Welcome to: ‘The Rundown’, an editorial series where we provide an all-encompassing look at the latest and greatest products from your favorite brands in the fly fishing and outdoor space. Here, we’ll run over high-level info, tech specs, and our opinions – all paired with a behind-the-scenes interview with product designers who have poured their hearts into bringing these creations from blueprints to the showroom floor.
Last week, Benchmade, the PNW-based knife manufacturer who brought us the Buggout and other popular in-field and EDC models, announced the release of their newest line of purpose-built knives: the Water collection. The new Water collection serves to accommodate every angler: offering 6 new fishing-focused models, including different assortments of filet knives, fixed blades, and foldables. But that still begs the question: what does it actually mean to make knives for anglers that serve a purpose outside of just dispatching fish? Well, in this feature, we’re going to break down everything we know about these knives in order to investigate the hype. Come along as we take a deep dive into the wild below. This is: ‘The Rundown’.
Background
To best understand why we’re even taking the time to talk about these knives in the first place, it’s best to know a little bit about who makes them: Benchmade Knife Company.
Benchmade has been a staple player in the knife scene since its founding in 1979. Now, based out of Portland Oregon, every single one of Benchmade’s knives are made entirely in the USA, making them a benchmark for domestic quality when it comes to knives. Best known for their Bugout® series, a popular EDC blade, Benchmade has also made their mark in the hunting space with their Meatcrafter model, made popular through a prior collaboration with MeatEater. Additionally, Benchmade’s creations can also commonly be found in the hands of different members of the United States Armed Forces, where they’ve been a trusted tool for more than 2 decades Although many of their offerings have been great tools for anglers, with special attention pointed to a limited-release collaboration with Casey Underwood and their Crooked River Series back in 2020, there has always been a hole in Benchmade’s lineup when it came to a model designed specifically for the fishing community. That was until now.
In May of this year (2024), Anglers finally got something created just for them. Offered in the following SKUs; FishcrafterTM in a 7″ and 9″ filet style nod to the original Benchmade MeatCrafter, the AdiraTM and the Mini AdiraTM: the two highly versatile foldables of the series, the IntersectTM: a compact fixed blade optimized to be carried any which way you desire, and the UndercurrentTM : a larger fixed blade with some heft.
With Benchmade’s office based right on the Pacific coast, our first question once these knives finally arrived was, “What the heck took so long?”. Nevertheless, they’re here – and they’re definitely worth talking about.
Tech Specs:
While these knives are a 10 on the looks scale, it’s what they’re made of that matters. Needless to say, each knife is different, but here are the high-level similarities that all the models share:
- First and foremost: each blade is constructed with CPM-Magnacut Steel.
If the term “Magnacut” sounds familiar, it’s essentially become the Gold standard for all premium quality knives (Here is a great article we found on the subject right from the founder of Magnacut: for those who have a lot of time and a great attention span.) So, what makes CPM-Magnacut steel so superior?
The “CPM” in “CPM-Magnacut” stands for: “Crucible Powder Metallurgy”. This refers to Crucible Industries, the pioneer of this technology, and the method for how this steel is formed. Essentially: the steel is formed by being dripped through a nozzle and then “atomized” by liquid or gas sprays that near-instantly solidify the steel as powder. Typically nitrogen is used in the production of tool steel. After the powder is produced then it is sealed up in a mild steel can and undergoes “hot isostatic pressing” (HIP) by heating it up to high temperature (approximately forging temperature) and pressurizing it to turn the individual powders into a solid ingot. The HIP process is similar to forge welding for Damascus. When all that process is complete you end up with a steel that has a much finer and more uniform carbide structure than in a conventionally cast steel. (Info via: Knife Steel Nerds)
Now, that’s a lot of fancy science talk – but in Laymen’s terms: this chemical forming process produces a steel that evenly excels in the following 3 qualities: toughness, edge retention, and corrosion resistance. This is a result, that prior to the discovery of this process, was nearly impossible to achieve consistently, and ultimately results in an anatomically sharper, longer-lasting knife.
2. Second, All the knives, with the exception of the Adira series, have a Santoprene-coated handle, which is a highly durable, very dexterous rubber, allowing for a better hold and a good grip. Something we all know is very important when it comes to playing with expensive things near the unforgiving clutches of deep water.
3. Third, the IntersectTM Fixed Blade knife, as well as both the AdiraTM and Mini-AdiraTM comes with a braided lanyard that comes on the knife: which is a great grab point for when your attention is on other things.
Now, here are some features that are unique to each knife:
The Intersect™:
This knife is the most compact out of all the models in the Water Collection, coming in with a blade length of just 2.75″. It comes with a shieth that can be either clipped into a belt or slid and set securely into pretty much any pocket.
Full specs:
The Fish Crafter™:
Both the Fishcrafter™ 9″ and 7″ have a trailing point blade, which makes making super fine, consistent, cuts when fileting fish extremely easy.
