A well used knife

It has probably been 15 years since I bought these Benchmade knives at a gunshow. They were discontinued models at the time and I only paid $35 each IIRC. They are 440c steel and are the only ones I've seen in that steel. Newer knives have a round thumb hole instead of the oval used here.

I gave the one with the serrated blade to my son about 8-9 years ago and kept the other for me. He works in electrical construction and has used it hard. Some will cringe at what they would consider neglect, but he says it has been invaluable in his job and he loves it just as it is. I have a box full of knives and offered him a replacement, but he doesn't want to use anything else.

I hadn't seen the knife since giving it to him, but he and I were working on an electrical problem at his sisters house last week. He came by and helped us for a couple of hours after work each day. When he pulled it out of his pocket to cut something I was a little surprised at the condition it was in. But in that line of work I can understand that the wrong tool in your pocket is often a better option than the correct tool in the toolbox when you're 50' up in the air on a lift.

I'm not a huge fan of serrations, but he says they are perfect for what he needs. It was pretty dull and I brought it home to try to put something resembling an edge on it. Took the pic while I had it.

My grip has no hole, but a stud which seems to work fine.154 CM steel. Another good knife. It's been carried a bit. The blade is a razor.

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They still offer it with both blade options. 154CM came sometime after 440c. Most of the newest versions are D2 or S30V. Although I have both I just like the versions with the sheeps foot blade and hole in the blade. I go back and forth between Benchmade and Spyderco as to which is my favorite. Having the thumb hole in a Benchmade blade might just be the perfect compromise.

Here is an oddity. A drop point with a thumb hole. Apparently this was a special run for Blackwater. I picked it up at a Pawnshop for $15. Guy didn't realize it was a Benchmade until after I bought it. Benchmade isn't printed on it anywhere. This might be the best combo of all. Just wish it weren't serrated.