benchmade north fork vs bugout

The pocket clip is secure and can be switched from one side to the other, depending on your hand preference. Menu The North Fork's handle is made from wood that's been vacuum-impregnated with resin to increase durability. Features AXIS lock folding mechanism Drop-point, CPM-S30V premium stainless-steel blade (58-60HRC) Blue Grivory handles with anodized aluminum barrel spacers The mechanism works by giving you the regular pull-down and open motion of the original Axis Lock but, by pulling the bar just a bit further, the blade springs out instantly. For more information about us or joining the team, check out the About Us tab. Some of our team have accomplished amazing feats like climbing 6000 feet to the top of mountains, others have explored every dirt trail they could find and we even have some people that have backpacked solo on various continents. Okay, I know, that was a lead up to virtually nothing, but nowadays we have the AXIS lock which makes Benchmades folding knives exceptionally strong. 154CM was a tad surprising to me at first, but I think Benchmade is trying to reach a wide audience with this blade without sacrificing its menacing appearance and experience. Keep 'em coming. How can we improve GearLab? Its ambidextrous, anodized, and feels very luxurious in the grip. It's been in the box since I bought it. A drop-point blade is a classic and effective shape for a hunting knife, and the North Fork makes effective use of it. The best Benchmade knife isnt the one with the most ratings or reviews, or the one thats the most pricey. Of course, this doesnt exactly cover you if you snap a blade trying to pry open a locker or a knife youve ground a divet in using a power grinder, but in the event that sort of thing accidentally happens, you can still send the knife in and they will repair whatever necessary for a relatively fair price. Start Your Benchmade Career Today. Our advice is to go with a locking folder unless you have special requirements. No matter which sheath or set of handles you choose, the Saddle Mountain series is sure to be as rough and tough as you are with absolutely no exceptions. Whether your hike takes you across town or to the top of Kilimanjaro, we can help find you the best gear for your money. The Benchmade Freek (actually known as the 'Super Freek') is the Bugout's big brother and delivers all of the same components but just makes them bigger. Blade Style: TantoBlade Composition: 154CMHandle Composition: Rib Textured 6061-T6 AluminumBlade Length: 4.5Total Length: 9.45Total Weight: 5 ounces. While Benchmade still offers knives with regular manual locking mechanisms, theyre rare and usually found on their lower-tier offerings. And they share the same opening and locking mechanisms. Many of the Benchmade knives they sell the most are extremely high quality and made with rare or challenging materials and as such, are more than worth the hassle to send in and have serviced to increase their life span and usefulness. I don't like the flimsy scales. In 1988, Benchmade rolled out a revolutionary locking mechanism dubbed the Benchmade Axis Lock. Make no mistake, the glass-filled nylon handles found here are excellent and is one of the major reasons why this knife can be offered at such a low price. It's plenty sturdy IMO and the tiny pocket clip is fantastic. If you want a light slicer to disappear into the pocket then the bug out is probably the way to go. But that is basically all they have in common. Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight vs Benchmade Bugout, New Benchmade 2021 knives: Mini Osborne 945, Bugouts and more, Carryosity #1 Knife Only Edition: Top 3 Benchmade 2020 knives, Shot Show 2020: the newest Benchmade knives, Victorinox Swisstool Buying Guide: more about the SwissTool collection, Zwilling Four Star versus Zwilling Four Star II, Spyderco Paramilitary 2 vs Spyderco Manix 2, Chefs knife vs Santoku. There is no AXIS lock or AXIS assisted opening but instead, the blade is held in place via friction from the frame. However, this is the biggest Benchmade folder and has a long clip point blade that will suit not only EDC tasks but also tasks during hunting and camping. For being a manual opening knife, this thing sure is buttery smooth and that thumb stud is perfectly implemented in a way that allows you to flip open the knife as you pull it from your pocket, making a seamless transition between its carried state and its deployed state. I'm going to circle back and take a look at this. Now, that is a simple question, with a complicated answer. 5 Jun. My Review: The Nakamura is one of my personal favorites as I believe it blends the beautiful craftsmanship Benchmade is capable of with ultimate versatility and toughness. Its also a little prone to chipping. In this respect the Bugout is a little more user-friendly for 'normal' users. The first thing you might notice is the lack of scales. GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Benchmade is comparable to Bentley in the knife world and a brand like that is simply going to come with a premium for the name. However, its also very functional when you use this as your daily carry knife. Good luck! I can see that each knife has some advantages and disadvantages, as evidenced by all the varying opinions here. This thing almost looks like a throwing knife and to be honest, when you first hold it, thats probably what your first impression would