Customer Reviews

Benchmade McHenry Design OTF Auto Infidel Knife

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Benchmade has done it again! This knife has a completely solid feel. I was hesitant on spending that kind of money on a knife, but I researched it and couldn't be happier. I just sent the knife to benchmade for the first sharpening (which benchmade offers for free) it took a couple weeks but came back razor sharp. The knife is solid in every aspect, from the feel of the spring, to the solid grip. The Knife is completely worth the money.

This is no stout, armor puncturing, foxhole digging, rope cutting he-man knife. It has a delicate opening mechanism that likes to get jammed with dimes...so keep your change in the other pocket. It is sharpened on both edges, but only one side of each edge. The point is damned sharp, as are the cutting edges.

What it does well is gives you one handed opening without looking at the knife. It has one button that does it all. The utility of this cannot be understated when the other hand is tied up. It also has one handed closing, without having to squeeze a liner lock over. Love that.

It is relatively long, so it doesn't like tight jeans much...cargoes and khakis are fine.

I've had this lil' sticker for two years, and I carry it a lot. This means I like it because it has been good to me. On the rare occasions that I don't have it in my pocket, I'm wishing I did.

Don't use it for box cutting or heavy work in the field...it isn't meant for that. It is a gentleman's knife, not a construction worker's field kit. It's meant to slice open envelopes...be they made of flesh or paper. Its long slender blade is good for puncturing defense moves...which are the most lethal...it isn't Conan the Barbarian's slashing sword.

Use it for light utility and self defense, and it will last you forever. And it does have a cool factor...but be discreet with that.

Keep the dust blown out and the loose change in another pocket. And Benchmade won't re-sharpen it if you aren't a cop or a soldier...so learn how to sharpen it yourself.

CONSTRUCTION

The Benchmade Infidel is a double edged automatic spear-point knife with an Out the Front (OTF) Mechanism. The McHenry Design blade is thin and has low reflectivity. A blood groove is present on both sides of the knife, which is great when hunting. Constructed of D2 hardware steel, this keeps an edge but is not as rust resistant as stainless steel.

The aluminum handle is contoured with serrations on the thumb side where the automatic button is set. The opposite side is smooth and has the steel clip. The fit and finish on my knife is excellent; however, I have seen variability amongst other users' knives where the tolerance is not as tight. The amount of rattling when shaken is minimal to none when the blade is exposed. Given the design, this can be held with either hand for true ambidextrous use. The amount of pressure to activate the blade is very high and I would venture to say that this would not accidentally open - based upon my personal experience. The amount of tension to close the blade is equally high. The speed by which it opens and retracts is equal.

One of the most common questions asked is this: My major complaint is the amount of 90 degree edges along the edge and serratioons of the knife that are not ergonomic. This makes a great knife for self defense and serves as an effective weapon for quick action. One negative is that there is about a 20-30 decibel click to when the blade is actuated. Good for intimidation but bad for stealth. For a utility knife, this has limited applications given the absence of serrations or a true curved blade (Serrations are helpful for extracting people trapped in their cars by their seat belts). The edges of the handle and the slide release are not rounded which takes its toll on the user with regards to comfort. I can easily open and close this knife 1 time per second for a minute with ease but it does cause the thumb to get sore.

The accompanying sheath is nylon but only limits the ability to get the knife into action. The belt clip attached to the knife is how I prefer to carry it.

OPERATION

If you push the button can the blade penetrate an object? The answer is a resounding no. The blade will not fully extend through an object. The tip will penetrate something soft like a thin sheet of paper or a piece of upholstery. However it will also not lock in the open position. You will have to flick the knife out to lock it in place, in order to make the knife retract. Some people, I have observed, grab the blade and pull it completely out with their hands but I don't recommend that (if you value keeping your fingers intact).

FINISH

The anodized aluminum finish of the handle is excellent; this resists abrasion, corrosion and glare. The knife is composed of D2 and holds the edge well, comes razor sharp and is resistant to staining/rust. Given the matte finish, it is antireflective for both the blade and the handle.

