reviews of the benchmade infidels?

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paniconthenet

Joined
Oct 12, 2014
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I have tried to find any real world reviews about the infidel 3300bk...but really found nothing other than people talking about the price being way too much, and that the blade was quite thin. I have recently found one in a local shop, its used, But in great shape, no wear or any problems with the blade. The owner said his wife carried it for a while before she got her concealed carry permit. I asked him the price, He told me 100 bucks. I didn't know the going prices of the knife, and after a tab bit of searching see they go from 380-450. I'm going to pick it up in the am....
Price aside, What should I be worried about, is there any real issues with the particular model? Thanks guys. Looking forward to getting it just to have another benchmade in the family!

P.S. I did try using the search feature...every time I enter ANYTHING in these search bar, I'm told my search was blocked...
 
For $100 it is probably a clone. I would steer clear.

The Infidel has some attractive features that you can't find on comparable front opening knives. The deployment button is highly praised. They are easier to deploy and retract that many front openers and are highly regarded for being smooth in that regard. If you are interested in one I recommend purchasing one lightly used on the secondary market, where it might cost you anywhere from $250 to 300 and possibly less.
 
I thought the same. I took a friend who knows benchmade, he said it's real, the button works well, both when extending the blade and pulling the blade in. I'll have pictures tomorrow, but, from what I have read, seen, and been told....it's real. I understand you though. His offer seemed low. That's one reason I have pondered over it. I can't find any reason to believe it's fake, and the shop owner is a personal friend I've bought 4 benchmades, three spydercos, and two bucks from. All legit. I think if it turned out to be fake, he would take it back, in the years I've know him He sold one fake omega watch, which he took offered a refund to the buyer.
 
Out of curiosity, since I do plan on going back to look and possibly buy tomorrow...is there anything I should look for to know it's fake. I know it's got d2 on the blade, and the milled steps on the handle....what should I look for?
 
I never wrote a full review, but I'll drop a quick pro/con list.

Pro:

DA OTF knives are FUN
Extremely pointy blade geometry
Grippy handles
D2 steel is a plus for some
Fires fairly hard (if you keep the internals clean)

Con:

D2 steel is a minus for some (me included)
Chisel grind on blade
Internals are stupidly complex
Needs monthly disassembly if you EDC the knife
I got tired of people telling me they were illegal (They are legal in my state)
Double-edged blade

I didn't want to deal with sharpening the nonsense double-edged chisel grind, so I would walk it into the factory and have them mail it back to me a few days later. They replaced the internals twice over a fairly short period of time, which is slightly suspect. Microtech makes better OTF knives, but the Infidel is a MUST-HAVE if you collect Benchmades.
 
For that price and in that condition I have to think that a)it's likely a fake or b) the seller is an idiot.

As to the knife, I don't own one but I have held and played with them a few times in a store, it's an interesting design but maybe a bit too unique for it's own good. The blade is large and usually double edged (part of why I didn't buy it, double edge is illegal to carry here in Texas) and the double action makes it easy to open and close the blade rapidly. As to the double edge, I'm not sure that it really that useful as anything other than a weapon, I can't think of any food or utility use that would require a double edged blade. The steel choice is kind of odd also, D2 is a very tough tool steel but it also is fairly brittle due to the high hardness. I have a Griptillian in D2 and it's great, but it is also a much thicker blade stock than the Infidel. My main concern using it in a combative situation would be that the blade would snap...obviously this would be really bad!
 
Thanks guys. I know virtually nothing of otf knives. I own only one assisted open, a kershaw blur which I carry every day at work. I've had others, mainly cheap Chinese knives and a kershaw chive open in my pocket...that kind of gave me an off taste in any spring assisted. But, buying the blur and having it a while, I like it. I would figure a higher end maker would have a better product, so, being if the infidel is real, it should be a better knife all together.
I've never looked at microtech until tonight. They are beautiful knives. I guess my only real hick up is that if the knife I'm looking at is a fake, outside of 100 bucks, I'm not looking to spend much more on a otf. I live in Georgia, it's legal to carry, but I won't. I was more wanting it for my collection. The idea of carrying it wasn't my first thought at all because outside of using it for defense, I don't see much use for a double edge blade. I like to travel light, which means room for one, maybe two knives. I can't see the infidel taking over chores that are usually regarded for my 710, or manix2....I also know squat about d2.
I'll post Pictures of it tomorrow, I've searched other forums and have found quite a few things to look for between the real deal and fake. All said. I still hope it turns out to be real....Im slowly falling in love with every benchmade I lay eyes on.
 
I have both the Infidel, and the mini Infidel, and they're both great knives. Yeah the edge grind is a little odd, but functions well for it's intended purpose. Imo
As for picking one up for that price, go for it :thumbup:
 
They say pictures say it all...
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The fit and finish is fine. Slightest bit of side to side and up and down blade play. But when extended the blade doesn't move inward at all.
The only real issue I have is the clip seems off center, as you can see. The "The Infidel" is just as I've seen online, looks worn, but isn't. I think it's real. Anybody have any thoughts
 
I was also worried because the clip didn't have the butterfly at the bottom of it. People say that's a good indicator of a fake. But the same knife on bladehq doesn't have it either...
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are my pics coming up on the other end?

16050736880
 
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paniconthenet said:
I was also worried because the clip didn't have the butterfly at the bottom of it. People say that's a good indicator of a fake. But the same knife on bladehq doesn't have it either...
qsvJv2


are my pics coming up on the other end?

16050736880
Click to expand...

No they aren't.
 
all I am getting is "dot defender blocked your request"
refrence number 912d-3cc6-efe3-0a85

my thread has become fubar....
 
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It's not our computers, I've been getting the same message this last couple of days. Pain in the tail, appears to be random.
 
jkarp_53 said:
It's not our computers, I've been getting the same message this last couple of days. Pain in the tail, appears to be random.
Click to expand...

Thanks for saying that. I thought it was my network! My phone and laptop are doing it.

I bought the infidel with written statement if it is fake, it can be returned for what I paid. So, as soon as I can get pics up, I will. I'm fairly confident I made a good purchase, 100 bucks for the real deal is just fine by me
 
I have the satin version so the blade markings are slightly different... but it looks pretty legit to me. My real deal infidel also does not have that butterfly on the clip, so I wouldn't worry about that. They often change little things over the years the produce knives. I don't see any of the dead give aways for a fake. Infidel font looks correct, all the silver pieces seem to have the right matte kind of finish, button seems to go straight, logos in the right places, grind lines seem pretty crisp. I would have bought it for $100.

As for a review... the whole double edge chisel grind makes it kind of useless for everything I want a knife for. It is however... very cool. All in all though, an ultratech has a better action, less play, offers some more useful single edge blades, and is cheaper.

In the end though... they're both OTFs... and the only real point to them is to look awesome... which the infidel does very well.
 
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