@@IDGBZ why wouldn’t they increase prices when inflation goes up, wages are going up, shipping costs have gone through the roof, supply n demand is through the shitter. Lol knifes aren’t excused from this.
@@adamjames1375 it’s American made. Exponentially higher costs of labor mean that the knife is worth more. As the prices of everything go up, people require more money. So you end up with these knives that cost a ton. Plus the warranty is very good. But even still the price is a bit much. That’s why I buy them discounted at dealers. My new presidio II only cost me $95 after tax.
I presently own 55 benchmades so I think that qualifies as a fan. I have been buying these knives since they were introduced. I love their feel and their mechanics. Besides benchmade I have hundreds of other brands of knives .I don't know why benchmade have really increased their prices. I'm on a fixed budget now and I wish I could afford other benchmades. I consider benchmade to be superior to most other knives. I thank you for letting me get this off my chest
that's a lot of knives. do you feel the need to sell and upgrade with newer models? that's what bums me out. i have 100 knives and now with magnacut out, axis and button locks out, im like i spent all this money and now my knives feel redundant. you could say im 'redoubting' my purchase choices. dad joke.
I'll tell you why Benchmade has jacked their prices 60%, 100% and even 400% over production cost. Because Americans have snapped up every $200 to $400 Chinese produced knife that comes on the market. Benchmade execs arrogantly decided that the premier US brand CANT cost less than these Chinese knives so the boldly adjusted their prices accordingly and in the process disrespected and alienated 80% of their customer base. Good luck with that, Benchmade. I've always been willing to pay the butterfly tax when it was 20%to 30% over equivalent knives from other US brands but I WILL NOT pay these exorbitant prices nor do I buy expensive Chinese knives. And many, MANY others I know feel the same way. So...Benchmade is no longer on my radar. I watch videos and admire some models but I'm NOT going to buy them. IM an American. MY financial well being and lifestyle is important. More so than Benchmade execs.
Bought a Redoubt. Liked it. Bought another. One for truck, one for carry. Hard use for past 3 months, stays sharp, easy to carry, like the ergos, all good for me.
CPM-D2 is an excellent tool steel. (ie. not the same as D2). Redoubt, I thought, referred to the Redoubt mountain range. I have the full sized sheepsfoot Griptilian which I love, but am also very keen on this. It seems a fun well-made knife!
Yupp. I like CPM-D2 just fine. Hell, I like D2 just fine. GOOD, properly heat treated D2, that is. The inexpensive imports with D2 is NOT real D2 imo. Yeah I've got an original Benchmade 550 griptillian with the sheepsfoot blade and the Spyderco licensed Spydy hole opener in 154-CM. Paid $90 for it back in 2012 or so. Love that knife! That hollow ground blade gets THIN behind the edge and is a laser through most materials. How we went from that at $90 to $140 is beyond me. And how we went from that to this new redoubt at $180 is just obscene! Imo Benchmade has jacked their prices up just to remain more expensive than equivalent Chinese premium knives that have flooded in. I give you the narrows as proof though any knife in the BM lineup shows evidence of such arrogance and lack of respect for their customers. I no longer pay the butterfly tax though there are half a dozen models I would buy if their prices were commensurate with their production cost rather than an arbitrary figure conjured to make them appear a more premium brand.
@@holdernewtshesrearin5471 Absolutely. I love Benchmade and would pay the butterfly tax for certain models only, such as the Adams and the Bailout. I appreciate their warranty and service though, as I'm in Australia and they sent be a bunch of omega springs at no cost just cos I asked for some. But yes, they are grossly overpriced compared to the competition these days and the Narrows is a prime example. Another example is the Bugout. Compared to the Hogue Deka in Magnacut..... I hope that at some point they find a better balance between brand image, warranty and profit to deliver more value.
Always been a fan of this channel. I probably have 100 knives, a lot of benchmades. I think sometimes we have to check ourselves because at the end of the day I forget what blades have what steel. I just know that there are ones I keep reaching for and ones I don’t. It comes down to how they carry and how they “feel”. The ease of use and appeal to my eye. Are there some I sharpen more than others, sure. Do I care? No. My point being that I think we’ve got too wrapped around steels and -/+$25. All modern steels these companies are producing are solid. You either like the knife or you don’t and I find that decision never coming down to steel. (Again within reason… not talking gas station knives). Am I off base here? Just my two cents.
You are wrong about what you say about steels. It matters greatly. Some brands do poor heat treatments over other brands and charge a lot for poor performance. Meaning people are getting ripped off. Some steels are greatly more performance than others when done correctly.
@@tacticalcenter8658 okay so my own personal opinion is wrong. Got it. I’ll have a talk about that with myself later. So you’ve found knives were you’ve just maxed out the potential of the steel and had to move up. Gottttt it. You are the tactically tactical center of the tactical universe. I just can’t compete with that I guess. Thank you for the clarity.
While I like my Benchmade knives, I think their pricing has gotten out of hand. I tend to see the 430BK Redoubt at a list price of $200 as a less expensive alternative to the 560BK-1 Freek listed at $280. They have nearly identical blade geometry with the Redoubt being D2 steel versus M4 for the Freek. At the time I paid less than $200 for my Super Freek. As good as these knives are the pricing is ridiculous.
absolutely agree. almost every Benchmade seems to have the $50 brand tax. They are pricing as if their brand stands for ultimate quality and thus deserves the markup. unfortunately they overestimate their QC and our desire for plastic. I would buy many of their knives for 20% off.
@@hawleyfromhell "mandatory" is a bit hyperbolic, but yet still not far from the mark. What you say is absolutely true because by the time you've already paid close to $200 for a knife, the thought of another $80 to $150 for scales is a bit prohibitive. But I'm sure if the Bugout or Griptilian was offered in G10 or Micarta for a menial difference in price (menial difference being how much it would cost for production) rather than plastic, most would not choose to have plastic handles. Especially if the material list plainly stated "plastic" rather than the acronym and proprietary euphemisms that are used by Benchmade and so many others
I just looked at this knife the other day and passed because of the price for d2. If this was S30V and closer to $150 I would buy it no problem. Or at that price and a higher end steel. I have a bunch of Benchmade knives but lately I haven't bought any because the price for value compared to other brands just isn't there anymore.
I own the Redoubt. It is my current EDC and am very happy with it. The blade steel is easy to touch up and since I am a lefty it works for me. I would recommend it. I buy American and proud to carry it daily.
Been a benchmade guy for most of my life, always wanted one when I couldn’t afford them then bought all I could when I got to a point where the money wasn’t an issue. Lately the prices they seem to think they’re worth have been creeping up while the excitement factor has been dropping like a rock. Every new design has a plastic handle marketed as carbon fiber, steels have stagnated, prices keep rising….. crooked river was the last offering they came out with that interested me, since then they’ve been on the “make every knife like the Bugout” kick and I’m still waiting for something to excite me while I carry my Grip with Alum scales and old HK designs that still feel like a real benchmade.
@@johnsanford3596 exactly you get all theses fools saying things should be cheaper not one of them take into account how much it cost to actually have a business firstly and secondly how much the cost of materials paying the workers so on so forth. It’s so easy for UA-camrs too flap their gums about this should be cheaper hahaha ohh really Next thing they are complaining about another company going bankrupt because they can’t keep up with the price of their foreign competitors..basically you can’t win in this day and age without a UA-cam genius having a pop and then the world of fools jumping on his wagon.
@@CKshouta for $200?... I don't know bro. Maybe for 150 👍 I mean considering you can get tougher stainless steels like LC200N and Magnacut for less just makes it kind of... Meh 😕 for the price
I really like my redoubt. Aside from the price point its a very good knife. I've done some carving and whittling with it. The gimping on the bottom handle is a bit harsh. It feels very sturdy even though i hear people complain it sounds cheap
Bench Made Knives are over-the-top expensive, thank God we have so many other great companies out there that make great knives for much less. My knives range from 30 to 130 and some of the 30-dollar knives are better than the 80-dollar knives, the knife industry is a tricky place, with lots of variations. Bench Made Knives are the White Collar man's knives. Again I'm not downing them just too expensive for me.
I was able to get a few deals with patience and timing. I did get a full size Presidio in aluminium on sale (s30v) for right around $130. I was also able to get a closeout on the Osbourne in M4 maybe for no more than $165 which is pretty low. Those look like fabulous deals compared to this overpriced plastic knife. You are basically right in many ways. This is totally a knife for people with money to spare. There are way better knives, at way better price points.
