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154cm

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.

Benchmade Griptilian Review
Buy the Benchmade Griptilian at BladeHQ

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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.

Benchmade Griptilian Blade

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.

Benchmade Griptilian Handle

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.

Benchmade Griptilian Spine

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.

Benchmade Griptilian Ergonomics

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.

Benchmade Griptilian Closed

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:

Benchmade Griptilian in the Pocket

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.

Benchmade Axis Lock

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.

2 Different Benchmade Griptilians

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:

Benchmade 551-1 Griptilian vs Ritter Griptilian vs Regular Griptilian

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:

Benchmade Griptilian vs. Benchmade Mini Griptilian

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.

Spyderco Paramilitary 2 vs. Benchmade Griptilian

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:

Benchmade Griptilian vs. 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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I recommend purchasing the Griptilian from Amazon or BladeHQ. Buying anything through any of the links on this helps support the website at absolutely no cost to you. Any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Filed Under: Benchmade, EDC Knives, Folding Knives, Made in the USA, Recommended EDC Knives, Recommended Tactical Knives, Tactical Knives, USA Made EDC Knives Tagged With: 154cm, axis lock, FRN, Mel Pardue

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.

Benchmade Nimravus Review
Buy the Benchmade Nimravus at BladeHQ

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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.

Benchmade Nimravus

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.

Benchmade Nimravus Blade

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.

Benchmade Nimravus

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.

Benchmade Nimravus Handle

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.

Benchmade Nimravus Ergonomics

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.

Benchmade Nimravus Thickness

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.

Benchmade Nimravus 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 Sheath Back Side

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:

Benchmade Nimravus vs. Ka-Bar BK-16

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.

Filed Under: Benchmade, Fixed Blade Knives, Made in the USA, Tactical Knives, USA Made EDC Knives Tagged With: 154cm, aluminum

Benchmade 860 Bedlam Review

by Dan Jackson 16 Comments

Last Updated: August 3, 2019
The original Benchmade Bedlam 8600 is an automatic knife released in early 2010. The knife received rave reviews across the community and this large, middle eastern inspired knife was quickly deemed to be a new Benchmade classic. However, the knife was only available as an automatic, which is totally sweet, yet not particularly practical because large automatic knives are illegal in lots of places without a military or police exception (plus there is just more stuff to break with an automatic knife).

Benchmade 860 Bedlam Review
Buy the Benchmade Bedlam at BladeHQ

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Thankfully, Benchmade understood that this knife was meant for the masses, and they recently released a non-automatic version, the Bedlam 860 that you see here. The 860 is very similar to the 8600. It’s a large blade that could be used defensively, but will probably be a collector’s item more than anything. Lets take a closer look at what makes the new Bedlam 860 tick.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Bedlam is a very big folding knife with a 3.95″ blade, an overall length of 9.71″ and a weight of 7.1 ounces. I know some guys have been talking about using the blade as an EDC, but the length and weight doesn’t make it practical to me. I find it more to be built as a self defense tool. The kind of specialty blade used by martial artists. Of course you could use this for whatever you want – as a collector I found it to be immensely appealing and have carried it as well.

The blade shape of this knife is very cool, and really distinct. People commonly refer to it as a trailing point blade or even a “Persian” style blade. While both of those names are accurate, in it’s place of origin this style of blade is commonly referred to as a “Jambiya”. The Jambiya is a traditional style of knife found in a lot of Middle Eastern countries. Jambiyas are also used as official Combat Knives for the country of Jordan, and it is rumored that the 860 was originally designed for the Prince of Jordan’s royal guard.

Benchmade 860 Bedlam - Blade Details

At any rate, the Bedlam has a large upswept blade with a thin swedge running along the top part of the blade and a hollow grind starting from about 3/4 of the way up. This is a nasty looking knife with plenty of attitude. If you study the tip you will notice that it is designed so that the last few millimeters of steel actually thickens as it reaches the very tip. This is known as a revere distal taper and provides extra strength for thrust cuts and stabbing. Even with the tapering it’s still a fairly delicate tip so I wouldn’t use it to pull nails or stab through cinder blocks.

The steel is 154CM which I have covered in a couple of my other Benchmade reviews. Suffice to say 154CM is a great all-around steel and was an excellent choice for the Bedlam. It sharpens easily, holds a great edge and is resistant to wear and corrosion. The entire blade is hit with Benchmade’s proprietary BK1 matte black coating. BK1 is a tough scratch resistant finish that is very resistant to corrosion. You also have the option of getting the knife in a plain (uncoated) satin finish. To me the knife looks a little naked without the coating, but it’s all a matter of personal preference.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The handle of this knife is made of 2 large pieces of sculpted G10 over full stainless steel liners. The G10 scales are wonderfully sculpted and have been given an interesting tiger stripe like pattern. Underneath the liners (along with the rest of the hardware) has been given a flat black finish. The liners are partially milled out to reduce weight and place the balance point right in the middle of the second choil. There is a partial backspacer made of some sort of resin, and a stainless steel pommel that could serve as a glass-breaker or non-lethal impact device. The handle is screwed together so you could take it apart for cleaning and maintenance. Everything is secure, well aligned and totally flush.

