benchmade north fork vs bugout
Im a huge fan of small slender blades because they tend to lack the tensile strength required for a rugged lifestyle. My Review: Oh boy the Bedlam is a beaut of a blade but I swear, this is not the knife for everyone! In this case we are talking about the different handle materials: the Bailout comes with a Grivory and an aluminium handle. Based on your love of the big grip, Mini-Grip is probably the best bet. A little oiling also makes sure the axis locking joint is smooth as butter. For example, the Benchmade Bugout 535-191 Gold Class edition consists of a Damascus steel blade thats hand folded hundreds of times and a handcrafted carbon fiber handle. No wonder users call it the best Benchmade knife for hunting. The high end Mini Grip is probably too expensive for mainstream folks. These knives are easier to maintain than many premium level steels while offering ridiculously competitive pricing and an overall fantastic user experience. $200 for probably the best spear-point assisted folder consisting of CPM-S30V steel is actually a pretty good deal if you really enjoy this type of thing. We can be brief when it comes to the similarities: the handles of both knives look alike. 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. the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, Incredible blade quality, assisted open, perfect combination of compactness/functionality, Light, simple, well-made, full size blade, full-function, Beautifully constructed, assisted open, good value, Pricey, blade lock mechanism not intuitive, Expensive, low profile handle, flexy plastic construction, Slender handle makes it hard to apply even pressure, thin blade is fragile, Immaculately constructed knife in a form-factor that is easy to carry and large enough for virtually every task, For a full-function, full-size pocket knife, this is as light as it gets, and is the premier option for all sorts of human-powered adventures, A slender, svelte pocket knife with great materials and a reasonable value, Proprietary Stainless (between 440A and 420), Assisted, ambidextrous thumb stud; back-of-knife finger tab, Scissors, nail file, small screwdriver, tweezers, toothpick, key ring. It is light and relatively compact, especially considering that it has a full-size blade, full-function usefulness, and carrying options. The reversible pocket clip offers ultimate accessibility. Id say if youre torn between the two, dont let strength be the deciding factor, as I believe this knife will most certainly fit the bill no matter the task. Lastly, I certainly cannot go without mentioning the beautiful leather dangler loop sheath that comes with this knife. The pocket clipped North Fork. This is a very raw and rugged blade that actually surprised me in how utilitarian it is, despite clearly being designed to harm your enemies. 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. Strap this baby on with its included Boltaron sheath and youll hardly notice its there until you spring the Altitude into action. The Griptilian doesnt exactly exude fashion or style but what it does do is get the job done. Built on heavy-duty stainless steel liners, this is a knife to carry into the woods or around town for years to come. Before we evaluate the North Fork, lets establish some general evaluation criteria: The big question is what sort of knife you want to carry. In 1988, Benchmade rolled out a revolutionary locking mechanism dubbed the Benchmade Axis Lock. . That handle is a little squishy but you know what its good for? The North Fork from Benchmade is well made. These are among the strongest blades Benchmade makes and so long as youre up to the task of taking care of them, they will perform excellently and will provide you with best-in-class usage and longevity. Both models are the same shape a nicely curved, hand-fitting form with a deep finger cutout below the lock, and a front flare. You must log in or register to reply here. Keep in mind that a higher HRC also means a more brittle knife, and its going to be a nightmare to sharpen. Let us know! Got feedback? GearLab is reader-supported. If the knife doesnt feel comfortable, then it is apparent the knife isnt manufactured by Benchmade itself. Many people choose fixed blades over the folding counterparts because they believe the fixed blade is less prone to failure and is stronger overall and while that was true for a very long time, its still true! When it comes to the handles ergonomics, this knife beats all the rest. It does have a thicker heavier blade than the others but this in tun makes for a smooth balanced action and have little blade play. (89.58g) Features You May Also Like Mini Crooked River Family As low as $300.00 Aside from the blade, the handle is another thing that demands attention. I wont lie to you, these arent exactly the saw-teeth youd want for camping or outdoor use, but they will cause wounds that a normal drop-point would never be able to cause, ensuring your assailant is immobilized and you are free to carry on. Selection Criteria Is the Benchmade North ForkThe Right Knife For You? Flipping this open with one hand quickly becomes second nature and is, in my opinion, more satisfying than even some of the best assisted-opening knives. Two thumb studs on either side of the blade allow for fast and easy opening with either hand. It is too small but got it on clearance from a big retailer for 46.00 new so it just sits in the box. Despite the manufacturer recommending this knife for hunting purposes, I actually consider this the best Benchmade knife for EDC due to its superb edge retention and sharpness as it comes out of the box. 