Excellent piece of Benchmade quality. I cracked and had to get myself a mini as well if you haven’t got monster hands the mini is a excellent piece and not so mini either. Exactly the same size pivot pin in both the large and mini 👍🏼
Love my Presidio 2 with the lighter scales. They seem strong enough for me and the price decreased opposed to the aluminum model. This knife at around $160 is the best value in the Benchmade lineup.
It's hard to justify when you can get the best version of the griptilian from Ritter Hougue. G10 scales, high saber, 20cv, deepcarry clip, best axis lock on market and $/£40 cheaper.
@@rando27enco matters not. They both have poor performance m390 and 20cv. Hougue has redeemed itself with its magnacut which performs better than its 20cv/m390. Which is sad but at least they finally are worth buying if you get one in magnacut.
I love the look of it. I've just had too many problems with BMs omega springs and also their auto springs. On the other hand my Endura's just keep on keep'n on. As do my Kershaw's.
@Red River ... I recently bought a KnifeWorks exclusive Hogue/Ritter with their Able lock. Out of the box, it was gritty to open. I lubed it with Gunny Glide and worked the action, mopping up lots of black sludge with paper towels and pipe cleaners, then lubing again. The actiin was still fairly stiff, so I'd open and closw it a couple hundred times at night to get the parts to wear mate. No kinetic openings. A couple weeks of that and an Able Lock spring broke. ... Shipped it UPS paid by Hogue for repair. No ackniwledgenent from Hogue that they'd received it, but trackibg showed they had. No email from Higue that it was shipped back to me. No tracking number sent to me. No note in box I'd used to ship to them (their box wasn't sturdy enough). ... 40 days later, an Able lock spring broke again. ... I've not contacted Hogue, several weeks later. ... I'd like a refund for a defective knife now. I will never buy another Hogue Able Lock. ....$200 forty day piece of crap knife. I will never trust a Hogue Able Lock. ... I own close to 30 Benchmade Axis Lock knives. Several have seen very heavy use, including batonning an S-30V Rukus blade through a piece of 1/2" dry red oak lumber. I've never had any problem with an Axis Lock.
I’ll stick with the Freek because of the handle material mainly, but also the steel. Plastic handles just feel Luke junk to me. As far as the Griptillian goes, I much prefer the Ritter-Hogue from DLT, only because of the handle material.
@@jasonjavelin I’m pretty sure I’m getting the Freek or the Adamas for Christmas.😃 I do have several other nicer knives, but they are mostly fixed blades. The only other nice folders I have are a PM2 and a MKM Terzoula Clap. The rest are mostly sub $100 knives. I can’t justify the really pricey stuff on my budget.☹️
@@gregoryblake3377 I actually have the OG Freek before the super Freek was available and it’s in S30v. A lot of people complained about the rubber material I think but other than wearing in a couple of the corners it’s held up for me. Daily carried it for a few years before changing it up to a Spyderco for a bit.
Gotta agree thats a great pocket clip execution👍 Looks like a Great lefty knife to me. I was thinking, I'd like the blade to be a stainless satin finish.
I myself wouldn't pay $125 for it but I really like the way they did the handles. Like it a lot better than the griptilian. I never have liked the looks of the grip
But BM doesn't know how to heat treat 3V or apparently care about learning so their CPM D2's definitely better unless you're gonna remove that 3V blade and send it out for a real heat treat. 3V at 56-57 hrc isn't 3V, it may as well not even be heat treated at all at that point.
All the different Griptilian are out of stock. I like the design because the handle design reminds me a little bit of the Moki MK-921 from Japan that i have in my small knife collection. Very cute little EDC pocket knife from the 1994 Spiderco catalog.
The redoubt was the first benchmade knife I bought. Bought it a little over year. Liked it so much that I bought 2 other benchmades, and not long after I bought those knives, I went back to the redoubt. Also d2 is a tool steel and s30v is stainless steel. I personally would not compare the 2.
Yes, the Redoubt is too expensive. Especially for cruddy Grivory scales. But, the guts of the knife are very solid even with CPM D2 steel (which is bombproof under Benchmade's blade coating). I bought the knife for the beefy profile and the action. That being said, I dropped another $90 on AWT Cerokoted aluminum scales. Now, my Redoubt is absolutely badass! The AWT scales are super solid, the texture is great and the ergos are impressive. Too bad Benchmade couldn't offer better scales on a $180 knife. But, I will say that a now have a near perfect knife. Thanks, AWT! Lol.
I hear what you're saying, and I can kinda/sorta agree....but, let me throw another proposal to you. Perhaps they should've plunked the redoubt in at the Grip's price point (140, even 150), and dropped the Grip to a 110-120 range. Either your suggestion or mine is asking them to reduce revenue, which is akin to asking a new mother to give up her child, so we're not going to get much action there, either way. Having said, that, I should back up and say that comparing those two, you made a good case for the grind being worthy of note. The hardness was an improvement (and frankly, surprised me!), and the clip, while not the first place one's thoughts go, certainly made an impression on you. Even the handle struck your fancy. So, give each of those a +$10 bump, and the Redoubt is a Grip + $40 knife on you're recommendation. Of course, you might say that each of those elements are worth a $2 bump. I think the grind is worth more than the clip, but, I'm glad both are there. But, this is why i'm thinking they're justified with the price delta...but, to your point, the Redoubt is too high. So, I thinking dropping the bottom out of the Griptillian price makes sense. For one thing, it's been out long enough to have recaptured some development and die-making costs. And, if a price reduction leads to a resurgence in sales, that won't break hearts in the C-Suite. But, this is where I now leave analytical thought behind: to me, the Griptillian looks goofy. Something about the blade geometry just seems off. Of course, there's only 2-3 blade shapes that looke "correct" to me. But, the redoubt has it. I think it's a more beautiful knife, and not just by a little. That redoubt is, to my thinking, one of the best looking knives i've seen. That alone (and yes this is subjective) is worth the +$40 over the Griptillian. But, I also feel that the entire Benchmade series is overpriced, and that a 40-50% price reduction is needed. So, while we wanted to take Benchmade's newborn earlier, I just now tried to walk off with all her children. I probably should sneak off into the woods, now, for my own safety....
I’m on the fence with this one. I like CPM D2 because it’s infinitely better than chinese ingot D2 in every way but the handle doesn’t really speak to me
If you try it, you might like it. I tried it and its not bad. I'm not a fan of the brand so I'm not getting any benchmades, but the point is, your perspective can change when in use.
I'm 100% on both counts. The higher quality D2 is fine. I like how sharp D2 can get. And if you can keep it sharp longer, that's a premium blade. But yeah, the grips are kind of frumpy looking. Just doesn't look premium or clean.
First time I heard of the word redoubt was back a few years ago visiting the battlefields surrounding Yorktown, Virginia. Very cool earthen fortifications used in battle. Needless to say I bought a Redoubt for $161 out the door at Scheels. Smooth, no play, centered & sharper than normal for a Benchmade. Pleased with the cpm-d2 so far. Thanks for the review!
I got mine at Cabela’s for $162. It rang up for $180 but they honored the price on the little sign in the knife case for me. Plus I had a gift card to ease the pain even more lol. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve paid full price for any of my 20+ Benchmades. I always wait for a sale, gift card, or even a coupon code from Honey.
A lot of people are looking at CPM D2 on paper and thinking it's sooooo much better than ingot D2, when it's really not. In use you will not notice the difference unless you use exclusively D2 knives every single day. Even then, probably only if you use cheap D2 knives from overseas instead of properly treated D2. The CPM process and other "improvements" like cryo are very misunderstood and largely used as marketing now. CPM 154 vs 154CM is probably a bigger difference than CPM D2 vs ingot D2. The prices on these knives are atrocious given the materials, especially after the recent price hike. Anything over $120 is too much. I would also say to avoid comparing HRC between two difference steels and just looking at what's harder. Both steels have an optimal range so it's better to compare HRCs when both blades use the same steel.
Ummm….well you are at least partially wrong. Following Larrin Thomas, it certainly appears that D2 improved with the CPM process at least as much as 154CM. Its toughness is now in the realm of CPM-M4, and it now is much easier to sharpen and the chippyness is gone.
Late to the party, but i think the griptilian is purpose built for spefic customer and i think most of their knives are. The griptilian is a tank with a life time warranty and the cheapest buy in.
1000% right but we do have people like metal complex bringing the fact that materials don’t equal price but like you said when they put materials in price up in the lineup they have to follow suit with what they’re charging for what you get and you are like I said 1000% right this is a fail in my eyes I see for Benjamin but thanks for sharing your opinions and time and effort it is very well appreciated see you on your next one
The handle shape reminds me of an oversized Civivi Elementum. Don’t know if they pulled “influences” from any other popular knives, but if they did that’s not a bad choice at all.
