Just one Benchmade....
Okay here's the scenario, National Geographic just contracted you to explore a far away place, maybe the Indian Subcontinent maybe Africa or maybe the Far east or it's neighboring islands, uncharted.
The purpose is to seek out new lives and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before, maybe find The Lost Ark Of The Covenant or maybe The Holy Grail.
You have a couple of days to put together a minimal kit to sustain you, food and water not included and you can take a folding knife with you, just one, a Benchmade, which one would you take? the best all around folder that would meet most of you needs and why?
Remember just one, if it's not a BM that's okay, please take it to the open CC section.
Maybe it's been done before but a lot of water has passed under the bridge, new knife models, new members, I'd really like your take on it,
Mine would be my slimmed down 810, I've posted pics in the past.
The purpose is to seek out new lives and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before, maybe find The Lost Ark Of The Covenant or maybe The Holy Grail.
You have a couple of days to put together a minimal kit to sustain you, food and water not included and you can take a folding knife with you, just one, a Benchmade, which one would you take? the best all around folder that would meet most of you needs and why?
Remember just one, if it's not a BM that's okay, please take it to the open CC section.
Maybe it's been done before but a lot of water has passed under the bridge, new knife models, new members, I'd really like your take on it,
Mine would be my slimmed down 810, I've posted pics in the past.
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Sounds like I need a survival knife, obviously a fixed blade would be better, but the scenario calls for a folder......Lot's of tasks gonna be required of this one:
-fire making (making bow drill, or striking "flint", Chopping/Batoning wood, ect)
-building a shelter (more wood work, but may have to do duty on plastics or light metal that have washed up on shore or found abandoned in the woods)
-wood craft (snares, traps, improvised weapons)
-skinning and gutting animals, fish etc.
-as a weapon itself (cut, stab, slice)
-food preparation - cutting/slicing vegetables, fruits and meat
-first aid/rescue
Needs to be fairly stout to handle fire prep, and shelter building-but not to thick for wood craft and food prep scenarios. Needs somewhat of a belly for skinning chores. Needs a fairly sturdy point, but at the same time it needs to be able to drill wood and stab flesh as needed. There are several great choices in the lineup, I think that 810 might give you some pretty sore hands with the aggressive jimping, but the blade shape and strength should serve you well, better throw some gloves in your kit!
No one knife is going to be perfect for every chore, but I've been really impressed with the versatility and strength of the 407 Vallation - not too thick, not to thin, just right! I'm taking that one!0 -
If I could pick one Benchmade and it had to be a folder, I would have to go with the 806. To me the 806 can handle just about anything you could throw at a folding knife. It has excellent ergonomics and the balance of the knife is just about perfect. Due to the 806’s handle shape, you can easily grip the knife securely in multiple different styles of grips. The blade profile is a good all-around versatile blade shape that would serve the user well in many different scenarios. The AXIS lock to me is one of the strongest locks on the market and is solid option if a fixed blade is not an option. I know you did not mention this Archer, but I would probably also go with a coated blade that way it would enhance the blades level of corrosion protection from the elements. I will also add the 806 carries extremely well for its size. 0 -
After checking with the Nat/Geo crew I decided to carry what they all are - the 15080 Crooked River - greatest folder in the history of the world - well, among a few others I suppose. 0 -
Easy. Without a doubt, I’d choose my 810DLC-1602 Forum Contego.
My reasoning is based on my opinion that the Contego is the best all around Benchmade tactical folder produced. There’s almost nothing it can’t do. We’ve touched on the wonders of the 810 many times, but in short - exceptional blade geometry and handle design that is proven and can be trusted. Add the fact that the -1602 has been given my preferred blade steel, my preferred blade coating (DLC), and my preferred scale material (CF). The liners have been thoughtfully revamped to do away with the jimping/teeth, making for an improved and very comfortable overall feel in hand. Our Forum Contego is an augmented and enhanced version of an already stellar folding knife. Additionally, it’s a Forum knife. The most meaningful to me, of the 4 examples to date. It is no coincidence that it’s the last knife I’d ever willingly part with. Most definitely, the 810DLC-1602 is the knife I’d take with me for the adventure.
