There are so many other knives from so many other manufacturers... for me, Benchmade has been missing the mark for a long time. Their sheaths & pricing are difficult to overcome.
A lot of knives for fishing using are made of 420 steels or n680 , why to spend 200$ for a knife, for a survival knife yes, why not but not for a fishing knife 💸
@@Dogspark841 i spend 10€ on a flyway benchmade clone, and i won 190€ 😂 Benchmade is fu**ing overpriced, thats ridiculous ! some people could say to me , its bad to buy clones, but i only need this knife, to cut inside the apples, cut chesnuts, or little things when i cook, why to spend 200€ to do that ? no way ! reality can be crazy, i bought a xyj nakiri knife in cr15 steel, this is maybe the most sharp knife i got, and so fast to sharpen, only for 10€ too..., for same reason my mora companion is the knife i use more, its like a second hand !
Lots of misses here but at THE most basic level is the color. Making a series meant for water and making it blue will assure that once it’s lost it shall never be found. Spyderco knew this with their salt series.
How would that make a difference if you drop it any water deeper than like maybe 5 feet? Unless you're diving you're not going to find it at the bottom of a river, lake, or ocean.
@ I believe at least part of the point here is to use the larger as a diving knife. So many, in fact, would be diving. I’m simply saying that around water it’s helpful to have bright colors.
Aaron thanks for your integrity, you always give us a genuine review good or bad. These had major faults and you didn’t shy away from it, it’s really appreciated!
Naa come on. The Audacity of Benchmade to charge their ridiculous prices, with their cringe boring blades. They're sinking their own ship. It's no secret.
Benchmade definitely is having problems right now. It’s not helping that most of there talented designers and production workers have left to work for Montana knife Company who’s currently undergoing expanding into there 3rd Building. Benchmade sued Montana knife Company for hiring some of there designers after they left the company Ben Peterson talks about the law suit on his Knafs TH-cam channel.😮 What are your thoughts on the law suit Aaron.
They remind me of what Gerber was doing in the 2010's where the design is very geometrical. It looks like a middle schooler had a straight edge and drew a bunch of straight lines in random order and when they were done, their dad (a Benchmade employee) was mindblown because it kind of looked like a knife. Being the proud father they were, they took that picture to work and decided to put that baby into production. Management saw this and were like that's ugly, but we don't want a law suite for saying that his kids' drawing was ugly. So they decided to add it to a very niche market, being their water knife line, hoping most people wouldn't pay much attention to it. Idk just a theory.
Benchmade chose to go with about what Dr. Thomas stated is the best balance between edge holding and toughness. You ARE getting full potential by not chipping the edge as easily as one that is harder.
You need to watch some of my other videos on other MagnaCut blades most companies are starting to do 62 to 64 or 61 to 63 and I’m seeing no issues as performance and I’m not alone.
I don't understand why Benchmade plays with the Rockwell on some of theirs steel , I bought the Benchmade Bailout in CPM-3V when it first came out and I couldn't understand why It didn't have good edge retention like my other 3V Blades and then I found out they lowered the Rockwell to like 56-58 and Didn't Tell Anyone, when I buy 3V I want it to perform like 3V not 1095 , I bought the Bailout because of the 3V and I paid good money for it ...🤬 . I tried returning it to the Store and the said Nope you got to Return it to Benchmade, so I emailed Benchmade and they asked me if I used it at all and I said Of Coarse I did , so they said They would get back to me with what to do and 3 emails later they Never Answered me again ... I Was Pissed , I still have the Thing and Never Used it again 🤬 at least you knew the Rockwell before hand , I feel like I was Scammed....
Another honest straight forward no nonsense review of a freshly dropped new knife. Thanks, Aaron! I love your videos, buddy. Great take on a new knife. Unfortunately, Benchmade is notorious for not Rockwelling steels where they should be. I have the Benchmade Leuku in Cpm 3v, and they had a huge pushback for not bringing the Rockwell up enough on that knife as well.
I like the idea of the water line. As far as folders I like the Spyderco designs better. I don’t know why Benchmade couldn’t do a G10 handle with a good kydex sheath. Using blue around water seems like a bad idea also. This is another place where Spyderco wins.