I picked this up today for $130 from a local retailer. I thought they were messing with me on the price (and it's not a fake, I double checked that already).
Good review! I changed the grip to an applied weapons technology bronze grip, which made this blade even more fun to carry. I wasn't loving the stock polly grip.
I like mine; it's like an Adamas (tanky blade geometry+steel, glove-friendly big handle, etc.) that carries like a Bugout (a little thinner, deep carry, almost fully FRN handle) and is priced like a post-inflation Bugout. For me the Adamas is too big, the Mini is too small. This sits right between and does a better job at being a "discrete" knife compared to the Mini both aesthetically and because it actually deep carries. CPM D2 is inferior to CruWear but according to knifesteel nerds the CPM process makes it twice as tough as both regular D2 and S30V, on top of modestly improving its other attributes. It's understandable why they'd throw this steel onto a "tanky" type folder as it will not be chippy the way some people expect of D2. It will also have a superior heat treat to some $30 Chinese D2 folder as well. Overall kind of a shame this one got slept on but I blame Benchmade for not really making their vision for it very clear.
I bought a redoubt after I couldn't find a griptilian ( owned one in the past and loved it ) in stock anywhere near me. I could have bought one online, but I found a deal and got one for $150. Only $10 more than a griptilian, why not give it a try, and for me, the redoubt had better ergonomics than a griptilian and few better features. I also wanted to try out the new steel to see how it holds up sharpness wise, and I'm impressed. So far, I've had it over 3 months, and I've only had to touch it up once I'm very impressed with it. But I completely agree the price is a little much for what it is a lot of people call this a griptilian killer butbif say its about on the same level.
I love Benchmade designs, I just wish they would maximize HRC through a consistent heat treatment like Spyderco does. Spyderco will beat Benchmade time after time with the same steel in cut tests
Maybe he will offer you to test a Milwaukee hardline knife made of D2 steel. It is certainly an interesting option for people who use a knife as a tool at work and not just for collection.
D2 < cpmD2 unfortunately people are going to confuse these 2 steels. But it’s steep $ for a plastic knife. Spyderco and bench made are getting silly with their pricing.
You are right in my opinion, Redoubt as it is a cheaper price or better steel at the asking price, vs Griptilian. I wish they had just went with a higher end steel, and been done with it !
Redoubt is $330 CDN now haha. I got the all black one. I lightly sanded the sharp feeling texture at the bottom of the handle. Feels like Griptilian now. Great knife
D2 and grivory for $200, no thanks. Just get a Hogue ritter and call it a day. Better steel, quality control and handle material...or just get a Civivi. I'm not sure anything can compete with Civivi atm. I used to own 10+ benchmades but I constantly had issued with their springs breaking. I got to a point where I was tired of having to send my knives back to them so I bought springs off of etsy that were actually stronger. I have not had that same issue with the springs in the similar lock for the Hogue knives.
Have you seen the video of this knife with the applied weapons scales, it made me get a set for my Benchmade freek, because I hate to rubber scales that it comes with.
Be grateful they just inflation-increased this new knife instead of all their knives. It’s fine except it needs to be Magnacut if Hogue can use it in the Deka, and about $30 cheaper. But it will go on sale later. I mean I had to pay $52 for a budget Verdict from Cold Steel because it’s new, when Midway was just selling Mini Recon 1’s for $40. The Verdict with 4116 should be $35. Inflation + global shortages.
I’d buy one if it was 50$ cheaper, I hear you on the CPM process and the fact that D2 just might have a stigma… Unless I find a reason to justify the cost. Bench made is free to send me one for a review, I won’t say no
Good point about the two things this knife could have been for Benchmade. I didn’t get beyond the ‘seeing it & subsequently forgetting about it’ stage with it. Unimpressive at that price. Their ‘Tagout’ appeals to me but price prevents me from being a buyer.
There’s been a person or two that have complained about Benchmade’s prices and yeah they are getting pricey, especially the bug out it just getting expensive but everyone Hass to remember times are different today. Inflation is really high and all supply and demand issues so you can’t be too harsh on them right now when all this gets straight now and it will see if the prices go down if they don’t then there’s an issue there Benchmade‘s got a bring down the price because they are high. But we also got a remember. They have a bad ass warranty.
I would love to own a D2 Knife from Benchmade. This Steel is - when good heat treated - known to be a Tank! While S30V definetly is not. I prefer a tenacious steel that I have to sharpen sometimes, over a very seldom needs to sharpen steel, that chips easier - Especially for the military blade sector. Made in USA+ Inflation: Its fact that a knife costs >180 Dollar then. Benchmade knives where 170$ already in 1997.
I've had it since it dropped I have used it for months it's a beast, light , great blade shape and size the scales sucks and I really want the awt scales but dam are they pricey . I didn't pay full price for it had a bunch of points on dlt and got it for around 119 and to me for that price I got a deal full price no go . Great knife great steel just lower the price .
You are getting confused, their original adamas was d2, this one is cpmD2, i think it is a very exhautic steel, I look forward to getting one, s30v is everywhere now so not very exciting…
I checked out the Presidio 2 CF (570-1)... The knife is very underated. And, I would get a Mini Presidio 2 before I would get a Griptilian. If you still have the Sedulo... A comparison with the 575-1 might be cool. Thanks for all the content. ,🥳
I’ve bought a 1/2 dozen Benchmade’s . When they supported barry hussein sotero-Bama , that was it ! Cooper rifles in Montana made the same move . No Cooper rifles !!!!
I live in Soldotna Alaska and our western horizon is dominated by a 12,000 ft high active volcano named Mount Redoubt. Good video btw. I recently purchased my first Benchmade and it is the Griptillian. I like the looks of the Redoubt, but felt it was very over priced despite the design. I'm not a hater of D2, but at this price, it was a no deal for me.
I really like the styling and functionality of this knife from the blade shape to the pocket clip. It would have made a great first Benchmade for me BUT having bought other d2 steel knives for less than $50 this is a hard sell. Too bad, so sad.
What kind of sub $50 knives would you compare to this knife? People underestimate the power of a lifetime warranty. Also this is not the same steel as "D2".
I wanted a Redoubt as soon as they came out. The steel was plenty good enough for me, the pocket clip looked great, the grind is great, the color/aesthetics are great, etc... But when I first heald one, I just thought, "Eghh" 😅 it was just so lightweight and the handle was so soft and squishy... It just didn't feel like I was holding a $180 tool in my hand. I know this is the silliest critique of a knife, but for me, a knife can look the part and seem to have all the wonderful attributes I look for in a knife, while feeling like absolute garbage in my hand. I'm not saying the redoubt feels like garbage, but I'm a hobo... If I'm going to choose a knife to be my EDC, it has to feel right. I'm having a difficult time finding something that feels better than my PM2. I want to give the LionSteel TM1 a whirl 🤷
I have a lionsteel tm-1 in carbonfiber. The carbonfiber is of super low grade with excessive voids in it (not good). They are all like that. I haven't tried the other material its offered in though. Its cheaper so I'd recommend that instead. The steel is tough and can get sharp but does not keep an edge long. Its also not thin behind the edge despite its wide flat edge. Overall I like it but its not worth what it costs new. I got mine 2nd hand but not used for cheaper, I still feel like I paid too much for it. The pocket clip also sucks and why does it have a stupid glass beaker. Overall I'd suggest avoiding it unless you want it to collect. Its unique at least.
If anyone wants a cheap regular d2 knife for $26 I recommend the ganzo fh91. I am about to buy a worksharp precision adjust so I can properly sharpen it and my future knives. I am thinking about buying this Benchmade after I get my kershaw link 20cv and Spyderco endura in k390. I'm a Kershaw guy but wasn't willing to pay $40 for a 8cr13mov blade when you can get a d2 knife for $25 to $50.
I think Benchmade is working hard to give the US knife market to the Chinese. Overpriced, middle-of-the-pack design, Going the way of the USA Auto industry. Spyderco is at least giving us terrific knife steel. By the way, I have a dozen Benchmade knives in my collection. It is getting old paying serious cash for the level of knife Benchmade is making. The used market seems to be the way to go the cost is 50-75% original retail, brand new in the box.
CPM D2 at 60-62 HRC is a night/day difference from the common D2 on budget blades. Most people don’t understand the difference in blade quality between a 58/59 HRC to a 61/62 HRC… as you can see by the guys that keep saying “D2 for $180!?!” This is probably the best version of D2 you’d be able to find on the market. I bet it’s VERY comparable to Cruwear treated at 58/59 HRC.
