My Review: The Anthem 781, to many, is just a pretty piece of expensive metal and thats unfortunate because I think this knife is far better than most people realize. 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. 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. All things considered, this is the best Benchmade pocket knife Ive come across. My vote is for the mini grip. A large knife pretty much needs to be fixed blade, but with the size, were looking at theres a choice. The second thing you might notice is the saw teeth on the back of the blade. Because often I need to use my EDC for piercing or prying, and this sturdy, capable tip means I can do that without worrying about the tip snapping off. So, we talked a bit why you should take special notice of the buy once cry once mentality when shopping for a new knife and we mentioned the outstanding craftsmanship, quality, materials, and designs youll find in each and every Benchmade knife, but there is one more extremely important key to why the prices seem expensive versus their competitors. A Review of the Benchmade North Fork Knife: Is it Right for You? I will say this, I do love assisted knives simply for the experience and although this knife is a manual two-handed opener, the blade is super heavy and the opening mechanism is so smooth that it delivers a very unique opening experience I have yet to see replicated by any other knife. A smaller angle cuts very well but won't last very long, which brings us to the other part of the blade and edge integrity. The price is quite reasonable for a Benchmade, and the performance coupled with a modern aesthetic look makes it the best Benchmade knife for giving to someone who loves knives. Blade Style: Drop-PointBlade Composition: CPM S30VHandle Composition: Sealed Wood or Patterned G10Blade Length: 2.97Total Length: 6.97Total Weight: 3.41 ounces. Additionally, the variables are many. If youre like me and you arent a huge fan of partially serrated blades, you can find this knife with a plain edge as well and that may save you a couple of extra bucks! 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. The Bugout is a supremely good design and easy choice only if weight and ease of carry is of primary concern. With the Axis Lock system that the North Fork uses it will not open if dropped or a flicked wrist if you do not depress the lock mechanism. 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. It does feel small to me, and though the construction and blade are great, I'm not too happy with the closing and locking mechanism when the blade is closed. The All-Outdoors Guide team is comprised of enthusiastic experts that enjoy helping others that aspire to be better at outdoor fun. Particularly, if youre going to swim, camp, or go backpacking, dont pick wood or Dymondwood handle as moisture will make it unsuitable for a while. 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. Lifesharp support will receive your knife and immediately disassemble it for inspection. 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. By the way, did you know Benchmade makes fire starters? Another thing that contributes to making this knife a prime choice for hunting is the gut hook that folds into the handle. And the same thing always ends up happening. . Usually, pocket-friendly knives make use of less sturdy steel, but that is not so in this knife. While you might be thinking this will be your next EDC of choice, Im thinking this would make a great gift! The Top 3 Best Two-Person Tents for Couples (or Close Friends). With the added strength from this treatment, theres no need to worry about the wood chipping, drying out, or getting wet. My Review: First and foremost, the Saddle Mountain is more of a lineup of knives that just a single knife itself. You might be asking yourself, there are so many factors to consider, how could you ever choose just one? Lastly, this knife doesnt come with the typical Benchmade technologies we have come to know and love. [Answered]. They would find the Mini Griptilian more comfortable and compact. They are, however, easy to sharpen in the field, even with limited means. Something I think youll notice right out of the box is how strong and sturdy the knife feels while appearing elegant and sleek. Wrapping it all together is a very well built polymer sheath with a snap lock and that coveted Benchmade butterfly stamped on it. Which just about always also means pleasantly functional. If theres anything better than the blade on this knife, its the glass-filled nylon handle. My Review: Oh boy the Bedlam is a beaut of a blade but I swear, this is not the knife for everyone! As such you don't have to worry about that. Between those two even with the variants of the mini grip, I would still choose the northfork all day. The idea here was to give the users more options and enable both automatic and manual use. Absolutely! Now, the Fact wouldnt exactly end up at the forefront of an EDC list or really on any list, however, Im in love! Now you have a good idea of what sort of knife you should be looking for, but theres still a huge choice. It is a boutique piece of equipment, and losing such an expensive pocket knife out on a camping trip would certainly be a tragedy. I saw you listed those two knives above as alternatives, but just wanted to see what you may think again given my specific concerns. Make sure these handles are well-textured, and youre all set. 5. It is ultimately one of the worlds best folding knives that are perfectly designed to provide uninterrupted long term use.The package offers a lifetime warranty, a comfortable wooden handle and a high quality CPM-S30V stainless steel blade. 