Thread: Knives - A Question for you Benchmade Fans

My EDC is a Strider PT. The frame is titanium & that makes the liner lock strong as hell!
Before that I carried a CRKT Longs Peak. It's a far cheaper knife but the liner lock never let me down.

Originally Posted by ben.mid

My EDC is a Strider PT. The frame is titanium & that makes the liner lock strong as hell!
Before that I carried a CRKT Longs Peak. It's a far cheaper knife but the liner lock never let me down.

I never heard of a liner lock failing. The reason I tend to shy away fom liner locks is that you have to put your thumb in the path of the blade to close it. I realize it would take a monumental act of stupidity to actually close a knife on one's own finger but I am much more comfortable being able to close a knife without looking at it.

My dad has the benchmade griptilian. It is a light knife, weight-wise. The blade is really hard, so it's a good idea to keep it sharp or you will have some work to do on the hones.

I really don't know a whole lot about knives, but I do carry one everyday, and I have for years. A couple years back when I decided it was time for a new, nicer knife than the Gerber I had, I did a bit of research and wound up with the Spyderco Para Military. I got the plainedge one FWIW.

I can't say enough good things about it. Not having any other higher-end knives to compare it to, I don't know if it fits your bill specifically, but for me it's holding up very very well and I love it. At first the liner lock was tricky to get used to, but now I can very easily and very very quickly open and close the knife with one hand, and that's the only way I operate it. None of my fingers (or thumb) are ever in the way of the blade during opening/closing, and my lock has never failed or appeared as if it were close to failing. I thought I remembered back when I was researching the whole topic that the liner locks are actually stronger and more reliable? Or maybe that's just the opinion of some folks. Anyway, on the spyderco, the large thumb hole makes it very easy to open and close the blade with your thumb, and is big enough to quickly and easily locate it and have instant and complete control of the blade as you are removing the knife from your pocket. I've handled a number of the new assisted open knives, which seem to be growing popularity, and to be honest, I just don't like them. I'm as fast or faster opening mine, and with the thumb hole, I have complete control of my blade the whole time (including the instant it's actually opened/locked), whereas I don't have that feeling with the assisted opening.

Anyway enough rambling from someone who really doesn't know his knives as well as these other guys! Good luck with whatever you get!

Originally Posted by Quick Orange

Would it be that big of a deal if you got caught with it? I don't quite understand it culturally...knives aren't a big deal here. It's nothing to see a knife clip on the pocket of almost every guy around here.

The UK was the same when I was growing up, as a boy scout I used to go to meetings with a sheath knife nearly as big as I was. In those days, as kids we had a fair degree of self discipline.
Move on 40yrs and we seem to have changed to a culture where kids routinely settle arguments by stabbing each other (or shooting each other if they can get hold of firearms).
Many of us older folk see a link between this violent behaviour and the rise of tv, film and video game violence. However, the sellers of this stuff tell us that's not the case.
Many of the kids involved in violence don't appear to have fathers on the scene any more, but it's political suicide to mention this as a possible cause.

Originally Posted by Quick Orange

Would it be that big of a deal if you got caught with it? I don't quite understand it culturally...knives aren't a big deal here. It's nothing to see a knife clip on the pocket of almost every guy around here.

It really depends. I think they leave a lot of ambiguity in the laws so whether to hassle you will be up to the individual cop you are dealing with. If it appears that you're looking for trouble, walking around armed or are up to no good, the they'll bust you. If you come off as paranoid - and might cause trouble because of it, they might take your knife away. If you carry a knife, it must be concealed. They feel seeing someone with a knife (and people are in really close quarters in NYC) will make others uncomfortable - especially in an office setting. Now, if you're a tradesman or otherwise have a good reason to carrying a knife, that's another story.

Come to think of it, I don't know that I'd carry a questionable knife to a Pete Seeger concert


Jordan

Originally Posted by JMS

Is there any reason a small fixed blade wouldn't fit your purpose?
Here are some nice ones that range in size from 5 inches to 10 or more: Custom / Handmade Fixed Blade Knives - Home
Take a look around the site as they have some nice folders also. They also sell anza knives which are knives made out of files and are nice looking but not perfect. They are a purely work knife and will likely outlast you.

