Benchmade Altitude 2.0

[CHMD]

Anyone else excited about this? I’m a Benchmade fan and wanted an altitude, but stayed on the fence due to concerns the handle looked uncomfortable. I’m going to give this a shot when it becomes available this fall.

 

[TheBootBowhunting]

Well looks like its going to be better. Some observances looking at a picture......To me it wasnt the lack of scales that was the main problem as far as hand fatigue, I thought if they ever reworked the altitude theyd make the tang a bit wider (from spine to edge side of the tang). Flip side, in some videos Ive seen from shot show - especially the zach's stuff shot show 2023 video on YT - it looks like pretty thick CF scales that might be enough to offset the narrow tang.

From a cost perspective, I still think the Hogue Extrak is going to be hard to beat now that they are going to be sold at retailers and you dont have to buy them direct from Hogue at 200 msrp. Looks like Blade Hq/knifecenter has them in the 160 range. This new altitude is listed on knifecenter for 270.00. Ive done a comparison on here between the Extrak and older Altitude and to me it wasnt close. The extrak fixed what I didnt like about the altitude and I prefer M4 slightly over S90V. The scales will help close the gap...but $100+ for what Id say is an arguably equal at best knife? I guess itll be up to your wallet on that one.

Im a BM fan as well, I get it to that end. Anything other than a backpack hunt where Im trying to cut weight and space, I still prefer my old Steep Country to any other knife for processing game.

 

[Marbles]

S90V is pretty chip prone. It felt like every time I used my Altitude I had a chip in the belly that needed work. Abrasive edge retention on S90V is pretty amazing though.

For what it was, I found the Altitudes handle very usable and am inclined to think more material will not actually improve it.

If they would make it in MagnaCut I would get it.

 

[CHMD]

Well looks like its going to be better. Some observances looking at a picture......To me it wasnt the lack of scales that was the main problem as far as hand fatigue, I thought if they ever reworked the altitude theyd make the tang a bit wider (from spine to edge side of the tang). Flip side, in some videos Ive seen from shot show - especially the zach's stuff shot show 2023 video on YT - it looks like pretty thick CF scales that might be enough to offset the narrow tang.

From a cost perspective, I still think the Hogue Extrak is going to be hard to beat now that they are going to be sold at retailers and you dont have to buy them direct from Hogue at 200 msrp. Looks like Blade Hq/knifecenter has them in the 160 range. This new altitude is listed on knifecenter for 270.00. Ive done a comparison on here between the Extrak and older Altitude and to me it wasnt close. The extrak fixed what I didnt like about the altitude and I prefer M4 slightly over S90V. The scales will help close the gap...but $100+ for what Id say is an arguably equal at best knife? I guess itll be up to your wallet on that one.

Im a BM fan as well, I get it to that end. Anything other than a backpack hunt where Im trying to cut weight and space, I still prefer my old Steep Country to any other knife for processing game.

I read your review on the Extrak. That looks like a great knife. Nice job on the review as well.

 

[CHMD]

S90V is pretty chip prone. It felt like every time I used my Altitude I had a chip in the belly that needed work. Abrasive edge retention on S90V is pretty amazing though.

For what it was, I found the Altitudes handle very usable and am inclined to think more material will not actually improve it.

If they would make it in MagnaCut I would get it.

I noticed they have a taggedout folder version coming out in MagnaCut. What do you like better about the MagnaCut than S90V? Less prone to chip I would assume based on your comments, but any other advantages?

 

[Marbles]

I noticed they have a taggedout folder version coming out in MagnaCut. What do you like better about the MagnaCut than S90V? Less prone to chip I would assume based on your comments, but any other advantages?

Less prone to chip, more fracture resistant, easier to sharpen (though S90V was never problematic for me, thought it did take longer). MagnaCut will also hold up to hard use better, such as light battoning or prying.

The S90V is more abrasion resistant, so many will say it holds an edge better, but that depends on use as edges get dull by both abrasion and chipping out

Both are very corrosion resistant, which is important in Alaska and one reason I don't use M4 and similar steels.

I have pre-ordered the MagnaCut Tagout. Whish it did not have carbon handles, but that is primarily due to cost. I whish the Bugout would be offered with a MagnaCut blade. I tried finding a MagnaCut reblade for the Bugout last summer, but did not have any luck.

 

[CHMD]

Less prone to chip, more fracture resistant, easier to sharpen (though S90V was never problematic for me, thought it did take longer). MagnaCut will also hold up to hard use better, such as light battoning or prying.

The S90V is more abrasion resistant, so many will say it holds an edge better, but that depends on use as edges get dull by both abrasion and chipping out

Both are very corrosion resistant, which is important in Alaska and one reason I don't use M4 and similar steels.

I have pre-ordered the MagnaCut Tagout. Whish it did not have carbon handles, but that is primarily due to cost. I whish the Bugout would be offered with a MagnaCut blade. I tried finding a MagnaCut reblade for the Bugout last summer, but did not have any luck.

Thanks for the reply. Appreciate the information.

 

[Kurts86]

I ran an altitude 1.0 all last year and quartered 5 animals in the field with it. I had held off buying one for years worried about the handle/grip and it turned out to be a non-issue for me.

SV90 is awesome from the perspective of leaving the sharpener at home while in the field because of the edge retention.

 

[jfs82]

Less prone to chip, more fracture resistant, easier to sharpen (though S90V was never problematic for me, thought it did take longer). MagnaCut will also hold up to hard use better, such as light battoning or prying.

The S90V is more abrasion resistant, so many will say it holds an edge better, but that depends on use as edges get dull by both abrasion and chipping out

Both are very corrosion resistant, which is important in Alaska and one reason I don't use M4 and similar steels.

I have pre-ordered the MagnaCut Tagout. Whish it did not have carbon handles, but that is primarily due to cost. I whish the Bugout would be offered with a MagnaCut blade. I tried finding a MagnaCut reblade for the Bugout last summer, but did not have any luck.

Do we know how high benchmade is pushing HRC on this one? Magnacut 'inventor' says it should be pushed to 61-64 iirc. I have a native 5 preordered but I'd love something with a better blade shape for taking apart an animal.

 

[Marbles]

Do we know how high benchmade is pushing HRC on this one? Magnacut 'inventor' says it should be pushed to 61-64 iirc. I have a native 5 preordered but I'd love something with a better blade shape for taking apart an animal.

60-62 is what I have seen, so on the softer side.