Maybe the lowest priced option to benchmade altitude

Az wildcat

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jan 2, 2016
Messages
101
Location
Arizona
Thank you for helping me spend $80 bucks, looks like a great knife for the price. Shout out to sneakycat for saving me 15%!
 

ztc92

WKR
Joined
May 8, 2022
Messages
350
Thanks for the update, been watching this thread waiting to see if they came back in stock. Just pulled the trigger on one.

For anyone interested, you can get the knife/belt combo for $102 after the discount code and then you get free shipping since it’s over $100. If the knife and belt are half as good as people say, that’s one hell of a deal.
 
OP
Blandry

Blandry

WKR
Joined
Nov 26, 2017
Messages
528
Location
Colorado
So they restocked eh? I'm surprised.. get'em while they're hot. Great little knife.

the belts are ok.. they're super stiff, great for gear carrying and the buckles are top notch, however the hard plastic belt material rips at the buckle fastener holes after awhile.

If they would go to bit lower durometer plastic belt material that stretches rather than tears it would be perfect. that would detract from the massive stiffness of the hard plastic belt but help with durability.
 

twall13

WKR
Joined
Jan 21, 2015
Messages
2,711
Location
Utah
I hear they just released a replaceable blade knife similar to the Tyto as well. Sounds like they may be trying to continue stocking knives as a regular part of their business plan.
 
Joined
Jan 12, 2021
Messages
828
Location
Upstate NY
Mine just arrived. Pretty impressed with it and cant wait to use it this fall. As far as the guys that said theirs were dull. Mine is shaving sharp right out of the package and the paracord wrap follows the pattern that Twall13 did.
 

DRP

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Apr 2, 2012
Messages
164
Location
Eastern Oregon
Mine just arrived as well, will shave right out of the box. I put on the strop and it is stupid sharp. Ridge definitely listened to the complaints and made changes.
 

sndmn11

"DADDY"
Joined
Mar 28, 2017
Messages
10,288
Location
Morrison, Colorado
I hear they just released a replaceable blade knife similar to the Tyto as well. Sounds like they may be trying to continue stocking knives as a regular part of their business plan.

They had sent me over sketches of it in the spring and I told them I didn't like how the blade was set back from the front edge of the grip. They said that they would try to redesign but it might be too late. I guess it was too late. My experience with a set back blade, specifically the replaceable blade styles, is that making room for the handle and your hands leaves you with only the front half of the blade being used.

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Anyone mess around with a plastidip grip with these knives or similar?


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I have thought about how someone could do an A+ paracord wrap job, and then dip it so that it is a fuller grip rather than just rubber on steel.
 

ztc92

WKR
Joined
May 8, 2022
Messages
350
Mine also arrived today. I ordered it late night on 8/10, so that’s 3 business days using free shipping, very impressed.

Initial impressions of the knife are similar to those above.

Simple but adequate packaging, just a box and a clear plastic sleeve.

The blade is very sharp and edge/grind looks well done and symmetric. Thin coating of oil on the blade that easily wiped off. The stone wash finish is very nice and consistent throughout the whole blade. I really like the jimping locations, feels like it will have good ergonomics. Mine easily cut strips of yellow notebook paper without a single hang up straight out if the box.

The handle is about what I expected, though as jstumbaugh mentioned above it’s now wrapped in a more functional way. Still a bit more loose than I’d prefer, but I doubt I could do better. I hope to upgrade the handle material as others have.

The sheath is much better than I expected. It seems like real kydex and has a very robust feel while being no larger than necessary. It has a snug fit and I doubt the knife would ever fall out as I can just barely remove it using a thumb-ramp technique. It also has a very nice clip that is better than any I’ve seen included on a factory sheath in knives of this price range. The hardware also seems overbuilt, which I appreciate. Overall, this sheath is better than any I’ve seen on a production knife under $100.

All in all I am extremely pleased with it when you consider this knife was effectively $70 with free shipping in 3 days. Time will tell if it holds up and performs as well as S90V is expected to.
 

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CBB1

WKR
Joined
Sep 20, 2016
Messages
325
Location
NC
Mine arrived today also and I will echo what the guys above said. Shaving sharp and seems great for the price. Does anyone know the factory blade angle so I don’t mess it up if I want to touch it up.


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ghost338

FNG
Joined
Feb 3, 2017
Messages
89
Does anyone know the factory blade angle so I don’t mess it up if I want to touch it up.

I had the same question, unfortunately will not be able to answer with accuracy. The factory edge on my knife was not uniform along the blade and inconsistent on each side. The burr was removed, so still sharp, but an annoyance. I figured the factory grind would make future sharpening hard, so decided to rework the edge with my Work Sharpe KO blade grinding attachment. Started with the course X65 for a few passes which quickly created a burr. Moved to the medium X22, then the fine x4, and finally the extra-fine 12000. I use a 3D printed rest to support the blade while grinding which helps with uniformity. I set the WS at 20° and estimated the blade taper at ~3° per side, providing a final edge angle of ~23°. Very sharp. Before I went to work on grinding I colored the factory edge with a black Sharpie. Based on the new vs factory edge, I would guess the factory was 20° or a little less on the knife I received. However, my new edge visually appears similar to other pictures of factory edges I’ve seen.
 

sndmn11

"DADDY"
Joined
Mar 28, 2017
Messages
10,288
Location
Morrison, Colorado
Finished this one up for @bradb

Their sheaths changed a little to accommodate the different Paracord being used and the technique.

I think the bevel is still a little shallow, but this could have been honed to sharp really easily. It was apexed in full and I could roll the burr over on ceramic.

I did rebevel at 22.5deg on the work sharp free hand grinder thing. Before I did, I came up with about 25-26deg in their factory bevel.

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three5x5s

WKR
Joined
May 21, 2013
Messages
1,168
Location
Central Ky.
Couldn't resist, got one on the way, but I need to change out the orange paracord to black. Any YouTube videos on how to do that??

I found one, it would be easier if I could spell.
 

Operator

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jan 7, 2022
Messages
217
Location
Southern Illinois
I bought one, thanks sndmn11,lol. I liked the ones you did so much I decided to do mine. I had walnut flooring scraps and a couple old ignition #6 machine screws and locknuts on hand so I used what I had on hand including linseed oil. I used a table saw to slice the flooring piece thin for the scales, sliced a 3/16" piece for the center area of the knife, wished I had taken pics. The piece for the center area took some time even though I used a bandsaw with a very narrow blade had to leave extra so filing it down a little at a time until it fit tightly enough to have to tap it out. Then after cutting out the scales I used water proof wood glue and glue the center piece to the slightly thiner scale, did this so when it is in place the scale can't move while strengthening the knife handle area. Once the glue set up I used a drill press to drill and countersink the little bolt holes, seal the outer area of the scales then after filing down the piece in the center to match the thickness of the knife handle I glued it together while installing the screws, clamped them in place once the screws were tight.
 

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