Product Review: Bone Collector Knives from Benchmade

Once again it’s time to review some of my favorite things: KNIVES!

This review is on two of the new Bone Collector knives that the kind people over at Benchmade sent me. I’ll admit, I do watch Bone Collector on The Outdoor Channel and I do like it, but it has nothing to do with how I do my review. I am looking at these knives like they are any other knife being out through the paces.

First, I am going to review the Bone Collector Mini Axis Folding Knife. When I took the Axis knife out of the box I was very surprised at how small it was. My first impression was that a folding knife didn’t need to be in a soft bag and be inside a box. Still, the bag was useful. I will get to that later on.

Product features:

• D2 tool steel (60-62HRC)
• Contoured G10 handle with rib cage pattern for extra grip.
• Handles are available in either black or layered green/black G10.

Blade Length: 2.95″
Blade Thickness: 0.115″
Handle Thickness: 0.618″
Blade Material: D2 Tool Steel
Blade Hardness: 60-62HRC
Blade Style: Drop-Point with Ambidextrous Thumb-Studs
Weight: 3.46oz.

Pocket Clip: Tip-Up, Black Steel, Reversible
Lock Mechanism: AXIS
Overall Length: 7.08″
Closed Length: 4.13″
Sheath Material: Sold Separately

The Mini Axis knife is a very useful, well-built folder. I carried it around in my packet for two days and hardly knew it was there. It fits well in your pockets. I also used clipped it to my pocket and wore it around for another day when I was going to be doing a lot of moving around. I took it to the range where I was standing, kneeling, squatting down and twisting and the knife always stayed in place. I have not found many knives that hold that well.

Let’s talk construction. The Mini Axis fits comfortably in the palm of your hand. At first I was skeptical because I like a knife to fully fit my hand. This knife only fits inside the palm, but that was a major advantage for me. I was able to twist and turn it with more ease than a larger knife.

It’s a nice knife and worth more than your average folding knife. This knife retails for $135.00. I have a feeling it is because of the Bone Collector stamp, but who knows. I know that seems a bit steep for a folding knife in my book, but you get what you pay for and it is a solid blade.

The second knife I am going to review is the Bone Collector Caping Fixed Blade Knife.

The Fixed Blade Knife is deceiving. It is built like a sleek steak knife, but it is much more than any steak knife. At first I thought it was a little slim for hunting needs, but it turns out it is an excellent field knife.

Product features:

• D2 tool steel (60-62HRC)
• Contoured G10 handle with rib cage pattern for extra grip.
• Handles are available in either black or layered green/black G10.

Blade Length: 4.00″
Blade Thickness: 0.125″
Handle Thickness: 0.590″
Blade Material: D2 Tool Steel
Blade Hardness: 60-62HRC
Blade Style: Utility
Weight: 3.46oz.

Pocket Clip: Sheath Included
Lock Mechanism: Fixed
Overall Length: 8.00″
Sheath Material: Leather 2.18oz (62.06g)

The knife is very lightweight, sharp and your can use it like a scalpel. Right out of the box it was extremely sharp and ready to use. For cutting around the rectum and skinning this knife is perfect! I am very used to using a larger bladed knife for my gutting and skinning, but this has changed my mind! Being able to maneuver around quickly and efficiently makes the job of gutting an animal seem to go very fast. I have heard plenty of hog hunters here in SoCal use a similar knife to this for skinning and caping. They say it gets the job done faster than any larger, thick blade knife.

The grip on this knife is quite unique. It is a solid rubber material that isn’t supposed to slip in your hand when cutting anything. It truly feel like a scalpel on steroids. You can skin through an animal very precisely with a blade of this caliber. I had a hard time keeping a solid grip on it in the cold with my bare hands. The grip is solid and not rubbery, but it is also very thin. Keeping it in my palm was a bit of a chore. Maybe it’s my fat hands, but I’d like to see the grip just a little thicker. I may end up wrapping paracord around the handle.

The leather case that holds this knife is solid, but I think it can be improved. The little slip that folds over the finger-hold doesn’t always hold the knife in. It seems like it’s too large for the knife. If you are careful with it you should be fine, but if you set it down or are busting brush and the knife and case are exposed you might have it slip out. Highly unlikely, I know, but it’s a fair warning.

This knife retails for about $100 in most places and if you are looking for a solid, lightweight skinning knife this is a great one. I am sure it’ll be worth every penny.

Both of these knives are high quality. They are extremely well made, durable and extremely sharp. Everyone I have shown them to has liked the look and feel. Kudos to Benchmade for another fine set of steel blades!