Full specs (9″):
The Adira + Mini-Adira™:
Both the Adira™ and Mini-Adira™ are great EDC options, as they are both foldable with a locking mechanism. Additionally, the Handle is made out of a hard, super durable, ‘Grivory’ composite material – making quick access from the pocket much easier than it would be with a rubber handle.
Full specs (Adira):
The Undercurrent™:
The Undercurrent™ possesses a large, sheepsfoot-style blade, making it perfect for dealing with bigger tasks like cutting rope or delivering a quick dispatch.
Full specs:
Our Experiences:
As we addressed earlier, the needs of a fly angler differ greatly from the needs of the typical conventional angler, considering we’re typically (but, not always) practicing catch-and-release fishing, and have no need for chum or bait. That leaves the question: why carry a knife at all?
Last Fall, we had the opportunity to get our hands on some of the very first prototypes of these knives. Since then, we’ve spent countless hours on and off the water putting them to the test and seeing how they perform in real-world scenarios. Here’s what we found…
Use Cases:
When it comes to the primary function of a knife: its main job is to cut. So, our first objective when testing out these knives was to see how well they did just that. While the typical trout angler isn’t going to need much aid in cutting their 5x tippet – we’re happy to report there are a lot more species out there that’ll eat a fly besides just trout. From the Flood tides of South Carolina to the flats of Mexico, all the way into the Jungles of Argentina; we’ve had a lot of opportunity to cut it up…
100 LB Tarpon leader: When you’re on the bow of a skiff, facing a cruising tarpon heading straight at you – seconds count. As our guides, still deciding on which fly to throw, began to shout from the poling platform that there was a huge fish coming directly at us, we were super grateful to have the Benchmade Intersect™ on hand. Without hesitation, we quickly trashed some weathered 40 LB leader from a day prior, freed some 100 LB from its spool, and with one fluid motion, sliced through the leader like it was nothing. Luckily for us, these fish took enough time getting to us that we were able to get the new leader and fly on and get a shot off. The fish wasn’t landed, but we sure were grateful to be in the fight instead of cleaning the leader out of our teeth.
40 LB Gel Spun Backing: Right before the same trip, the Benchmade mini-Adira™ was a fantastic tool to have on hand when prepping new lines. With this being a trip with all friends, some of whom were brand new to the salt-water game, we ended up bringing a lot of extra reels. Right after spinning those reels up with some fresh Gel Spun Backing, we traded out the kitchen scissors for the new knives and made easy work of crafting some bimini twists: all without having to deal with any fraying or frustration.
Weeds in the Prop: Some time in the jungle will get to you. Luckily, when the prop of our Panga sized up due to being completely entangled in weeds, the Benchmade Adira™ came to the rescue in record time. By being able to cut through the thick mess of twisted swamp grass with ease, even from an awkward angle, we were able to get back on the water in no time, and continue the hunt for those coveted Golden Dorado. (Don’t be an idiot – if you’re going to do this, make sure your engine is completely off and your prop won’t spin once freed.)
Quick Dispatch: If you are going to be keeping your fish, it’s important to be able to harvest them quickly and ethically. Luckily, with the Sheep’s foot style blade of the Benchmade Undercurrent™, this was no problem. On a recent trip to the Northeast, and after harvesting some landlocked Atlantic Salmon, it took one simple cut at the throat to get the job done. No messy work before the cooler: benefiting both us and the fish.
Precise Fileting: Truly putting the definition of the term razor sharp to the test, after procuring a bag of Perch last Fall, we fileted them with the Benchmade Fishcrafter™ with incredible preciseness and ease. There wasn’t a single ounce of meat wasted on these fish, which we were incredibly grateful for considering they were turned into some of the most delicious fish nuggets we’ve ever tasted just a few hours later.
Additional Notes:
Durability: In addition to their ability to cut and sever anything we need them to, these knives are incredibly durable. Between using the blades as impromptu screwdrivers when the situations called for it (which, embarrassingly, it has multiple times) to being forgotten on waders/bibs and tossed around in mud and rain in the back of a truck bed, we have yet to find a circumstance unforgiving enough to bend or break one of these knives – and not for lack of trying.
The only time we’ve ever run into problems with one of these knives, would be when one time when we forgot to rinse the saltwater off of one of the Adiras and left it folded in the dark for a few days. But even then, the thin layer of rust that had formed on the blade was easily cleaned off with some water and a sponge and it was back to as good as new. The experience served as a good reminder to always wash your sh*t, kids!
Carry options: Another feature we really like about these knives is how modular they can be. Specifically in reference to the Intersect™ and the Adira/ Mini-Adira™, these knives are made to fit super conveniently in any storage box/ boat bag, or on your person – which is how we prefer them. The Clips on both the Adira series and on the Interesect sheath are super durable, and pinch-tight. This makes it so they stay super tight to your body, on your waders/ bibs, or in your pocket. Additionally, all of the knives with sheathes, have through slots that small belts can loop through. This definitely provides some peace of mind when carrying around an investment like that.
A Short Interview with from Behind the Scenes at Benchmade:
Flylords: Who are you and what is your position at Benchmade Knife Company?
