2011 Knife of the Year: Benchmade 915 Triage

reply to post by Azdraik

It is a little steep for a pocket knife, but, as we all know, one has to pay for quality (I've paid over $100 for a yo-yo. So nice...). Benchmade consistantly sets the standard of quality in the knife world.

If someone wants just a little cheap-o knife (I have several), they can be had for $20 oe less.
If someone wants a high quality cutting tool that will probably last longer than they will, $165 isn't out of the question.

I might just pick one of these up, when I have the cash to spare.

Geez:

Shooting Industry Magazine

Knife of the Year
1998 - 2010 This category was introduced in 1998

1998 Benchmade Stryker Model 910 folder
1999 Benchmade Model 710 McHenry & Williams
2000 Benchmade Model 720 Mel Pardue folder
2001 Benchmade Model 690 Elishewitz folder

2002 Benchmade Model 556 Mini-Griptilian
2003 Benchmade Model 921 Swithback Two Blade Folder
2004 Browning Living History Knife Series
2005 Benchmade Model 425 Gravitator
2006 Benchmade Model 610 Rukus Blackwood design folding knife
2007 Leatherman Charge ALX-6061-T6 Aluminum Multi-Tool
2008 Leatherman Skeletool Multi-Tool
2009 Benchmade 585 Mini-Barrage Folder
2010 Benchmade 741 Onslaught with AXIS Lock

www.shootingindustry.com...

11 of the last 14 years counting 2011.

With so many manufacturers and so many great knives out there I have to wonder what the criteria is.

No Busse, Swamp Rat, ESEE?

Originally posted by Welshextremist
reply to post by KilrathiLG

 

or dont get in a fight at all

no guns here in the UK

Are you really that stupid? So you are telling me that criminals don't use guns in the UK?

All they did was take them out of the hands of non-criminals. Criminals could care less about the laws. I feel sorry for the UK. You might as well rename your country France2.

reply to post by seedofchucky


lol you just gave me a boner..hmmmmm explosions....

but seriously the fact that this got past page one proves both our points

Originally posted by thisguyrighthere
Geez:

Shooting Industry Magazine

Knife of the Year
1998 - 2010 This category was introduced in 1998

1998 Benchmade Stryker Model 910 folder
1999 Benchmade Model 710 McHenry & Williams
2000 Benchmade Model 720 Mel Pardue folder
2001 Benchmade Model 690 Elishewitz folder

2002 Benchmade Model 556 Mini-Griptilian
2003 Benchmade Model 921 Swithback Two Blade Folder
2004 Browning Living History Knife Series
2005 Benchmade Model 425 Gravitator
2006 Benchmade Model 610 Rukus Blackwood design folding knife
2007 Leatherman Charge ALX-6061-T6 Aluminum Multi-Tool
2008 Leatherman Skeletool Multi-Tool
2009 Benchmade 585 Mini-Barrage Folder
2010 Benchmade 741 Onslaught with AXIS Lock

www.shootingindustry.com...

11 of the last 14 years counting 2011.

With so many manufacturers and so many great knives out there I have to wonder what the criteria is.

No Busse, Swamp Rat, ESEE?

You raise a good question. I'm a big fan of ESEE/RAT and love my trusty RC-4. Bark River and Blind Horse also get my nod. However, the market for those brands (primarily fixed blade) is certainly more obscure than the market for Benchmades and I actually like it that way! I give Benchmade credit for producing fine Folders in a wide variety of styles and configurations. I'll still stick to the other smalerl makers for fixed blades.

Along the lines of the small makers, have you checked out the Blackbird SK-5 from Ontario? It was designed by Paul Scheiter from Hedgehog Leatherworks. Love his leather work and the SK-5 is a nice practical working design. It's priced right but wouldn't be complete without the sheath that costs more than the knife. I'd have to get permission from my wife to spring for one of his sheaths.

Originally posted by Welshextremist
reply to post by seedofchucky

 

lol you just gave me a boner..hmmmmm explosions....

but seriously the fact that this got past page one proves both our points

If you're so opposed to weapons, why TROLL the weapons forum?

Just curios or just bored?

Classic! and yet classy reference to your little twig BTW. I suppose that why you aren't allowed to play with sharp objects.

Originally posted by jibeho

Along the lines of the small makers, have you checked out the Blackbird SK-5 from Ontario? It was designed by Paul Scheiter from Hedgehog Leatherworks. Love his leather work and the SK-5 is a nice practical working design. It's priced right but wouldn't be complete without the sheath that costs more than the knife. I'd have to get permission from my wife to spring for one of his sheaths.

Looks very similar to the ESEE knives but in 154CM rather than 1095 Carbon. That 154 stainless is used in alot of Benchmade knives if I'm not mistaken.

It's so hard to judge a knife without actually holding it.

I'm waiting for that Izula folder to go into production. I've resisted buying any knives all year in anticipation.

reply to post by thisguyrighthere


They've been dangling that Izula Folder for far too long.

Notice how they dropped the H.E.S.T. line of knives from the website? I understand that there was a problem with the lockup on the HEST folder. Could be why they delayed the Izula. Anyway, all of the HEST products are now going through dpxgear.com Not sure who is making knives for them though. I doubt its ESEE.

Originally posted by Azdraik
Never understood why people think that a $150+ is expensive for a knife. I mean high end knives are not cheap chinese junk. Yet you can see it happen all the time especially at gun shows. "Thats way too much for a knife," says the guy carrying $2k+ in scopes and new guns.

The main reason is that you don't need to spend anything close to $150 to get a solid, reliable knife that will meet the needs of the overwhelming majority of owners. Theoretically, that high end knife may be more capable, but most will never need that capability, and given the price premium, many are going to say its not worth it. Taking a typical hunter as an example, he can drop $30 on a Buck 110 and can expect it to be a solid performer in the field for a very long time, provided that it is maintained and not abused. In that light, its hard to justify spending more.

Its a classic example of the law of diminishing returns. You can certainly get a 'great' knife if you're willing to spend a lot of money, but you don't have to spend much to find a 'good' one that will serve most people well.

Personaly I prefer a knife to be versatile but carry only one blade. I have an ancient Bowie that was handed down from my father, from his father, and as far as I know, his father before that. Its a little pitted after all those years, and various uses, but because I have a background in metal working, tool sharpening, and engineering, bringing it back to a state of usefulness was a pleasure and an honour. I havent found a whole lot I cant achieve with it , baring in mind its single blade and lack of attatchments ! Great for cutting meat from bones, cutting rope and twine, shaving wood into strips for use as kindling, helpful in creating string from thin strips of soft woods... its an all round awesome knife.