is pretty good for what it is.

Benchmade Infidel Review – Final Thoughts

The Infidel is beautifully made and over the top. While there are practical uses for a knife like this, “normal” knife users like me will mostly enjoy the Infidel for its novelty. I’ve enjoyed putting this knife through its paces around the house, but that’s about all I can do with it. That says more about me than the Infidel, but suspect that my use case represents a lot of the people that buy this knife. And that’s totally OK. I think the Infidel is a satisfying collectible, and it’s resting comfortably next to my Combat Troodon and Halo VI.

If I were to update the piece I’d select some different blade steel. D2 has almost always been considered a compromise steel. That’s inappropriate on a knife that has such an uncompromising price point.

I think there are some compelling use cases for a dual action out the front auto. It’s hard to beat the convenience of a knife like this. It’s true one hand use, and 4″ of blade appears at the touch of a button. It’s practical in that regard. And for some professionals, this is a legitimate tool. It’s not a toy and it’s not a novelty. I’ve enjoyed the Infidel and respect it for what it is.

Again, I’d draw an analogy between the Benchmade Infidel and Ford Raptor. There is a serious “want vs. need” conflict within this knife. Few people that buy the Ford Raptor actually will bomb it down the sand dunes of Baja California. Most will drive it to work, and maybe tow a boat or trailer with it on the weekends. Who knows, they may even play in the mud with it on occasion.

The Infidel offers a similar proposition. Totally cool, capably built, and entirely impractical for most people most of the time. But that’s OK. If you have the means and the interest, the Infidel is well done and worth checking out. And if you are looking to scratch this kind of itch, it’s a hell of a lot cheaper than a Raptor.

Benchmade Infidel – From $437.00
From: BladeHQ

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

Doug Ritter RSK® MK1-G2 Review

by Dan Jackson 5 Comments

Everyone who has been around the knife industry for a while knows Doug Ritter. Doug is the founder and chairman of Knife Rights, an advocacy organization that promotes pro-knife legislation and opposes anti-knife legislation, and they also work to pursue knife owner civil rights. It’s a hugely important organization for knife owners and the industry. Doug is truly one of the pillars of the knife community.

And one of the ways Doug has been able to serve as that pillar is through the sale of his RSK MK1, which was commonly referred to as a Ritter Griptilian. The revenue from selling that knife gave Doug the financial freedom to pursue Knife Rights. Many folks preferred the high flat grind on the MK1 over the standard Griptilian. I had a MK1 with a set of Wilkins Grips. That was a super cool knife.

Somewhat shockingly, in 2016 Benchmade told Doug they would no longer make the MK1. So he had to turn to other manufacturers. He ended up partnering with Hogue, and the result is the RSK MK1-G2. You can read more about this on the KnifeWorks listing. I wasn’t aware of this background info and thought it was interesting.

When Doug approached me about reviewing the knife I jumped at it. I have been getting picky about what knives I review, as I haven’t had as much time to write recenetly, but as a fan of Hogue, Doug, and the original Ritter Grip, this is one I had to check out.

This review sample was provided free of charge. I’ll do my best to keep this review as objective as I can. After the review, I will keep this knife for long term testing and evaluation.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The MK1-G2 has an overall length of 8.15″, a 3.44″ blade, weighs 4.5 ounces, and is made in the USA. This is about the same dimensions of the original MK1. The MK1-G2 is approximately .7 ounces heavier, thanks in part to full G10 handle scales. The knife feels substantial. Not a boat anchor, but not an ultra-lightweight knife like the recently reviewed Para 3 LW. Doug has designed this with outdoor use / survival in mind, but I have carried the knife as an EDC piece. That’s the lens I’ll be examining it from.

The blade features the same wide drop point profile of the original MK1. The 2.92mm thick blade comes with a high flat grind, and a sweeping belly. The finish is a heavy stonewash. The edge bevel is wide and perfectly even.

Doug and Hogue selected Crucible CPM-20CV, a high end powered steel which is chemically similar to Boeller M390. Here is a link to the datasheet on CPM-20CV if you want to do some further reading. I’ve owned a number of knives in CPM-20CV at this point, and have been pleased with the blend of stain resistance, edge retention, ease of sharpening, and toughness. CPM-20CV is simply one of the best blade steels on the market currently, so it’s great to see it on this knife.