THANK YOU!! CPM D2 is an entirely different animal, absolutely miles ahead of basic D2. The powdered metal process completely changes the end product. CPM D2 is worthy of top tier steel levels of respect.
@@0neTwo3 I absolutely agree. Especially at 60-62 HRC. VERY FEW blades, even the super steels, come at that high HRC. 20CV at 58 HRC is no better than any other steel at that point. HRC makes all the difference in the world.
I have the Adamas Cruwear and I think the steel used on the Redoubt is actually better. When my Addams gets dulled out I have to get it professionally sharpened because Cruwear is impossible to sharpen
It seems the consensus that the Redoubt isn’t worth the money. People like the design. But they don’t like the materials used at that price point. At some point, Benchmade may change the materials used. I have a few Griptilians with factory G10 scales and better steel. I like the G10 scales much better than the standard nylon handles. It remains to be seen if BM gets the message on pricing. I can get a WE Knife Big Banter with 20CV steel for $148. I’d rather spend my many on U.S. made products. But let’s be realistic. With the Banter you’ll get better materials and save over $30 instead of buying a Redoubt.
Whatever you gotta say, to justify your Chinese pocket knives, bro. China will always do whatever they need to do, in order to dominate and own a market. Don’t kid yourself, they do not do it that way, because of money and prophet gains
G'day Aaron, I do like the overall design, reminds me more of the Freek in a lot of ways and yep could do with S30 or 35, especially for the dough. Ultimately, unless one is collector of BMs, or perhaps a D2 junkie, not much point IMO, particularly if you already have a Freek, Grippo or similar. Cheers Duke
Cpm-d2 is better than s30 or 35 and most 20cv. This is CPM version of d2. You are not very intelligent or maybe you just didn't watch the video where he explained it was the CPM version?
@@tacticalcenter8658 I am aware of CPM, (crucible particle metallurgy), also known as powdered steels by Crucible Industries. And yes to my knowledge CPM-D2 is considered to have superior hardness than the garden variety D2. "Better" than S30, 35, 20, ........ dunno about that, certainly standard D2 aint by a long shot, but in fairness I have nothing in CPM-D2 to compare in use, in any event, most of my blades = < 6 in. are stainless of some description since I live close to salt water.
@@tacticalcenter8658 Ok fair enough, some great results, and dont get me wrong I'm not diss'n D2 of any flavor. You do need remember specific cut tests arent the be all and end all; a whole range of factors come into play such as grind/edge angles, HT, application and certainly for me corrosion resistance. Yes this one is coated; though in my experience the edge is the first to suffer spotting up on carbon jobs, and I am sure you are aware there's coatings ......... and then there's coatings. Not sure how BM coats hold up specifically, but fair to say I reckon, most don't last indefinitely.
cool vid !!! hopefully there will be different Redoubt versions with different steels and handles . Coolest woulda been CPM-3v or S30v with aluminum scales
Concur. But, I feel the price point is too high now...if they price a CPM-3V with micarta or G10, would that move it to the price level of ridiculous? I fear so....
Cpm-d2 is better than s30v though. And while 3v has more toughness, it has less edge retention and cpm-d2 is better toughness and edge retention balance. So your using opinions instead of factual testing data. Also benchmades 3v is horrible all together.
@@tacticalcenter8658”cpm-D2 is better than s30v”…in what way? Based on blade HQ’s steel guide, s30v has greater capability than D2 on just about every category except for ease of sharpening. S30v has better edge retention (slightly), significantly better corrosion resistance, and essentially the same toughness. Your argument doesn’t appear to hold water.
@@glassmw9823 those charts are bull, advertising and marketing, there is almost zero proof to backup those charts. actual tests back up the claims of cpm-d2 being better than s30v. You should read about actual heat treat before you talk also. Dont be ignorant.
@@tacticalcenter8658 I worked in a steel manufacturing plant for several years and have an honors degree in industrial engineering…Where are your QC charts, your sharpness/corrosion/durability tests/experiments, Rockwell steel hardness tests, and your control charts backing up your claims? Stop insulting people and acting like you’re so much better than everyone else, jack@$$
Mr. GT, could you review the Deka using Magnacut please? It would be very interesting to see you put its through its paces and see how it holds up. 👍👍👍
Butterfly tax is too high! I thought my $75 Griptillian was too much back in the day. There is no way the bugout, grip and this knife should be more than about $120.
I definitely would of snagged one but the price killed it. I like the blade and handle shape, not a fan of the dual color. I like d2 as well but for d2 and plastic not worth it.
CPM D2 has better edge retention than D2. It usually performs about 30% longer. So that's actually very similar to S30V. Probably nothing you will notice during work. However, in theory there should definitely be a noticible difference/boost in corrosion resistance if you compare CPM D2 to it's non powdered little brother. Still not quite as corrosion resistant as a propper stainless steel of course.
CPM D2 is so similar to D2 as to be negligible versus the price increase in real world use (paper stats don't mean much). That's why they almost stopped making it entirely, barely hung on. It's still well below other steels in the price range.
Hi Aaron I bought my first benchmade bugout for 180$ with cpms30v steel and I love it since it is my second knife after the Civivi elementum with D2 steel I bought the benchmade after I saw your old video about the bugout thank you so much ❤
Sadly the Price of Benchmade has been getting insane. I have removed several Benchmade knives from my buy list lately.
Completely agree. I really don't understand why s30v frn Bugouts, Grips & the like are more than $100.
Sadly Benchmade has done another price hike.
@@IDGBZ why wouldn’t they increase prices when inflation goes up, wages are going up, shipping costs have gone through the roof, supply n demand is through the shitter. Lol knifes aren’t excused from this.
@@IDGBZ Cost of living going up in the states, leads to having to give pay raises and then the costs falls down to the customer.
@@adamjames1375 it’s American made. Exponentially higher costs of labor mean that the knife is worth more. As the prices of everything go up, people require more money. So you end up with these knives that cost a ton. Plus the warranty is very good. But even still the price is a bit much. That’s why I buy them discounted at dealers. My new presidio II only cost me $95 after tax.
I presently own 55 benchmades so I think that qualifies as a fan. I have been buying these knives since they were introduced. I love their feel and their mechanics. Besides benchmade I have hundreds of other brands of knives .I don't know why benchmade have really increased their prices. I'm on a fixed budget now and I wish I could afford other benchmades. I consider benchmade to be superior to most other knives. I thank you for letting me get this off my chest
that's a lot of knives. do you feel the need to sell and upgrade with newer models? that's what bums me out. i have 100 knives and now with magnacut out, axis and button locks out, im like i spent all this money and now my knives feel redundant. you could say im 'redoubting' my purchase choices. dad joke.
I'll tell you why Benchmade has jacked their prices 60%, 100% and even 400% over production cost.
Because Americans have snapped up every $200 to $400 Chinese produced knife that comes on the market.
Benchmade execs arrogantly decided that the premier US brand CANT cost less than these Chinese knives so the boldly adjusted their prices accordingly and in the process disrespected and alienated 80% of their customer base.
Good luck with that, Benchmade. I've always been willing to pay the butterfly tax when it was 20%to 30% over equivalent knives from other US brands but I WILL NOT pay these exorbitant prices nor do I buy expensive Chinese knives.
And many, MANY others I know feel the same way.
So...Benchmade is no longer on my radar. I watch videos and admire some models but I'm NOT going to buy them.
IM an American. MY financial well being and lifestyle is important. More so than Benchmade execs.
Therapy bro
Bought a Redoubt. Liked it. Bought another. One for truck, one for carry. Hard use for past 3 months, stays sharp, easy to carry, like the ergos, all good for me.
CPM-D2 is an excellent tool steel. (ie. not the same as D2). Redoubt, I thought, referred to the Redoubt mountain range. I have the full sized sheepsfoot Griptilian which I love, but am also very keen on this. It seems a fun well-made knife!
Yupp. I like CPM-D2 just fine. Hell, I like D2 just fine. GOOD, properly heat treated D2, that is. The inexpensive imports with D2 is NOT real D2 imo.
Yeah I've got an original Benchmade 550 griptillian with the sheepsfoot blade and the Spyderco licensed Spydy hole opener in 154-CM. Paid $90 for it back in 2012 or so.
Love that knife! That hollow ground blade gets THIN behind the edge and is a laser through most materials.
How we went from that at $90 to $140 is beyond me. And how we went from that to this new redoubt at $180 is just obscene!