be. The Ridges handle is accented with hunters orange so that if you ever lose your grip and drop it, you wont lose sight of it in the brush. Most people likely end up with a drop-point shaped blade when searching for an EDC and that makes sense, considering the drop-point is one of the most versatile blade shapes, however, the reverse-tanto can be just as versatile and when done correctly, as it is on the EDC 940. This shape allows good control and protects against the hand slipping down onto the blade. In many cases the answer is an unequivocal yes, however, Id say it really depends on your situation and what you need a knife for. I recently bought a full size Grip, and I'm in love with it. - All Outdoors Guide, [] Benchmade North Fork: With a shorter but sturdier 2.7 inch blade the North Fork is a better solution if you want to give your knife some serious abuse, but it doesnt match the 1660 for sheer cutting power. It may not display this or other websites correctly. All Axis locks are ambidextrous and most of them are easily used with one-handed operation. As such you don't have to worry about that. The first thing you need to know about this EDC knife is that it is an amazing knife if you just want to drop it in a pocket and forget about it. Large belt knives are bulky and heavy; they can also be uncomfortable to wear after a days hiking with the sheath chafing on your leg its tempting to take it off and stick it in your pack and they also arent easy to carry discreetly. Despite that, I feel that this is quite a good Benchmade EDC. Make no mistake, these Valox handles are seriously high quality and are only going to be found in premium knives with premium price tags. It will cut well for years and years, and Benchmade will sharpen it in a process that is also, well, smooth. On different note, do you think my concern about the knife opening unintentionally is a valid concern? We are a granola-eating, Birkenstock-wearing, bug spray-carrying group of hiking enthusiastswho specialize in finding the latest gear for outdoor adventures. My Review: The Turret has been a Marine Approved favorite since it came out and thats due to the fact that this knife is an absolute monster no matter how you use it. Its long and slender with a very high-class elegant finish that really exudes craftsmanship without being over-engineered or snarky in appearance. The idea here was to give the users more options and enable both automatic and manual use. The Bugout is available with Grivory, titanium and CF-Elite. Blade Style: TantoBlade Composition: 154CMHandle Composition: ValoxBlade Length: 3.6Total Length: 8.35Total Weight: 4.51 Ounces. Shop around the Knife Exchange or Fleabay and you can easily find a slightly used CPM-20CV 555/556-1 with G10 scales for not much more than a new Bugout and less than a new North Fork with some patience. Its also rust and corrosion resistant to a great degree, and it retains a razor-sharp edge even after heavy duty. Selection Criteria Is the Benchmade North ForkThe Right Knife For You? If youre a knife enthusiast like many of us here at Marine Approved, you likely already appreciate Benchmades outstanding craftsmanship and customer service. Its fully ambidextrous and grippy but isnt too abrasive on the palm. Benchmade North Fork 1503 is excellent for campers, hikers and hunters. Basically, if you click on a product link on this site and buy that product we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. For legal reasons, many of the double-sided versions of this knife come dull. Straight edges are great for versatile utility work. The curvature of the blade makes it rather difficult to sharpen those ultra-hard super steels and thus, I think 154CM was the right call here. It's always handy this way, and largely unobtrusive except in the most formal of situations. Its heavy, its long, its deadly, its the ferocious Nimravus. In this case we are talking about the different handle materials: the Bailout comes with a Grivory and an aluminium handle. This is an obvious safety concern, but could also be considered a pro if you are using it heavily for certain outdoor tasks. While that large selection to choose from is great, most of our readers arent going to pony up thousands of dollars to buy and test them all. It is just a simple blade in a handle. It has a wide belly, so you can tackle heavier utility tasks without worries. If you are ok with the blade steel of the North Fork (the Mini Barrage offers choices, the North Fork does not) and do not want the assisted opening function of the Barrage, the wooden handle of the North Fork may appeal to you. Final Note: In loving memory of the Benchmade founder Les De Asis who has made a massive impact on not only the world of knives but always gave back to his community and positivity impacted all those who knew him. COMFORTABLE: The 15031-1's lightweight design and textured handle make it comfortable to hold, use, and take anywhere. Though the blade itself is short, the cutting edge is quite long, so its going to be useful in a lot of situations. Benchmade Freek 560-1 Here Are the Best Folding Self Defense Benchmade Knives 9. The Axis Assist is a friendly fellow that takes the effort youve put into opening the blade and multiplies it tenfold springing the blade out the rest of the way and making for a quick and easy deployment that is still largely controlled by you. Benchmade Griptilian 551 4. Okay, fine, I will, but