Excellent little dagger. I have a few of them now on various kits. I don't think it's much of a carry knife unless you really want it - it's not designed for fighting like a Fairbairn-Sykes-Applegate/Gerber MKIII type, and is not a grappling knife like Shivworks offers. it has a SPECIFIC use to get someone off of you so you can get to a larger weapon, like a pistol. It is not designed to do anything other than causing tremendous pain and some damage that can buy you some time. I carried one overseas for a very long time and trained with it like it's supposed to be used, it's again not a replacement for some type of karambit fighting knife, Gerber MKIII, K-Bar USMC issue duty knife, or M9 Bayonet, it's not designed to kill. It can of course, but it's not much better than a prison shank for that job.
The detent is weak because Benchmade felt like going el cheapo on the scabbard and uses this garbage little bend in the scabbard as the detent. It doesn't fall out when upside down and friction holds it in tight enough, but this is not as well-retained as I'd like. Still, it is more than enough and this is just a minor gripe.
The entire blade and handle are covered by the sheath (it's a scabbard, yes.... semantics) with only the little ring at it's base exposed. It allows it to be pretty well protected from someone ELSE grabbing it. A knife handle sticking out is a tool a bad guy can use against you - ALL of your equipment can be used against you, and this design is an excellent way to hide where you have another weapon like Safariland ALS/SLS and Blackhawk T-Series holsters are a good way to retain a pistol from someone else grabbing it.
It does fit behind MOLLE webbing, though the little clip that comes with it will not go over two strips separated like they normally are. It will go over a 1.75" belt just fine though, but this knife is a little long for that. I have it on my left side in front of my radio on my vest (Agilite K19), always had my knife there. Easy to get out and put back in and doesn't limit motion at all, and is not uncomfortable. Because the clip is not meant for anything other than a belt and to stop it from coming out of MOLLE or off your belt (there's a retainer on the bottom, just a bend like most holsters have), so if you're mounting it to MOLLE and it's not held tight by friction, they give you a couple strips of 550 cord to secure it with two holes at both the top and bottom of the scabbard to route it. That's what I did.
The edges are sharpened on both sides all the way to the bas of the blade - which again doesn't matter at all as it's not meant to cut, unless you're opening letters, MRE's, or packages you get from Amazon with SOCP Daggers in them. A conundrum, I know. It's designed to puncture - and I don't care how good you think your Karate teacher makes you think you are with a blade - I did this professionally for a certain unit in the Army, you're not going to win a knife fight without ending up seriously, seriously injured and maybe killed. This thing is for people who wear kit and get into some kind of situation where just momentarily both your guns are not able to be used, you're in grappling distance, and none of your teammates are close enough (perhaps just behind you coming through the door), and you need to get SOMETHING out other than your fists and nonsense Kung Fu to get them off of you so one of your buddies can shoot them, or you can get to your pistol. The entire SOCP program revolves mostly around realizing choking someone out or trying to armbar someone when they probably have a gun and firends in the next room, while you also have friends right next to you, is a bit stupid, especially given what you're carrying. Shivworks has a push dagger and their Clinch Pick that are both much better than this is for most civilian every day carry use, or just not wearing kit. This dagger is my kit knife, Shivworks' Push Dagger and Clinch Pick are my EDC when I'm not LARPing pretending like I'm still in the military.
Because of this - it is an absolutely perfect design. It serves no other purpose, and is Benchmade, I've been relying on them for 15 or so years and own many of their knives for military duty in some very bad places (never had to use one, those chances are stupid low anyway), hiking, camping, my get-home bags, nearly everything. I have lots of other CRKT, Krenshaw, SOG, Ontario, Fail Zero, MicroTech, you name it from cheap to expensive and nothing fits this specific purpose better. For kit, this is a perfect knife. If not it's the closest thing to perfection that exists.
It's not earning 5 stars because the clip, while well-built, isn't going to do much for MOLLE and the detent is a cut and bent portion of the scabbard instead of something a little more durable. Still, minor gripes on both ends because again friction exists and it comes with 550 cord. Still, an excellent offering from Benchmade.
| Manufacturer | Benchmade |
|---|---|
| Part Number | 176BKSN |
| Item Weight | 1.02 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 7.24 x 3.94 x 1.97 inches |
| Item model number | 176BKSN |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Size | BLACK/ SAND |
| Color | Dager and Sand Sheath |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Handle Material | Stainless Steel |
| Grit Description | Fine |
| Special Features | Lightweight |
| Included Components | Knife |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
