Benchmade 417 FACT

I've liked many of Benchmade's designs over the years, but never quite enough to pull me away from my Spyderco fixation and buy one. I just came across the 417 FACT though and it really grabbed my attention and tickled my inner operator fantasies. Advanced Knife Bro gets it:

[video]http://youtube.com/watch?v=14whSJBDCVs[/video]

Not sure if it will actually make it's way to my pocket, but I really like the slim, minimalist lines. I've sort of had my eye out for something like this ever since I sold my Boker Kwaiken. The fully-ambi lock and reversible deep carry clip are big selling points for me over the Kwaiken and other possible replacements I've looked into. I wish it was about $50 cheaper, but I could say that about a lot of things lol.

-Nate

See real steel g5 metamorph similar design but I like that one more..
Lighter, nicer grind and cheaper.. better looking too
only disadvantage is that handle is more slippery..

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Advanced Knife Bro is pretty funny. I've watched a couple of his videos on some choppers, I like the satire.

Thanks for the suggestion JSCT.

I hadn't heard of the Real Steel and it has a lot to like, not least of which are the steel and price point, but the lock and clip are dealbreakers for me. I'm a lefty, as above: "The fully-ambi lock and reversible deep carry clip [on the 417] are big selling points for me over the Kwaiken and other possible replacements..."

I also like that the 417 affords a bit more in the way of a guard, in addition to your note about the G5 being more spippery.

Agree about AKB Ryan. I don't watch a lot on youtube generally, but he's one of my favorite reviewers when I do. Good cadence, doesn't take himself too seriously, and not another "tabletop" review (though those do fill a niche too).

-Nate

The 417 FACT looks like a great knife.

"I am still discussing issues of steels and performance at this stage." -- Cliff Stamp, May his memory be a blessing
"Life is GOOD", -- Stefan_Wolf, May His Memory Be A Blessing
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Quote

wish it was about $50 cheaper...

Two years later I got my wish and found a barely used one on BF for a great price. Landed a couple of days ago, it's all I've ever wanted in a tactical letter opener.

-Nate

Nate,
Nice! It looks lightweight, how does it feel in hand?

"I am still discussing issues of steels and performance at this stage." -- Cliff Stamp, May his memory be a blessing
"Life is GOOD", -- Stefan_Wolf, May His Memory Be A Blessing
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Thanks!

I really like it so far. Haven't done any hard or extended cutting with it, but as far as deploy-cut-put away, no complaints yet. Surprised how much I like the handle since for the most part I shy away from metal scales (the PITS is another exception). Like the texture of the ridges and guess the coating also helps with the hand feel some. Doing yard work the other day it zipped through bags of mulch and the narrow spear-point blade was great for cutting the tags off of new plants as they went in the ground. Fairly easy to handle and operate with gloves on as well.

-Nate

One of the few vaguely interesting designs Benchmade has come out with in recent years.

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Folding knives are fun, fixed blades are important.