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A whole lot of of us who benefit from the outdoor are likely to avoid full-size folding knives. For the lifetime of me, I do not know why. Certain, I perceive the reasoning behind maintaining issues gentle — assist customers transfer by means of the paths easily, like a caffeinated gazelle.
Nonetheless, in the event you’re counting ounces on the necessities, you’re taking part in with fireplace and will put your self in a harmful state of affairs — assuming you’re not bringing a hatchet or belt knife. And I say it as a result of I would like all of you to be protected on the market.
So, with my coronary heart in my hand, please take into account this full-size, premium pocket knife beast to your subsequent out of doors journey: Benchmade’s Freek (560-03).
Impressed by the success of the 565-1 Mini Freek, the Freek carries over superior ergonomics, satin-finished, a drop-point S90V blade, and carbon fiber scales. It’s roughly 1.25 inches longer; stretching the deal with out ¾ inches, and the blade one other half-inch.
With out additional ado, I current to you 2 months of utilizing the Benchmade Freek as my major edged instrument for my EDC, along with my adventures within the woods, water, and wandering round at midnight on mountains beneath the celebs.
In brief: Benchmade’s Freek is constructed to be the one knife you possibly can depend on once you head out on an journey. Its premium supplies, construct, and superior ergonomics provide the right mix of options and features. And thus, it lets you do rattling close to something you need with it.
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OAL
8.46” -
Blade size
3.6” -
Blade metal
S90V (Stainless) -
Blade form
Drop level -
Grind
Flat -
Hardness
69-61 HRC -
Lock kind
Axis (Crossbar-Fashion) -
Carry
Proper or left hand, tip-up -
Weight
4.12 oz. -
Value
$350
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S90V blade metal -
That Doug Ritter RST blade ramp -
Axis Lock. At all times the Axis Lock
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I want to see a Micarta model -
The manufacturing facility pocket clip is under-sized for the appliance
Benchmade Freek 560-03: Evaluate
Over the summer season, I had the pleasure of doing a head-to-head check on Benchmade’s two present Mini Freek fashions. This pitted S90V in opposition to M4. Stainless-steel in opposition to instrument metal. As a significant fan and person of D2 metal, I like all instrument steels. Nonetheless, when it was time to get all the way down to brass tacks, the Stainless S90V edged forward of the M4 variant. So, it was a no brainer for me to tackle the Freek for a long-term check.
Design and Options
However the one carried-over function I like is the ramping up of the again of the blade between the pivot and thumb stud. Not solely does this improve your capability to finish extra demanding duties, however it’s additionally a callback to a traditionally important knife designed for all times within the woods, the RSK-1.
The Benchmade Freek has a 3.6-inch, satin-finished, drop-point S90V blade. An ultra-premium stainless blade metal, S90V excels in abrasion and corrosion resistance. It could possibly additionally maintain an edge for a powerful period of time, which is a blessing in disguise, since S90V is a bear to sharpen.
As somebody who often goes for G-10 or Micarta, it’s exhausting to disregard the advantages of the carbon fiber scales on the Freek. With a closed size of 4.86 inches, another materials would have added extra weight to this behemoth. Plus, carbon fiber additionally performs properly with the black {hardware}, and pink thumb stud and stand-offs supporting the blade cavity.
The Freek comes with Benchmade’s Break up Arrow pocket clip. This permits for deep carry and is discovered on fairly just a few Benchmade fashions. Nonetheless, it’s not an element you should buy immediately from Benchmade, and I’ve by no means been a fan of it. So, I hijacked the Normal 3-hole Pocket Clip off of my AFO II. It’s beefier and performs the position extra considerably, in my knowledgeable opinion.
The superior ergonomics on the Freek could be discovered within the tapering and chamfering of the perimeters of the deal with scales. Additionally it is current within the outsized choil and jimping on the chrome steel pivot help.
However the one carried-over function from the Mini-Freek that I like is the ramping up of the again of the blade, between the pivot and thumb stud. Not solely does this improve your capability to finish extra demanding duties, however it’s a callback to a traditionally important knife designed for all times within the woods — Doug Ritter’s first knife with Benchmade, the RSK-1.
Father of Freek: Doug Ritter
Doug Ritter is simply as necessary to the knife world as he’s to the survival world. For greater than 30 years, not solely has he been one of many few authorities on survival methods, however he additionally created instruments to assist of us survive in dire conditions. If that’s not spectacular sufficient, Ritter based Knife Rights, which is a company that’s serving to to rewrite the knife legal guidelines in the US.
I first grew to become conscious of Ritter and his affect on the out of doors world after I was given one in all his RSK Mk5 knives as a Christmas reward. The knife was designed to slot in an Altoid-sized tin (by which it was packaged) or round your neck. The knife was solely round 4 inches lengthy, half of which was the blade. This meant there wasn’t quite a lot of room for a major quantity of grip. However the again of the knife ramped up, permitting your hand to maneuver ahead and offer you elevated grip.
