New Benchmade LFK Model

[MITCH RAPP]

Just got this new Benchmade LFK in the mail today from http://www.aapkblades.com/index.php The good news is, it's a big well made handful of a folding knife, with 440C Steel. The fit and finish are top notch. The Bad news is, it's made in Taiwan for Benchmade. The Taiwan knife quality is getting better and better with each passing month, which does not bode well for American Knife Manufacturing.

Here are the Stats

Steigerwalt Design

Blade Length: 5.20"
Blade Thickness: 0.118"
Blade Material: 440C Stainless Steel
Blade Hardness: 58-60HRC
Blade Style: Clip-Point; Ambidextrous
Weight: 6.70oz.
Clip: Tip Down, Reversible, Black
Lock Mechanism: Locking-Liner
Overall Length: 10.25"
Closed Length: 6.70"
Sheath Material: Nylon Pouch w/ Velcro® Closure
Class: Red

[MITCH RAPP]

Here's a little more of the story;

The LFK uses a patent pending mechanism that swings a “ tail fin,” which is housed in the handle, out to cover the closed tip of the blade. A benefit to this new design allows users to have a knife that has a large blade while being collapsible into the pocket or sheath. Most other knives with such a large blade (5 . 20 inches) to handle (5 .05 inches) ratio are manufactured as fixed blades that require a sheath to protect the sharpened portion of the knife.


The new tail fin mechanism rotates open and closed in tandem with the blade allowing for a smooth, one-handed operation. The handle is machined aluminum with a soft and tacky Santoprene® overmold. The 10100 LFK utilizes a locking liner and comes standard with a tip-down pocket carry clip. The blade steel is 440C , a high quality stainless steel, and the blade style is a highly versatile clip-point.

The 10100 LFK is designed in conjunction with Ken Steigerwalt and is manufactured with all the high Benchmade standards in mind. The LFK comes with a soft nylon sheath.

[singin46]

Very cool Benchmade Mitch, congrats to a man.

Perry

[Edgewise]

Nice one Mitch! Great steel!
An unusually thin blade for such a large knife.
Is it up to Rukus standard?
Does the movable sheath mechanism look durable?
I've seen some top quality knives coming out of Taiwan.

[MITCH RAPP]

Nice one Mitch! Great steel!
An unusually thin blade for such a large knife.
Is it up to Rukus standard?
Does the movable sheath mechanism look durable?
I've seen some top quality knives coming out of Taiwan.

The knife is not as nice as the "Rukus" model but it is also $100 less in the price! To answer your other question, the whole knife as a total package is quite durable.

[Cope]

Nice one Mitch, I like it!!

Brad

[Edgewise]

... the whole knife as a total package is quite durable.

Thanks for covering all my concerns, Mitch.
Bottom line is you can't go wrong with Benchmade.
And that blade pattern is my FAVOURITE.

Here's a super folder made in Taiwan:
Aus-8, Zytel, OAL 8.50", .25 lb.

I've often wondered to what extent the quality of a knife varies from one company to another OTHER THAN IN MATERIALS.
In other words, how would this Ka-Bar compare with an Emerson of equal size made of the same Aus-8 and Zytel?