Here is a size comparison with a Delica and Endura:

Hogue is known for sending blades out of their factory with mirror polished edges. Mine came with a highly polished edge, and the blade was surprisingly sharp, even for someone like me who regularly handles sharp knives. That edge combined with the thin flat grind makes the MK1-G2 a beast to cut with. It slipped through cardboard, and cleanly sliced apples. I’ve used it on a few projects inside and outside of the house. I did a little carving with the knife for grins, and the blade zipped long peels of wood off a 2×4.

If you are looking for a solid performing folding knife, it’s going to be tough to beat the geometry of the MK1-G2. Combine that with CPM-20CV and you have a potent package.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle of the MK1-G2 is made of 3-D machined G-10. Gone is the old “cheap plastic” handle of the Griptilian. In it’s place is black G-10, fully machined. They really went all out, with a sunburst pattern around the pivot, blending into a patch of checkering, and then the sunburst picks back up again and radiates down the handle.

The handle itself is contoured. Inside, partial steel liners have been flush mounted into the G-10 handles. Everything is held together with torx bolts and 3 metal standoffs. All the machining is top notch and the fit and finish is excellent.

The MK1-G2 benefits from a practical handle design, and the knife has good ergonomics. The edges of the handle are square, so the knife doesn’t quite melt into the hand like a Griptilian, but it’s still comfortable thanks in part to the simple design and contoured handles.

There is also plenty of traction. The handle is obviously heavily textured, and there is jimping on the spine and pommel. There is a large thumb ramp, and the jimping isn’t overly aggressive. All in all, this is a handle designed for extended use. It’s practical and comfortable.

The MK1-G2 utilizes a deep carry spoon style clip. The clip has been given a tumbled finish. It’s not polished, but it’s not a matte finish either. The result is a fairly discreet pocket flip.

Spring strength and clip retention are pretty good. This is probably my biggest gripe with the knife. I’d prefer a little more spring retention on the clip. Living in Florida, I tend to wear lightweight shorts. This knife has slid around on me a little while in the pocket. The fact that this is a heavier knife doesn’t help. The knife hasn’t fallen out of my pocket, but I would be extra careful with this piece.

One interesting observation is that while the deep carry clip only uses 2 screws, the handle is drilled and tapped for 3 screws, so you may be able to pop a Benchmade clip on there, or an aftermarket clip.

Here is your shot of the knife in the pocket:

Deployment and Lockup

The MK1-G2 utilizes ambidextrous thumb studs. The thumb studs are large and easy to get to, and the blade pops out smoothly wish a brush of the thumb. Inside I can see thick phosphor bronze washers. Bearings are great for titanium framelock flippers, but I prefer the practicality of bronze washers for a true user piece like this MK1-G2. No complaints when it comes to getting this blade open, or the action.

For lockup we have have the ABLE Lock. This is described as an enhanced Axis Lock and the acronym stands for “Ambidextrous Bar Lock Enhanced”. That doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, but “ABLE Lock” works. For those wondering, Benchmade’s patent on the Axis lock expired in 2016, so that’s why this lock is able to be used. The lock’s finish and geometry is a little different from the Axis lock, but it looks and feels like an Axis Lock.

In practice this has been a convenient and reliable lock. It’s fully ambidextrous, and locks up tight. There is zero blade play in any direction. Fans of the Axis lock will find a lot here. Practically speaking I haven’t noticed much of a difference between this and the Axis lock. If anything the lock bar on the ABLE Lock feels slightly smoother.

Doug Ritter RSK® MK1-G2 Review – Final Thoughts

Dubbing this knife the “Generation 2” of the RSK MK1 is a fitting title. I think the G2 a worthy successor to the original, and is a true next generation piece. The knife has been re-considered from the ground up and it shows, but at the end of the day it still features the robust cutting geometry, good ergonomics, and easy operation that the original MK1 was known for.

Upgrading to G10 handle scales is bound to appeal to most folks. It makes the knife feel more solid and expensive, and the side to side blade play that is common in a lot of the FRN handled Griptilians is nowhere to be found. The flip side is that you have a heavier knife. The 20CV blade steel was another nice upgrade, especially for a piece like this that will get a lot of use. The rest of the knife has been thoughtfully reworked. From the deep carry pocket clip, to the 3-D sculpted handle scales, to the improved ABLE lock, no stone was left unturned with this build. I am sure Hogue and Doug spent countless hours engineering this knife.