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Full-sized Loco, all the way.
one of, if not the most, robust axis lock in BM's line up, in addition to it's super thick liners and it's super thick blade stock/spine make this knife my choice for dependability and longevity in a survival situation.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Tu:
If I'm on a hunt for mythological items, i will need my mythological benchmade. Its a contego on one side, bedlam on the other. Additionally it has a solar powered cauterizer, back spacer is made into a harmonica, & the inside of carbon fiber scales has pop out fish hooks.
Sounds good, you left out the fedora, leather jacket and bull whip and remember, I said just one BM .0 -
Will there be snakes..?
I hate snakes0 -
Glad you guys are playing along, this scenario is more than just survival, it's going to be your multi tool for a lengthy period of time, an urban setting is just as probable, those far away places have cities, towns and villages maybe, dangerous places for an outsider . 0 -
Yeah snakes too. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by aflacmay:
After checking with the Nat/Geo crew I decided to carry what they all are - the 15080 Crooked River - greatest folder in the history of the world - well, among a few others I suppose.
A very close second for me the CR,
and this is from someone who would pull a perfectly good tooth out for an AFCK.0 -
quote:Originally posted by archer:
Sounds good, you left out the fedora, leather jacket and bull whip and remember, I said just one BM .
Yeah but the real question is will you still manage to blend and will short round be your side kick?
Okay serious question, will we get to carry Band-Aids?
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Satire and ball breaking is welcome with lots of love but please keep the considerations serious, I take seriously your considerations as to "why this particular knife". 0 -
quote:Originally posted by -Shadow-:quote:Originally posted by archer:
Sounds good, you left out the fedora, leather jacket and bull whip and remember, I said just one BM .
Yeah but the real question is will you still manage to blend and will short round be your side kick?
Okay serious question, will we get to carry Band-Aids?
I don't about the blending but Band aids are cool.0 -
If part of a kit, I would have a fixed as well as some type of machete..so a folder would be in addition to.
W/ that said, I think an AFCK/TSEK would be hard to beat. My preference is the 805's for the more robust tip. I truly believe the 810 would the best and as others have said..the Forum 810, w/ the smooth liners and CF dress would excell..save one reservation...I love M390. .but in the field, I might choose a steel more easily sharpened on the fly...brick/river rock/pocket sharpener.. I might lean towards M4 (my favorite, save M2) or ATS-34/154CM..both stainless and ease of sharpening.
I also might lean towards the "simplest" design..w/ less parts...so that brings in the 800's and the 760 that I would have to consider.
I will.concede that M390 would be workable in the feild as sharpening goes..might need a little more time and attention..but serviceable under those conditions, for sure.
At the end of the day...if I have to grab one...It might be an 800 or the 760..still holding that it is part of a kit and it wouldn't be the only blade at my disposal..
Not sure I answered the question..but that's my thought process on how I would consider a particular folder.
Edit to add: I would also highly consider a Bali song/Butterfly knife. Not sure if that falls under the OP stipulations,.but I think there is a practicality combined w/ strength and simplicity that could be argued if it would be considered a "folder" by this definition.0 -
Tough one here, archer. I would take a 520 with Bone Collector scales so it's a little thicker in-hand and more comfortable for prolonged cutting, like fire prep or food prep. Oh, and 154CM blade so its easier to sharpen. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by archer:quote:Originally posted by -Shadow-:quote:Originally posted by archer:
Sounds good, you left out the fedora, leather jacket and bull whip and remember, I said just one BM .
Yeah but the real question is will you still manage to blend and will short round be your side kick?
Okay serious question, will we get to carry Band-Aids?
I don't about the blending but Band aids are cool.
Breath mints and condoms are an acceptable part of the kit.0 -
quote:Originally posted by archer:
Yeah snakes too.
if there are snakes, can I put a bottle of 101 proof snake-bite medicine in my kit?
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quote:Originally posted by archer:
Yeah snakes too.
I thought we were on an Indiana Jones riff....I shoulda went w/ "It belongs in a museum"0 -
M390 (-1401) Contego. I gotta go stainless for this mission. Plus, strong tip/thick blade. 0 -
Nice new twist on the Only One thread. 
When I first saw the title, I thought it would be a no-brainer, let me jump right in there and list all the reasons why the Crooked River would be the one. But then I read the posts proposing the Contego as the knife to take...and that got me thinking...so now I'm screwed 'cuz my brain is a bag of angry cats.
