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Benchmade has been designing and making
high quality knives for many years.
We at Gunblast.com have used and abused many Benchmade
knives. We test
them and use them because we like them.
They’ve never failed us.
Benchmade stands behind their products.
Most (but not all) are made in the good ol’ USA.
They have a lifetime sharpening service.
Their lockwork is well-designed, strong, and easy to use.
They employ some of the finest knife designers to work on
great knife designs and features.
And, they are delivered to the market at a reasonable
price point.
One of Benchmade’s latest knife series is the
“Black Class” series. These
special duty knives feature great tactical designs and features
by some of the finest knife designers around.
The knife of this article is the Rift design by Warren
Osborne.
The Osborne Rift Axis features patented AXIS
mechanics, one-hand ambidextrous function, available in serrated
(950SBK) or non-serrated blades (950), a unique camo pattern on
the handle, heavy textured G10 handle, and tough black finish on
the 154CM reverse tanto blade.
This product is new for 2008.
It has a 3.67” blade, is 4.60” closed, 8.27” open,
and weighs 4.80 oz. It
is made in the USA. The
stainless steel blade is hardened to 58-61 HRC.
The G10 handle features layered scales (in black and
charcoal) for ease of hold, even with wet hands, double steel
liners, and a removable carry clip.
The black and charcoal gray scales come together in a
unique pattern than resembles an urban camo pattern, but then
blends well with any treestand type camo.
Like most Benchmade folders, the lockwork on the
Rift is strong. Unlike
many knife designs with the blade release in the liner,
Benchmade uses their AXIS lock system with the blade release in
the handle. For
most of us, this is a nice feature.
It is easier to use with gloved hands and for one-hand
closing. Some of my
favorite knives have releases in the liner, but I do like this
feature on the Rift and other fine Benchmade knives.
The Rift in serrated as shown can be yours
directly from Benchmade for a price of $192.
The Rift and other Warren Osborne designed
knives can be viewed on Benchmade’s fine website (www.benchmade.com),
as well as their entire product offering.
No matter the knife need, you will most likely find it
represented in a quality fashion from Benchmade’s offerings.
Greg Quinn
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Click pictures for a larger version.
The Benchmade Osborne Rift AXIS lock blade is a good
looking and tough knife, ready for all your tactical edged
weapons needs.
The Benchmade Rift, one of the new "Black
Class" knives for 2008, blends in very well with a
variety of treestand camo patterns, such as on this Realtree
camo Rynoskin underclothing.
The Rift, with its strong AXIS locking system, ambi
opening studs, reverse tanto blade design, and strong G10
handles is as practical as it is good-looking.
Another view of the Rift. The clip is removable
and reversible. note the lock release is ambidextrous as
well; a nice feature. This knife was a first production
run prototype, but production models will have the same exact
features (except the first production run markings on the
blade).
The Warren Osborne-designed Benchmade Rift AXIS. Good
looks, tough, dependable cutlery for a less-than-$200 price.
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