Ordered this knife to bridge the gap between my SOG FlashII tanto and Cold Steel American Lawman, and am very impressed with its quality. I was looking for a knife right in-between a dedicated tactical and dedicated large-bellied cutter and this knife fits the bill perfectly.
The G10 handles are beautiful and provide ample grip, and large thumb studs allow easy access to the blade at all times. I'm currently a ROTC cadet, and have used this knife on training exercises,bthe large thumb studs are easily manipulated even with gloves.
Lockup is great; I've always been a fan of Benchmade knives (I've beaten the heck out of my old Stryker) and the Axis lock delivers. Some of my other knives have slight back and fourth/side to side play when locked; as per the usual with Benchmades, this knife locks solid. Absolutely no play. (blade play is a pet peeve of mine, believe me that I've tested the lock on this blade and am confidant in saying it has ABSOLUTELY no play)
I had seen reviews saying how opening/closing of this particular model is not smooth, due to the coating on the blade...With the one I received, operation is ridiculously smooth. At this point, through manipulation of the Axis lock to release the blade when it opens, I can open the Rift as quick as my assisted openers. Even using the thumbstuds, operation is so smooth that assisted opening would not serve a purpose.
Blade quality is great, 154CM steel is an excellent all-around steel that sharpens easily. Right out of the box the 950 Rift was very sharp. After cutting through nylon belts, tree branches to make several hooches, even sheet metal, the blade has held up very well. Just remember to keep it oiled if you're in a humid climate (I live in Hawaii and with the occasional oiling this knife has not rusted on me, even after many trips to the beach)
Also note that the 950 Rift was created under Benchmade's "Black Class", meaning it was made to take a beating.
In the end, if you have the money to spend on this knife, it is well worth the higher price. You get what you pay for, and this knife has become one of my favorites.
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Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 18, 2012
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 19, 2011
The G10 scaling was also something I had to get used to. My original Benchmade was a simple tanto blade with a slab of aluminum for the handle - no texturing other than the flat finish. I would almost call the scales on the 950 "sharp" - it reminds me of using a lathe to cut out details and then only giving the finish product a very light sanding. In other words it's not going to bite into your hand, but it gives the impression of being somewhat "rough". I've added a few pictures to the customer images so you can take a look for yourself.
One of my new favorite folders
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 19, 2011
I purchased both the Benchmade 950 Osborne Rift Knife and the Benchmade 930 Osborne Kulgera Knife at the same time, and I have to say that they're both awesome folders for use as an everyday carry. I generally tend to lean towards the combo-edge like the one found on this 950, but I have to say that once I saw the Kulgera in person, the aesthetics of that knife appealed to me more so than the Rift (which I liked better when I saw it online). That being said, the 950 Rift is still an awesome knife and I love it. It does tend to lean towards the large-in-hand side of folders in my opinion, so if you're looking for a compact folder, this may not be the best knife for you.Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 19, 2011
The G10 scaling was also something I had to get used to. My original Benchmade was a simple tanto blade with a slab of aluminum for the handle - no texturing other than the flat finish. I would almost call the scales on the 950 "sharp" - it reminds me of using a lathe to cut out details and then only giving the finish product a very light sanding. In other words it's not going to bite into your hand, but it gives the impression of being somewhat "rough". I've added a few pictures to the customer images so you can take a look for yourself.
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