Benchmade, "Infidel" Good choice?
- Thread starter CANNONMAN
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CZ9shooter
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Sweet knives. I have had a chance to play around with some, but wouldnt own one because it would mainly be an expensive toy. Autos are illegal to carry here. Also "daggers" are illegal to carry. The infidel would qualify as both.
Not a good choice for EDC anyhow if you ask me. OTFs always have a fair amount of blade play and while lockup may be secure now, I am not sure how it would hold up to long term daily use.
As a backup defensive tool, sure.
How do you plan to use it?
Not a good choice for EDC anyhow if you ask me. OTFs always have a fair amount of blade play and while lockup may be secure now, I am not sure how it would hold up to long term daily use.
As a backup defensive tool, sure.
How do you plan to use it?
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lemaymiami
Member
If you're buying something to show other folks - great... If you're considering a purchase of something to defend yourself with - it will do the job - if it's not confiscated by one authority or other. I think I'd much rather have something very capable - but not offensive looking at all...
Long before 9-11 I did a bit of travelling overseas - and always carried a really first class blade for self-defense purposes. It passed scrutiny through every screening situation -mainly because it didn't look like a weapon at all - just an ordinary single blade with a lock and a well polished cherry wood handle. This particular Henckels folding knife (they long ago quit making folding knives) is the exact same design as a Case Sodbuster - but in thin carbon steel the sharpest blade I've ever owned - bar none. It's the same blade I carried on the street in uniform for years and years - perfect for seatbelts or other items that might need to be cut through in an emergency. In local cuban slang it would have been called a "bonecutter" and that might provide some indication of it's intended purpose at close quarters -bad breath ranges..... I still have it to this day but it stays home since it doesn't do well around salt water at all - and that's where I am most days...
Long before 9-11 I did a bit of travelling overseas - and always carried a really first class blade for self-defense purposes. It passed scrutiny through every screening situation -mainly because it didn't look like a weapon at all - just an ordinary single blade with a lock and a well polished cherry wood handle. This particular Henckels folding knife (they long ago quit making folding knives) is the exact same design as a Case Sodbuster - but in thin carbon steel the sharpest blade I've ever owned - bar none. It's the same blade I carried on the street in uniform for years and years - perfect for seatbelts or other items that might need to be cut through in an emergency. In local cuban slang it would have been called a "bonecutter" and that might provide some indication of it's intended purpose at close quarters -bad breath ranges..... I still have it to this day but it stays home since it doesn't do well around salt water at all - and that's where I am most days...
Good knife.
Check your local jurisdiction prohibitions since NV does not have preemption and the local authorities may still prohibit daggers and switchblades even though the state removed them from the list as of July 1 of this year. There are still municipal laws in effect, especially in Clark County’s Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Henderson.
Las Vegas appears to have some restrictive language prohibiting weapons at special permit events. That's not prohibited weapons, but just weapons. No allowance appears to be made for carry permit holders.
https://www.municode.com/library/nv...:[]}&nodeId=TIT12MIRE_CH12.02SPEV_12.02.210VI
Check your local jurisdiction prohibitions since NV does not have preemption and the local authorities may still prohibit daggers and switchblades even though the state removed them from the list as of July 1 of this year. There are still municipal laws in effect, especially in Clark County’s Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Henderson.
Las Vegas appears to have some restrictive language prohibiting weapons at special permit events. That's not prohibited weapons, but just weapons. No allowance appears to be made for carry permit holders.
https://www.municode.com/library/nv...:[]}&nodeId=TIT12MIRE_CH12.02SPEV_12.02.210VI
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Ohen Cepel
Member
Nice knives, not PC though and not something I would carry much. I didn't opt for an auto even when I was overseas and it was fine. Just not my thing. If it is your thing though the Benchmade is a great option.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
I would love to have one to play with.
But I can't afford $400 dollars for a double-edge dagger that would have little practical use, except to play with.
rc
But I can't afford $400 dollars for a double-edge dagger that would have little practical use, except to play with.
rc
Thats not a knife this is is a knife, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_jPlq6oZVQ
Sorry about that.
Sorry about that.
rodensouth
Member
I've been eyeing those, as I like the aesthetics and very low riding clip.
I haven't been able to handle one though, can you describe the feel of opening/closing? How much pressure on switch in either direction, how much play in blade when open, etc. I have only handled cheap autos.
I think having a knife for enjoyment is plenty of good reason! But I can carry one here, in most places with my ccw, so I want one useable as my left side backup if needed. Also to show off when needed.
I haven't been able to handle one though, can you describe the feel of opening/closing? How much pressure on switch in either direction, how much play in blade when open, etc. I have only handled cheap autos.
I think having a knife for enjoyment is plenty of good reason! But I can carry one here, in most places with my ccw, so I want one useable as my left side backup if needed. Also to show off when needed.
I found a nice condition used Infidel at a gunshow several years ago for a great price, and I couldn't resist, especially when the wife said I should get it (she bought me my first Benchmade, a 3550). It was legal to possess but not to carry at the time in TN. Since then, the law changed making it legal to carry, but I don't, and probably won't, ever carry it regularly.