It would be interesting to see a focus comparison of serrations vs normal blade specifically for the tasks you mentioned - cutting rope, cord, nets, etc. I have never used a serrated edge but it seems like serrations need a more work to cut than a sharp normal blade.
Honestly, my knives for water environments are my quiet carries or one of my two Spyderco salt series These knives look really nice. But you almost never get what you’re paying for with benchmade these days. These days, the 719 is the only BM in the collection and that’s because it’s a full rockscale build I did years ago.
Say what you will about Benchmade magnacut hardness but I dropped my magnacut mini adamas on the concrete, direct tip impact…. No tip damage. Small touch up with work sharp and it’s like new. Freakin amazing.
G'day Aaron, like the water specific idea, should be more of 'em IMO. However, I'm not really see'n anything water specific, yes a very good SS choice, (HT could be better), though I wonder how it'd stack up against LC200, or Ti for that matter ? I do like that the little fella's handle has some meat about it. Would make an excellent bait knife I reckon. Serrations, I find a nuisance, ........ bread knives only IMO ; ) And yep the hang up at the hilt is just not on. Also, If one is a knot guy, (water and/or land based), the addition of a marlinespike or fid is a must IMO; which you will still find on "yachties" folders, though I just carve and fire harden one out in the bush. Cant say I like either of those sheaths carry wise, dunno in what universe they'd be good for fish'h or any other water sport. In fairness, the push release tab on the bigger fella looks like a winner. Btw; I have seen a coupla buoyant handle jobs, though the ones I've seen were in the cheap and nasty category, a quality version would appeal. Cheers Duke.
$250?! No no no ive just used a basic bahco knife or a mora when free diving or spear fishing.They are literally designed for fish and they are cheep. You want to drop your expensive knife into the deep dark drink? No just carry 2 sharp bahco $20 each not $250 😂😂 250!!!!!😅
I found an Intersect at a pawn shop for around $150. At that price is it worth it……. Mmmmm…. For me? Yes, because it’s the Benchmade entry in my small fixie collection. Is it worth it for the regular Joe McBroski that just needs a knife for x, y, or z? Mmmmmm… probably not. Is it worth it at $200+? Aaaah, no. No. No…
They currently use that Rockwell across-the-board, regardless of it’s in their water series or not. I think it has a lot more to do with mass producing them and they wanted to have low risk of breaking.
Benchmade just mailed it in on this series, as they have for quite some time. Just riding their butterfly to profit without giving their customers the value they're paying for. I'll say it, only a fool would buy Benchmade at this point.
I really like this shade of blue on the handles. The larger knife seems to be short on comfort despite the ergonomic shape. Design and purpose are more important than looks, it’s a tool. For the price…I could do very well with a “ lesser tool”. Most Buck knives are 420hc stainless, do well for most camping fishing trips. Full time work tool I find the Buck doesn’t hold enough edge to last an 8 hour shift in the trades. Yes I also carry a small razor knife for cardboard and garbage. Less tactical looking perceived, helps your image with big city public. On the farm the girls would laugh at such a little knife! I am not a collector, but I do appreciate a better purpose built tool that makes my life easier.
Agreed!! Benchmade has no idea what's it's doing anymore. They really should move away from Portland and find new managment because whoever's in charge now is destroying their reputation.
It's like Benchmade is channeling Gerber with this series of knives. I'd love to know who if anybody field tested them to work out the issues you identified in your review. The sheaths are a complete joke, especially considering how much Benchmade charges for a knife these days. I will say the knives are kind of cool looking, but at the end of the day function is what really matters.
Agreed, Benchmade…first it’s made in the USA, so that alone should keep the price down, second they don’t have aesthetics for the cost and third there are many other options on the knife market that are just as good at 1/2 the price…. I love the BM freek, I want one but for the materials and blade steal and how long it’s been on the market, they could have seriously reduced the price, to which they have not!… well anyway, where are they made ..oh yeah ..Oregon… who did Oregon undoubtedly vote for, yes the party that drove this market off the scales and think we are stupid to buy such an overpriced tool!
