Benchmade Nimravus?

M

Mugen

Joined
Jun 9, 2005
Messages
98
Hey guys,
I've been a lurker for a while, and I just cant find many first hand views/reviews on the Benchmade Nimravus series of knives. This includes the 145 Cub. I was thinking of buying one in M2 steel. Yeah they arn't the easiest to find, but im still not sure which (140 or 145) to get. I will mostly be using this for camping trips/around the house/an all around utility knife.
Thanks in advance.
 
Plumber, which do you have? The full sized 140? What type of steel? Lastly, how is the blade thickness? I've heard its a bit thin for most people. :confused:
 
I have a 140sbk....that's serrated 154cm. Blade thickness is jus fin. When campig i can cook with it jsut fine. I do have larger hands, so many knoves have a smaller size to me...but as i said befre, for the tasks you want it for it is a great knife. Also, it came VERY sharp and has held a great edge. When I came back from camping on the ocean in Louisiana I just threw it and the sheath in the dishwasher, the pulled it out and gave it a little oil. If this knife interests you i would not hesitate on purchasing it, espically with some of the prices you can find online. I purchased mine for ebay for $70 shipped.

I actually beadblasted the black coting off of mine and refinished it with brownell's OD green baking gun kote, and she looks fine
 
I have the 140 M2. The 145 is very small. And the handle is very small.. My only complaint is that I wish the handles were flush fit with the tang all the way around, except the blade side. (I know you guys) :D
 
It's a very nice knife, especially in M2. You will have a very hard time trying to find a 145 in M2, cause they stopped making them a couple years ago. Finding a 140 in M2 is no problem though. NewGraham has them for $106.
 
Those links concern the ATS34 versions from Benchmade and therefor are not the type of knife actually offered.

Actually you can get 154 CM or M2. 440C was an option for a short time.

I have heard and noticed by myself, that there is a difference in the ATS34 models and the 154CM models considering edge design and quality.

Actual informations can be found in the Benchmade forum. Ppl. there are not that overenthusiasted that their stories are not worth reading.

I do like my 140HS. I still think a little thicker would be better but if it is for cutting and for the prying things, done with the tip, there is not much better than this. If i have to choose between my SR Bandicoot or my 140HS i would only take the Bandicoot for the thickness. Grip, ease to carry, edge retention, cutting power is way better on the Nimravus.

I used to carry it around in the back pocket of the jeans, loop on belt. It was nice, comfort and out of sight.

The smaller version still travels through my brain but i would only take the M2 version.

If you choose for the Nimravus you get a bit longer blade and it fills the hand perfectly.
 
Blop said:
I have heard and noticed by myself, that there is a difference in the ATS34 models and the 154CM models considering edge design and quality.
Click to expand...
Geometry, initial sharpness, edge retention, durability?

-Cliff
 
I have the M2 cub and really like it. The inital edge was obtuse, easy enough to change on the edge pro, even with a a very wear resistant steel like M2. Cuts great, handles well.

I don't like the shrunken scales, the tang bites into my hand on hard cuts.

The full size looks too much like a weapon, the cub can be carried without raising eyebrows. It is easy to conceal if needed.

I think the Gerber Yari is a better knife in overall design than the full size Nimravus, better blade shape, handle, but a poor sheath and only comes in 154CM.

To be very honest, I think the Mora 2000 is a better field knife than both, and is like 1/5 the price. The Nim Cub is a very nice utility blade.

Cliff,
Thanks for the link, too bad donotdelete's pictures would not show, sounds interesting. Also, learned that James Mattis named the Nimravus, very interesting! (I assume that JKM refered to in the link is James Mattis)
 
Cliff Stamp said:
Geometry, initial sharpness, edge retention, durability?

-Cliff
Click to expand...

I own both Cubs in ATS 34 (old) and 154CM (new).

Geometry - that newer one has slightly higher grind and thinner handle, so it's can fit a new sheath. They have different thumb ramps.
The old one's edge was sharpened on ~40 degree, that of newer one was closer to 30.

I can't detect any more differences, quality is equal IMO. Edge retention is comparable.


For my hand the handle isn't too small - love them both, they're my only sub-4inch fixed blades.
 
logo said:
The old one's edge was sharpened on ~40 degree, that of newer one was closer to 30.
Click to expand...
Was this an intentional change or just random edge variance? Have others noted a similar adjustment?

-Cliff
 
Cliff Stamp said:
Was this an intentional change or just random edge variance? Have others noted a similar adjustment?

-Cliff
Click to expand...

No idea.

So far as I know, there was no certain edge angle at Benchmade knives, they were sharpened with hand only - I believe BMSTII wrote it once in Benchmade forum. Thus rather Your second option.

Now there should be a new sharpening system at Benchmade, but I don't know the details.
 
There is very little difference between ATS34 and 154CM other than point of origin. One being Japanese and the other USA. The only other difference is in the things Cliff mentioned with how it is worked, the grind, the geometry, the hardness and stuff like that.
 
Cliff Stamp said:
Geometry, initial sharpness, edge retention, durability?

-Cliff
Click to expand...

There was no edge retention on the ATS34 from the 812s. It dulled in a minute. The two other 154CM i had and have are pretty good. Maybe they have dropped hardness from ATS 34 to an average range in 154CM (some manufacturers declare 60HRC, BM does 58 - 60 HRC).

The thickness over the HS blades edge is about .5mm. I have seen a 710HS wich was thicker there but if it is the Nim, is it right for the intented use as a light but strong fixed. Have no ATS34 Nim, but it would be worth a close comparision.

Initial sharpness = OTB it needed two or three goings over the leather belt to be and stay shaving sharp. Never sharpened nor did it strop the edge after that.

I was abit worried, the HS might be brittle. But the way BM offers it it is simply strong. The knife is a very bad chopper but therefor the steel is rightly choosen. Steel for chopping is something different.

Angle was about 30°. Exactly ground, no way to think other than it is the intended angle.

I would think about a custom sheath too.
 
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