only because I really enjoy saying the word triage. Slicing? All things considered, this is the best Benchmade pocket knife Ive come across. Ideally, the knife suits anyone keen on getting a reliable folding knife.North Fork-1503 isnt ideal for knives buyers with a relatively small budget.Again, its razor sharp blade can potentially make it unsafe for inexperienced hunting knife users. [Answered]. It seems like they keep bringing it back with new styles, new grips, new colors, etc and I really like that because the Bugout has a special place in my heart. Alright, that was cheesy, but the Altitude is a seriously cool knife and as much as it is cool, its actually functional. However, we cannot call it a great value. A final note here, most Benchmade clips are not compatible with the Anthem and the Anthems clip is not compatible with any other Benchmade knife Ive reviewed. For the handle, you have a choice between traditional materials like wood or horn, modern composites, or even an all-metal handle. Check out the Barrage that went on a diet here at this link. These are among the safest and most reliable locking mechanisms found in folding knives on the market thus far. Particularly, if youre going to swim, camp, or go backpacking, dont pick wood or Dymondwood handle as moisture will make it unsuitable for a while. I've replaced my minis with a Bugout: Longer blade, slimmer in the pocket, lighter weight, easier carry. (89.58g) Features You May Also Like Mini Crooked River Family As low as $300.00 As a finishing touch the pocket clip is identical. Its a more substantial knife. Check out the beautiful Benchmade 15080BK Crooked River Gold Class. Some of the reasons I personally prefer the Bugout over the Mini Grip include the longer blade length at 3.25 vs 2.91, the blade shape lending itself better for slicing, the weight reduction, and the awesome short carry clip. Blade Style: Drop-PointBlade Composition: CPM-S30VHandle Composition: Textured G10Blade Length: 3.7Total Length: 8.6Total Weight: 5.81 ounces. This Mini Griptilian also has the same impressive handle as the full-sized Griptilian. The Arvensis is an excellent all-around general use camp knife with a rather ominous feel to it and I think youll agree! Build Your Ultimate Bugout for National Knife Day 2023. A: Great high-quality steel such as 154CM and CPM-s30v are used to create Benchmade knives. The clip is textured just like the single-piece body of the Anthem which is a very nice touch, something Id expect from paying this much but despite the price, it still feels over the top and like they really took notice of the small details. Built on heavy-duty stainless steel liners, this is a knife to carry into the woods or around town for years to come. The 15003-1 comes with a black molded Kydex style sheath that, in my opinion, would last longer and likely give you a bit more value. The Nakamura hosts one of the most comfortable grips on any knife from any manufacturer I have tested and the M390 steel really shines through here as an EDC blade because of its well-roundedness. In order to compare them all side-by-side, weve created this guide encompassing each and every one of our favorites. Lastly, I certainly cannot go without mentioning the beautiful leather dangler loop sheath that comes with this knife. In short, it is smoothness. If you make a purchase after clicking on a link I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The Freek was purpose-built to be a heavily abused EDC style knife. It feels cheap to me in the hand and I just can't get past it. This knife is a tad bit heavier for its size than what I would normally carry, however, the classic design is exactly what a lot of people are searching for in an EDC and as I said, its versatility can rival any of the top EDC knives around today. No, not you, youve chosen the Altitude because you have attitude. Benchmade has taken this idea and, in my opinion, refined it to be as handy and as durable as possible given the current steel and knife technology. This is one of the best knives we have ever tested with a wooden handle, What makes a super pricey knife twice as good as one that costs half as much? Moreover, users have said that the blade does not rust or corrode even if kept wet and used in rainy or humid weather conditions. Speaking of sliding into your pocket, youll be getting a reversible pocket clip that will allow you to carry it on either side. Throughout the list, Ill provide my thoughts on our favorite Benchmade knives across several different categories and throughout both fixed and folding knives in those categories if applicable. Two thumb studs on either side of the blade allow for fast and easy opening with either hand. This will give you more flexibility but lower edge retention. In addition to federal law requirements, Benchmade complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support. However, the winning point that makes this knife the best Benchmade knife for everyday use is the exceptional handle. Most of the time youre better going with a stainless blade. They will then sharpen the blade back to its original factory specs and then perform a deep clean and shine on each and every part. It is ideal for skinning and for making precision cuts. We cannot discuss them all in this comparison. If you want a compact hunter or just a tough and versatile EDC blade, youll most likely be very happy with this one. Blade Style: Drop-PointBlade