Imo Benchmade has jacked their prices up just to remain more expensive than equivalent Chinese premium knives that have flooded in.
I give you the narrows as proof though any knife in the BM lineup shows evidence of such arrogance and lack of respect for their customers.
I no longer pay the butterfly tax though there are half a dozen models I would buy if their prices were commensurate with their production cost rather than an arbitrary figure conjured to make them appear a more premium brand.
@@holdernewtshesrearin5471 Absolutely. I love Benchmade and would pay the butterfly tax for certain models only, such as the Adams and the Bailout. I appreciate their warranty and service though, as I'm in Australia and they sent be a bunch of omega springs at no cost just cos I asked for some. But yes, they are grossly overpriced compared to the competition these days and the Narrows is a prime example. Another example is the Bugout. Compared to the Hogue Deka in Magnacut..... I hope that at some point they find a better balance between brand image, warranty and profit to deliver more value.
@@G-Man01 - fully agreed! And cheers from America!
Always been a fan of this channel. I probably have 100 knives, a lot of benchmades. I think sometimes we have to check ourselves because at the end of the day I forget what blades have what steel. I just know that there are ones I keep reaching for and ones I don’t. It comes down to how they carry and how they “feel”. The ease of use and appeal to my eye. Are there some I sharpen more than others, sure. Do I care? No. My point being that I think we’ve got too wrapped around steels and -/+$25. All modern steels these companies are producing are solid. You either like the knife or you don’t and I find that decision never coming down to steel. (Again within reason… not talking gas station knives). Am I off base here? Just my two cents.
You are wrong about what you say about steels. It matters greatly. Some brands do poor heat treatments over other brands and charge a lot for poor performance. Meaning people are getting ripped off. Some steels are greatly more performance than others when done correctly.
@@tacticalcenter8658 okay so my own personal opinion is wrong. Got it. I’ll have a talk about that with myself later. So you’ve found knives were you’ve just maxed out the potential of the steel and had to move up. Gottttt it. You are the tactically tactical center of the tactical universe. I just can’t compete with that I guess. Thank you for the clarity.
I said the same thing! It COULD have been a hit. IF it was built like a real knife especially for the price.
While I like my Benchmade knives, I think their pricing has gotten out of hand. I tend to see the 430BK Redoubt at a list price of $200 as a less expensive alternative to the 560BK-1 Freek listed at $280. They have nearly identical blade geometry with the Redoubt being D2 steel versus M4 for the Freek. At the time I paid less than $200 for my Super Freek. As good as these knives are the pricing is ridiculous.
absolutely agree. almost every Benchmade seems to have the $50 brand tax. They are pricing as if their brand stands for ultimate quality and thus deserves the markup. unfortunately they overestimate their QC and our desire for plastic. I would buy many of their knives for 20% off.
plus with a few of their knives you have to add the $80 (at least) for the aftermarket scales that are mandatory for a few of their designs.
@@1980JPA I will say they are not mandatory. I have a lot of friends that use the stock scales. Nothing wrong with them for daily use.
@@hawleyfromhell "mandatory" is a bit hyperbolic, but yet still not far from the mark. What you say is absolutely true because by the time you've already paid close to $200 for a knife, the thought of another $80 to $150 for scales is a bit prohibitive. But I'm sure if the Bugout or Griptilian was offered in G10 or Micarta for a menial difference in price (menial difference being how much it would cost for production) rather than plastic, most would not choose to have plastic handles. Especially if the material list plainly stated "plastic" rather than the acronym and proprietary euphemisms that are used by Benchmade and so many others
I just looked at this knife the other day and passed because of the price for d2. If this was S30V and closer to $150 I would buy it no problem. Or at that price and a higher end steel. I have a bunch of Benchmade knives but lately I haven't bought any because the price for value compared to other brands just isn't there anymore.
I own the Redoubt. It is my current EDC and am very happy with it. The blade steel is easy to touch up and since I am a lefty it works for me. I would recommend it. I buy American and proud to carry it daily.
Been a benchmade guy for most of my life, always wanted one when I couldn’t afford them then bought all I could when I got to a point where the money wasn’t an issue. Lately the prices they seem to think they’re worth have been creeping up while the excitement factor has been dropping like a rock. Every new design has a plastic handle marketed as carbon fiber, steels have stagnated, prices keep rising….. crooked river was the last offering they came out with that interested me, since then they’ve been on the “make every knife like the Bugout” kick and I’m still waiting for something to excite me while I carry my Grip with Alum scales and old HK designs that still feel like a real benchmade.
Well said 👍
Benchmade are way overpriced these days, especially since there quality went down a few points
@@WoodsmanHobo777 have you seen how much it costs to do business in Oregon these days?
Agreed
@@johnsanford3596 exactly you get all theses fools saying things should be cheaper not one of them take into account how much it cost to actually have a business firstly and secondly how much the cost of materials paying the workers so on so forth. It’s so easy for UA-camrs too flap their gums about this should be cheaper hahaha ohh really Next thing they are complaining about another company going bankrupt because they can’t keep up with the price of their foreign competitors..basically you can’t win in this day and age without a UA-cam genius having a pop and then the world of fools jumping on his wagon.
CPm D2 fixes the chippines of D2 and makes the thing very compelling for a hard use knife.
Finally, somebody in this thread that isn’t a moron.
@@CKshouta for $200?... I don't know bro. Maybe for 150 👍 I mean considering you can get tougher stainless steels like LC200N and Magnacut for less just makes it kind of... Meh 😕 for the price
I really like my redoubt. Aside from the price point its a very good knife. I've done some carving and whittling with it. The gimping on the bottom handle is a bit harsh.
It feels very sturdy even though i hear people complain it sounds cheap
Bench Made Knives are over-the-top expensive, thank God we have so many other great companies out there that make great knives for much less. My knives range from 30 to 130 and some of the 30-dollar knives are better than the 80-dollar knives, the knife industry is a tricky place, with lots of variations. Bench Made Knives are the White Collar man's knives. Again I'm not downing them just too expensive for me.
I was able to get a few deals with patience and timing. I did get a full size Presidio in aluminium on sale (s30v) for right around $130. I was also able to get a closeout on the Osbourne in M4 maybe for no more than $165 which is pretty low. Those look like fabulous deals compared to this overpriced plastic knife. You are basically right in many ways. This is totally a knife for people with money to spare. There are way better knives, at way better price points.
Got the old presidio 2 with aluminium scales, I think it's brilliant, super strong. Love the channel mate, you got me into knife obsession.
Excellent piece of Benchmade quality. I cracked and had to get myself a mini as well if you haven’t got monster hands the mini is a excellent piece and not so mini either. Exactly the same size pivot pin in both the large and mini 👍🏼
@@SkunkPunch73 its my first benchmade and man it doesn't disappoint, got the serrated version
Love my Presidio 2 with the lighter scales. They seem strong enough for me and the price decreased opposed to the aluminum model. This knife at around $160 is the best value in the Benchmade lineup.
It's hard to justify when you can get the best version of the griptilian from Ritter Hougue. G10 scales, high saber, 20cv, deepcarry clip, best axis lock on market and $/£40 cheaper.
Benchmade 20cv is poor performance 20cv. I would assume cpm-d2 performance is better.
@@tacticalcenter8658the Ritter is made by hogue, not Benchmade.
@@rando27enco matters not. They both have poor performance m390 and 20cv.
Hougue has redeemed itself with its magnacut which performs better than its 20cv/m390. Which is sad but at least they finally are worth buying if you get one in magnacut.
My old Adamas was only D2 not CPM. I picked up the Redoubt for 159 a few months ago. No complaints
I love the look of it. I've just had too many problems with BMs omega springs and also their auto springs. On the other hand my Endura's just keep on keep'n on. As do my Kershaw's.
@Red River ... I recently bought a KnifeWorks exclusive Hogue/Ritter with their Able lock. Out of the box, it was gritty to open. I lubed it with Gunny Glide and worked the action, mopping up lots of black sludge with paper towels and pipe cleaners, then lubing again. The actiin was still fairly stiff, so I'd open and closw it a couple hundred times at night to get the parts to wear mate. No kinetic openings. A couple weeks of that and an Able Lock spring broke. ... Shipped it UPS paid by Hogue for repair. No ackniwledgenent from Hogue that they'd received it, but trackibg showed they had. No email from Higue that it was shipped back to me. No tracking number sent to me. No note in box I'd used to ship to them (their box wasn't sturdy enough). ... 40 days later, an Able lock spring broke again. ... I've not contacted Hogue, several weeks later. ... I'd like a refund for a defective knife now. I will never buy another Hogue Able Lock. ....$200 forty day piece of crap knife. I will never trust a Hogue Able Lock. ... I own close to 30 Benchmade Axis Lock knives. Several have seen very heavy use, including batonning an S-30V Rukus blade through a piece of 1/2" dry red oak lumber. I've never had any problem with an Axis Lock.