I may simply make fir sticks, prep small kindling for a fireplace, and course of small sport with the RSK Mk5. Round my neck, it may additionally turn out to be useful in a jam (fortunately, I used to be by no means confronted).
That mentioned, for there to be an Mk5, there must be an Mk1, and that knife was made in 2004. Thought-about an evolution of the Benchmade Griptilian, the Ritter Survival Knife acquired excessive reward. Benchmade’s late founder, Les de Asis, known as it a “no-nonsense instrument enduring the best diploma of survivability whereas in hurt’s approach.”
The knife was successful and, although not made by Benchmade, Ritter has since labored with Hogue knives to maintain the RSK line alive and kicking. However what actually set the RSK knife other than the remaining was the ramping up of the blade, between the pivot and thumb stud.
It’s the identical function that units the Freek line other than the remaining. It lets you actually bear down on the knife and put it to work.
Benchmade Freek: First Impressions
Benchmade claims the Freek is constructed for “greater arms and larger duties.” The unimaginable ergonomics of the Freek permit for all paw sizes to profit from utilizing it; it simply fills your hand. Actually, it overlaps my hand, however that’s what practically 5 inches of a closed knife will do.
All in all, I really feel that the Freek is lighter than what it ought to be for its measurement. It ought to be a paperweight at this measurement, however as a substitute, I discover it’s simply the suitable weight for the dimensions of the knife (if not a bit of lighter than it could possibly be).
I used to be accustomed to the dimensions of the Mini-Freek, to the purpose the place I most well-liked it when the Freek arrived. The complete-size Freek took up extra room in my pocket and extra room in my hand. However it’s not unruly to wield and I rapidly adjusted to it. Then I rapidly began to see simply how a lot abuse this knife may take.
To not skip forward, however I’m nonetheless making an attempt to defeat this knife, 2 months into my life with it. I’m fortunately failing.
Within the Area
Out on the planet, the Freek is an actual pleasure to hold round. As my EDC, I take advantage of it day by day to do nearly something for which I would wish a knife, and a few issues I wouldn’t.
For instance, whereas swapping out the headlight bulb on a buddy’s Subaru Forester this weekend, I dropped the plastic cap that holds the bulb in place and it fell onto the battery tray. There was no approach my arm was getting down there, so I used the Freek to pin the cap to the facet of the battery and drag it as much as the place I may attain it.
As my go-to knife within the woods, the Freek tackled meals prep, a bit of digging, and even some hearty batoning to make bigger kindling. I wouldn’t suggest batoning with many knives, however something that has an Axis lock or crossbar-style lock will get the job accomplished. Simply don’t anticipate to have the ability to use Benchmade’s Lifetime Guarantee if the model catches you utilizing its folding knife for such a barbaric act.
Ultralight backpacking of us will doubtless knock the Freek as too massive and hulking. Are they improper? It form of relies upon whom you ask. For me, a knife just like the Freek provides ultralight devouts the power to depend on a single-edged instrument with out having to stuff one other of their pack. In my view, this could be the epitome of minimalism.
‘Lifesharp’: Benchmade Sharpening Service
I discussed how S90V is an actual bear to sharpen. Relatively than letting it’s your beast of burden, Benchmade stepped as much as provide free sharpening for all of its knives.
Until you’re actually comfy with sharpening, have the suitable instruments, and know what you’re doing, I’d suggest sending something with ultra-premium blade metal, like S90V, to Benchmade and take the model up on its Lifesharp provide.
That mentioned, I’ve sliced the whole lot you could possibly slice with a knife a minimum of twice with the Freek. Simply yesterday I precision sliced a paper-thin piece of pores and skin off my finger. That is severe metal — massive league stuff. You’re not going to want to ship a knife like this in for some time for something.
Benchmade Freek 560-03: In Conclusion
I don’t drink an excessive amount of today, however I used to joke with folks that in the event you’re going to solely be ingesting just a few, ensure they’re the most effective few you will discover. That very same logic transfers over to all the gear I carry and instruments I take advantage of.
The Benchmade Freek is an enormous, shiny, shining instance of that ethos. In the event you’re involved about weight, bringing a knife just like the Freek will enable you preserve the burden down by being the one knife you want. I don’t at all times assume a bigger knife is the only option, however with a knife just like the Freek (learn: ultra-premium supplies and superior ergonomics), it simply is.
I took on some significantly demanding work with this knife and may confidently say that you could possibly spend per week within the woods with simply this knife as your one instrument, and do the whole lot you could possibly with a belt knife and perhaps even a hatchet.
You in all probability received’t construct a cabin with it, however you could possibly simply construct a shelter with it. It simply depends upon how decided you’re. This knife will exceed your expectations and is properly price the additional ounce or two.
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