I am shocked you are surprised about the attachment hardware.... Benchmade has been notorious for that probably the last 4 years. Every non-leather sheath I believe is lacking in the attachment hardware.
That's a huge miss for me personally! Who wants a knife with no way to carry it but in your hand or pocket? I wouldn't buy a car with no tires, and I wouldn't want a knife with no carry option! Benchmade has really declined in my opinion lately! Ill stay away from them yntil the get their act together!
U gotta be pretty foolish if you're considering buying buying BM, they just keep getting worse and worse while still asking for ridiculous amounts of money.
It truly amazes me that people even buy Benchmade products they are overpriced, overrated and jus plain boring designs in my opinion idk that's jus me im sure some models perform well but i guarantee for what you paid for that model that performs well there's probably 100 different competitive options that are cheaper and perform better benchmade is a greedy company this so called 'water knife' is a prime example of greed its not even practical for use on or near water they're tripping at Benchmade have been for years imo
Benchmade. Quality knives at a very proud price. Which is the issue with Benchmade for me… knives go in tiers for me in terms of price. take for instance the Benchmade CLA auto knife… for the price benchmade asks for $300. Man I wanna buy it but for that price? I could get a Protech or Microtech or Heretic knife. Which im doing every time. Protech has this same issue. Got the Rockeye Operator and its so bad ass. I beat the hell outta it. $300 I paid… then being a typical consumerist steep snob. Paying $300 for a S35V just hits me funny. S35V is solid no doubt but then you snap it open and it all fades away.
This color is dumb. Let’s make a knife for use in water that’s the same color as water. Fn benchmade just not actually thinking about it. And for that price!!!? And the sheaths are terrible!!!
@ have you never been to a lake river or the ocean? Yes glass of water looks clear however in large quantities water will absorb red and yellow light and scatter blue light back through it and at you. This is why large bodies ofwater “appear to be blue hence why a blue knife for water is dumb.
Stupid take. The guns were unwanted material, handed in to be destroyed,or previous trial evidence, which is required to be destroyed. Stop worshipping guns ffs.
Their magnacut heat treat is too soft. They try to justify it but there is not a single other maker who agrees. Just another once great company gone to trash
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Mora's cork handled floating knife is a better option for water imo and way cheaper.
There are so many other knives from so many other manufacturers... for me, Benchmade has been missing the mark for a long time. Their sheaths & pricing are difficult to overcome.
They really think that butterfly is worth more than gold.
The worst thing is there are still people out there that think they aren't overpriced and over-hyped
A lot of knives for fishing using are made of 420 steels or n680 , why to spend 200$ for a knife, for a survival knife yes, why not but not for a fishing knife 💸
@@Dogspark841 i spend 10€ on a flyway benchmade clone, and i won 190€ 😂
Benchmade is fu**ing overpriced, thats ridiculous !
some people could say to me , its bad to buy clones, but i only need this knife, to cut inside the apples, cut chesnuts, or little things when i cook, why to spend 200€ to do that ? no way !
reality can be crazy, i bought a xyj nakiri knife in cr15 steel, this is maybe the most sharp knife i got, and so fast to sharpen, only for 10€ too..., for same reason my mora companion is the knife i use more, its like a second hand !
Lots of misses here but at THE most basic level is the color. Making a series meant for water and making it blue will assure that once it’s lost it shall never be found. Spyderco knew this with their salt series.
How would that make a difference if you drop it any water deeper than like maybe 5 feet? Unless you're diving you're not going to find it at the bottom of a river, lake, or ocean.
@ I believe at least part of the point here is to use the larger as a diving knife. So many, in fact, would be diving. I’m simply saying that around water it’s helpful to have bright colors.
Aaron thanks for your integrity, you always give us a genuine review good or bad. These had major faults and you didn’t shy away from it, it’s really appreciated!
Absolutely! 👍
In my experience the rubber overmold handle never lasts more than a year or two before it starts to peel or crack
I got a north arm mallard in magnacut, (($120Us). Excellent kydex sheath and build quality. Simplistic.
Naa come on. The Audacity of Benchmade to charge their ridiculous prices, with their cringe boring blades. They're sinking their own ship. It's no secret.
