First off I have to say I do NOT like benchmade. I find them to be over priced, having questionable quality control, and quite frankly overhype.
I have had several OTFs, a böker, an ultratec, and of course a lightning that I picked up to play with and ended up really loving. I wanted a new one after selling my ultratech last year and I stumbled on the claymore OTF. I of course looked into reviews and it seemed alot of knife guys hated it and a lot of them really liked it. Well even though I hate benchmade as a company the knife ticked all the boxes I want and I found one on sale for $275 and I jumped on it.
So first the pros:
it’s super light for its size. probably cause its made of what feels like they make Pmags out of. 4” blade and it only weighs 3.5oz
It’s extremely grippy, I have some scars on my fingers from sliding down the handle of a Knife when I was a Boy Scout so yeah it might not mean much to others but I’m a stickler for that. No hotspots either when you really squeeze it
I know the CPMD2 blade is a mater of contention for some people but damn does it take (and hold) a razor edge. It also slices a LOT better than my microtech did. Also it’s really pokey if you’re looking for that.
Last but definitely not least: I HAVE NEVER HAD A SINGLE MISFIRE. Not one, zero, zilch. Except for me putting it against something to check if it would go back on track it has never failed to fire and lock. My microtech would fail to deploy like 1/10 times even after cleaning, even more so if it was dirty.
now the cons:
this thing rattles, you tap it when it’s not deployed and you hear the spring buzz and a rattle sound. When it is deployed you can shake it and it sounds broken. sounds like there’s parts moving around. when you tap it the spring actually buzzes for a solid second lol.
The blade does have play, probably less than the microtech, but somehow more than the AKC lightning OTF. The lock is solid though, I have jammed it into a few things to check. (tip held up against a 2×4, wasn’t prying though)
So all in all: I definitely like the thing and if you’re looking for a good lightweight pokey OTF I’d recommend picking one of these up
by Still-Level563
2 Comments
On black Friday I got it for 30% off and for that price it’s really nice, but yeaaah. There is some blade play
Id take a livewire in magnacut over this anyday of the week. I hate Benchmade. Ive had my livewire for over a year and its going strong. only thing I had to do is loctite the screws, and of course the pocket clip sucks. I got it on sale sub $200 so 🤷