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. The Bugout doesnt try and do anything fancy. Despite being expensive, many people flock to buy Benchmade knives. My Review: This knife was designed to get down and dirty outdoors and survive just about any environmental situation. My final thoughts are this: This knife is not worth the money if youre looking for a tough and durable do-it-all EDC knife. Being one of the largest and most successful knife manufacturers in the world, Benchmade has a wide selection of knives across multiple categories. Kizer Knives V4423A1- this quality folding knife is reasonably affordable than Benchmade North Fork-1503. For the handle, you have a choice between traditional materials like wood or horn, modern composites, or even an all-metal handle. At first glance, it kind of looks like a silly gimmick, but after closer inspection, youll realize how incredibly helpful and handy having this tiny little tool on you can be. Theyre easier to sharpen, though. You might be asking yourself, there are so many factors to consider, how could you ever choose just one? Lifesharp support will receive your knife and immediately disassemble it for inspection. The manual axis lock can also be released one-handedly. 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. There are a couple of really good versions of the Freek. This is an obvious safety concern, but could also be considered a pro if you are using it heavily for certain outdoor tasks. If that 4 blade is a tad too much for ya, you can give the 15085-2 Mini Crooked River a look here at this link which sports a 3.4 blade and shaves off about 2 ounces of weight! Evaluate whether the Benchmade North Fork-1503 you intend to get is engineered for high-quality.For instance, check whether the knife has a CPM-S30V stainless steel blade and a balanced handle among other key features associated with high quality. Check out the beautiful Benchmade 15080BK Crooked River Gold Class. Valox is also a lighter material and easier to work with giving the designers and artists a little more room to add character to the knifes appearance and ergonomics. Benchmade Bugout 535 5. Grivory is basically a super hard plastic that Benchmade used for this knife due to its lightness without sacrificing rigidity. Blade Style: Drop-PointBlade Composition: CPM-20CVHandle Composition: Slightly Textured G10Blade Length: 3.22Total Length: 7.34Total Weight: 3.46 ounces. Stay tuned for the first newsletter in the morning, straight to your inbox. The knife makes use of an assisted opening mechanism that you can access with just one hand, any hand. I have linked out to the version with only one edge, which is also the serrated version. Just be aware of this before you buy. That S30V steel is exactly the kind of metal Id want in an outdoor bushcrafting knife and with how solid and well balanced this knife is, its worth the 7.72 ounces of additional weight to ensure this goes in the loadout. You can also check out the SOCP Rescue tool at this link here. What I really love about the Puukko 200 is its simplicity. My vote is for the mini grip. Spyderco folding knives tend to come with a thumb hole in the spine instead of a thumb stud to open the blade, and thats called a Spydie hole. The Rescue Tool is in the same form factor as the original SOCP dagger but instead of a spear-point blade, youll be getting a belt cutter and pry tool. Okay, fine, I will, but only because I really enjoy saying the word triage. However, if you keep it dry, these beautiful handles remain perfectly serviceable. I'm going to revisit this and will update the post with our findings (and your concerns). The razor-sharp, partially serrated blade is 3.6 inches, perfect for daily utility work. While this bit might seem an unoriginal move on the designers part, theres no doubt that it works well. I don't like my mini grip. Its most noticeable trait is the Dymondwood scales. 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. Of course, if youre already familiar with how to use one, youll be ready to rock and roll and strap this puppy on your MOLLE vest! Its hard to explain, but this knife is pretty darn cool for the right person. Many people complain about the handle material but I don't care (the Grivory is also a bit thicken on the Bailout then Bugout). The blades are crafted from the same ultra high-quality CPM-S30V and have the same versatile drop-point design but the Ridge encompasses a synthetic handle called a Dual-Durometer handle while the Creek has an old school nylon filled wooden handle. In fact, the Bugout is probably the best, general use knife in the Benchmade line up given its price, design, performance, size, and weight. 