Benchmade definitely is having problems right now. It’s not helping that most of there talented designers and production workers have left to work for Montana knife Company who’s currently undergoing expanding into there 3rd Building. Benchmade sued Montana knife Company for hiring some of there designers after they left the company Ben Peterson talks about the law suit on his Knafs TH-cam channel.😮 What are your thoughts on the law suit Aaron.
They remind me of what Gerber was doing in the 2010's where the design is very geometrical. It looks like a middle schooler had a straight edge and drew a bunch of straight lines in random order and when they were done, their dad (a Benchmade employee) was mindblown because it kind of looked like a knife. Being the proud father they were, they took that picture to work and decided to put that baby into production. Management saw this and were like that's ugly, but we don't want a law suite for saying that his kids' drawing was ugly. So they decided to add it to a very niche market, being their water knife line, hoping most people wouldn't pay much attention to it. Idk just a theory.
Back to the drawing board BM
Nearly bought the intersect yesturday! Thank fuck I didn’t! I settled for a Boker Vigtig vs Wild Magnacut! Can’t wait! Half the price also! Wooooo
Benchmade chose to go with about what Dr. Thomas stated is the best balance between edge holding and toughness. You ARE getting full potential by not chipping the edge as easily as one that is harder.
You need to watch some of my other videos on other MagnaCut blades most companies are starting to do 62 to 64 or 61 to 63 and I’m seeing no issues as performance and I’m not alone.
I don't understand why Benchmade plays with the Rockwell on some of theirs steel , I bought the Benchmade Bailout in CPM-3V when it first came out and I couldn't understand why It didn't have good edge retention like my other 3V Blades and then I found out they lowered the Rockwell to like 56-58 and Didn't Tell Anyone, when I buy 3V I want it to perform like 3V not 1095 , I bought the Bailout because of the 3V and I paid good money for it ...🤬 . I tried returning it to the Store and the said Nope you got to Return it to Benchmade, so I emailed Benchmade and they asked me if I used it at all and I said Of Coarse I did , so they said They would get back to me with what to do and 3 emails later they Never Answered me again ... I Was Pissed , I still have the Thing and Never Used it again 🤬 at least you knew the Rockwell before hand , I feel like I was Scammed....
I would love to see who the designer is. It might help explain what we are seeing these day’s.
Benchmade over prices and under delivers.
Another honest straight forward no nonsense review of a freshly dropped new knife. Thanks, Aaron! I love your videos, buddy. Great take on a new knife. Unfortunately, Benchmade is notorious for not Rockwelling steels where they should be. I have the Benchmade Leuku in Cpm 3v, and they had a huge pushback for not bringing the Rockwell up enough on that knife as well.
I just finished watching the review on the sharp Al rod sharpener earlier today now another Gideon tactical video. Two in one day yeah boyyy
That lake was beautiful. Looked like you were casting out into glass.
Yeah, it was a gorgeous day for filming and fishing
I like the idea of the water line. As far as folders I like the Spyderco designs better. I don’t know why Benchmade couldn’t do a G10 handle with a good kydex sheath. Using blue around water seems like a bad idea also. This is another place where Spyderco wins.
So that price point and I don't even get a belt loop? Come on Benchmade!
Exactly!
They water knifes not ment for belt carry . Strap to vest or wrist or calf .
@@warlantactical I belt carry my boat and abalone diving knives all the time
@ ok good that works for you ,others carry wrist of calf or straps .
It would be interesting to see a focus comparison of serrations vs normal blade specifically for the tasks you mentioned - cutting rope, cord, nets, etc. I have never used a serrated edge but it seems like serrations need a more work to cut than a sharp normal blade.
Honestly, my knives for water environments are my quiet carries or one of my two Spyderco salt series These knives look really nice. But you almost never get what you’re paying for with benchmade these days. These days, the 719 is the only BM in the collection and that’s because it’s a full rockscale build I did years ago.
Say what you will about Benchmade magnacut hardness but I dropped my magnacut mini adamas on the concrete, direct tip impact…. No tip damage. Small touch up with work sharp and it’s like new. Freakin amazing.