I’ll stick with the Freek because of the handle material mainly, but also the steel. Plastic handles just feel Luke junk to me. As far as the Griptillian goes, I much prefer the Ritter-Hogue from DLT, only because of the handle material.
First really nice knife I bought was the Freek and I love it. Super good size, comfortable, and good material.
Are you thinking of the super freek in M4 ?
@@gregoryblake3377 yes, but Super Freek is just slang for Freek. They have the Freek and the mini Freek.
@@jasonjavelin I’m pretty sure I’m getting the Freek or the Adamas for Christmas.😃
I do have several other nicer knives, but they are mostly fixed blades. The only other nice folders I have are a PM2 and a MKM Terzoula Clap. The rest are mostly sub $100 knives. I can’t justify the really pricey stuff on my budget.☹️
@@gregoryblake3377 I actually have the OG Freek before the super Freek was available and it’s in S30v. A lot of people complained about the rubber material I think but other than wearing in a couple of the corners it’s held up for me. Daily carried it for a few years before changing it up to a Spyderco for a bit.
Gotta agree thats a great pocket clip execution👍 Looks like a Great lefty knife to me. I was thinking, I'd like the blade to be a stainless satin finish.
Agree that would be a classy look with this design and color scheme
I myself wouldn't pay $125 for it but I really like the way they did the handles. Like it a lot better than the griptilian. I never have liked the looks of the grip
I don't mind the CPM-D2 but CPM-3V would be my choice as would aluminum handles with G-10 inlay for $180.
But BM doesn't know how to heat treat 3V or apparently care about learning so their CPM D2's definitely better unless you're gonna remove that 3V blade and send it out for a real heat treat. 3V at 56-57 hrc isn't 3V, it may as well not even be heat treated at all at that point.
@@johnnyshanksalot8358 - obviously I mean with PROPER heat treating at 61HRC.
All the different Griptilian are out of stock. I like the design because the handle design reminds me a little bit of the Moki MK-921 from Japan that i have in my small knife collection. Very cute little EDC pocket knife from the 1994 Spiderco catalog.
Gpknives and knife center have several in stock
The redoubt was the first benchmade knife I bought. Bought it a little over year. Liked it so much that I bought 2 other benchmades, and not long after I bought those knives, I went back to the redoubt.
Also d2 is a tool steel and s30v is stainless steel. I personally would not compare the 2.
I'd still recommend the Ritter knife from Hogue. Better steel and better company
Yes, the Redoubt is too expensive. Especially for cruddy Grivory scales. But, the guts of the knife are very solid even with CPM D2 steel (which is bombproof under Benchmade's blade coating). I bought the knife for the beefy profile and the action. That being said, I dropped another $90 on AWT Cerokoted aluminum scales. Now, my Redoubt is absolutely badass! The AWT scales are super solid, the texture is great and the ergos are impressive. Too bad Benchmade couldn't offer better scales on a $180 knife. But, I will say that a now have a near perfect knife. Thanks, AWT! Lol.
Lmao 50% of the knife’s worth for a handle change lmao. Just to flip it while you watch Tv and never leave your pocket. You knife people are a joke
@@saggypants4 I'm disappointed by those assholes too.
saggypants4, He’s not spending your money, it’s his. Much worse things to blow a couple hundred dollars on than a durable tool that one enjoys owning.
Don’t lose it! That’s why I’ll never get a pricey knife.
@@elconquistador98 I think I've lost one out of 100s and I use them all.
I hear what you're saying, and I can kinda/sorta agree....but, let me throw another proposal to you. Perhaps they should've plunked the redoubt in at the Grip's price point (140, even 150), and dropped the Grip to a 110-120 range. Either your suggestion or mine is asking them to reduce revenue, which is akin to asking a new mother to give up her child, so we're not going to get much action there, either way. Having said, that, I should back up and say that comparing those two, you made a good case for the grind being worthy of note. The hardness was an improvement (and frankly, surprised me!), and the clip, while not the first place one's thoughts go, certainly made an impression on you. Even the handle struck your fancy. So, give each of those a +$10 bump, and the Redoubt is a Grip + $40 knife on you're recommendation. Of course, you might say that each of those elements are worth a $2 bump. I think the grind is worth more than the clip, but, I'm glad both are there. But, this is why i'm thinking they're justified with the price delta...but, to your point, the Redoubt is too high. So, I thinking dropping the bottom out of the Griptillian price makes sense. For one thing, it's been out long enough to have recaptured some development and die-making costs. And, if a price reduction leads to a resurgence in sales, that won't break hearts in the C-Suite. But, this is where I now leave analytical thought behind: to me, the Griptillian looks goofy. Something about the blade geometry just seems off. Of course, there's only 2-3 blade shapes that looke "correct" to me. But, the redoubt has it. I think it's a more beautiful knife, and not just by a little. That redoubt is, to my thinking, one of the best looking knives i've seen. That alone (and yes this is subjective) is worth the +$40 over the Griptillian. But, I also feel that the entire Benchmade series is overpriced, and that a 40-50% price reduction is needed. So, while we wanted to take Benchmade's newborn earlier, I just now tried to walk off with all her children. I probably should sneak off into the woods, now, for my own safety....
I’m on the fence with this one. I like CPM D2 because it’s infinitely better than chinese ingot D2 in every way but the handle doesn’t really speak to me
If you try it, you might like it. I tried it and its not bad. I'm not a fan of the brand so I'm not getting any benchmades, but the point is, your perspective can change when in use.
I'm 100% on both counts. The higher quality D2 is fine. I like how sharp D2 can get. And if you can keep it sharp longer, that's a premium blade. But yeah, the grips are kind of frumpy looking. Just doesn't look premium or clean.
In a world where Cabela’s sells a D2 grip and the Elementum exists…No one’s gonna buy the Redoubt
First time I heard of the word redoubt was back a few years ago visiting the battlefields surrounding Yorktown, Virginia. Very cool earthen fortifications used in battle. Needless to say
I bought a Redoubt for $161 out the door at Scheels. Smooth, no play, centered & sharper than normal for a Benchmade. Pleased with the cpm-d2 so far. Thanks for the review!
I got mine at Cabela’s for $162. It rang up for $180 but they honored the price on the little sign in the knife case for me. Plus I had a gift card to ease the pain even more lol. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve paid full price for any of my 20+ Benchmades. I always wait for a sale, gift card, or even a coupon code from Honey.
Knife is a really tough sell when the Hogue built Ritter RSK MK1 G2 offers Cpm20cv steel, g10 scales, and way better quality for less money.
I think most "tactical" knives are made to be used with gloves. SO they end up having extra gimping that a regular knife wouldn't have or need...
A lot of people are looking at CPM D2 on paper and thinking it's sooooo much better than ingot D2, when it's really not. In use you will not notice the difference unless you use exclusively D2 knives every single day. Even then, probably only if you use cheap D2 knives from overseas instead of properly treated D2. The CPM process and other "improvements" like cryo are very misunderstood and largely used as marketing now. CPM 154 vs 154CM is probably a bigger difference than CPM D2 vs ingot D2. The prices on these knives are atrocious given the materials, especially after the recent price hike. Anything over $120 is too much. I would also say to avoid comparing HRC between two difference steels and just looking at what's harder. Both steels have an optimal range so it's better to compare HRCs when both blades use the same steel.
Ummm….well you are at least partially wrong. Following Larrin Thomas, it certainly appears that D2 improved with the CPM process at least as much as 154CM. Its toughness is now in the realm of CPM-M4, and it now is much easier to sharpen and the chippyness is gone.
Late to the party, but i think the griptilian is purpose built for spefic customer and i think most of their knives are. The griptilian is a tank with a life time warranty and the cheapest buy in.
Drop that price, $80-$105, I like your point about it being a intro to benchmade and the next step up being the grip
The Gerber Sedulo is the improved Griptillian.
Bwahahaha!!! That has to be the funniest thing I’ve heard this year…..
1000% right but we do have people like metal complex bringing the fact that materials don’t equal price but like you said when they put materials in price up in the lineup they have to follow suit with what they’re charging for what you get and you are like I said 1000% right this is a fail in my eyes I see for Benjamin but thanks for sharing your opinions and time and effort it is very well appreciated see you on your next one
Love my benchmades. Love their design. But lately their prices are increasing way too much.