My only criticism is that I’d like to see a stronger pocket clip. This new G-10 version is heavier than the old FRN Ritter Grip, and the clip could use some extra spring. Especially with the thin shorts I wear here in Florida.

Pocket clip quibble aside, the end result is a knife that just works. Regular readers know I have a soft spot for largish work knives like this. I view this as an enhanced version of something like a Para 2 or Griptilian, but it’s not such a nice knife that you will feel bad using it. This knife lacks the jewel like quality of the G-10 Griptilian, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. The MK1-G2 was not designed to sit on a shelf, and I appreciate the practicality of it.

I can easily recommend this knife to fans of the original, or those looking for a premium folding work knife. It’s an excellent knife.

Doug Ritter RSK® MK1-G2 Review – From $159.95
From: KnifeWorks

The RSK MK1-G2 is available exclusively at KnifeWorks. Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website, including Amazon and BladeHQ helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. Thank you very much.

Emerson La Griffe Review

by Travis Pike 3 Comments

The La Griffe, which apparently means ‘the claw’ in French, is designed by Fred Perrin and produced by Emerson. Fred Perrin is a French SpecOps veteran and martial arts practitioner who also designs knives on the side. Most of his designs are more or less designed to be weapons and his designs come from a martial arts background.

Buy the Emerson La Griffe at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

The La Griffe is really no different. It’s a short blade, with a short handle not necessarily designed for EDC tasks. Of course, a knife is a tool and is adaptable. Emerson makes a La Griffe called the White Water with an all serrated edge. As a kayaker, I can certainly see why one would want the finger hole for a good grip while on the water. I use the Gerber Remix as my kayak knife and it has a similar finger hole.

While it can be pressed into other tasks the La Griffe is a small, easily concealed weapon that most of us could find a way to carry with ease.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The La Griffe sports a short 1.75-inch blade that blends into a 3.125-inch handle for a total length of 4.875 inches. It weighs only 1.5 ounces and is .125 inches thick. The knife is made from 154 CM steel that seems to be a favorite of Emerson and a good all-around knife steel.

It can get quite sharp, isn’t terribly difficult to sharpen, holds a decent edge and is very strong. Additionally, it’s corrosion-resistant which is an important feature if you are wearing it concealed against the body where it can be exposed to sweat.

Another Emerson calling card is the use of a chisel grind blade. That makes this a rough cutter for fine work but does make it easy to sharpen and supposedly it’s a stronger edge. As a knife designed to be a weapon, the chisel grind makes sense. It doesn’t need to be an edge designed for super fine and controllable cuts. It does need to be strong though, and being easy to sharpen is another excellent benefit.

The blade also comes in a stonewashed or black cerakoted finish. Mine, as you can see, is the stonewashed variant. The black cerakote adds a layer of additional protection and would likely be less eye-catching if accidentally exposed while being concealed.

The short blade and handle, as well as the relativeness thinness of the entire package, limits the scope of use for the knife. When a knife is purpose-built to be a small weapon it’s difficult to put it in play for other tasks.

Handle and Ergonomics

The handle is very thin and is designed to be easy to conceal. The downside to this is that it’s not extremely comfortable for heavy use or work. It’s very short as well and offers little leverage. It seems to be best suited for quick stabs and slashes.

The finger hole ensures the knife stays put. This is a must-have because the handle is so short and smooth. Without it gaining a grip on this knife would be near impossible. The handle does conform to the hands though. The curve in the middle goes around the middle finger and leverages out over the ring finger.

Overall it’s comfortable to hold, but it’s not going to be a heavy-duty worker. Splitting cardboard boxes quickly makes your hands tired. Fatigue and pain set in around the finger ring as well. I attempted to use the knife to help cut USPSA targets from sheets of cardboard and found the knife difficult to control.

The short and thin handle does make the knife easy and comfortable to conceal. It can be worn as a neck knife, or you can purchase an IWB loop as I did. The knife disappears and is invisible under a t-shirt.