G'day Aaron, like the water specific idea, should be more of 'em IMO. However, I'm not really see'n anything water specific, yes a very good SS choice, (HT could be better), though I wonder how it'd stack up against LC200, or Ti for that matter ?
I do like that the little fella's handle has some meat about it. Would make an excellent bait knife I reckon.
Serrations, I find a nuisance, ........ bread knives only IMO ; )
And yep the hang up at the hilt is just not on. Also, If one is a knot guy, (water and/or land based), the addition of a marlinespike or fid is a must IMO; which you will still find on "yachties" folders, though I just carve and fire harden one out in the bush.
Cant say I like either of those sheaths carry wise, dunno in what universe they'd be good for fish'h or any other water sport. In fairness, the push release tab on the bigger fella looks like a winner.
Btw; I have seen a coupla buoyant handle jobs, though the ones I've seen were in the cheap and nasty category, a quality version would appeal.
Cheers Duke.
$250?! No no no ive just used a basic bahco knife or a mora when free diving or spear fishing.They are literally designed for fish and they are cheep. You want to drop your expensive knife into the deep dark drink? No just carry 2 sharp bahco $20 each not $250 😂😂 250!!!!!😅
Benchmade lost their edge a few years ago, no pun intended! Products and prices 😢
great review!
I just left the lanyard on and it pulls right out. I never need to even look
Buck alpha elite is a great option and three different sizes to fit your needs
I found an Intersect at a pawn shop for around $150. At that price is it worth it……. Mmmmm…. For me? Yes, because it’s the Benchmade entry in my small fixie collection. Is it worth it for the regular Joe McBroski that just needs a knife for x, y, or z? Mmmmmm… probably not. Is it worth it at $200+? Aaaah, no. No. No…
Lucky Dog... I just started looking around local pawnshops
Love the video. Thanks. A competitive option for the big knife...ANY similar size stainless steel knife. Just my opinion
Regarding the HRC, they went with optimal corrosion resistance, wich makes sensé since it's kind of the purpose of the collection. Great review 🙏
They currently use that Rockwell across-the-board, regardless of it’s in their water series or not. I think it has a lot more to do with mass producing them and they wanted to have low risk of breaking.
@@gideonstactical a broken clock is right twice a day, that time they were right but usually they do run soft.
Benchmade just mailed it in on this series, as they have for quite some time. Just riding their butterfly to profit without giving their customers the value they're paying for. I'll say it, only a fool would buy Benchmade at this point.
The folder is awesome
Banchamde misses again.
Higher hrc lower toughness try a higher edge angle.
The problem here is two factors: ugliness, and insane price for what they are! Will never buy anything from them.
I really like this shade of blue on the handles. The larger knife seems to be short on comfort despite the ergonomic shape. Design and purpose are more important than looks, it’s a tool. For the price…I could do very well with a “ lesser tool”. Most Buck knives are 420hc stainless, do well for most camping fishing trips. Full time work tool I find the Buck doesn’t hold enough edge to last an 8 hour shift in the trades. Yes I also carry a small razor knife for cardboard and garbage. Less tactical looking perceived, helps your image with big city public. On the farm the girls would laugh at such a little knife! I am not a collector, but I do appreciate a better purpose built tool that makes my life easier.
Other than that, what problems do you see?
The company entirely!
Agreed!! Benchmade has no idea what's it's doing anymore. They really should move away from Portland and find new managment because whoever's in charge now is destroying their reputation.
They've gone downhill and I'm seeing more of this crap with not including belt attachments
no magnacut for a sea knife! need a full corotion resitance steal like H1 or 420. also for speargun fishing you need a very piercy blade as well
It's like Benchmade is channeling Gerber with this series of knives. I'd love to know who if anybody field tested them to work out the issues you identified in your review. The sheaths are a complete joke, especially considering how much Benchmade charges for a knife these days. I will say the knives are kind of cool looking, but at the end of the day function is what really matters.
