The Benchmade North Fork is a handsome folding knife designed for hunting, but it has all the right features to make for a great everyday carry blade as well. OnlyKnife.com 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. Blade Style: Drop-Point / Drop-Point With Gut HookBlade Composition: CPM-S30VHandle Composition: Resin Filled Wood GrainBlade Length: 3.5Total Length: 7.84Total Weight: 4.76 ounces. Traditional hunting knives have been a lot larger, but short blades like this are becoming a lot more popular. Benchmade Bugout Review - Knife Life - Blade HQ I have linked out to the version with only one edge, which is also the serrated version. 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. What is a Spydie hole, you ask? Features 3D-machined handle texture Contoured for comfort Increased grip and rigidity with only a 0.1 ounce difference in weight Refine by No filters applied Hiker's Dream Knife: Benchmade Bugout Review | GearJunkie How To Make A Switchblade Learn With Five Steps, How to Hone a Straight Razor Use for Silky Smooth Shaving. What I really love about the Puukko 200 is its simplicity. Overall its a very nice handle that gives excellent grip, even when wet or slick with blood. Drop point blades are great for regular utility work, and if you dont need any piercing power, go for a Sheepsfoot tip. Were glad you dig this post! 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. 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. You would be hard-pressed to find a good EDC of this level that can perform utility tasks this well. However, that is not the whole story. Top 10 Best Benchmade Knife Reviews in 2022 Benchmade Bugout 535 EDC Knife 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. For self-propelled, wild travels, the Benchmade Bugout is arguably the best pocket knife we have tested. Anyway, on to the design of the North Fork. These work by pinning two angled torsion bars against the tang of the knife that creates more tension on the blade as its closed. Like you said, hunters and frequent users may have a different take on it. 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. The Bugout is a supremely good design and easy choice only if weight and ease of carry is of primary concern. The Drop: Cloud Defensive MCH Dual Fuel Flashlights, The Top 15 BEST Spyderco Knives: Reviews and Buying Guide in 2023, The Drop: aroundsquare Manipulation Tools and Apparel February Release. 2PCS Handle Patch G10 Micarta Blade Scales Fit For Benchmade North Fork Amazon.com: Benchmade Whether you are planning to go hiking, camping, or a backpacking trip, the Benchmade Bugout 535 7.46-Inch Folding Knife is a great knife for EDC purposes. Opening and closing them is not a hassle because they have an excellent axis lock mechanism. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); UFABET UFA089.COM. All trademarks property of their respective owners When it comes to the handles ergonomics, this knife beats all the rest. Got feedback? 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. While Ive tried to point out which knife in this list is good for which set of tasks, Im going to break things down a little bit more. Okay, fine, I will, but only because I really enjoy saying the word triage. These materials differ in terms of weight and price, and thus offer little in the way of a fair comparison. Alright, its not that bad. Blade Style: Clip-PointBlade Composition: 154CMHandle Composition: Diamond Textured G10Blade Length: 6.44Total Length: 11.72Total Weight: 11.74 ounces. My Review: This knife feels a lot like what Id expect James Bond to flip out of his hidden jacket pocket once he runs out of ammo pewpewing bad guys. Yeah, I didnt miss the 3 or 4 for that 1, it really does weigh less than 2 ounces. My Review: The Barrage is an excellent EDC sized self-defense and general utility knife that sports a very well finished blade that is available with that lovely black Cerakote job Benchmade is known for or, of course, a polished satin finish. A drop-point blade is a classic and effective shape for a hunting knife, and the North Fork makes effective use of it. Boasting an excellent combination of handy features that suits everyday use, North Fork-1503 has proved to be a very reliable all-round knife. Usually, Id error on the side of an automatic knife to fit the bill of a tactical rescue tool, however, with how easy and buttery smooth Benchmades single-handed opening actions are, I have absolutely no doubt in having this as a manual rescue knife. The drop-point blade makes North Fork 1503 a handy hunting tool for skinning and slicing wildlife. This Scandinavian inspired Puukko knife is a small, light, and nifty tool despite being fixed and needing a sheath. I will mention that the handle may sometimes catch on your pockets if its a real tight fit, due to the ergonomic pistol grip style design, however, I still recommend this as a solid EDC as I believe most people wont have an issue with deploying the knife and since its so light, especially the carbon fiber version, its super comfortable and easy to carry. Portability is a function of size, weight, pocket clip utility, and other carry options. For the Bugout the lanyard hole is a part of the scales. While Benchmade still offers knives with regular manual locking mechanisms, theyre rare and usually found on their lower-tier offerings. Benchmade Foray 698 6. 