Sheath

The included sheath is very simple and made from kydex. It covers the blade perfectly and locks in on the front portion of the finger ring. A distinct snap is heard as the knife locks in and its held in very tight. The majority of the finger ring is left exposed and you can easily fit your finger in and draw the knife.

The sheath also offers plenty of places to add accessories through the six holes that run from the top to the bottom. Plenty of places to add an IWB loop or necklace for carrying. The sheath is naturally ambidextrous and also very lightweight and thin. It won’t add much bulk if concealment is your goal.

Emerson La Griffe Review – Final Thoughts

The La Griffe by Fred Perrin and Emerson certainly succeeds as an easy to carry knife. It’s a vicious little tool that’s sharp enough to cut deeply. In a pinch, it would appear to be an excellent defensive weapon. Something you can use to cause injury, make space, and escape from an attacker. The simple design makes it impossible to drop and very difficult to have it taken from you.

My advice would be to purchase the knife if you want something easy and lightweight to carry as a defensive weapon. If you are looking for a standard EDC knife I’d look elsewhere. That’s not an insult to the La Griffe, just a reality-based observation. The La Griffe is easier to carry than most knives, especially for women who may not have actual pockets on their clothing. The La Griffe is well built and fearsome, and that’s what a defensive weapon should be.

Emerson La Griffe Neck Knife with Satin Blade

I recommend purchasing the Emerson La Griffe at Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for checking out the review.

Bark River PSK Review

by Josh Wussow 5 Comments

In the world of fixed blades, few names carry as much clout as Bark River. They’re a mainstay in the outdoor community, with a reputation for high-quality, American-made blades. But, how far down can one distill their legacy? I aim to find out with a review of the Bark River PSK.

Buy the Bark River PSK at KnivesShipFree | BladeHQ

Short for “Personal Survival Knife,” this diminutive entry bills itself as a perfect backup to your full-sized outdoor companion. The makers have used their knowledge and top-notch materials to pack as much utility as possible into the smallest practical space. I’ve cooked, hiked, and tooled around with the PSK for a few months now, and my thoughts are, well, complicated.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

Look – I’m going to try to keep this review from being one continuous short joke. But, let’s discuss the elephant in the room – Despite owning, carrying, and using an ESEE Candiru on a regular basis, the PSK immediately struck me as undersized. This is especially true when you factor in its $150-ish price tag.

That being said, there’s still a lot to like throughout the PSK’s 5.25-inch span. Bark River has fitted this full tang blade with burgundy Micarta scales, leaving 2.25-inches of satin Elmax up front. Two of these inches are sharpened, with a drop point design sloping down from its .08-inch thickness. This results in a convex edge, a grind well known for its versatile nature and outstanding durability.

But, while convex edges may be Bark River’s stock and trade, this is my first knife with this particular grind. I found it to be eminently capable, from wood carving to food prep and everyday chores. The sharpening anxiety is real, however. Elmax is definitely a long-wearing steel, but I’m concerned about my ability to sharpen this knife with my current equipment. The blade’s converging slopes require an abrasive surface with a little give in it, allowing you to gently roll the knife while honing the edge.

I know you can use sandpaper and a mousepad to preserve the curve but… Come on. This is a $150 knife, and I feel weird about sharpening it with products from Ace Hardware and Staples. That’s my hangup, though, not the knife’s.

Handle and Ergonomics

Ergo’s can be trick when it comes to small knives. Compact frames and tight tolerances leave less room for error. Thankfully, Bark River knows their craft. While the 3-inch handle is smaller than the blade on my Kizer Begleiter, the PSK manages to fit snuggly in my medium/large hand. This is due in part to its 0.38-inch thick handle and 1.45-ounce heft, which gives it a feeling of solidity lacking in the stock Candiru.

Here’s another advantage of the PSK: Thanks to its squared-off spine, this knife can be used to strike a ferro rod. It’s a nice touch on a blade with “Survival” in its acronym. I was able to get a small fire going in just a few moments, despite some fairly damp conditions.

The lanyard hole is nicely finished, as well. I’m not a lanyard person in general, but these small knives definitely benefit from a little cordage out back. But, while basic paracord looks natural on the bare frame of the ESEE, the fine handles on the PSK would probably benefit from a strip of nice leather.