Tip -
Crooked River - fine but strong
Contego - very strong
Steel -
Crooked River - S30V, 20CV, D2
Contego - M4, M390
Handle -
Crooked River - 10/10, very comfortable
Contego - 7/10, not as comfortable for prolonged cutting.
Hmmmmmmm...
You know, I think I'd take my M390 810-1401 Contego with the liner teeth ground off. I might need to do something inappropriate with the tip.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Po:
do something inappropriate with the tip.
Where are you at DJ???
We’re trying to set you up...
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Archer you’re killing me!
This my only knife ( no fixed blade , no Leatherman, no ax, no machete). If that is what your saying just one folding tool, then I’m torn between McGaver SAK ( walk into jungle & build a shopping mall) & Extrema Ratio’s Gualua J1. ( locks into a fixed blade & comes with a fixed blade sheath)
If BKC only choice I’ll take my 810-1401 wher I’ve already had DOAT file off the teeth on the liners.0 -
Really really really want an 810 now..... 0 -
I'm assuming we also get to take a fixed blade as our primary knife and a muli-tool. If so, I'd want a folder with a solid lock (AXIS), long-lasting edge holding and corrosion resistance, ease in sharpening in the field, and robust enough to last me the duration.
I'd honestly go with either a full size Griptilian in 154 CM, or a 710.0 -
I gotta go 275 here. I’ll sacrifice a half inch of blade for the assurance that it’s unbreakable. I know cus I’ve tried.. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by agony:
....
I'd honestly go with either a full size Griptilian in 154 CM, or a 710.
I used to teach introduction to wilderness survival classes, so shelter building, fire prep, etc. I often used a Ritter Grip or stock Grip and they worked fine.
A 710 is a great folder for bushcraft too!0 -
Nobody mentioned the importance of the lanyard hole.
Sometime back I dropped my AFCK on the neighbors side of the fence into some bushes, my heart dropped to my underwear at the thought of losing my knife.
Working with a knife in a place/situation where if you accidentally drop it=losing it, you have to be able to secure the knife by some kind lanyard around your wrist, even a around a finger.
The 810 does not have one, you improvise something through the clip but IMO not secure enough.0 -
I see 154CM still has a place. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by archer:
Nobody mentioned the importance of the lanyard hole.
Sometime back I dropped my AFCK on the neighbors side of the fence into some bushes, my heart dropped to my underwear at the thought of losing my knife.
Working with a knife in a place/situation where if you accidentally drop it=losing it, you have to be able to secure the knife by some kind lanyard around your wrist, even a around a finger.
The 810 does not have one, you improvise something through the clip but IMO not secure enough.
Excellent point on lanyard for wildness use, especially, if you need to work along sea, lake, river, steep rock ridge, etc.
My selection, granted to be BKC and folder would be between 275 & 808. S30V is nice as it requires less anti corrosion measure. D2 is OK, but I feel reluctant in place that would encounter acidic or salt (include blood) encounter.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Mobile Firelord:quote:Originally posted by archer:
Nobody mentioned the importance of the lanyard hole.
Sometime back I dropped my AFCK on the neighbors side of the fence into some bushes, my heart dropped to my underwear at the thought of losing my knife.
Working with a knife in a place/situation where if you accidentally drop it=losing it, you have to be able to secure the knife by some kind lanyard around your wrist, even a around a finger.
The 810 does not have one, you improvise something through the clip but IMO not secure enough.
Excellent point on lanyard for wildness use, especially, if you need to work along sea, lake, river, steep rock ridge, etc.
My selection, granted to be BKC and folder would be between 275 & 808. S30V is nice as it requires less anti corrosion measure. D2 is OK, but I feel reluctant in place that would encounter acidic or salt (include blood) encounter.
/|\ Agree with you both on use of a thong hole. When I biked ( as in bicycling) I looped paracord through thong hole & over belt ( belt loops on pants may not hold). Few times found clip worked it’s way off pants from peddling & only reason I didn’t lose my knife was because of the lanyard.
Thong hole best but how strong does lanyard & attachment points (belt & on clip) have to be? Mountain climbers picked 940 with drilled hole in standard clip as part of their equipment.
I’ve always though only thing keeping the 940 from perfect was lack oflanyard hole, with it’s design really no room. As 950 has a thong hole maybe Jason can advise why the 810’s do not. Thanks in advance Jason.0
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