The handle shape reminds me of an oversized Civivi Elementum. Don’t know if they pulled “influences” from any other popular knives, but if they did that’s not a bad choice at all.
I picked this up today for $130 from a local retailer. I thought they were messing with me on the price (and it's not a fake, I double checked that already).
Good review! I changed the grip to an applied weapons technology bronze grip, which made this blade even more fun to carry. I wasn't loving the stock polly grip.
I like mine; it's like an Adamas (tanky blade geometry+steel, glove-friendly big handle, etc.) that carries like a Bugout (a little thinner, deep carry, almost fully FRN handle) and is priced like a post-inflation Bugout. For me the Adamas is too big, the Mini is too small. This sits right between and does a better job at being a "discrete" knife compared to the Mini both aesthetically and because it actually deep carries. CPM D2 is inferior to CruWear but according to knifesteel nerds the CPM process makes it twice as tough as both regular D2 and S30V, on top of modestly improving its other attributes. It's understandable why they'd throw this steel onto a "tanky" type folder as it will not be chippy the way some people expect of D2. It will also have a superior heat treat to some $30 Chinese D2 folder as well. Overall kind of a shame this one got slept on but I blame Benchmade for not really making their vision for it very clear.
Beautiful design. Really floats my boat. The price is nutts. Especially here in the UK.
Griptillian, freek, and barrage are my go to.
I wanted so so sooooo bad to love this knife. I handled it 3 or 4 times at my local knife shop and was just not for me.
I bought a redoubt after I couldn't find a griptilian ( owned one in the past and loved it ) in stock anywhere near me. I could have bought one online, but I found a deal and got one for $150. Only $10 more than a griptilian, why not give it a try, and for me, the redoubt had better ergonomics than a griptilian and few better features. I also wanted to try out the new steel to see how it holds up sharpness wise, and I'm impressed. So far, I've had it over 3 months, and I've only had to touch it up once I'm very impressed with it. But I completely agree the price is a little much for what it is a lot of people call this a griptilian killer butbif say its about on the same level.
I love Benchmade designs, I just wish they would maximize HRC through a consistent heat treatment like Spyderco does. Spyderco will beat Benchmade time after time with the same steel in cut tests
Spyderco is also mainly flat ground blades which help. I mean look at civivis 9cr18mov keeping up with m390 cause the hollow grind they do.
Maybe he will offer you to test a Milwaukee hardline knife made of D2 steel. It is certainly an interesting option for people who use a knife as a tool at work and not just for collection.
D2 < cpmD2 unfortunately people are going to confuse these 2 steels. But it’s steep $ for a plastic knife. Spyderco and bench made are getting silly with their pricing.
Yes, and mixed with the plastic handles…just hard to though that money after it.
Make sure to check out the Applied weapons tech scales for this blade. Game changer.
Agreed! Loving mine on the Redoubt. Makes it a completely different knife.
@@stevegoodwin803 I’m still deciding on which ones I’m going to get for my bugout
You are right in my opinion, Redoubt as it is a cheaper price or better steel at the asking price, vs Griptilian. I wish they had just went with a higher end steel, and been done with it !
Redoubt is $330 CDN now haha. I got the all black one. I lightly sanded the sharp feeling texture at the bottom of the handle. Feels like Griptilian now. Great knife
i hear Hogue got an EXCELLENT axis lock too.
You made some great points in this vid man!!!
D2 and grivory for $200, no thanks. Just get a Hogue ritter and call it a day. Better steel, quality control and handle material...or just get a Civivi. I'm not sure anything can compete with Civivi atm. I used to own 10+ benchmades but I constantly had issued with their springs breaking. I got to a point where I was tired of having to send my knives back to them so I bought springs off of etsy that were actually stronger. I have not had that same issue with the springs in the similar lock for the Hogue knives.
Have you seen the video of this knife with the applied weapons scales, it made me get a set for my Benchmade freek, because I hate to rubber scales that it comes with.
No that’s interesting
Check this thing out with some of the AWT aluminum scales. The perfect upgrade for this knife.
Be grateful they just inflation-increased this new knife instead of all their knives. It’s fine except it needs to be Magnacut if Hogue can use it in the Deka, and about $30 cheaper. But it will go on sale later. I mean I had to pay $52 for a budget Verdict from Cold Steel because it’s new, when Midway was just selling Mini Recon 1’s for $40. The Verdict with 4116 should be $35. Inflation + global shortages.
I’d buy one if it was 50$ cheaper, I hear you on the CPM process and the fact that D2 just might have a stigma… Unless I find a reason to justify the cost. Bench made is free to send me one for a review, I won’t say no
The optics of $150 would have been great compared to $180.
Good point about the two things this knife could have been for Benchmade. I didn’t get beyond the ‘seeing it & subsequently forgetting about it’ stage with it. Unimpressive at that price. Their ‘Tagout’ appeals to me but price prevents me from being a buyer.
cpm stands for crucible particle metelergy.
Yep 👍
There’s been a person or two that have complained about Benchmade’s prices and yeah they are getting pricey, especially the bug out it just getting expensive but everyone Hass to remember times are different today. Inflation is really high and all supply and demand issues so you can’t be too harsh on them right now when all this gets straight now and it will see if the prices go down if they don’t then there’s an issue there Benchmade‘s got a bring down the price because they are high. But we also got a remember. They have a bad ass warranty.
Love my orange griptilian
I would love to own a D2 Knife from Benchmade. This Steel is - when good heat treated - known to be a Tank! While S30V definetly is not. I prefer a tenacious steel that I have to sharpen sometimes, over a very seldom needs to sharpen steel, that chips easier - Especially for the military blade sector. Made in USA+ Inflation: Its fact that a knife costs >180 Dollar then. Benchmade knives where 170$ already in 1997.
Yes it is quite good!
@@gideonstactical Thank you for answering 🤗!
I've had it since it dropped I have used it for months it's a beast, light , great blade shape and size the scales sucks and I really want the awt scales but dam are they pricey . I didn't pay full price for it had a bunch of points on dlt and got it for around 119 and to me for that price I got a deal full price no go . Great knife great steel just lower the price .
You should review other camping gear. Not bags, but maybe solar panel something other then the usual. I like your videos and it’s just a suggestion.
Right on, got lots coming in the new year !!
You are getting confused, their original adamas was d2, this one is cpmD2, i think it is a very exhautic steel, I look forward to getting one, s30v is everywhere now so not very exciting…
I checked out the Presidio 2 CF (570-1)... The knife is very underated.
And, I would get a Mini Presidio 2 before I would get a Griptilian.
If you still have the Sedulo... A comparison with the 575-1 might be cool.
Thanks for all the content. ,🥳
I love the adamas original folder with aftermarket thumb stud
Great video keep them coming!!
I’ve bought a 1/2 dozen Benchmade’s . When they supported barry hussein sotero-Bama , that was it ! Cooper rifles in Montana made the same move . No Cooper rifles !!!!
I live in Soldotna Alaska and our western horizon is dominated by a 12,000 ft high active volcano named Mount Redoubt. Good video btw. I recently purchased my first Benchmade and it is the Griptillian. I like the looks of the Redoubt, but felt it was very over priced despite the design. I'm not a hater of D2, but at this price, it was a no deal for me.
What ever happened to the Freek? It was a pretty sweet deal for $100-$130, s30v blade. They switched to g10/m4 and doubled the price? Kinda lameee
I really like the styling and functionality of this knife from the blade shape to the pocket clip. It would have made a great first Benchmade for me BUT having bought other d2 steel knives for less than $50 this is a hard sell. Too bad, so sad.
What kind of sub $50 knives would you compare to this knife? People underestimate the power of a lifetime warranty. Also this is not the same steel as "D2".
ADAMAS for me, that's the only BM I want. Maybe a Ti balisong but that's it.
I wanted a Redoubt as soon as they came out. The steel was plenty good enough for me, the pocket clip looked great, the grind is great, the color/aesthetics are great, etc... But when I first heald one, I just thought, "Eghh" 😅 it was just so lightweight and the handle was so soft and squishy... It just didn't feel like I was holding a $180 tool in my hand. I know this is the silliest critique of a knife, but for me, a knife can look the part and seem to have all the wonderful attributes I look for in a knife, while feeling like absolute garbage in my hand. I'm not saying the redoubt feels like garbage, but I'm a hobo... If I'm going to choose a knife to be my EDC, it has to feel right. I'm having a difficult time finding something that feels better than my PM2. I want to give the LionSteel TM1 a whirl 🤷
I have a lionsteel tm-1 in carbonfiber. The carbonfiber is of super low grade with excessive voids in it (not good). They are all like that. I haven't tried the other material its offered in though. Its cheaper so I'd recommend that instead. The steel is tough and can get sharp but does not keep an edge long. Its also not thin behind the edge despite its wide flat edge. Overall I like it but its not worth what it costs new. I got mine 2nd hand but not used for cheaper, I still feel like I paid too much for it. The pocket clip also sucks and why does it have a stupid glass beaker. Overall I'd suggest avoiding it unless you want it to collect. Its unique at least.