Benchmade 860 Bedlam Handle

From an ergonomics standpoint, the 860 is quite nice. You would expect a knife of this size to feel good in hand and the Bedlam does not disappoint. What interested me is the variety of grips. the two choils allow you to either choke up or sit back on the knife and really extend your reach. There is a good amount of jiming on the thumb ramp, first choil, and the pommel so the knife feels very secure. The G10 has a low to medium amount of traction to it, but given the overall size of the knife and it’s handle features, I feel very comfortable wielding this blade.

Benchmade 860 Bedlam Pocket Clip

The pocket clip is given a black finish and allows for reversible tip up carry. It’s a pretty deep carry, but not super deep. Clip retention is fairly weak, which makes it easy to insert and retrieve from the pocket, but it also increases the chance of the knife falling out. It’s a delicate balance, but I do like the ease of retrieval.

As far as overall carry goes, this is a large 7 ounce knife, so you would expect to notice it. I actually found the Bedlam to carry well, and liken it to a larger tactical flashlight. Compared with the other big knives I’ve carried (like the Cold Steel Spartan and ZT 0300) the Bedlam carried very well.

Deployment and Lock

While the deployment of the 860 Bedlam isn’t as fast as the 8600 Bedlam, it is still very good. The big black blade really sings with just a flick of a thumb stud and it locks in place with authority. The ambidextrous thumb studs are big and easy to get at. There are phosphor bronze washers in this knife, so you can expect a nice smooth deployment every single time.

Benchmade 860 Bedlam Ergonomics

The axis lock is the same used in the 8600, and it was a great choice for the 860. This is a strong lock that is easy to use with one hand and is fully ambidextrous. At first, I noticed zero blade play with this knife – everything was very snug as you would expect from a Benchmade. Over time I found that the pivot loosened up a little and I started to experience some side-to-side blade play. This is pretty normal for a lot of folding knives (and not the first time this has happened with an axis-lock blade). What I did was apply some blue lock-tite to the pivot screw. This fixed the problem completely and I haven’t had issue with blade play since.

Benchmade 860 Bedlam Review – Final Thoughts

What can I say? If you are all into the Bedlam then I am here to confirm that this is a sweet knife. A big, USA made knife with rock solid construction, great materials and it looks really cool. There is a lot to like with the Bedlam. The real question is whether this is something you can get away with carrying. For some I know this will mostly be a novelty or collectible. Others might buy it with an eye towards use as a utility and self defense blade.

If you like the looks and have room in your collection, then the Bedlam is a well made knife worthy of your consideration.

Benchmade - Bedlam 860 Knife, Scimitar Blade, Serrated Edge, Coated Finish, Black Handle
Benchmade - Bedlam 860 Knife, Scimitar Blade, Serrated Edge, Coated Finish, Black Handle
  • HIGH-QUALITY: The 154CM stainless steel blade is tough, rust resistant, and holds an edge well. The G10 handle is durable and stable enough for a wide range of temperatures, making it ideal for tactical use.
  • WELL-DESIGNED: Benchmade's AXIS lock is exceptionally strong and fully ambidextrous. The Bedlam 860 is a manual knife that can be opened and closed single-handedly.
  • COMFORTABLE: The 860 is large yet is one of the most comfortable knives to handle. The reversible pocket clip offers ultimate accessibility.
  • FOR TACTICAL USE: The Bedlam 860's curved blade style is inspired by scimitar swords, which were used for military defense. This modern version is good for slashing and is designed for tactical applications.
Buy on Amazon

I recommend purchasing the Bedlam at Amazon or BladeHQ.

Filed Under: Benchmade, Collectable Knives, Made in the USA, Tactical Knives Tagged With: 154cm, g10, trailing point

Benchmade 950 Rift Review

by Dan Jackson 16 Comments

Last Updated: July 28, 2019
Ah, the Benchmade 950 Rift. What a sweet piece of steel. The Rift originally came out in 2008 as part of Benchmade’s “black class” which are designed to be military and police grade blades built for extreme duty. Designed by famed knifemaker Warren Osborne, the 950 Rift certainly is extreme and it took the knife world by storm gaining critical acclaim by reviewers and enthusiasts alike.

Benchmade 950 Rift Review
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Today the 950 Rift is still available with it’s very distinct reverse tanto blade and is available in a variety of configurations; including the ultra cool black and gray G10 handled version shown here. I would say that this knife is appealing as a large EDC knife, a small emergency defense knife, or even a collectors item. Lets take a closer look at this unique and exciting knife.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Osborne 950 Rift is a fairly big folding EDC knife with a 3.7″ blade, a total length of 8.27″ and a weight of 4.8 ounces. The weight is perhaps one of my biggest criticisms, but really that is me grasping for straws. If you don’t like heavier knives then this won’t be the folder for you, but many, myself included, enjoy carrying a larger knife and the weight won’t be an issue. For a lighter Benchmade with about the same length, consider the Benchmade Griptilian.