Composition: CPM-S30VHandle Composition: Diamond Textured GrivoryBlade Length: 3.24Total Length: 7.46Total Weight: 1.85 ounces. In terms of ease of carrying and usability, this may just be the knife that sits the most comfortably in between those two attributes found on the market today. That is until you get a hold on the Valox handles it comes with. GearLab is reader-supported. He started this website while transitioning out of the Marines, and since has recruited several other Marines to help him work on the Marine Approved website. Red Screw Set For Benchmade Bugout 535BK Bailout 537 Scale & Pocket Clip Screw screw4you. Blade Style: Reverse-TantoBlade Composition: CPM-S30VHandle Composition: Smooth Anodized 6061-T6 AluminumBlade Length: 3.40Total Length: 7.87Total Weight: 2.90 ounces. What You Should Know About Benchmades Lifesharp Program, Mini Bugout 533 a look as well which can be found here, Check out the beautifully crafted hand-built Damasteel Foray here, check out the Mini Freek found at this link here, Check out the Barrage that went on a diet here at this link, 15085-2 Mini Crooked River a look here at this link, Benchmade 15080BK Crooked River Gold Class, double-sided spear-point can be found here, For example, the Benchmade Bugout 535-191 Gold Class edition, Benchmades Gold Class custom built blades here, How to Unregister a Gun in your Name? I REALLY appreciate all the thoughts and opinions. Both knives fit the same use case and both knives are of the same exceptional Benchmade quality. Due to the straight edge, it will be easier for you when you do need to sharpen the Barrage. The 154CM isnt my favorite steel and certainly isnt the best offered by Benchmade but it does excel in some areas such as being easier to sharpen than some of Benchmades favorite steels, like S30V. I personally chose the gut hook version of this knife because I think there are tons of other drop-point fixed blades from Benchmade and the gut hook makes this one stand out. Youre a simple old school kind of guy and you dont need no stinkin nylon in your leather sheath do ya? That means although it has a natural wood base it wont swell or warp its just as stable as the G10 version. Folders still arent technically as strong as a full-tang fixed blade but they are plenty strong enough to get the job done without worry. The Anthem is incredibly lightweight for its size and toughness and that clip is something seriously special. If you like the frn handles of the Grip you have, you will like the g10 even more. The North Fork from Benchmade is a classy, functional piece of equipment eclipsed by the Mini Barrage only in that the MB has assisted opening functionality. While this one has a slightly shorter handle and will make your pinky finger dangle free, its expected for such a small knife. For now, feel free to continue reading. However, its not textured so you might not get as much grip as youd expect from other EDC knives. 2022 Benchmade, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, Blade Finish: Finish Satin Blade Steel: CPM-S30V (58-60) Handle Material: Dymondwood(Wood). Go with the Benchmade Bugout. The handle is available in two variants, both made up of scales attached to a steel frame; the 15031-1 has scales made from G10 composite, while the 15031-2 uses Dymondwood. When opening, the user simply needs to start opening the blade and at around 30 degrees, the tension bars fling the blade open themselves the rest of the way, kind of like the assist but with more user interaction. I have linked out to the version with only one edge, which is also the serrated version. LifeSharp service from Benchmade means whenever you need to sharpen, hone, or fix your Benchmade knives, you just send them to their factory and they fix it for you. This program is designed to provide a way for websites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon. My Review: This knife is hard to use, not because its not versatile or strong but because its so dang beautiful! Your blade must be sharp and stay that way. Its most noticeable trait is the Dymondwood scales. North Fork 1503 comes with Benchmades AXIS lock, which is fully ambidextrous and extremely strong. This puts the tang of the blade between the steel stopping pin and the AXIS spring-loaded bar, ensuring its fully locked and isnt able to retract in any manner under any usage without using the thumb button to move the tensioner bar out of the way. Despite preferring folding knives when it comes to Benchmade, I sure do appreciate their fixed blades. As a last note here, youll be getting a beautifully made stitched black leather sheath and you might be surprised when you get it. CPM-20CV is not a steel Benchmade is known to use but this particular steel offers incredible corrosion resistance while still being close in hardness to the other ultra-premium steels. Q: What Materials Are Used to Create Benchmade Knives? To no ones surprise, the Arvensis is probably one of the most well balanced 6-7 combat-focused fixed blades on the market that is affordable to the average person, and Im using affordable loosely, of course. Created for hunting The knife's drop-point blade is ideal for the avid hunter. Let us know! Is it worth it to pay extra for high-quality American made goods? It's extremely lightweight for a knife this capable, and due to the axis locking mechanism, it's very user friendly as well.

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