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. Benchmade Saddle Mountain 15003-2 or 15003-1, Here Are the Best Tactical Benchmade Knives, Unique Benchmade Knife Designs and Notable Mentions, 30. The Barrage is also available in either a partially serrated blade or a full plain edge and overall, the Barrage feels a lot like many of the other 3.6 EDC related pocket knives and it comes equipped with the Benchmade AXIS-ASSIST mechanism, meaning its perfect for quick one-handed operation. My Review: Oh boy Benchmade does not normally make large blades but when they do, you get something capable of fighting off the Taliban all by yourself. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc or its affiliates. I will note, when these do go dull (after ridiculous amounts of use) they can be a bit tricky to sharpen, but as with everything, patience is a virtue and so long as you keep these knives in tip-top shape, theyll glide right through anything you hunt. Good luck! This coating has to be applied to these blades because, despite CPM-M4 being ultra-tough, the tool steel has an Achilles heel and that is corrosion. Be sure to check out the latest pricing here. As a finishing touch the pocket clip is identical. If youre willing to pony up a little extra cash, and I do recommend this if you can, you can find the stylish carbon fiber version of the Benchmade Nakamura here. I know carrying a knife this expensive is a bit risky and a little scary but if you gather up the courage to pocket this bad boy, youll be itching to deploy it just for the beautiful mechanical sound it makes and how good it feels to use. Kizer Knives V4423A1- this quality folding knife is reasonably affordable than Benchmade North Fork-1503. The knife makes use of an assisted opening mechanism that you can access with just one hand, any hand. We put this ultralight folding knife to the test for this review. While this bit might seem an unoriginal move on the designers part, theres no doubt that it works well. The Grivory handle is essentially as good as polymer, plus it doesnt get slippery even when wet. The Wharncliffe design makes penetration and stabbing virtually impossible which means using this blade around sensitive material and even skin is much safer than a regular blade style. Blade Style: Trailing-Point / Clip-Point / ScimitarBlade Composition: 154CMHandle Composition: G10 Pistol Grip StyleBlade Length: 4Total Length: 9.76Total Weight: 7.2 Ounces. This is not a knife that fits into that category. Benchmade North Fork Review- Solid Hunting Knife and EDC Option Homegrown Outdoors 542 subscribers Subscribe 114 11K views 2 years ago Review of the Benchmade North Fork (15031-2) folding knife. Great in case of an emergency, although you hope to never use it. Those people are right when it comes to personal preference and I understand where theyre coming from, I really enjoy many of Benchmades premium handles that arent plastic-based. Q: Does a Benchmade Knife Have a Lifetime Warranty? No matter what our readers want to learn and do, our team is here to help them accomplish those goals. Lastly, lets take a look at the Dymondwood handle. 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. There are a few factors to look at there. These high-grip sections make it easy to control the blade for fine cutting, even when its wet or slimy if you like to hold your index finger along the spine while skinning theyll give you some extra security. 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. 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 pocket clip is secure and can be switched from one side to the other, depending on your hand preference. Bugout. I have both but usually find myself carrying the Griptilian 551. If you want to spend even more money on some of the worlds finest custom blades, check out Benchmades Gold Class custom built blades here. Benchmade North Fork - Etsy The knifes drop-point utility blade is made from s30v steel, which is as sharp as you can get nowadays, and a lot of great Benchmade knives make use of this material. Benchmade 15031 North Fork is a compact hunting knife thats also perfect for everyday carry. Moreover, gripping a Benchmade knife is comfortable because the handles are made of durable glass-filled nylon and G10. 