As I mentioned before, the blade shape is classified as a “reverse tanto” which gives the knife excellent tip strength and the large sweeping belly of a drop point blade. I love the way this blade looks and it’s a super practical design for tactical and utility work. The blade is given a nice flat grind making it a very good slicer.

You have the option of getting the blade in a satin, blasted, or coated finish (blasted shown here). I really like the look of the coated version, Benchmade’s coating is very tough and I think the black blade with black hardware is a handsome combo.

Benchmade 950 Rift Blade

The blade material is 154CM, a stainless steel that Benchmade uses in a lot of their knives. Benchmade knows how to heat treat 154CM and I think it was an excellent choice for the Rift. 154CM is a very durable steel that holds an edge very well and is easy to sharpen. In my experience corrosion resistance is very good but 154CM will rust if left in a damp environment so it’s important to keep the blade clean and to cover it with oil if you live in a humid area (I have no problems in South and Central FL).

Handle Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The handle of the 950 is arguably cooler than the blade itself, which is a pretty tough feat considering. The handle scales are made of sculpted G10. My G10 came in layered black and dark gray, but you can also get black G10. The Rift has full stainless steel liners that, like the rest of the hardware, has been blackened. I wish Benchmade skeletonized these scales as I think they could really drop some weight off this knife. But all in all, the handle construction is very solid and I love the look of the scales.

Benchmade 950 Rift

The ergonomics on the Rift are pretty good. It’s a large and comfortable handle and I really like the way the butt end has been formed – it creates a good “catch” for your pinky and really lets you get some leverage on the blade. There isn’t a ton of jimping, which will turn off some. For me, I don’t mind the absence of jimping and actually prefer that in a work knife. I know some people say that there are some rough edges that they needed to sand down on the handle. If you plan on using the knife for heavy carving, then you may very well want a thicker knife.

Benchmade 950 Rift Handle

The clip of the 950 Rift is Benchmade’s classic “arrow” clip and is among my favorite pocket clip designs. I like the blackened clip, it really helps with concealing the knife in your pocket. The clip will wear, but it wears gracefully and in my opinion, is one of those clips that gets cooler with use. Retention is great and the clip is mounted so that it rides low in the pocket. Benchmade tapped the handles so you have the option of tip up ambidextrous carry.

Deployment and Lock

Deployment on the Rift is very nice. As you would expect on any Benchmade knife, the Rift uses high quality, low friction, phosphor bronze bushings. The bushings are combined with large ambidextrous thumb studs to deploy the Rift’s blade quickly and easily. I really like the thumb studs, there are nicely milled out, have a unique design and have been either anodized or given a DLC coating – it’s been very durable and hasn’t rubbed off at all after a LOT of opening.

Benchmade 950 Rift- Axis Lock

As you can see in the pictures, the Rift uses Benchmade’s Axis Lock. For those unfamiliar with the Axis Lock, is is a very intelligently designed lock that Benchmade uses on a lot of their knives. It is very strong and very easy to use ambidextrously. I love the axis lock, it’s among my favorites because it is so smooth reliable and easy to use. One hand opening and closing with this knife is a breeze.

Benchmade 950 Rift Review – Final Thoughts

Well, what is there to say? The combination of great blade design, 154CM steel, G10 handle, and reliable Axis lock mean there is a lot going for this knife. If you are in the market for a larger EDC knife or a folding tactical knife, the 950 Rift has a lot to offer. Build quality is very sturdy, the knife cuts well, it’s comfortable in hand, and 154CM steel is very serviceable. I also like the fact that the Rift is made in the USA.

As far as potential negatives are concerned, my main gripe is the weight of the knife. This is a bigger offering from Benchmade, and you definitely feel that in hand and in pocket. This may not be an issue for some, but for folks that appreciate a lightweight EDC knife, I might recommend the Benchmade 940 or Griptilian instead. I think Benchmade could have mitigated this slightly by drilling holes in the thick steel liners.

If size and weight aren’t a terrible concern, and you want a reliable and well made work or tactical knife, then the Rift could be an excellent choice.

Benchmade Osbourne Design Rift Knife with Black G10 Handle and AXIS Lock
Benchmade Osbourne Design Rift Knife with Black G10 Handle and AXIS Lock
  • Patented AXIS Mechanics
  • One-Hand Ambidextrous Function
  • Heavily Milled G10 for Tactile Grip
  • Tough 154CM Reverse Tanto Blade
Buy on Amazon

I recommend purchasing the Benchmade Rift from Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that purchasing 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.

Filed Under: Benchmade, Collectable Knives, EDC Knives, Folding Knives, Made in the USA, USA Made EDC Knives Tagged With: 154cm, Warren Osborne

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