Sheath

Bark River’s material quality carries over to the sheath. This is one of the best made leather items I own, size be damned. It’s thick, solidly stitched, and well finished. There was a definite break in period at the outset, however. I had to force the knife in the first time, after which it took quite a while to work its way out. But, as with all leather sheaths, it’s loosened over time.

The bigger issue here is, “Where do you carry it?” While I was (barely) able to fit my belt through the loop, this isn’t a comfortable carry outside the pocket. Wait – That’s not entirely accurate. A better way to put it is that, given the size of the knife and the depth to which it sits in the sheath, it’s very difficult to draw and return the PSK when it’s riding on my belt. The angle of reentry can be tricky, and I was always concerned that I’d slip and stab myself in the thigh.

Honestly, I think a pocket clip stitched into the leather would have been a better call here.

Bark River PSK Review – Final Thoughts

Here’s what it boils down to: The PSK is a well-crafted, aesthetically pleasing, and surprisingly capable small fixed blade. It handled everything I threw at it without issue. The design is on-point, even down to the blade etching and colorful liners.

But, no matter how much capability you pack into these two inches of blade, it’s still a very small knife. It’s also tricky to carry, odd to sharpen, and more than twice the price of the similarly-sized Candiru.

We should also mention the warranty. Bark River offers a lifetime guarantee against manufacturer defects, which should put you at ease when it comes to actually using the PSK. But again, this isn’t as comprehensive as the “No questions asked” coverage you get from ESEE.

In the end, I’ve struggled to find the target audience for this blade. Outdoorsy folks will probably want something larger, unless they’re comfortable keeping $150-worth of backup knife in their packs. Kids and collectors, maybe?

The PSK reminds me of a small plate of food prepared by a world-class chef. No matter how finely crafted, perfectly presented, and delicious it may be, there’s just not enough there to quell the hunger. If you’re looking for an entry point into the world of Bark River, the PSK is an interesting piece. But for now, I’ll be swimming up a different stream.

Bark River PSK – From $134.95
From: BladeHQ

I recommend purchasing the Bark River PSK at BladeHQ, KnivesShipFree, or Amazon. Thank you for reading.

Benchmade Bailout Review

by Aaron Shapiro Leave a Comment

There has been something interesting going on at Benchmade Knife Co. I’ve said it a few times in recent reviews, but it’s worth highlighting here. They used to be the dusty old gun-shop knife brand. That’s not to say the old mini Griptillians were terrible, but just that I don’t think many people would have called them, “exciting.” Some of their newer designs from the last 2-3 years have been on a different level, and the Bailout is no exception.

Buy the Benchmade Bailout at BladeHQ
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The Benchmade Bailout is the companion to their also newish released Bugout. Both knives share almost every trait apart from steel, blade shape, and their vaguely prepper-ish names. I like these knives, but I’ve always had an affinity for tantos, so I opted for the Bailout.

Before we get too far into the review, let’s touch on some general specs…

(All Measurements are my personal measurements and may differ from manufacturers specs)

Blade: 3”
OAL: 8”
Thickness: .402” not counting clip .614” with clip
Blade Thickness: .93”
Steel: 3V
Weight: 2.1oz
Lock: Axis Lock

Blade and Steel

Before I get into the review too much, I want to address a potential elephant in the room. At the time of this review, there has just been a little scandal on Instagram regarding the Bailout.

Apparently, an Instagram account had one of these blades Rockwell tested by a friend. The knife came back with a mid 50’s Rockwell when it is advertised at 60 HRC. I have no real perspective on this apart from saying this: A single independent source is not something to base an entire opinion on. If ten knives had been randomly and all found to be lower in HRC than advertised, when tested by a reliable source, I would take a little more heed.

/rantoff let’s get on with it.

The Benchmade Bailout is a tanto shaped blade made out of 3V steel. The blade is then finished with a slick grey Cerakote to protect from corrosion and give it that “high-speed-low-drag,” appeal.

I’ve carried this knife in a lot of scenarios since first purchasing it. It was in my pocket when I built a fence around my house. It’s been in my pocket on river raft days. It’s also been with me whenever I’m doing something that I wouldn’t want to subject a custom knife to. In these contexts, it’s done a lot. I’ve split open Quik-crete bags with it, sharpened pencils, popped ties holding lumber together etc etc… It’s done all of these very well.

