Benchmade 15031-2 North Fork Review
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
This Product
Benchmade 15031-2 North Fork | |||||
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Price | $198.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $190 List | $200 List $180.00 at REI | $200 List $89.39 at Amazon | $125 List $49.81 at Amazon |
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Bottom Line | A compact yet "full size” pocket knife for day to day use and all but the heaviest of tasks | A high end construction of a knife carefully tuned to optimize portability and function | For your self-propelled outdoor adventures, we know of no better balance of packability and function than this model | A great knife for heavy-duty use and jobs that require a large blade | This thin knife disappears in (or on the edge of) your pocket, tackles most tasks, and is easy on your wallet |
Rating Categories | Benchmade 15031-2 N... | Benchmade Mini Barr... | Benchmade 535 Bugout | Kershaw Link | Kershaw Leek |
Blade and Edge Integrity (30%) | |||||
Ergonomics (20%) | |||||
Portability (20%) | |||||
Construction Quality (20%) | |||||
Other Features (10%) | |||||
Specs | Benchmade 15031-2 N... | Benchmade Mini Barr... | Benchmade 535 Bugout | Kershaw Link | Kershaw Leek |
Weight | 3.2 oz | 3.4 oz | 1.9 oz | 4.7 oz | 3.1 oz |
Blade Length | 2.9 in | 2.8 in | 3.0 in | 3.2 in | 2.9 in |
Blade Material | S30V stainless steel | 154CM stainless steel | S30V stainless steel | CPM 20CV steel | Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel |
Handle Material | Stabilized wood | Plastic | Grivory | Anodized aluminum | 410 stainless steel |
Blade Style | Drop point, straight edge | Drop point, straight edge | Drop point, straight edge | Drop point, straight edge | Drop point, straight edge |
Blade locks closed? | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Opening Style | Ambidextrous thumb stud | Assisted, ambidextrous thumb stud | Ambidextrous thumb stud | Assisted, flipper | Assisted, ambidextrous thumb stud; back-of-knife finger tab |
Lock Mechanism | Proprietary (Axis) | Proprietary (Axis) | Proprietary (Axis) | Liner lock | Frame lock |
Carry Style | Pocket clip | Pocket clip and lanyard hole | Pocket clip and lanyard hole | Pocket clip and lanyard hole | Pocket clip and lanyard hole |
Closed Length | 3.9 in | 4.0 in | 4.2 in | 4.4 in | 4.0 in |
Overall Length | 6.9 in | 6.9 in | 7.4 in | 7.6 in | 7.0 in |
Thickness (w/o pocket clip) | 0.5 in | 0.6 in | 0.4 in | 0.5 in | 0.3 in |
Other Features or Functions | None | Lanyard hole, modular clip | None | Lanyard hole, modular clip | None |
Our Analysis and Test Results
You can think of the Benchmade North Fork knife as a special edition of the Benchmade Mini-Barrage 585. Notable differences include fewer customizable options, the wooden handle, and the lack of assisted opening. If you are ok with the blade steel of the North Fork (the Mini Barrage offers choices, the North Fork does not) and do not want the assisted opening function of the Barrage, the wooden handle of the North Fork may appeal to you. All others will prefer the Mini-Barrage.
Performance Comparison
Blade and Edge Integrity
All you might think you care about, as it pertains to a knife's edge, is "is it sharp?" Now, that is a simple question, with a complicated answer. First, even right out of the box, there are different definitions of "sharp." Sure, sharp is sharp; the blade has a pointed edge, or it doesn't. However, that is not the whole story. The angle(s) at which the faces of the blade meet determines the function of that edge. A steeper angle may very well be sharp, but it doesn't cut very well because the faces must force the material apart further after making the initial cut.
A smaller angle cuts very well but won't last very long, which brings us to the other part of the blade and edge integrity. Your blade must be sharp and stay that way. Also, because every knife requires constant sharpening (despite what certain budget knife manufacturers claim), it must be easy to resurface. All these attributes are difficult to balance and tune. Additionally, the variables are many. A blade's sharpness and integrity are a function of usage, materials, heat treatment, and geometry. In the end, after tuning all of these, Benchmade does a dang fine job with the blade of the North Fork. The blade is carefully tuned and consists of excellent materials. The other Benchmade blades are similar and provide good quality as well.
Ergonomics
Aside from one major variable, the ergonomics of the North Fork knife are virtually identical to those of the Benchmade Mini-Barrage 585. And it is ergonomics that set the Mini Barrage apart from other high-end knives we tested. These two are just the right size, with smooth hinges, easy one-handed operation, and locks that work easier and more reliably than any other test. Larger knives are better in bigger than average hands and for bigger than average tasks, but the size of the North Fork is just right for most people in most applications.
The one way in which these two are different is in the assisted opening function. On the Mini-Barrage, the blade is spring-loaded so that the user just needs to start the process of opening it, and the spring pulls it the rest of the way. Our test team (and likely you) like this feature. It is this that mainly sets the Mini-Barrage ahead of the North Fork.
Portability
Portability is a function of size, weight, pocket clip utility, and other carry options. Portability, regarding size, is also at direct odds with ergonomics. Larger knives (to a point) are easier to use. Smaller knives (with no limit, really) are more portable. On the entire continuum of pocket knife size, the North Fork is near the top. However, it is not at the very top. It is this size that seems to offer the best compromise of ergonomics and portability. The size is such that it clips relatively unobtrusively to your pants pocket. The pocket clip is secure and can be switched from one side to the other, depending on your hand preference.
Construction Quality
The North Fork from Benchmade is well made. In fact, all the knives we tested are well made. We only review top-scoring products, and top-performing pocket knives are all well made of excellent materials. What sets the best of the best apart is their weight for the construction quality. It is easy to make a heavy, sturdy knife. Benchmade makes sturdy knives that are lightweight. This is a greater feat.
Other Features
There are no other features on the Benchmade North Fork. It is just a simple blade in a handle.
Should You Buy the Benchmade North Fork?
For those discerning users, the quality of the Benchmade North Fork is self-evident and will be well worth the cost. For the price, you get great quality and lasting design. However, we cannot call it a great value. It is a boutique piece of equipment, and losing such an expensive pocket knife out on a camping trip would certainly be a tragedy.
What Other Pocket Knives Should You Consider?
Benchmade stacks the deck with their products. They make immaculate pocket knives with mass distribution. It is no secret that they are going to top lists like ours. If you're enamored with the performance and style of Benchmade knives, it is well worth your time to consider the similarly compact Benchmade Mini-Barrage 585 and the Benchmade 535 Bugout.