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 refer to the reviews there to check if the seller is authorized or not. Its a full circle EDC get r done kind of knife and Id feel more than comfortable recommending this to pretty much everyone and anyone. I recommend it for the same reason the others did not. It might remind you of Morakniv or Mora knives with the roundish handle and stubby blade. I know some users who absolutely appreciate this. The first thing you might notice is the lack of scales. You need something with a cutting edge long enough to be useful, but it also needs to be a size you can carry anywhere. You help support OutdoorGearLab's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners. In this case we are talking about the different handle materials: the Bailout comes with a Grivory and an aluminium handle. Where the blade meets the handles on the inside is covered by steel liners, ensuring the handles cant bow or bend and eliminating the flex you see in cheaper plastic-based handles. This knife doesnt offer a whole lot of versatility and it wouldnt exactly be my first choice to go camping with, but if someones primary goal was to cause me or my loved ones harm, the Contego is the folding knife Id look for to defend myself with. The satin-finished 6061-T6 aluminum handle is also something Im quite fond of. We cannot discuss them all in this comparison. Check out the Barrage that went on a diet here at this link. Blade Style: Drop-PointBlade Composition: CPM-S30VHandle Composition: Textured G10Blade Length: 3.7Total Length: 8.6Total Weight: 5.81 ounces. Blade Style: Drop-PointBlade Composition: M390Handle Composition: G10 or Carbon FiberBlade Length: 3.08Total Length: 7.03Total Weight: 3.52 ounces. Its topnotch features combined with high performance ensure the folding knife suits your everyday needs.Overall, North Fork 1503 takes pride in being a product of a respectable brand and it is specially built for tackling multiple tasks.Whether you want a reliable hunting knife, a reliable outdoor companion or you want something to use for making precision cuts, this tactical folding knife is your best bet. Benchmade North Fork 15031 Knife Drop-Point Review, Things to be aware of before making a purchase. Many of these use their Monolock feature thats basically a regular locking mechanism but with the knife liner and the knife handle being made out of the same casting, thus increasing its strength and durability drastically. Some recommended products may use affiliate links. These were actually designed later than the others and were requested by Benchmade enthusiasts. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. However, if you dont want the hassle of opening a knife, no matter how smooth the action is, you can go for a sheathed fixed blade knife. My Review: The Puukko 200 is a Scandinavian inspired general use utility knife with a fixed blade consisting of CPM-3V. The bugout never gets carried. 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. Of course, theres more than one way to skin a cat at Benchmade and they went ahead and added in the AXIS opening method as well as an opening hole that acts similarly to a thumb stud. Benchmade 535 Bugout Drop-Point Fine-Edge Knife | REI Co-op We Are Hiring! If you want a light slicer to disappear into the pocket then the bug out is probably the way to go. Strap this baby on with its included Boltaron sheath and youll hardly notice its there until you spring the Altitude into action. For steller cutting, piercing, and prying tasks, this is the best Benchmade knife you can hope to find. The knife is made for hunting, but it can still be utilized for other tasks and in various outdoor activities.Unlike other Benchmade knives, the folding knife is crafted to deliver great performance coupled with enhanced durability.Even some of the most popular folding knives cant match the degree of versatility offered by Benchmade North Fork-1503.Again, even the market leaders cannot tackle as many tasks as the ones this folding knife can tackle. 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. 