Benchmade - AXIS Flipper 300-1 Knife, Plain Drop-Point, Satin Finish, Blue Handle

This thing is amazing! Looking through the new benchmade knives of 2014 I really like the new G10 handles that this knife has. You get quite the knife for the price. It has an extremely smooth action that you wont be disappointed with. The stock photo shows the serrated version (which I did not want), but looking through one of the questions someone asked and it was answered that this is the standard blade. Very sharp out of the box and a great size. I have been carrying the Rift Osborne 95% of the time for the past 3 years and love it. This knife is kind of a scaled down version of that knife, not exactly but similar, more attractive and less tactical looking. Love the deep carry pocket clip, wish all my knives came with those standard. The flipper is nice. I dont think many places explain that this is not like the kershaw flippers with the spring assist. At first I figured it was a spring assist similar to the Barage, but with a flipper. I am glad that it isnt because it makes for a much more elegant knife that can be both opened and closed one handed. If there is anything that I would have liked to see that would have make this knife one step better would be the use of machined spacers instead of standard spacers. It would have given just a bit more elegance to the knife. As far as function, the spacers dont change anything whether they look fancy or not, I am just used to machined ones in other knives. Pick one up, I dont think you will be disappointed. If this is your first benchmade, I think you will be hooked.

Although this is my first Benchmade, I own several other bearing flipper knives. This one is by far the stiffest to open I own. It will not lock open just by actuation the finger opener, it requires a little wrist flick as well, and even then it is not an aggressive opening. I own a ZT 0609 with the KVT bearings, and when the opener is depressed, the blade flies open to lock up with no wrist flick. The only way to get this Benchmade to do that is loosen the blade retention screw, but then the blade has play in it. (Note: I have not yet taken it apart and cleaned and lubed it like I usually do, but I did not do that with my ZT either). The positive: once open, the knife is a tank and feels great in the hand. I comes razor sharp and you can tell it is a quality product. I knock off one star because of the opening.

Too thick and too heavy. Flipper not as smooth as ZT.

I'm the first reviewer to complain about this, but it was tough to open the blade. I must have got a defective one and had to return it. I replaced it with a ZT that actually worked.

Awesome knife. The ergonomics are fine for me. Deployment, lock-up, and closing are fantastic. Some people complain that it's large, bulky, and heavy, but if you're a "human-sized" human being of about 6 feet in height and have had a few bacon cheeseburgers in your life, then none of that should be a problem. In fact, this knife'll be perfect!

This particular flipper from Benchmade is an extremely nice knife. The flipper mechanism is very good, there are no extraneous holes (see my review of the Spyderco flipper), and the handle material is easy to grip. But it is subject to much of the same criticism as the Spyderco. Plus, Benchmade should consider limiting the number of models - too many price differences and too much confusion. You won't be unhappy with this knife. Just know that better flippers are out there (albeit mainly in the custom (pricey) market).

If your not familiar with Benchmade knives they are one of the best and most durable knife you can buy! I lost this exact knife before Christmas and had to buy one just like it. Great knife and great seller! Buy with confidence.

Thought I was getting the knife that was pictured -- the combo blade. That's not what I received.