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? Shipping costs depend on order amount and shipping destination. For this reason, even though the price seems exorbitant, I consider that buying Benchmade is actually a money-saving move. Benchmade has wisely kept the Mini Bugout's clip plain and simple. A massive 9.1cm CPM M4 blade is hidden within a smooth and click G10 handle that's got loads of size to give you maximum power. Its no secret that the Saddle Mountain series was designed to be a hunters best friend. I wont talk too much on this knife as I believe the differences between the two are going to come down to personal preference. If you have the full size grip I'd double down on the Bugout, very suitable office knife and anywhere else for that matter. In fact, all the knives we tested are well made. Before we jump into discussing the beautiful pieces of sharp and pointy steel offered by one of our favorite companies, you need to know the pros and cons of each blade shape as well as the steel they are made of. If you want a light slicer to disappear into the pocket then the bug out is probably the way to go. It encompasses everything we like to see in an EDC including a versatile drop-point, the super-strong AXIS locking mechanism, a good pocket weight to size ratio, a strong and tight clip, and an overall high-quality build design that should suit you through a variety of different tasks. Sure, sharp is sharp; the blade has a pointed edge, or it doesn't. Now, that is a simple question, with a complicated answer. Whats important is that you pick a knife according to what you need and you like, and youll definitely love what you end up buying. Spicy_Mex 2 yr. ago. The Bugout, while certainly not a bargain-bin blade, is offered at one of the lowest price points in all of Benchmade's catalog, clocking in at $160 for the base model. The Benchmade Bailout, on the other hand, was designed for soldiers and other professionals who ask a lot from their tools. This kind of steel gives Benchmade knife blades good strength, long life, and resistance against corrosion. Created for hunting The knife's drop-point blade is ideal for the avid hunter. My Review: The Grizzly Ridge is essentially the same knife as the Grizzly Creek but with an arguably better handle. I REALLY appreciate all the thoughts and opinions. 300 Beavercreek Road Oregon City, OR 97045. Overstatement? Click, Skip to the beginning of the images gallery. Its satin-finished drop point blade uses S30V steel and features two jimped sections one by the thumb grip and one closer to the tip for ultimate blade control. MADE FOR HUNTING: The North Fork 15031-1's drop-point, recurved blade is ideal . A note to my readers: These knives are designed to kill people. Larger knives are better in bigger than average hands and for bigger than average tasks, but the size of the North Fork is just right for most people in most applications. Its most reliable when you use your finger and thumb to pull back both studs together, but it can also be easily operated with one stud. The knife also does not need frequent sharpening at all and resists rust and corrosion like a champion. 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. Furthermore, you can find this knife with a wood or G10 handle which actually changes the appearance and feel of the overall knife significantly, so choose wisely. Agree with Matt. The first thing you might notice is the lack of scales. That is fully half of the job the Axis Lock plays. I wont lie, it is a little heavy for those of you forgoing long treks, however, that weight is due to how solid and reliable the crooked river is while providing premium attributes such as that beautifully sealed wood grain handle and its ultra-strong AXIS lock. How to Choose the Best Benchmade Knife for All Purposes? The Bugout is a great knife. Weve talked about super simplistic knives earlier on in this guide and I think Ive hit home some solid models for those of you who dont need extra goodies. First, even right out of the box, there are different definitions of "sharp." Simply apply pressure to the thumb stud and boom, the blade flips into place almost effortlessly. It also comes super sharp out of the box, boasting a full flat grind. Benchmade Saddle Mountain 15003-2 or 15003-1, Here Are the Best Tactical Benchmade Knives, Unique Benchmade Knife Designs and Notable Mentions, 30. This program is designed to provide a way for websites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon. Disclosure : Everyday Carry is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This extends the blades longevity and ensures it doesnt lose its razor sharp edge. The Axis Dual-Action is kind of a blend between the two aforementioned Axis mechanisms. [Answered]. Shotgun: Comparison for a First-Time Gun Buyer, What Are The Basic Parts Of Ammunition?