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. If youre looking for a hunting/outdoors inspired knife for EDC, I highly recommend this particular knife. It is a boutique piece of equipment, and losing such an expensive pocket knife out on a camping trip would certainly be a tragedy. Its also a little prone to chipping. Bugout. I REALLY appreciate all the thoughts and opinions. Let us know what your favorite Benchmade knife is in the comments section below or if you think there is a knife we should add to this list. If you make a purchase after clicking on a link I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Disclosure. In short, it is smoothness. I work at a store that sells Benchmade knives (most of which have the Axis Lock system) and I've never heard anyone say that their knife can just open without using the lock first. All of them are pretty durable, and grip depends on the shape or finish more than the material, so go for whatever youre comfortable with. Our only wish with the North Fork knife is that it was assisted opening. Mi cuenta; Carrito; Finalizar compra; Contacto That handle is a little squishy but you know what its good for? Benchmade Bugout Knife Family - 535 Knives Series | Benchmade Knife Company 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. Shipping costs depend on order amount and shipping destination. On the entire continuum of pocket knife size, the North Fork is near the top. We will explain! The grind leaves a stiffening spine to about three-quarters of an inch from the point, and there are two grooved sections to give better purchase for your thumb just in front of the pivot, and at the front end of the spine. But the way it was added is different. The manufacturing is based out of Oregon City, Oregon ever since the company moved to the place in 2010. Benchmade is the kind of knife that follow my favorite mantra buy once cry once. It opens smoothly, locks smoothly, and cuts smoothly. The Axis Lock comes integrated with three different action flavors: Axis Assist, Axis Automatic, and Axis Dual-Action Automatic. The clip makes it easy to secure in a pocket or on your belt although it doesnt allow point-down carriage and if youre after some extra security the lanyard hole makes it easy to fasten it to yourself. [Easy] How to Clean Rust off of a Gun Without Damaging it? A lot of glass breakers you find as a kind of throw in function on many knives usually feels pretty lame but not this one, Im absolutely terrified to let it even look at a piece of glass and on top of that, its ultra-tiny and doesnt get in the way. Knife manufacturers are always trying to change the game and expand upon existing designs and Benchmade does this often, however, in terms of the Puukko, we get a form factor that really couldnt be any simpler paired up with some of the finest materials you can craft a knife out of. 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. 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. Benchmade North Fork (Review & Buying Guide) 2021 - Task & Purpose Benchmade North Fork | Badass Knife of the Week | Knife Depot My Review: Benchmade seems to love making little one-off designed utility tools and this would be the case for the Aller 380. 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! [wc_share_buttons class=][/wc_share_buttons]. Clayton - Thanks for the comment. CPM-S30V, a Benchmade favorite stainless steel to use in their premium blades, is more than strong enough to slide right through bones and will hold an edge for many outdoor adventures. My Review: The North Fork is sold as a folding hunting knife and although it certainly fits the bill, I also think many people can benefit from the overall versatility and toughness this knife provides in an EDC role. No, not you, youve chosen the Altitude because you have attitude. Its not for everyone and its not the most versatile thing Benchmade has ever made, but it is beautiful and its extremely slim and low profile. I love the bugout but will be upgrading the scales. If a leather sheath has any chance of surviving the life of a Benchmade Puukko 200, it has to have some help from nylon. By far my favorite benchmade edc even over my 940's. The latter is layered from maple and Baltic birch laminations, pressure-bonded with resin into a wood-plastic composite thats completely moisture-resistant. I have not tried the North Fork yet. Its not much in terms of versatility, although I suppose it is usable across many applications, however, its very clear this knife was designed to perform sustained damage in a combat situation. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. It will cut well for years and years, and Benchmade will sharpen it in a process that is also, well, smooth. The knife is of a Sheepsfoot blade, and its quite useful in daily utility works. I can see that each knife has some advantages and disadvantages, as evidenced by all the varying opinions here. My Review: Do I need to explain how Tactical a knife thats called the Tactical Triage is? At 60-62 HRC, these knives stay sharp for a long time, however, they also tend to be a little brittle, and difficult to sharpen later on. Tough types of steel that retain their sharpness well. Benchmade North Fork 15031 Knife Drop-Point Review Its no secret that the Saddle Mountain series was designed to be a hunters best friend. Its a more substantial knife. North Fork 1503 comes with Benchmades AXIS lock, which is fully ambidextrous and extremely strong. It is easy to make a heavy, sturdy knife. The owner of this website does not guarantee offers on this site, and all offers should be viewed as recommendations only. Keep 'em coming. Home Knives 30 Best Benchmade Knives in 2023 (Ranked by Category). It's always handy this way, and largely unobtrusive except in the most formal of situations. A Review of the Benchmade North Fork Knife - All Outdoors Guide 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. Its made from 154cm stainless steel that gives it excellent edge retention. Ever since Benchmade set out to craft the best and most tactical knives in 1988, the company has never disappointed its clients for it has been manufacturing high quality knives each year.Benchmade North Fork 1503 is a relatively new entrant into the market, but the tactical folding knife is already winning the hearts of many folding knives users. Lighter, more blade length, and better slicer. The North Fork's handle is made from wood that's been vacuum-impregnated with resin to increase durability. The Bugout has always come with a nice deep pocket clip which isnt as deep as some of the other clips they offer but it gets the job done nicely and has no play, something Ive learned to expect from all Benchmade products. Its small, but extremely well made, and packs in a lot of performance for a tool this size. Do you love tool steel and favour a tanto blade? In torture tests, it outperforms any knife who dares to compete and in comfort, the textured G10 handles are perfect for medium to large size hands. I've replaced my minis with a Bugout: Longer blade, slimmer in the pocket, lighter weight, easier carry. In general, its best to go for a single-edged blade. If extra goodies are what you want, the Tactical Triage is worth a look. Its no secret that Benchmade knives come with a premium price tag and have many competitors that also offer fantastic knives but at lower prices. Check for Signs of Poor Workmanship and Defects. Selection Criteria Is the Benchmade North ForkThe Right Knife For You? Blade Style: Spear-PointBlade Composition: CPM-S30VHandle Composition: Skeletonized 6061-T6 Billet AluminumBlade Length: 3.95Total Length: 8.72Total Weight: 3.24 ounces. 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. Its good for being used on a fishing boat where your hands and the grips are generally always going to be wet. However, we cannot call it a great value. This site contains affiliate links. Compared to cheap knives that become rusted, dull, or broken easily, Benchmade knives are durable and tough. Between those two even with the variants of the mini grip, I would still choose the northfork all day. I will mention that, under the same exact circumstances, I would expect the Grizzly Creek to last a little longer since its handle is a bit more technologically advanced and perhaps a bit less prone to damage, but both knives are pretty equally amazing. That reason is the Benchmade Lifesharp program. With the purchase of a Benchmade knife, you have the option to mail in your knife when it gets dull or requires maintenance and Benchmade will have it back to you in less than two weeks looking and performing as if it was brand new. No, its not elegant, its not stylish, its not unique, but it is a solid workhorse that Id be incredibly surprised if it ever failed you. Can I Use a Lock Knife for Bushcraft Does It Work? Check out our benchmade scales north fork selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. How to Identify a Fake or Counterfeit Benchmade Knife (7 Tips) The main drive behind its design was to produce a tool with the performance for dressing out a deer in a small package. When you buy it, you will see a document certifying that your purchase comes with a limited lifetime warranty. Theyre generally stronger, because theres more metal at the spine, and you can push on the back of the blade if more force is needed. Glass breaker, rescue hook, lanyard hole, drop-point with three different serrated or fine edge options, super light but durable G10 resin-soaked fiberglass body, and the ever so loved AXIS locking mechanism. Do you want random dudes to smile in awe and quickly ask Bro, is that a Benchmade? Maybe you do, maybe you dont, but thats the kind of brand recognition Benchmade has earned by delivering exceptional customer loyalty and overall quality.