Amy: Amy Eichner, Category Manager – EDC, Outdoor, Hunt, Water
Flylords: Why did Benchmade choose to create the water line?
Amy: We recognize that many of our hunt customers also fish, so we saw an opportunity to provide them with premium options for their time on the water. Additionally, we saw a
gap in the market for knives that are made in the USA and built with premium,
corrosion-resistant steels, that allow people to spend less time honing their blade and
more time out on the water. Each knife is backed with our Lifesharp Guarantee
meaning a customer can send in their knives to be sharpened back to a factory edge for
free whenever it’s needed. Truly Yours, for Life.
Flylords: What features are built into the water line knives that make them different from other knives?
Amy: Well, We chose the best materials built to withstand the harshest water
environments. CPM-Magnacut was chosen for the blade steel on all water knives for its
exceptional corrosion resistance balanced with superior edge retention and toughness.
Handle geometry was designed for channeling water away while providing grip textures
for improved purchase when hands are wet or gloved.
All Waterfixed blade handles are built with Santoprene, a molded rubber-like thermoplastic that is highly durable and provides enhanced grip. The folders use Grivory with rugged grip panels to ensure improved grip zones at the palm area and deep belly groves for channeling water. All of the Water knives are branded with a white lasermarked Benchmade logo that has proven to be more corrosion resistant vs the traditional black lasermark.
Flylords: From the initial development process until now – what went into bringing these
knives to life?
Amy: From the start, we worked with a team of field testers ranging from geographic areas such as East Coast saltwater, Mid-West freshwater, and West Coast freshwater rivers and salt-water ocean environments. Some are passionate recreational anglers and others are
professional sport charter fishermen as well as professional fishing guides. We utilized
Benchmade’s test lab capabilities and expertise to ensure the performance of blade
profiles, flex, bevel angles, edge thicknesses, and edge retention and compared
Magnacut to other performance steels to validate the use of this steel across the entire
water line. Our team of field experts discussed use cases, tested prototypes, and
provided critical feedback. Lastly, our product and design teams met with guides out in
the field to test and discuss in real-time.
Flylords: Tell us a little about the different SKUs in the collection.
Amy: The Intersect TM – A versatile fixed blade ideal for general cutting tasks around the water and designed for pocket carry, pack, belt, or wader carry. Nimble and strong and built for convenient carry, but is available anytime it’s needed.
The Undercurrent TM – The hard-use fixed blade is built for emergencies and hard
use tasks such as frozen bait prep, heavy line cutting, and bleeding out your catch. The modified sheepsfoot blade profile is designed to prevent accidental punctures when
things get hectic on a boat, while the partial serrations provide an aggressive, fast-cutting zone for times when you must cut something quickly and efficiently. The high
retention, button release sheath allows the user to deploy the knife quickly and can be
mounted to your belt, waders, or directly to your boat.
The Fishcrafter TM – Premium fillet knives built for a performance cut on your hard-earned
catch. Built with Magnacut steel combined with Benchmade’s SelectEdge®, a fine edge
with ultra-precise bevel angles, that allows the user to fillet smoother, faster and easier
resulting in a cleaner cut.
The Adira TM – The water folding knife is optimized for hard-use tasks on or around the
water like bait prep, line cutting, and everyday cutting tasks. Always in your
pocket, ready to load in the water.
Flylords: How are you hoping to see these knives integrate into the greater fishing
community?
Amy: This product line was designed to offer anglers a range of knives built for
catch and keep to catch and release. The collection represents knives developed for anglers from the moment you gear up at home, to time on the water, and ending when you
celebrate the catch.
Conclusion:
To bring it all together, based on our experiences with all the products in the line-up, all we really have to say is this: Benchmade set out to make a unique and versatile tool for anglers, and damn… did they do it. Obviously, this product, being made in the USA, comes in at a premium price tag. Ultimately, it’s up to you, the individual angler, to decide whether or not you need such a tool, but in our opinion, here’s why you might…
Each of these knives is incredibly over-engineered. They perform their primary function with ease, with little to no room for anything else to be desired. However, where we feel the true value lies, is their suitability within the fishing lifestyle. The product design around each one of these knives feels so incredibly intentional, whether its the size, feel, weight, or blade – each knife serves a unique purpose while being versatile enough to fill the space of any other model out of the collection.
Not to mention, Benchmade has always boasted their product’s durability with the “yours for life” slogan, but in terms of something created to endure some of the toughest, most punishing environments that a knife can experience, we don’t see there being a competing knife released any time soon that’ll suit any angler better, or for longer. And hey, that might not be for everyone: sometimes, the $30 gas station knife can get it done for that day, and that’s fine! But a question to ask yourself is how many of those same knives have to be lost or broken before the monthly payments to your local Shell become more than their worth…
In the end, all that matters is how you: the user, feels about it. So, find a dealer today, get one in your hand, and see for yourself. We have a feeling you might agree with where we stand.
To learn more about the Benchmade Water Collection, Click HERE.
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