Agreed, Benchmade…first it’s made in the USA, so that alone should keep the price down, second they don’t have aesthetics for the cost and third there are many other options on the knife market that are just as good at 1/2 the price…. I love the BM freek, I want one but for the materials and blade steal and how long it’s been on the market, they could have seriously reduced the price, to which they have not!… well anyway, where are they made ..oh yeah ..Oregon… who did Oregon undoubtedly vote for, yes the party that drove this market off the scales and think we are stupid to buy such an overpriced tool!
American made increases the price.... Not sure where you are going
Enjoy those tariff fuelled price increases....
The original Freek was awesome.
No carbon fiber bullshit, $130.
I would have bought 2 if I knew they would discontinue the base model.
I am shocked you are surprised about the attachment hardware.... Benchmade has been notorious for that probably the last 4 years. Every non-leather sheath I believe is lacking in the attachment hardware.
That's a huge miss for me personally! Who wants a knife with no way to carry it but in your hand or pocket? I wouldn't buy a car with no tires, and I wouldn't want a knife with no carry option! Benchmade has really declined in my opinion lately! Ill stay away from them yntil the get their act together!
im on a boat lolol. youre from my generation brother
I think they don’t have a clip for the sheath because it is designed for attaching to your wader belt
Again, some sort of clip would’ve been nice for certain scenarios.
@ totally agree
Glad to see benchmade make water knives because the jumped the shark long ago.
Those knives aren’t aesthetically pleasing to me at all. Since the introduction of the Narrows I’ve lost interest in Benchmade.
😂
U gotta be pretty foolish if you're considering buying buying BM, they just keep getting worse and worse while still asking for ridiculous amounts of money.
They still have some decent knives, but the majority is way overpriced.
It truly amazes me that people even buy Benchmade products they are overpriced, overrated and jus plain boring designs in my opinion idk that's jus me im sure some models perform well but i guarantee for what you paid for that model that performs well there's probably 100 different competitive options that are cheaper and perform better benchmade is a greedy company this so called 'water knife' is a prime example of greed its not even practical for use on or near water they're tripping at Benchmade have been for years imo
The sheets sucks. 😱
Unbelievably overpriced products. I’ve passed on benchmade for several years now.
Not a fan of the sheaths, it’s a shame cause they look fantastic
Benchmade. Quality knives at a very proud price. Which is the issue with Benchmade for me… knives go in tiers for me in terms of price. take for instance the Benchmade CLA auto knife… for the price benchmade asks for $300. Man I wanna buy it but for that price? I could get a Protech or Microtech or Heretic knife. Which im doing every time. Protech has this same issue. Got the Rockeye Operator and its so bad ass. I beat the hell outta it. $300 I paid… then being a typical consumerist steep snob. Paying $300 for a S35V just hits me funny. S35V is solid no doubt but then you snap it open and it all fades away.
Garage knives
I agree, dumb !!
There are too many better knives for around half the price.
This color is dumb. Let’s make a knife for use in water that’s the same color as water. Fn benchmade just not actually thinking about it. And for that price!!!? And the sheaths are terrible!!!
Water is clear.
@ have you never been to a lake river or the ocean? Yes glass of water looks clear however in large quantities water will absorb red and yellow light and scatter blue light back through it and at you. This is why large bodies ofwater “appear to be blue hence why a blue knife for water is dumb.
Nope not worth it. Better get the freereign in magnacut (when avillable of course)
Totally!
I have hated benchmade for the past 5 years. Ever since they chopped up a bunch of guns for their local woke police department
Stupid take.
The guns were unwanted material, handed in to be destroyed,or previous trial evidence, which is required to be destroyed.
Stop worshipping guns ffs.
@@redflag4781 lol your name would be “red flag”. 😂
@@MantisTobaggan84
I'm a socialist, so it seems appropriate.
@@redflag4781 how’s that working out for you?
@MantisTobaggan84
I notice you've made zero attempt to rehabilitate your original "point".
Just accept the correction, you'll be better for it.
Their magnacut heat treat is too soft. They try to justify it but there is not a single other maker who agrees. Just another once great company gone to trash
In incompetent sheet design huh.benchmadehad there head some where the sun don't shine.🤔come on not that stupid.
Benchmade and their ridiculous colors 🤣
Looks like lanyard tying lessons are in your future, but it will help you deploy the small knife from that sheath...
First