Benchmade Snipe
Review by Phil Elmore
Benchmade's Snipe is another hefty, large-framed tactical folder similar to the company's Ambush model. It's also another of Benchmade's "red" class of products, meaning it provides what the company describes as "'best in class' value... leading innovation, modern materials, and quality manufacturing" at a lower price point than the company's "blue," "black," and "gold" class inventory. Its official specifications are as follows:
Blade Length: 3.97 inches
Blade Steel: AUS 8
Closed Length: 5.33 inches
Handle Material: Synthetic (plastic)
Lock Mechanism: Benchmade's Proprietery Levitator Lock
The long, relatively slim handle makes for a good grip in my large hands. The plastic handles are aggressively stippled. A metal spacer in the frame extends beyond the handle and is deeply grooved for its length. (This spacer also bears a lanyard hole.) The grooves are repeated in the form of a thumb ramp on the blade spine, and also in the liners where the index and middle fingers rest while the knife is held in a forward grip. The grooves, the shape of the handle and spacer, and the subtle curve of the knife overall make it extremely comfortable and secure in my mitts.
The low-profile pocket clip is affixed to the handle using two Torx fasteners. It had good tension out of the box and is fairly unobtrusive (except for the letters BENCHMADE scribed along its length). The clip is configured for right-hand, tip-down use only, and while it can be removed, it cannot be reversed.
The modified drop point blade opens smoothly using the small, ambidextrous thumb studs. My sample was nicely sharp out of the box. the nicely curved belly and sharp point afforded good cutting and penetrating performance in the usual test media (stacked cardboard and heavy plastic barrels). The cutting edge is ground on both sides, except for the serrations, which are chisel ground.
The knife locks positively with no blade play. Releasing the lock involves pressing the eye-shaped button inset in the handle. This takes enough force that accidentally releasing the blade in use seems unlikely. I tried to ham-hand the grip in order to push the lock during cutting, but I did not manage to do it.
The size and heft of the handle, combined with the metal tip of the extended spacer, make the Snipe an excellent fist load for striking using yawara/pocket stick techniques. The point on that spacer would do considerable damage and leaves deep divots in wooden doors. I know, because I did just that with it.
For those wishing a slightly slimmer knife in the large-framed cutter category, the Snipe is a good choice. At last check it was already discontinued prior to this write-up, so if you can find one, buy it while you have the chance. >>
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