They're very nice, and I do want to get a small fixed blade at some point. Right now, I need/want something to carry in my pocket.

Jordan

Originally Posted by pjrage

I really don't know a whole lot about knives, but I do carry one everyday, and I have for years. A couple years back when I decided it was time for a new, nicer knife than the Gerber I had, I did a bit of research and wound up with the Spyderco Para Military. I got the plainedge one FWIW.

I can't say enough good things about it. Not having any other higher-end knives to compare it to, I don't know if it fits your bill specifically, but for me it's holding up very very well and I love it. At first the liner lock was tricky to get used to, but now I can very easily and very very quickly open and close the knife with one hand, and that's the only way I operate it. None of my fingers (or thumb) are ever in the way of the blade during opening/closing, and my lock has never failed or appeared as if it were close to failing. I thought I remembered back when I was researching the whole topic that the liner locks are actually stronger and more reliable? Or maybe that's just the opinion of some folks. Anyway, on the spyderco, the large thumb hole makes it very easy to open and close the blade with your thumb, and is big enough to quickly and easily locate it and have instant and complete control of the blade as you are removing the knife from your pocket. I've handled a number of the new assisted open knives, which seem to be growing popularity, and to be honest, I just don't like them. I'm as fast or faster opening mine, and with the thumb hole, I have complete control of my blade the whole time (including the instant it's actually opened/locked), whereas I don't have that feeling with the assisted opening.

Anyway enough rambling from someone who really doesn't know his knives as well as these other guys! Good luck with whatever you get!

These look like great knives. I carry a Spyderco Navigator and love it, but I'm looking for something only slightly larger. The Military is way bigger than what I'm after.

Edit: I just noticed you said Para Military. That blade might be worth looking at for me.

Jordan

Originally Posted by pjrage

I really don't know a whole lot about knives, but I do carry one everyday, and I have for years. A couple years back when I decided it was time for a new, nicer knife than the Gerber I had, I did a bit of research and wound up with the Spyderco Para Military. I got the plainedge one FWIW.

I can't say enough good things about it. Not having any other higher-end knives to compare it to, I don't know if it fits your bill specifically, but for me it's holding up very very well and I love it. At first the liner lock was tricky to get used to, but now I can very easily and very very quickly open and close the knife with one hand, and that's the only way I operate it. None of my fingers (or thumb) are ever in the way of the blade during opening/closing, and my lock has never failed or appeared as if it were close to failing. I thought I remembered back when I was researching the whole topic that the liner locks are actually stronger and more reliable? Or maybe that's just the opinion of some folks. Anyway, on the spyderco, the large thumb hole makes it very easy to open and close the blade with your thumb, and is big enough to quickly and easily locate it and have instant and complete control of the blade as you are removing the knife from your pocket. I've handled a number of the new assisted open knives, which seem to be growing popularity, and to be honest, I just don't like them. I'm as fast or faster opening mine, and with the thumb hole, I have complete control of my blade the whole time (including the instant it's actually opened/locked), whereas I don't have that feeling with the assisted opening.

Anyway enough rambling from someone who really doesn't know his knives as well as these other guys! Good luck with whatever you get!

I* agree with you on the assisted openers. I have a few but I also have a collection of full automatics (switchblades). I see no added value in the spring assist because you have to push the blade past 30 degrees anyway. I can open and close my Benchmade as fast if not faster than some of my switchblades.

Just a point for clarification, the Spyderco Paramilitary does not have a liner lock. It has what they call a Compression Lock. This is different because it allows access to the locking mechanism from the back of the handle, opposite the side where the blade enters and exits.

Originally Posted by icedog

I see no added value in the spring assist because you have to push the blade past 30 degrees anyway.

Not the case with the Kershaw mechanism. It's super slick and only requires the barest amount of specifically directed pressure. (I say that in that way to indicate that it's not easy to accidentally open the blade. There's also a nice lock to keep it safely closed.)