If I hadn't gotten such a good deal on it, it wouldn't have been a knife I would have ever considered buying, so it's kind of a trophy knife for me. It's just too nice (and expensive) to carry and scuff up, so I keep it around to display and show off.
Benchmade makes quality knives, and the Infidel is no exception, plus it has the cachet of being an OTF knife, which always wows people not familiar with it. The play in the blade is negligible, but there is a tiny bit of play as compared to a good folder. The play hasn't grown any over the years of cycling the blade, but it's seen no actual real-world usage, either.
Like all Benchmades, the Infidel is made to close tolerances with quality materials so blade play is minimal. Just guessing, I'd say it takes 5-7 lbs. of force to open or close it, and it has the same smooth action in either direction.
It clips deeply into a front pocket, stays out out sight, and feels comfortable to carry, but it does weigh 5 oz. which is only two ounces less than a loaded NAA mini-mag.
I don't recommend spending that kind of money for one without handling it personally first. One of the deciding factors in my purchase was that I was able to try it out before I bought it. I was impressed, but new Infidel money will buy a nice carry gun, and even at the used price I paid, the NAA with both cylinders was less expensive. Together, the NAA and 3550 cost less than a new Infidel.
Top: Mel Pardue 3550
Middle: Infidel 3300
Bottom: NAA-22MC
If I hadn't gotten such a good deal on it, it wouldn't have been a knife I would have ever considered buying, so it's kind of a trophy knife for me. It's just too nice (and expensive) to carry and scuff up, so I keep it around to display and show off.
Benchmade makes quality knives, and the Infidel is no exception, plus it has the cachet of being an OTF knife, which always wows people not familiar with it. The play in the blade is negligible, but there is a tiny bit of play as compared to a good folder. The play hasn't grown any over the years of cycling the blade, but it's seen no actual real-world usage, either.
Like all Benchmades, the Infidel is made to close tolerances with quality materials so blade play is minimal. Just guessing, I'd say it takes 5-7 lbs. of force to open or close it, and it has the same smooth action in either direction.
It clips deeply into a front pocket, stays out out sight, and feels comfortable to carry, but it does weigh 5 oz. which is only two ounces less than a loaded NAA mini-mag.
I don't recommend spending that kind of money for one without handling it personally first. One of the deciding factors in my purchase was that I was able to try it out before I bought it. I was impressed, but new Infidel money will buy a nice carry gun, and even at the used price I paid, the NAA with both cylinders was less expensive. Together, the NAA and 3550 cost less than a new Infidel.
Top: Mel Pardue 3550
Middle: Infidel 3300
Bottom: NAA-22MC
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Clark
Member
It feels like clickbait.
I thought someone loyal to SOG or something was an infidel for buying a Benchmade. .......Ford vs Chevy.
That's how I felt two weeks ago when i got this Benchmade Orange Griptilian.
Now, where's that Ford dealership?
I can't decide on the crew cab. There is another grandkid on the way.
It's not on a scale of reliability and longevity as an AXIS knife or a frame lock IMO. It's also not a knife I would personally use for medium-heavy work. Like some Microtech OTFs, it is impressively reliable for an OTF and it is a solid design. Benchmade may have changed the design since release but the aluminum scales are extremely rough on clothing, much like that of the original Presidio with the same material and very similar tooling.
IMO it is not a good knife for self defense for several reasons, especially in regards to the double-edged version in D2 steel. The cost is also worth mentioning because there are many knives that cost a fraction of the Infidel and IMO are far superior for defensive use. If only a folder is what one is going to use for self defense, I consider an OTF to be among the least desirable of offerings.
A knife that uses the wave feature can be much faster than an auto and far easier to deploy. Even the manual AXIS is faster once the user becomes used to using it. With that said, a fixed blade is many times faster and the inexpensive push dagger is a cheap but effective weapon for a "strike and run".
If you are willing to spend this kind of money, I would recommend checking out one of the folding karambits, such as what is offered by Emerson and Spyderco. In the hands of someone experienced, the karambit is an extremely effective edged weapon and there are quite a few training vids and books available for cheap. The Spyderco Waved Matriarch is also an outstanding design.
YMMV
IMO it is not a good knife for self defense for several reasons, especially in regards to the double-edged version in D2 steel. The cost is also worth mentioning because there are many knives that cost a fraction of the Infidel and IMO are far superior for defensive use. If only a folder is what one is going to use for self defense, I consider an OTF to be among the least desirable of offerings.
A knife that uses the wave feature can be much faster than an auto and far easier to deploy. Even the manual AXIS is faster once the user becomes used to using it. With that said, a fixed blade is many times faster and the inexpensive push dagger is a cheap but effective weapon for a "strike and run".
If you are willing to spend this kind of money, I would recommend checking out one of the folding karambits, such as what is offered by Emerson and Spyderco. In the hands of someone experienced, the karambit is an extremely effective edged weapon and there are quite a few training vids and books available for cheap. The Spyderco Waved Matriarch is also an outstanding design.
YMMV
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