2PCS Handle Patch G10 Micarta Blade Scales Fit For Benchmade North Fork The blade provides impressive edge qualities and excellent rust/ collusion resistance capabilities.It has a well-balanced and ergonomic wooden handle, designed for more resistance to harsh outdoor conditions. 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. Marine Approved is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associate Program. 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. It may not display this or other websites correctly. North Fork. 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. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, benefits, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.For more information about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, please see this government poster: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal. These are not an EDC style utility knife but more so something to use as a last resort in a sticky situation. Keep 'em coming. 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. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. 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. Benchmade 535 Bugout Review | Tested by GearLab 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. Benchmade calls this a hunting knife and yeah, I could understand that, but really, I think this is more of just a flat out awesome design thats refreshing and unique to the usable and functional fixed blade industry. A blade's sharpness and integrity are a function of usage, materials, heat treatment, and geometry. If you think that 7.25 total length would be tough to conceal or a bit overkill, you can check out the Benchmade Mini SOCP here. Before we evaluate the North Fork, lets establish some general evaluation criteria: The big question is what sort of knife you want to carry. It is this that mainly sets the Mini-Barrage ahead of the North Fork. the blade would come out without my intending it. The best Benchmade knife isnt the one with the most ratings or reviews, or the one thats the most pricey. When you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. However, it is not at the very top. In order to compare them all side-by-side, weve created this guide encompassing each and every one of our favorites. Blade Style: Drop-Point|Blade Composition: CPM-S30VHandle Composition: Dual-Durometer Glass-Filled NylonBlade Length: 3.5Total Length: 7.84Total Weight: 3.77 ounces. Benchmade Scales North Fork - Etsy However, the wooden handle might start to look a bit beaten up. 10 Best Benchmade Knife Reviews: How to Pick the Best Amid a Superb EDC But what are the other differences between the two? The first thing you might notice is the lack of scales. Disclosure. The Bugout is a really great knife, but pocket jewelry it ain't. The Benchmade Bugout is pure 100% utilitarian practicality, and there wasn't any room to pack on the flash. The CPM-s30v stainless steel blade is built like a tank, and it can take care of skinning your hunt very easily. Benchmade North Fork Backspace - Etsy Aside from one major variable, the ergonomics of the North Fork knife are virtually identical to those of the Benchmade Mini-Barrage 585. A difference of two letters in total. Shipping costs depend on order amount and shipping destination. 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. 2022 Benchmade, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, Blade Finish: Finish Satin Blade Steel: CPM-S30V (58-60) Handle Material: Dymondwood(Wood). In fact, it could be a knife even outside my list! I have owned 5 northforks and just about as many mini grips. They offer some real advantages, especially when youre working blind inside a cavity; its much easier to predict where the smaller blade is going to be, so youre less likely to find it sticking in your other hand. Youre paying some of that price tag as a royalty for them being well known and well respected within the knife community. Oh, and if you have butterfingers and youre always dropping your knives in the woods, only to take the next 15 minutes kicking leaves looking for your knife, you can grab this baby in some hot hunters orange and ensure you never lose your beloved Benchmade Altitude. The Puukko embodies what I think a lot of purist fix blade enthusiasts truly love. Can I Use a Lock Knife for Bushcraft Does It Work? Check out the Benchmades official page for more information on the Lifesharp program here. Hi, this is Jason Rhodes. As Ive already waxed poetic about the Griptilian, you know thats one of the best EDC knives from the house of Benchmade. Its an ambidextrous knife. A quality blade will help with minor repairs to your gear, like cutting improvised tent stakes. However, its also very functional when you use this as your daily carry knife. Its also a little prone to chipping. [Easy] How to Clean Rust off of a Gun Without Damaging it? No wonder users call it the best Benchmade knife for hunting. 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. It feels cheap to me in the hand and I just can't get past it. No sponsored content. This knife is not made for everyone and is really focused on someone that really appreciates the design and form factor. The size is such that it clips relatively unobtrusively to your pants pocket. A quick last note here, the Griptilian sometimes receives a little hate because it doesnt have the G10 or carbon fiber handle. #knives #north-fork #benchmade #product-overview #north-fork-axis #benchmade-north-fork-who-designed #best-benchmade-north-fork-knife #customizing-north-fork-benchmade #benchmade-north-fork-wood-edc see all. Are you 'simply' looking for a good and lightweight EDC pocket knife? 