[MatthewVanitas]

I've had a Kershaw Chive for a while, and rather like it. Kind of a 21st C. geek version of the gentleman's knife.

I'm interested in getting a BM Benchmite for comparison, but can't quite figure it out. What is a Levitator lock? Does it swing out, or does it slide straight forward from the grip?

Any comments from Benchmite owners?

-MV

[hso]

LEVITATOR™
It's yet another ingenious mechanism from the creative duo of Bill McHenry and Jason Williams. Benchmade has the exclusive patent on the Levitator mechanism. The knife handle scale/liner is cut to create a spring system, which is used to leverage a lock-pin in and out of a notch in the tang of the blade. This spring/pin system can effectively lock the blade both in the open and closed positions (Benchmite-II (Model 10610)). Also available in an Auto-Levitator design, Auto-Benchmite (Model 3100).

I don't own a Benchmite, but I've played with plenty and they're fine little knives.

[ugaarguy]

MV, I own both a Chive and an Auto Benchmite. The "flipper" to start the spring assist on the Chive is a neat idea, but the little sliding plastic safety that blocks the blade tip exiting the knife handle ruins it. The flipper is too much of a hair trigger for me to comfortably carry without the safety engaged. The safety is down at the back of the handle, so you have to slide it off and then get back to the front of the handle near the pivot to hit the flipper. That slows you down and kills the fast opening you want from a spring assisted knife. A safety at the pivot would be much better for retaining speed.

The Auto Benchmite however requires a solid and deliberate push to the scale to open it. It's like a revolver, and needs no safety. The Levitator lock is slick, and performs flawlessly. I actually bought the little booger to be my modern geeky genteman's neato pocketknife. The Auto Benchite fills that roll perfectly - and at $100 it should. Yes, it cost about 3.5x times what the Chive does, but it's worth it for the materials and functionality.

[Corndogg]

@ ugaarguy re: the chive flipper safety

to be fair, the chives flipper safety (the little plastic bit near the tip of the blade while closed) can be 1) slid and tightened and thus always kept in the safety off position, and 2) removed.

i removed mine, and havent had any problems at all with snags or accidental openings etc. if the knife is kept near the read of your front pocket, in the rare case of an accidental engaging of the flipper the knife blade wont even be able to fully open. so removing the safety makes access and opening a lot easier and faster.

[MatthewVanitas]

I tightened the torx down on my Chive safety, haven't had any problem with Premature Deployment.


Okay, so I grasp that the Benchmite is cool, but still unclear.

1) The blade _swings_ out, same as on a Chive, rather than sliding forward like a junk switchblade?

2) The AutoBenchmite flicks open when you push the scale, got it. What does the non-Auto BMite do, two-handed open?

3) Since the Auto BMite is under 2", does that mean it can be sent through interstate commerce?

Thanks,

-MV

[ugaarguy]

RE: Chive safety - I know you can remove it, and you can tighten it in the open position. I just don't particularly like either option, and I haven't really found a way that I can quickly disengage the safety and then quickly open the Chive. Compared to other knives, even other Kershaws where the safety is up near pivot & easily acessed I think the tip block slider is an awkward design. That's just me.

RE: MV's other BMite & Auto BMite questions.
1) Yes, pivoting blade, not sliding. Uses a a flat spine spring instead of a coil in the pivot.

2) Yes, it locks the blade open and closed.

3) Hrmm, good question - maybe a lawyer like El T. can help us on that one. I wish I knew.

[Zero_DgZ]

Chive: Comes with pocket clip.

Benchmite: Does not come with pocket clip.

I have a Chive, even though I'm a Benchmade nut otherwise. I don't find that it ever springs open in my pocket. If anything, the safety thingamamob slides into the safe position in my pocket and irritates me when I try to use the knife, so I removed it (one torx screw).

They're both fine knives; You probably can't go wrong either way.

[mdao]

I have a non-auto Benchmite on my key chain. It's a two handed opener, as there's really no good way of pushing the blade out while pushing on the Levitator lock. It is possible to depress the Levitator lock and use your wrist to flick the knife out though.

[hso]

3) Since the Auto BMite is under 2", does that mean it can be sent through interstate commerce?

15 and 18 USC restrictions for interstate commerce are based only upon the mechanism. There are no limitations, or exceptions, based upon blade length.

[MatthewVanitas]

Dang. Given the price, lack of pocket clip, interstate commerce restrictions for auto and 2-handed opening for manual, I believe I shall stick with my Kershaw Chive.

If I feel the need to get prodigal, maybe I'll just have a custom top-scale made for the Chive. I've seen one or two custom Chives with scrimshawed top scales. For the price of an Auto-BMite, it might actually be possible to get an ivory top-scale made. I think it's about $25 for a proper sized slab from Boone Trading, just depends what it costs for someone to cut it to shape.

-MV