MAINTENANCE

Maintenance of the blade is easy by just lubricating the mechanism and lubricating the blade. I have to warn you that after oiling the blade and mechanism, the knife may not lock out (as the oil and debris work out the kinks). My tip is to wipe the slot from which the knife pops out, wipe the blade and use compressed air. If you haven't lubricated the mechanism and oiled the blade, I suggest that you do so. D2 is not stainless steel and it will rust if not treated properly with sound maintenance.

PRO'S
Solid construction
LifeSharp Guarantee
Well made
Good balance
Integrated belt clip

CON's
Costly
No truly ergonomic leading to comfort issues with repetitive use
Noise

CONCLUSION

I highly recommend this blade, if it is legal to carry in your jurisdiction.

Make it short and sweet, do not buy this as a self defense weapon. It's simply a showoff piece, thats all. The knife spring itself isn't that strong, (especially when compared to a Microtech) if you fold a piece of paper over the front of the knife and slide the button forward the blade stalls and has to be reset. Second, blade shape, many faults here, one, no slashing capability, second , if you have a glancing blow off of something hard or body armor two things will most likely happen, you will snap your blade or break the spring mechanism inside. Third , reach, you don't have any. If your line of work involves anything tactical anything that is a folder shouldn't be your weapon of choice to begin with, and as a back up knife it's fails at everything. Only reason I even did this review is that Benchmade markets this knife as a viable option for law enforcement and military when it shouldn't even be considered . Some knives to consider if you do actually want a tactical folder. The Cold Steel deploys while it's coming out of the pocket with a strong lock up, giving you a quicker pocket to deployment time than any auto.

1) Cold Steel Spartan / Rajah
2) Benchmade Auto Rukus
3) Benchmade Bedlam
4) ZT 300 series
5) Spyderco Military

Those are just a few and not in any order before people start arguing. You can simply put in _______ is better than a Infidel for a self defense weapon. Past that enjoy it, I dig sipping on a beer watching Dirty Jobs while my knife blade goes in and out while I slide a button.

This is a great knife but not much you can really do with it but impress your friends. It is built very solid and the blade locks in tight! Better get one while Benchmade is still making them.

I LOVE this knife. I the blade is fairly solid when open with VERY little lateral movement. Positive open and close. Finish is beautiful. Infidel, you even have to love the name.

I recently purchased this knife after becoming a very loyal fan and buyer of Benchmades products. In my experience with other knife brands such as gerber, kershaw, crkt, etc Benchmade is the best manufacturer. They take their time developing each new product and do it passionately. and this knife is no exception. the make and feel of this knife is solid and i do not have any doubts of it failing on me any time in the near future. it is my EDC defense knife, to be used in a situation where my life could possibly be taken. but i also carry it on the flightline when we are loading the USAF planes. next thing you know is a 8,000 pound moving pallet grabbed your leg and you need to cut that strap before you smack into the 60k. seconds count. I also own Benchmades 42 balisong, CBK 175, two presidios, the Nitrous Stryker and the Nimravus. i highly recommend this knife.

this knife is sick, wish i would have had in in Iraq. Its about a 20 pound pressure push up and down so you dont have to worry about it going off in your pocket, if you have the money its a great investment

The knife has a good action with plenty of snap. The lockup of the knife is solid. The blade is usual Benchmade sharp. The point of the blade is extremely sharp. The knife came with a nylon sheaf. The blade does has slight play ( all D/A OTF knives do by design). Handle allows for good grip. Thumb slide action is appropriate in both tension and length. All things considered, this is a good knife.

I've always been skeptical about the practicality and reliability of OTF knives, but the 3300 put those thoughts to rest. so far my Benchmade 3300 has not let me down. Ive used it for many daily tasks, including; opening boxes, cutting clam packs,rope,opening letters,and many other tasks. The D2 steel blade came atom splitting sharp out of the box, the function is very smooth and the blade lock up is impressive. I've noticed that many OTF's have blade play but the 3300 has much less than most. Also worth noting are the aesthetics of this fine knife, many OTF's out there are little more than a fairly featureless aluminum box with a blade, but the 3300 has a wicked looking coffin handle design that also has the great function of giving a very positive grip even with gloves. This knife would be a great urban carry knife if it's legal in your state, or for law enforcement, it would also make a great addition to any knife enthusiasts collection. Another feature worth mentioning is Benchmade's fantastic warranty. If something goes wrong of it gets dull they will take good care of you.