I’m not one to compare how something passed through a material or how many consecutive cardboard cuts it can do before failing. I am, however, someone that grabs for their pocket knife frequently and takes notice if it preforms the “real-world task,” the way I needed it to. The Bailout did this well, then stropped back to sharp easily.

The 3V steel that Benchmade has selected is a favorite of mine. I often request it on my custom knife orders. It’s also one of the nicer steels to sharpen, in my experience. 3V will take a fine edge with minimal effort and retain it for a long, long time. That being said, it’s not stainless. 3V has 7.5% Chromium, so it’s “nearly” stainless much like D2.

From what I’ve seen if you keep your knives cleaned and maintained you’ll avoid any staining and pitting. In the specific case of the Bailout, Benchmade has coated the steel, so you’re only really going to see any stain issues on the edges.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Bailout’s handle is made from textured Grivory, a polymer based material. The handle slabs are thin and skeletonized with a consistent matrix of pockets milled out to reduce weight but maintain strength. The slabs themselves are a svelte .12” thick. They feel good in the hand with enough grip that the knife feels secure but not so much that it begins to cause hot spots.

Benchmade has flared the handle out near the pivot to reduce the possibility that you’ll slip onto the blade if you use it for a piercing task. This flaring also acts as a bit of a thumb ramp for me.

Moving to the back, we have an aluminum pommel. I suppose the idea behind this is for some last-ditch striking application. I would love to have seen hardened steel used instead, but I imagine it came down to a weight/strength type scenario.

The clip is excellent. It’s a short (in length) deep carry clip. It tucks right into the palm of your hand when you’re holding the knife and carry nice and deep in the pocket. I would love to see more makers take up the shorter clips instead of making them half the length of the knife itself. That being said, it’s a tight clip, so if you have thicker pockets, you may run into an issue getting it clipped on.

And speaking of pockets, the Bailout carries easily. At just over 2 ounces, this is a knife you will quickly forget you are carrying until you need it. The Bailout isn’t quite as discreet as the Bugout, as it has a has that slotted protruding pommel, but everything is blacked out for a low profile. Here is a picture of it in the pocket:

No complaints in the carry department.

Deployment and Lockup

The Bailout utilizes dual thumb studs and phosphor bronze washers to get the blade open. This is standard fare for Benchmade, and much like their other knives, the blade deploys smoothly and easily.

Ahh, the axis lock. I’ve talked about it before in previous reviews, but suffice to say I’m a fan. I like it when watch companies incorporate mechanisms that are ambidextrous. It opens the doors for left-handed users as well as potentials users that want to carry weak side.

The Axis lock itself is pretty great. It operates by moving a hardened steel bar along the curved tang of the blade until it reaches the open position. Once it does two springs, snap it in place blocking the knife from closing. The bar itself extends across the length of the knife’s handle allowing you to open it from either side, thus ambidextrous. The Axis lock has been historically proven to be a reliable and robust locking method for a good portion of Benchmade’s catalog.

Competitive Offerings

For the sake of argument, let’s look at some competitive options:

We have the Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight, priced around $40 less than the Bailout. Same FRN style handles, somewhat ambidextrous compression lock, but the steel is where you’re making a compromise. The Para 3 uses CTS-BD1N, which is new to me, but it seems like it wouldn’t outperform 3V.

Or we could look at Zero Tolerance 0450. I like this knife, but it costs roughly $40 more than the Bailout, and due to the Titanium construction will weigh significantly more. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but the Bailout is trying to fill a specific need in a folding knife. I doubt the 0450 would be a knife you’d literally throw in a Bailout (or Bugout) bag due primarily to weight and cost.

Benchmade Bailout Review – Final Thoughts

When I opened this review, I touched on the fact that Benchmade has been creating some incredibly fresh and cool designs that fit a little better into the landscape of 2019’s knife collecting. The Bailout (and it’s Bugout twin sibling) are perfect examples of this. Benchmade has taken tried and true materials and molded them into a configuration that the EDC community values greatly. It’s thin, light, and durable. Benchmade has selected top-tier steel that will take a beating and keep on cutting. On top of all of this, the knife looks cool! The Cerakoted blade with an aggressive tanto tip is primed and ready for some Instagram pocket-dump cred.

The best part, however, is the price: Currently, BladeHQ has the Bailout priced at $144.50. That’s a lot of value for your money in my opinion.

