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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.

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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
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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.