You’re a rich hobo.
@text-130stop spamming people
@@glassmw9823 its a bot. It won't listen to you. How naïve are you?
I've never heard anyone describe knife scales as soft and squishy. lol
The last benchmade that caught my eye was the Claymore. I want one, but for D2 with grivory handles at $250 just leaves to bad a taste in my mouth.
Same reaction to Spyderco Lil Temperance north of$175.
Wrong question. Not "how is it different from a griptilian?", instead, "how is it different from freek?".
If anyone wants a cheap regular d2 knife for $26 I recommend the ganzo fh91. I am about to buy a worksharp precision adjust so I can properly sharpen it and my future knives. I am thinking about buying this Benchmade after I get my kershaw link 20cv and Spyderco endura in k390. I'm a Kershaw guy but wasn't willing to pay $40 for a 8cr13mov blade when you can get a d2 knife for $25 to $50.
I think Benchmade is working hard to give the US knife market to the Chinese. Overpriced, middle-of-the-pack design, Going the way of the USA Auto industry.
Spyderco is at least giving us terrific knife steel. By the way, I have a dozen Benchmade knives in my collection. It is getting old paying serious cash for the level of knife Benchmade is making. The used market seems to be the way to go the cost is 50-75% original retail, brand new in the box.
A butterfly as a logo I knew they were lame.
CPM D2 at 60-62 HRC is a night/day difference from the common D2 on budget blades. Most people don’t understand the difference in blade quality between a 58/59 HRC to a 61/62 HRC… as you can see by the guys that keep saying “D2 for $180!?!” This is probably the best version of D2 you’d be able to find on the market. I bet it’s VERY comparable to Cruwear treated at 58/59 HRC.
THANK YOU!! CPM D2 is an entirely different animal, absolutely miles ahead of basic D2. The powdered metal process completely changes the end product. CPM D2 is worthy of top tier steel levels of respect.
@@0neTwo3 I absolutely agree. Especially at 60-62 HRC. VERY FEW blades, even the super steels, come at that high HRC. 20CV at 58 HRC is no better than any other steel at that point. HRC makes all the difference in the world.
I have the Adamas Cruwear and I think the steel used on the Redoubt is actually better. When my Addams gets dulled out I have to get it professionally sharpened because Cruwear is impossible to sharpen
It seems the consensus that the Redoubt isn’t worth the money. People like the design. But they don’t like the materials used at that price point. At some point, Benchmade may change the materials used. I have a few Griptilians with factory G10 scales and better steel. I like the G10 scales much better than the standard nylon handles. It remains to be seen if BM gets the message on pricing. I can get a WE Knife Big Banter with 20CV steel for $148. I’d rather spend my many on U.S. made products. But let’s be realistic. With the Banter you’ll get better materials and save over $30 instead of buying a Redoubt.
Whatever you gotta say, to justify your Chinese pocket knives, bro. China will always do whatever they need to do, in order to dominate and own a market. Don’t kid yourself, they do not do it that way, because of money and prophet gains
More Redoubts please. I love mine and look forward to future versions
G'day Aaron, I do like the overall design, reminds me more of the Freek in a lot of ways and yep could do with S30 or 35, especially for the dough. Ultimately, unless one is collector of BMs, or perhaps a D2 junkie, not much point IMO, particularly if you already have a Freek, Grippo or similar. Cheers Duke
Cpm-d2 is better than s30 or 35 and most 20cv. This is CPM version of d2. You are not very intelligent or maybe you just didn't watch the video where he explained it was the CPM version?
@@tacticalcenter8658 I am aware of CPM, (crucible particle metallurgy), also known as powdered steels by Crucible Industries. And yes to my knowledge CPM-D2 is considered to have superior hardness than the garden variety D2.
"Better" than S30, 35, 20, ........ dunno about that, certainly standard D2 aint by a long shot, but in fairness I have nothing in CPM-D2 to compare in use, in any event, most of my blades = < 6 in. are stainless of some description since I live close to salt water.
@@eyeofthetiger4184 all you have to do is look on UA-cam Cpm-d2 cut test and see for yourself.
This blade is also coated. So... Yeah.
@@tacticalcenter8658 Ok fair enough, some great results, and dont get me wrong I'm not diss'n D2 of any flavor. You do need remember specific cut tests arent the be all and end all; a whole range of factors come into play such as grind/edge angles, HT, application and certainly for me corrosion resistance. Yes this one is coated; though in my experience the edge is the first to suffer spotting up on carbon jobs, and I am sure you are aware there's coatings ......... and then there's coatings. Not sure how BM coats hold up specifically, but fair to say I reckon, most don't last indefinitely.
cool vid !!! hopefully there will be different Redoubt versions with different steels and handles . Coolest woulda been CPM-3v or S30v with aluminum scales
Concur. But, I feel the price point is too high now...if they price a CPM-3V with micarta or G10, would that move it to the price level of ridiculous? I fear so....
Cpm-d2 is better than s30v though. And while 3v has more toughness, it has less edge retention and cpm-d2 is better toughness and edge retention balance. So your using opinions instead of factual testing data.
Also benchmades 3v is horrible all together.
@@tacticalcenter8658”cpm-D2 is better than s30v”…in what way? Based on blade HQ’s steel guide, s30v has greater capability than D2 on just about every category except for ease of sharpening. S30v has better edge retention (slightly), significantly better corrosion resistance, and essentially the same toughness. Your argument doesn’t appear to hold water.
@@glassmw9823 those charts are bull, advertising and marketing, there is almost zero proof to backup those charts. actual tests back up the claims of cpm-d2 being better than s30v. You should read about actual heat treat before you talk also. Dont be ignorant.
@@tacticalcenter8658 I worked in a steel manufacturing plant for several years and have an honors degree in industrial engineering…Where are your QC charts, your sharpness/corrosion/durability tests/experiments, Rockwell steel hardness tests, and your control charts backing up your claims? Stop insulting people and acting like you’re so much better than everyone else, jack@$$
Sounds like you’re in need of a Benchmade Super Freek!
Had it, reviewed it, and l like the redoubt better.
Id rather have the cpm d2 over the cpm s30v
I’d just get the gerber sedulo in 20cv that they now offer on their website for around the same price.
Mr. GT, could you review the Deka using Magnacut please? It would be very interesting to see you put its through its paces and see how it holds up. 👍👍👍
I review the design a few years ago. It bit me 😮
Ahhh…I will look for that. Thank you 👍
Butterfly tax is too high! I thought my $75 Griptillian was too much back in the day. There is no way the bugout, grip and this knife should be more than about $120.
I got excited when this was announced but seems lack luster for the cost.
Ya totally
I definitely would of snagged one but the price killed it. I like the blade and handle shape, not a fan of the dual color. I like d2 as well but for d2 and plastic not worth it.
At that price, not even on my radar. Thanks for the review.
CPM D2 has better edge retention than D2. It usually performs about 30% longer. So that's actually very similar to S30V. Probably nothing you will notice during work. However, in theory there should definitely be a noticible difference/boost in corrosion resistance if you compare CPM D2 to it's non powdered little brother. Still not quite as corrosion resistant as a propper stainless steel of course.
CPM D2 is so similar to D2 as to be negligible versus the price increase in real world use (paper stats don't mean much). That's why they almost stopped making it entirely, barely hung on. It's still well below other steels in the price range.
Benchmade makes great knives but they are so overly priced
Hi Aaron I bought my first benchmade bugout for 180$ with cpms30v steel and I love it since it is my second knife after the Civivi elementum with D2 steel I bought the benchmade after I saw your old video about the bugout thank you so much ❤
Poor Ahmed. When the bugout first appeared, they were $80-85, within the last 5 years.
@@elconquistador98 yeah I bought the carbon fiber one with S90v for less than $180 a little over a year ago when I seen them on sale
@@wes3527 My bad. I didn’t read the OP carefully. When the buyouts first, first came out they were$85.
I like the blade profile better than the Griptillian.