1. Ultimately I decided the blade was slightly too short for a lot of tasks, and the handle just a bit small for my preferences. That good old homegrown quality and attention to detail dont come cheap and although I dont know the specifics, the information found here on Glassdoor indicates average wages that far exceed what Id expect most foreign knife manufacturers to offer their employees. If you want a compact hunter or just a tough and versatile EDC blade, youll most likely be very happy with this one. Simply apply pressure to the thumb stud and boom, the blade flips into place almost effortlessly. This may actually be one of the most well-rounded knives weve ever Marine Approved. Best Arcteryx Hiking Shorts Guide: Which Is Right for You? Aside from the somewhat unique blade shape approach, Benchmade has managed to offer you a 3.4 blade in a package that weighs less than 3 ounces and yet still manages to offer an excellent grip and a heavy-hitting S30V steel blade. It's a small, unobtrusive deep carry tip-up design that can be flipped to the other side if you're a lefty. On the entire continuum of pocket knife size, the North Fork is near the top. Not many knives give off such a premium feel while costing under two Benjamins AND being as rough and tough as the Foray. Its also rust and corrosion resistant to a great degree, and it retains a razor-sharp edge even after heavy duty. While folded EDC knives by Benchmade are definitely prime quality and are loved by most users, their fixed blade knives are nothing to scoff at. Yes, it is a little expensive coming in at two Benjamins but this is a knife that can do it all and will do it all for many many many years to come. I know, Ive put this knife in the EDC section and it certainly works as an excellent EDC, but with how incredibly light it is, I actually really like this knife for what its name suggests Bugout. Carrying and utilizing the Griptilian on a daily basis is extremely easy and for that reason, I believe many people would agree, the Griptilian is one of the best values and best overall EDC knives offered by Benchmade today. Blade Style: Drop-PointBlade Composition: CPM-20CVHandle Composition: Anodized Billet Titanium With Triangular Scale TextureBlade Length: 3.5Total Length: 8.06Total Weight: 3.66 Ounces. Portability, regarding size, is also at direct odds with ergonomics. Of course, what youre getting isnt even a full plastic design. BUT. it may be knocked off the throne by my mini crooked river. Be sure to check out the latest pricing here. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Benchmade has taken this idea and, in my opinion, refined it to be as handy and as durable as possible given the current steel and knife technology. Throw it in your truck, keep it in your bugout bag, use it with your survival kit, whatever, this knife is so light and compact that youll forget its there until you need it! Anyway, on to the design of the North Fork. Q: Does a Benchmade Knife Have a Lifetime Warranty? Not everyones going to find it perfect with a short blade the thumb studs might interfere with some cutting operations, so some users might have preferred a thumb hole instead. Throughout the list, Ill provide my thoughts on our favorite Benchmade knives across several different categories and throughout both fixed and folding knives in those categories if applicable. Glass-filled nylon handles are generally a bit lighter than G10 handles as well as significantly cheaper than carbon fiber, so I believe the handle they chose fits perfectly with the ideology behind the knife, versatility, and usability above all! All images on our website are the property of their respective owners. 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. The Anthem is one of the best general-purpose knives you can buy for under $500. Their edge holds well, and they do not deteriorate or rust for a long time. I have linked out to the version with only one edge, which is also the serrated version. CPM 3V and CPM M4. 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. Both knives fit the same use case and both knives are of the same exceptional Benchmade quality. We are pocket knife experts that understand that you don't Pocket knife shopping is daunting. We only review top-scoring products, and top-performing pocket knives are all well made of excellent materials. 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. Standard, because it is great for daily tasks. The FRN handle gives a good grip, and a big thumbhole allows easy opening without studs getting in the way. The folding knife isnt just built for hunting, but also suitable for other uses as well.This Benchmade North Fork 1503 review explains everything about this versatile, tactical knife. r/Knife_Swap. A: Great high-quality steel such as 154CM and CPM-s30v are used to create Benchmade knives. 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. That passion has led me to build this site, Read on for my story. North Fork is a great little folder but thickest through the handles. Home Knives 30 Best Benchmade Knives in 2023 (Ranked by Category). The knife makes use of an assisted opening mechanism that you can access with just one hand, any hand. 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.