Benchmade - Bailout 537, EDC Tactical Folding Knife, Tanto Blade, Manual Open, Axis Locking Mechanism, Made in USA, Coated, Straight

ULTRALIGHT DESIGN: A slim, sleek stealth knife that adds confidence to your kit; Lightweight design for optimal strength-to-weight ratio
AMERICAN MADE CPM-3V STEEL: A powder-metal tool steel engineered for high stress and extreme force; Exceptionally tough with good edge retention; Requires a little extra care to keep the rust off
GRIVORY HANDLE: Extremely stable and durable handle; Aluminum pommel for hammering rounds out the functionality of this tactical knife
AXIS LOCKING MECHANISM: Ensures safety and a smooth open and easy close; Mini tip-up reversible deep-carry pocket clip for ultimate accessibility
TAKE IT ANYWHERE: Slim profile and lightweight design that's easy to take anywhere and everywhere; Add it to your EDC collection, backpack, survival kit and more

Editor: I recommend purchasing the Benchmade Bailout from Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for reading.

Microtech Troodon Review

by Dan Jackson Leave a Comment

I’ve got a couple Microtech knife reviews under my belt at this point, and as far as their automatics go I’ve reviewed the Halo VI and the Stitch. Something that is obviously missing from the picture is one of their dual action Out The Front (OTF) knives. The OTF autos are are the knives Microtech is best known for making. And of course for some reason I waited to pick one up.

Buy the Microtech Troodon at BladeHQ

Oddly enough, it was when a buddy of mine in the real world told me he was picking up a couple Ultratechs to daily carry, it prompted me to think about a dual action OTF of my own.

I went for the Troodon because I thought it looked cool with its angled front. I went with a double edge spearpoint blade for added coolness, but as usual for Microtech you can configure this knife in a myriad of ways. Plus, the knife is named after a dinosaur. I’ll get an Ultratech soon.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Troodon has an overall length of 7.65″, a 3.00″ blade, weighs 3.00 ounces, and is made in the USA. This is a nice size knife for EDC, provided you are in a jurisdiction that allows you to carry an OTF knife. They do make these with a single edge, so it’s possible this could be a daily carry for some. Personally, this has been more of a collectible than a true daily carry for me.

Here is a picture next to a Spyderco Sage 5:

As you can see it’s a nice size for EDC. Provided you are in a jurisdiction that permits you to EDC it.

For those wanting something significantly bigger, Microtech offers the Combat Troodon with an overall length of 9.5″ and a 3.8″ blade. Weight comes in at 5.35 ounces.

As I’ve mentioned a couple times, this knife has a dual edged spear point blade. You can also get the knife in a drop point, tanto, or hellhound tanto. Additional options include partial serrations, full serrations, coated, or uncoated in a variety of finishes.

My knife features a satin finish. It has been beautifully ground. All grinds are crisp and uniform. The edges are also nice and even, not an easy job for a double edged knife. There is a deep fuller down the blade that has been further pocketed. It looks cool.

Blade steel is the tried and true M390. I have waxed semi-poetic about this steel for a long time. It’s one of my favorite high end steels, blending the qualities of good edge retention and easy sharpening. It also polishes nicely and exhibits good rust resistance.

I can’t say I’ve used this knife a whole lot. Besides it probably being illegal to carry outside my home, the double edged blade is kind of dangerous for my usual box cutting, apple coring shtick. I’ve used it lightly and treated it as more of a collectible. While I know some people will daily carry their Troodons, a lot will keep them as collectibles.

I will say the Troodon came extremely sharp out of the box. It cleanly cuts thin receipt paper. It will open a letter or a package without a problem. And I have to confess these dual action OTFs are actually very handy because you can use them easily with one hand. My Troodon was epic in the kitchen for opening up bags of produce. It also sliced some roma tomatoes easily, although I was careful to clean the blade after prior to retracting it back into the handle of the knife.

On the subject of sharpening, it’s interesting to review Microtech’s FAQs. They say improper sharpening voids their warranty. I’d be curious to learn what that entails. I’m sure gentle stropping or running the edge on a ceramic rod like a Sharpmaker will not void the warranty.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Troodon features a hard anodized aluminum handle, fastened together with Microtech’s proprietary hardware. Usually, this is the part of the review where I’d take a moment to whine about the proprietary hardware, but this is a knife I have no desire to open up.

