Pick a first Benchmade

[ThomC]

It's happening. I'm starting to look at Benchmade knives and some are pretty appealing.
That being said, I know next to nothing about them apart from being super light and very fidget friendly. The models that caught my eye are the Griptilian, Mini-Grip, Bugout and Mini Bugout.
Which one would you forumites recommend ? I'm trying not to spend more than the price of a new PM2.

[MacLaren]

Well, I really liked my Contego in M390
It's a Knifeworks special
The regular Contego has M4
Either would be great.
The Benchmade Axis lock is undoubtedly the best in that class.

[PStone]

I would grab that knifeworks exclusive contego while you can. I believe it is on super sale for only $139 right now. And if you don’t mind a little recurve, they also have a grizzly creek folder on super sale for only $80.

Edit: Grizzly Ridge. Not creek

2nd edit:Dang. Both Contego sold out now. Apologies

[abbazaba]

Bugout is their best knife in a long time IMO. Same cutting edge as the PM2 in a much smaller and lighter package. It defines practicality in an EDC, similar to how I feel about the Chaparral. I loved mine so much I purchased a second and some new scales for both. The Ti one is probably my most carried non-Spyderco since it dropped.

[prndltech]

Yeah I’ll second the above... I’ve only had my bugout for 2 and a half days and I like it a lot!

[Halfneck]

Griptillian is a good knife. I just found the Mini-Grip a bit too small, and the standard Grip too big.
One of my favorite Benchmades is the discontinued 531. It was the precursor to the Bugout for a thin-bladed lightweight knife.
The Bugout improved on the 531's ergonomics, & pocketclip. To me though the Bugout's FRN handles compared to the 531's G10 makes it blade heavier than I like. Definitely planning on some aftermarket scales for my Bugout down the road.

[kennethsime]

The Bugout certainly seems to be the crowd favorite these days, and it even comes in Ranger Green, so there's that.

The Grip never really did it for me - the "3D" nature of the handle just takes up too much room in the pocket. While there are aftermarket scales, I'd just as soon buy a Presidio or so.

The new Bailout looks cool if you like tantos, but now we're getting out of your desired price range I think. And for $200, I think I'd just go ahead and buy a classic 940 with the Reverse Tanto and the Green Aluminum scales.

Actually, **** it all. You should just buy the 940.

[soc_monki]

Crooked River! Or the Super Freek!

Just got a super Freek yesterday, it is very nice! Love my crooked river though, fantastic knife, and the mini is very impressive as well.

Also have an m390 Contego and it is what started my Benchmade journey.

So far I haven't been disappointed. Their warranty is great as well.

[The Deacon]

Not really a Benchmade fan, but I will admit to having a soft spot for the Infidel...

[PSquared]

Of current production knives I’d add my vote for the Bugout but it really wants aftermarket scales to be great. Both of mine have carbon fibre scales and I have a third set on the way. A thin bladed assisted flipper that doesn’t get enough attention is the Arcane or Amicus.

Out of production but I was just browsing a site that has two available is the Mini Dejavoo. It’s a Bob Lum masterpiece.

[Sharp Guy]

Like any other brand, it's all personal preference. So you're going to get a lot of different answers.

Personally, I like the BM minis. The 707 Sequel's one of my favorites but it's not made anymore. So it may be hard to find. I also like the Valet. Kind of pricey though. I bought one on a Black Friday special. So I got a good deal but I probably wouldn't own one otherwise. Mini-grip G10 is nice too. I just got a Mini Bugout. It's small but I like it. So if you have big hands that one may not be for you. I have it on me today.

