First Impression: Benchmade 630 Skirmish

[Que]

If large folders don’t interest you read no further. This Neil Blackwood designed folder is huge:

Blade: 4.3 inches
Closed: 5.5 inches
LOA: 9.7 inches

The saving grace of this knife is that it is relatively light for its size at 6.84 ounces according to Benchmade (I haven’t weighed it yet). That the knife isn’t heavy commensurate to its size is thanks to the fact that the handles on both sides are solid Titanium. This knife sat in the case at a shop where I have been cherry-picking knives for the past few months. I think it sat there (besides the price of $219) due to the fact that it took Herculean strength to disengage the split Titanium handle lock. With a 25% rebate (applicable to firearm purchases) and a 30 day return I took a chance figuring that all it would take to fix it was a drop of oil. I was right and the knife now locks and unlocks super smooth. The lock-up as tight as a drum with no blade play in any direction.

The Skirmish features all Titanium gray-green handles and S30V blade steel at 0.16” thick. I love the blade profile. The jimping on top is about perfect, not overdone. The blade narrows down with the swedge and broadens back out towards the tip. The blade is perfectly centered. The ergonomics are quite good as they should be with a knife this size. Aesthetically the knife knocks me out. I was in the mood for something a bit colorful and the multi-colored anodized dimples and three hole cutouts on both sides of the handle really set this knife off without being gaudy. The first few times that I glanced at it I though that they were some kind of colored rhinestones set into the handle and quickly dismissed it. Once I realized what was really going on I grabbed the knife and bought it. This knife has the feel of quality. As it retailed at $280 it should. With the bronze-phosphorus bushings it opens and closes butter smooth. As I have said, it is a heck of a lot of knife and all extremely well done.

This knife is discontinued but there are some still kicking around out there. There is also the min-Skirmish, a very nice knife as well, that should also be considered for someone who appreciates the use of Titanium in a folder and a very solidly built knife, in a smaller package.

 

[KLJTech]

The Skirmish is a great knife, that and the original Spyderco full size Manix have taken turns being my EDC for a few years now. On one hand I wish the Skirmish was a little fuller in the hand (thicker) but then it wouldn't carry as well as it does in the pocket. Great knife that has held up fantastic over the years.

 

[Que]

The Skirmish is a great knife, that and the original Spyderco full size Manix have taken turns being my EDC for a few years now. On one hand I wish the Skirmish was a little fuller in the hand (thicker) but then it wouldn't carry as well as it does in the pocket. Great knife that has held up fantastic over the years.

How does the Manix compare in terms of size and carry to the Skirmish? A Manix/Manix II is on my list for 2010.

 

[wongKI]

How well does the Skirm cut as compared to a Manix?

I'm looking at one, but three things are putting me off:

-The handed lock
-The lack of a finger choil
-That chamfering of the Spyderhole (or BM-hole)

 

[Stainz]

For size comparison, below you'll see, L-R, The Buck 172 Mayo TNT, BM 635BK Mini Skirmish, BM 630 Skirmish, BM 760BK LTi, and Kershaw 1725SG2 JYDII.

All are Ti-framed, with the BM 760 and possibly the Buck 172 still being available. The Skirmish is big, no doubt!

Stainz

 

[SHADOW84]

The Benchmade Skirmish if one heck of a folder but its design allows it to ride in a pocket very comfortably and suttle.. The skirmish is my favorite benchmade I own, its lock up is rock solid and the S30V blade is easy to sharpen and holds and scary sharp edge, I also own its little brother the 635 which also packs alot of blade in a little package...

 

[Que]

Stainz, I wish you hadn't shown the BM760. I'm a sucker for Lum designs.

Next!

 

[jakeyjake4528]

Stainz, I wish you hadn't shown the BM760. I'm a sucker for Lum designs.

Next!

The 760 is awesome, a solid light knife with an m4 blade, I was surprised at how well it looked brand new. Benchmade needs to make more ti folders.

I also love my skirmish, good score. I EDC'd it for about 4 months, the pocket clip became loose, was easily tightned, and the colored dimples wore off on the non lock side. But its still tops to me.

 

[Stainz]

I am not a Tanto liker - but the 760, as a Bob Lum design, is a keeper. It is a whole package - M4 & Ti. I love my 630 Skirmish - but would feel just as happy using the 760 - a great 'hand fit' - and nearly 2 oz lighter than the 630 Skirmish. Both lockup quite well - and tight. Another 'big'un' is the 610 Rukus - healthy S30V blade & big well-fitted handle - AXIS lock - only an ounce more than the Skirmish. For size comparison, here is a Buck 110, BM 610 Rukus, and the BM 630 Skirmish.

I remove the clips - and carry the big folders alone in a back pocket. The Skirmish is favored here, probably because fo it's weird looks - an acquired taste, for sure!

Stainz

 

[Loneriderz]

How well does the Skirm cut as compared to a Manix?

I'm looking at one, but three things are putting me off:

-The handed lock
-The lack of a finger choil
-That chamfering of the Spyderhole (or BM-hole)

You sure you're looking at a Skirmish?

It has a finger choil for one and a very adequate one at that. The "handed" lock that you mention is a frame lock and it is one of the better types of locks in folding knives (compared to liner locks). I agree the slight camfering can be a bit of a bugger but I have had no trouble deploying my Skirmish. BTW, there's a lot of difference between looking at a knife and actually handling one.

To the TS
Both my Skirmish had lock sticking issues but this was solved by rubbing pencil lead on the lock face. Out of the box sharpness wasn't that great either. Other than that they are great knives and I'm glad I bought multiples when I had the chance.

 

[Loneriderz]

How does the Manix compare in terms of size and carry to the Skirmish? A Manix/Manix II is on my list for 2010.

In terms of "carryability" the Manix is superior... The Skirmish (full sized) is a lot larger and heavier. The original lockback Manix is one of my favorite knife but the newer ones with with the caged BBL is a major pain to disengage. Open's one handed ok but takes 2 hands to close. Unlike the Axis lock it is very difficult to disengage without applying pressure on both sides of the lock. Maybe mine needs more breaking in time. It's difficult to compare these 2 knives as they are very different... Apples and oranges.

 

[wongKI]

You sure you're looking at a Skirmish?

It has a finger choil for one and a very adequate one at that. The "handed" lock that you mention is a frame lock and it is one of the better types of locks in folding knives (compared to liner locks). I agree the slight camfering can be a bit of a bugger but I have had no trouble deploying my Skirmish. BTW, there's a lot of difference between looking at a knife and actually handling one.


By finger choil I mean like the one on the Caly3, etc (a 50-50 choil) I actually do most of my cutting in this close up grip-I find it necessary for a large folder.

Being left-handed, I find both LLs and RILs hard to disengage-RILs especially so since they're usually thicker. LLs are generally easier.

I do see your point about the difference between looking at a knife and handling one. Wise words I would never have gotten into Spydercos if I hadn't handled any. I'd have a few BMs too, but all the ones I really want are already discontinued. (Skirmish, Rukus)

I do find the Skirmish to be an outstanding knife, though. I'll definitely try to get my hands on one if I can find one at a good price.

 

[Que]

With the Skirmish a little lubrication at the lock-up is the fix. Before lubricating disengaging the lock was a bear. I think that will ease up in time with use anyway, but in the mean time during the break-in period lubrication is the key.