Fit and finish is excellent. All the parts line up perfectly, and everything has been finished to a high standard. The hard anodizing is good, but it’s not impervious to wear. My anodizing has worn slightly underneath the pocket clip, and my electrician friend’s Ultratech shows some significant battle scars after a couple months of heavy duty daily carry.

Capping things off is an aggressive glass breaker / “skull crusher” on the pommel.

The Troodon is comfortable in hand. There is a lot of traction on this handle thanks to deep scallops all over the handle. That, combined with the box handle shape, means that this is not a knife that will melt into your hand. But you can definitely get a good grip on it, which is essential for using the dual action button. More on that later.

While the knife will never be as comfortable as an Emerson, the handle design serves its purpose and looks good doing it.

The pocket clip is a deep carry “double dip” clip, a la Chris Reeve Knives. I’ve always liked double dip clips as they help anchor the knife in your pocket. That, combined with the good spring retention and aggressive texture under the clip, means that this knife isn’t going anywhere. Comforting when you shell out almost $400 for a pocket knife.

The clip is another precision machined part marrying form and function. It looks cool without being over-the-top, and is both serialized and production date stamped. It’s anchored in place with that impressively machined glass breaker pommel. The clip can be swapped for right or left side tip up carry, but you will need either a special tool or some patience to un-thread the pommel without marring its finish.

In practice the Troodon carries great. The pocket clip is secure and the knife is light. I’ve carried this knife around the house and quickly forgot the Troodon was in my pocket. I literally forgot I was carrying the knife, to the point where I ended up taking it on an hour long bike ride. Generally I don’t select $400 knives for bike rides, but the Troodon performed admirably, thanks in large part to that double dip clip.

Deployment and Lockup

This section is why you buy a Troodon. It’s a dual action out the front automatic knife. That means the blade both opens and closes with the push of a button. It’s an “Out The Front” automatic because the blade shoots and retracts out the front of the knife. None of this should come as a surprise, but it’s worth mentioning to be thorough.

So how does it work? The button is stiff, and takes a good amount of pressure to actuate. That’s a good thing, as you don’t want the knife to accidentally open up in your pocket. Thanks to the significant force required to actuate the blade, I think it’s almost impossible that the blade would open up accidentally.

When you do apply enough force to trigger the blade it shoots out with a satisfying snap. It feels punchy, but its actually not enough force to be considered a “penetrateor”. This means it’s not designed to be shot into it’s target like a light saber. If you hold an index card an inch or two in front of the knife, it will not punch through the card, and it will instead derail the blade. You can then reset the blade by pulling it out manually. I consider this to be a feature, not a bug. As it stands a knife like this requires a certain level of respect. It’s not a toy and you need to be careful with it.

Here it is next to my Halo VI:

When the knife is open there is a little blade wiggle. Not a lot, maybe half millimeter. That’s the nature of most dual action knives, although, the Deadlock is a notable exception. The blade wiggle is to be expected with these production dual action OTFs. The knives will hold up fine under normal use, but you definitely don’t want to do any prying or chopping with a knife like this.

The blade retracts by pulling back on the button. It shoots into the handle with the same speed and sound. The entire process is novel and satisfying.

Microtech Troodon Review – Final Thoughts

Each Microtech I’ve bought has encouraged me to buy another. They are unique and memorable knives. They aren’t cheap, but they are beautifully made in the USA. The visual flair, attention to detail, and robust nature of their offerings elevates their offerings beyond gimmick.

The Troodon is no exception. These dual action OTF knives are Microtech’s bread and butter, and it’s easy to see why. The action is smooth, satisfying, and undeniably cool. While this knife isn’t a daily carry for me, plenty of folks like to carry these D/A OTFs. Part of the appeal is that you can easily open and close the knife with one hand. In that sense, this is actually a practical tool. But it’s Microtech’s ability to blend form and function that keep me coming back.

Recommended to those who are interested in the design, or a high end dual action OTF automatic. I don’t think you will be disappointed.

Microtech Troodon- From $374.00
From: BladeHQ

I recommend purchasing the Microtech Troodon at BladeHQ or Amazon. Thank you for reading.