[DSH007]

My only Benchmades are a Mini Grip 555-HG and a 940S (green aluminum, partially serrated). The Mini Grip is a decent knife.. good even.. but I've never quite been able to warm up to it. The ergos just don't work quite right for my hand and I've always just felt pretty "ehh.." about it. The 940 I really like a lot. I find the blade shape very useful for penetrating and stabbing, as well as slicing cuts, and due to its compact profile, the knife is very comfortable in the pocket. The handle, while thin, is simple and contoured in a way that makes it comfortable in a variety of grips.. to me, this is almost BM's attempt at "design in the dark".. I realize it's a polarizing design.. people seem to either love or hate the 940.. but if it appeals to you at all, I'd recommend picking one up. Sure, I'd prefer if the knife had a thumb-hole opener, or a different lock, or better steel, or a NOT-purple backspacer.. but, taken as the sum of its parts, I think the 940 is a pretty great knife.

I only have a handful of non-Spydercos.. each one reminds me in it's own way why I'm a Spyderco guy..

[MacLaren]

I would grab that knifeworks exclusive contego while you can. I believe it is on super sale for only $139 right now. And if you don’t mind a little recurve, they also have a grizzly creek folder on super sale for only $80.

Edit: Grizzly Ridge. Not creek

2nd edit:Dang. Both Contego sold out now. Apologies

Dam, the M390 Contego for $139?!?!
I'm gonna get one....
Edit- Too Late!! Out of Stock.
That was an incredible deal...

[TomAiello]

For a first Benchmade I'd go with the Bugout (or Mini Bugout, depending on your jurisdiction). The only BM I still carry at all is the (now discontinued) Doug Ritter grip variant. The current version is made by Hogue, after Benchmade discontinued their relationship with Ritter.

[TomAiello]

I also really liked the Nakamura, which I used as a restrictive jurisdiction carry for a while, but I think it's likely outside your price range.

[Woodpuppy]

I got out a BM earlier in the week after hearing about Les DeAsis passing. My first one, a 720. I like the Mel Pardue designs, including the 720 and the griptilian, and the Presidio series. I also very much like my mini-Stryker auto with drop point blade.

The current BM that most appeals to me is the Presidio II. I carried a mini presidio (525?) for a decade before “coming home” to Spyderco, my first love in knives (Unfortunately I sold my Worker; but I still have my Remote Release).

All that said, I’d need to be able to find something besides s30v.

[Larry_Mott]

Not really drawn to any current Benchmade to be honest. Only have the Bob Lum designed ones left. Griptilian was a disappoinment to me. The BM51was nice but i never fell in love with it and eventually sold it on.

[TomAiello]

All that said, I’d need to be able to find something besides s30v.

The Nakamura and the Doug Ritter collaboration were both M390.

[ugaarguy]

Griptillian is a good knife. I just found the Mini-Grip a bit too small, and the standard Grip too big.
One of my favorite Benchmades is the discontinued 531. It was the precursor to the Bugout for a thin-bladed lightweight knife.
The Bugout improved on the 531's ergonomics, & pocketclip. To me though the Bugout's FRN handles compared to the 531's G10 makes it blade heavier than I like. Definitely planning on some aftermarket scales for my Bugout down the road.

Bugout531 (Medium).jpg

Nice, I had the 531's predecessor, 530. The 530 had an even pointier blade, and plastic handles. I looked up the specs, and the 530 weighed 1.88 oz, vs the Bugout's 1.85 oz. Not that the 531 was even close to heavy at 2.10 oz.

It's happening. I'm starting to look at Benchmade knives and some are pretty appealing.
That being said, I know next to nothing about them apart from being super light and very fidget friendly. The models that caught my eye are the Griptilian, Mini-Grip, Bugout and Mini Bugout.
Which one would you forumites recommend ? I'm trying not to spend more than the price of a new PM2.

The Bugout is the only current Benchmade that interests me. The non-knife people friendly blue handle color of the original is what I'd get. The Mini Bugout would interest me if I didn't have such large hands / thick fingers.

If you want a Griptilian, get the Hogue produced Ritter RSK from Knifeworks.

[Sumdumguy]

BMs go in the toilet, not your pocket.