Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Lock Type
Cons: Handle Feel, Handle Material, Weight
Magnacut Goodness, but not everything is rainbows
For once, I was on top of the drop. Shipping took the usual +1 day. Design is very good. Colorway is trendy. Craft is Benchmade's, so everything is as it should be. Nits... The handle. I wouldn't call them scales, and I don't care for them at all. The shape is ergonomic where you grip, but the molding leaves 'sharp' edges in the 'slot'. My fingers have the feeling they are being cut if I hold tightly. The overall weight is pleasingly light, but it feels all up front. The balance is (surprise) centered thanks to the weight of the back spacer. Open back architecture would throw it off and a solid scale of a fat quarter inch per side (at the thickest of the contour) will likely pitch the knife back into the palm. My Griptillian has the 2-tone blue/gray scales. It feels solid. I'm gonna check, but I never felt that the balance was off. Action is good. The sound of deployment is unsatisfying. No 'snick', but a 'thwack'. I remember first handling the Dekka, and it's hollow plasticky sound. I got used to it. This is worse. Grip is slippery despite grooves and texture. I suspect that Benchmade fully expects purchasers to upgrade the 'handles'. This is not a nice thing to believe, especially after the $ we already spent...AND the manufacturer's design investment (can you estimate?). Mostly wasted. For users who want to pretend this is not a 3.88" steel tool, and hence, that it shouldn't have a wee bit o' heft, in spite of its breadth, enjoy yourselves, but wear gloves. Replacement scales of substance, and even a mimic of the contours will enhance the heft, balance, sound, and grip, too. So, yes, I will upgrade and I will be happy. Til then, I'll shake my head as I whip it out, and wince as I 'work' with the blade. Parting shot: a plastic bead? C'mon.
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