Once upon a time Benchmade had the perfect, high value EDC/lightweight tactical blade: The Ascent. At just 2.4 oz the Ascent is a great design. A nicely shaped, flat ground 3.5″ 440C blade, a strong lock back, fast deployment, tight lockup, perfect stonewash finish, and an excellent reversible pocket clip are the highppoints. And there’s not too many lows here: maybe just the pointy handle that might stick out of the pocket a bit while you’re carrying the Ascent. Wisely, BM chose to NOT put …

In the field of daily carry knives, the SOG FLASH 1 is a fast, lightweight, well-built, and securely carried companion. I have many of these knives and have used them extensively for both duty and personal use. As my VIDEO shows, the FLASH 1′s size is perfect as is the deep carry clip. Add its good quality AUS8 steel and most importantly it’s feathery 1.2 oz weight (not 1.4 oz ike I said in video) and you have the near-perfect daily carry knife. For a knife you’ll have on your person at ALL …

There is nothing here in the striking BM 960 Osborne that you will not like: a 3.12″ D2 razor sharp, polished blade, gorgeous red aluminum handle with carbon fiber (or G10) inserts which are perfectly machined, a perfect thumbstud, wicked fast deployment, solid lockup, matching polished clip that holds well, purple titanium backspacer (I love that), and the strong and fast Axis lock, and perfect workmanship throughout. And all this weighs a mind-blowingly light 2.2 ounces. This is the type …

The Benchmade Mini Barrage 585 is a great EDC choice. I love the assisted opening Axis lock mechanism. It’s fast, strong, durable, and locks up securely with no movement. The Zytel handle offers unimpressive traction but shows interesting styling. I would much prefer a high traction G10 or Micarta scaled version of these knives, especially since the Model 585 hovers around the price point. However, even as is, the handle ergos are good and the 585 places well in hand in either forward or …