Icon Logo Gun Mart

Benchmade hunting knives

Benchmade hunting knives

Get the right one and a quality knife will quickly become a valued tool, constant companion and friend for life. But when it comes to knives it’s always worth buying the best you can, one good knife outlasting numerous cheap ones – which is where Benchmark come into play.

Handmade in America and using only the best materials, including Benchmark’s exclusive ‘Six Lobe’ screws, whilst they aren’t exactly budget-orientated, once you’ve handled and used one you’ll soon appreciate why these knives cost as much as they do. Now brought into the UK by Edgar Brothers, three excellent examples are the Grizzly Creek folder, the diminutive SM Skinner and the distinctly unusual Hunter FB. All built to the same exacting standards, each one of these three will be the perfect edged utensil that’ll suit a shooter, stalker, gamekeeper or all-round countryman or woman down to the ground.

SM Skinner

Starting with the SM Skinner (RRP £120), this elegant little knife will be seriously appreciated by any dedicated stalker.

Complete with neat, soft leather, heavily stitched sheath that attaches the knife sideways along the wearer’s belt, two sculpted laminated grips run either side of the full tang, hollow ground blade. Exactly 6¼-inches in length, the S30V steel blade itself 2¾-inches with two rows of thumb gripping serrations just in front of the handle and over the point, the size, weight and balance make this a knife you’ll look forward to using, a knife that oozes quality and dependability.

Grizzly Creek Folder

story continues below...

For some shooters nothing beats a quality folder and the Grizzly Creek (RRP £173) is one of the best you’ll ever clip on your belt, courtesy of the strong clothing clip, or drop in your pocket complete with its nylon drawstring slip. Measuring 4¼-inches when folded or 7¾-inches when open, the 3½-inch drop point S30V hollow ground steel blade can be opened and closed in seconds courtesy of the twin thumb studs and easily deployed sprung bar locking mechanism.

The Grizzly’s main blade also features twin sections of jimping on the spine that allow the user more control whilst carrying out delicate operations.

Two dark, laminated, lightly checkered grip scales add a truly classic and stylish look and allow the knife to sit comfortably in the hand both open and closed. The small trick the Grizzly Creek also holds is a non-locking gut hook that can be brought into play using nothing more than your thumb. Just 2-inches in length, don’t let the size deter you, this useful implement is just as razor sharp as all of Benchmark’s blades.

Hunter FB

Slightly more utilitarian in looks and design, the Hunter FB, (RRP £129), is the sort of knife a hard-working stalker or keeper will constantly value. Complete with a moulded plastic sheath that locks the knife securely in place, this distinctive looking knife is 8½-inchs long including the fixed lanyard loop that finishes off the full tang S30V stainless steel blade.

The 4½-inch hollow ground blade is where the Hunter FB is most unusual, the style being a subtle combination of a drop point and a utility, the upper profile being taken from the former, the belly pattern from the latter. Featuring the two finger gripping points, the Hunter FB sits with a slightly weight backwards attitude, the bulk of the knife sitting firmly in the user’s hand.

Conclusion

So from purpose-specific knives to those that can carry out a whole range of tasks, somewhere in these three Benchmark knives is one that’ll be perfect for any shooter.

  • Benchmade hunting knives - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Benchmade hunting knives - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Benchmade hunting knives - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Benchmade hunting knives - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

Arrow