Review Benchmade Mini Adamas 273-03: Mammoth MagnaCut at a Problematic Price

[SharperApex]

nothing

 

[MolokaiRider]

It's a pretty darn nice folding knife tho.

 

[SharperApex]

I totally agree, and with the carbon fiber scales and MagnaCut blade, it's a beauty. But is it worth the price Benchmade charges? That is my chief criticism. I don't think it is a $337 knife, value-wise.

 

[toker]

There's no benefit to coating Magnacut.

 

[SharperApex]

There's no benefit to coating Magnacut.

And yet some knifemakers insist on doing it. I am not a fan of that, although I do want to get a mirror finished DLC like the Kizer Militaw at some point. That's about the only color and style of coated finish that I think I'd like. Of course, the Militaw is not MagnaCut, but S45VN.

 

[jfk1110]

Nice job.... Cool knife.....I like mine...Full size though.

 

[bedrock]

I’m not quite sure what to think of my magnacut mini adamas. So far the edge retention sucks compared to S35VN, Carpenter XHP and Elmax blades I’ve compared it to. That would be ok if the toughness was what they claimed but, in my non scientific testing, it micro chips easier than all but one of those blades. I started out sharpening to 18 dps and so far have gone up to 21 with no noticeable difference.

 

[Leo Greer]

Thanks for posting this review excerpt!

I am curious, what is Benchmade hardening their MagnaCut blades to? I have a few done in MagnaCut (63 and 64.6 HRC), and the edge retention has been really good.

 

[SharperApex]

Thanks for posting this review excerpt!

I am curious, what is Benchmade hardening their MagnaCut blades to? I have a few done in MagnaCut (63 and 64.6 HRC), and the edge retention has been really good.

I would swear I remember that when the Mini Adamas 273-03 was initially released, it was listed as 63 HRc. Now it lists as 60-62 (maybe my memory is failing me!). However, in my own testing, I measured my blade's tang twice, once per side, and the averaged result, as written in my linked article, was 59.28 HRc. I'm disappointed.

 

[elevator man]

No, your right. When magnacut first came out BM was listing it like they do their m4 62-64 on their website. I was thinking I might buy one then they subsequently changed it.

Edit, Thanks for your feedback. 59 and change isn't exactly what I'm looking for. Heck to me s30v wouldn't be exciting at that number

 

[Insipid Moniker]

I totally agree, and with the carbon fiber scales and MagnaCut blade, it's a beauty. But is it worth the price Benchmade charges? That is my chief criticism. I don't think it is a $337 knife, value-wise.

My major frustration is that without their MAP policy, the price of Benchmade knives actually lines up extremely well with similar offerings from other companies.

I recommend looking for retailers that encourage you to call for pricing rather than advertise a specific price, as you'll save a significant amount.