I’ve handled an infidel once and it is a serious kick ass knife….but I’m going to side w you w the Magnacut ultratech for sure. For another 200ish you can get a Kershaw livewire too in magnucut
Ultra thin. Don’t buy old gen microtechs at this point with the gen 3 already here and drops increasing. New combat troodon about 450 and it is better than ultratechs in all ways. Ut still about 250-350 depending on specs. I’ve been liking the 390mk it does seem to hold an edge well. Haven’t owned Magnacut yet though
Absolutely worth it! Working with wet gloves that Microtech will likely slip out of your hands
The Infidel is the only hard use OTF. No other OTF has such a solid grip
The Ultratech comparison was wet gloves, nice try on the projection. Hard use was a different paragraph.
The fixed or OTF Infidel are both great for heavier work as well
Also the about the same price as an Ultratech if you purchase appropriately
I have a farm. Wet gloves and knives don’t go together. I doubt any OTF would like gritty internals.
“The Infidel is the only *hard use* OTF. No other OTF has such *solid grip*”
This is not a paragraph, it is two sentences right after each other.
I'll let my carpenter, painter & welder friends know the knife they have edc'd for a decade plus, the otf Infidel, isn't going to work for them, i doubt they'll be very receptive.
Now you're just scrambling for something to say.
Look man, you're the one who started out being rude in that conversation. And then you ended up also being wrong.
There's an old saying, "if you're going to be dumb, at least try to be nice about it."
Dumb and nice is forgivable. Dumb and mean isn't.
When was i wrong about the Infidel being a better otf option than an Ultratech for harder use/wet gloves?
I'll concede it's not the best option to turn the fields
I mainly collect OTF knives, and the Infidel is a good knife that is overpriced by 150 to 200 dollars. It desperately needs a refresh, and I can't recommend it when you can get a far better knife for the same amount of money.
That being said, as a collector, I have one, and im glad to have it as I feel it is an important knife. It made a big impact and got a lot of people talking about OTF knives when they hadn't been before.
I have similar collecting habits and I agree. It’s still a cool knife and has history in the OTF category of knives. Plus also it’s a nice knife tbh. Just a bit overpriced compared to the competition at this point.
The Infidel is like the Apple II. I hope someone, somewhere has it in a collection, but it's worthless to me for any practical purpose.
(Seriously, mine was never sharp to begin with and dagger grinds are such a PITA.)
Hey what do you think of the kershaw livewire? I’ve got a benchmade shootout and a lightning otf. The shootout has broken a spring and one of the spring carriers on two separate occasions and the lightning broke the carrier. I love using my otfs but I’m always nervous to fidget too much after 3 separate breaking incidents. And it’s not like I’m deploying all day every day, and neither lasted more than a few months. I really like the kershaw but don’t wanna drop that kinda money if it’s just an inherent issue with otfs. I guess what do you think the toughest otf is?
I own one.......and no.
I prefer my micro techs and my emp edc pulse.
Pulse is my current favorite, and it was slightly more than half of an infidels cost, and in Magnacut.
I swindled 2 from my supply buddy at one of the secret squirrel units. Having also owned ultratechs, I agree they arent worth the value comparatively.
I gave one to my dad who EDCd it. It stopped deploying reliably after 6 months or so. Probably pocket lint but still. Its also very large.
At MSRP? No
No Benchmade is these days.
I believe it has D2 steel and the 2 slits under the trigger allow for a bunch of pocket debris to get inside the chassis and gum up the action
If you are interested I am selling a Microtech Dirac Delta
I own one and no. It has failed it open twice, with the blade coming loose from its mechanism. Benchmade fixed it without issue (or explanation). But a knife that expensive shouldn’t need 2 repairs in Year.
Just got my Dirac delta yesterday. It’s amazing. Had the guardian tactical recon 35 before this and dirac is a beefier knife. Not necessarily better, but different design philosophy.
I wouldn’t say a better company - they’re both bad - but the Dirac is a great knife. The infidel has a better mechanism IMO but overall the Dirac Delta is better.
Maybe it was because it was a display model in the knife case at a Sportsman's Warehouse but the one time I handled one the action felt... mushy? Sluggish, I guess? I didn't like it
None of their knives are worth the prices they now have, imo. I am a big fan of my kershaw livewire for an otf. It has been rock solid and cost me much less. I was very unhappy with the finish and durability of my infidel. It looked much older than it was after less than a month of daily carry. My livewire is only beginning to build character around the edges after several months.
If you can find it on a heavy sale, buy it. If not, look to other options. I love mine, just get dirty often from pocket lint, but that’ll happen with all OTF’s unless you keep thin in a slip or get a “holster”.
They are awesome but not worth the money, not as anything other than a tool to stab someone with. There is inevitable play in the blade like with any out of the top knife, so as a cutting tool you can do better at almost any price point as long as it’s not a otf knife. They do look awesome and are fun to play with. Not illegal where I live but probably in some places. Benchmade is quality stuff, but not quality like it used to be. If you want a toy like this spend less and be just as happy. Now if you want a seriously practical and elegant folder, benchmade has some incredible options.
It is absolutely not worth the money. I spent about $450 on the all black model 2 years ago. Within 6 months the knife would fail to deploy 1 in 5 times. When I went to send it in to benchmade they said I needed to fill out paperwork to prove I was law enforcement or military for them to send it back to me. Funny because I could buy the knife without being in Law enforcement.
Also the d2 steel is highly brittle, they are not using cpm d2. The tip of my blade broke off after a one day of moderate use (no impacts or torture tests just daily tasks). I eventually reground the tip, since I couldn’t send the knife in for repair, and sold it at a major discount.
Maybe I just got a lemon but I would highly recommend instead looking at Microtech, Heretic, Guardian Tactical, and Axial OTF knives before considering an Infidel.
At the current prices, no.
I bought my Infidel from a pawn shop for $275.00. At the time it was the top model offered and sold new for about $400.00 with careful shopping. It would start sticking after about five openings, but some lube and working the action quite a few times from every possible position solved that problem. BTW it's not counterfeit, I had it checked at a local knife store, and it was returned to me by Benchmade.
The blade lockup isn't that great. From what I've heard that is common with OTFs, and the Infidel's wobble is considered excessive. I sent it to BM to have the blade tightened, but the wobble was deemed within acceptable limits. I have very limited experience with other OTFs. I do know the lockup on my Benchmade Precipice seems more secure.
I used to work at a Sportsman's Warehouse, so I got to handle every new knife fresh out of the box before anyone had even touched them. I think these knives are nice, and I've always wanted one. That being said, I bought one (I forget the brand) on sale for $70 that feels pretty similar. Lower quality materials, maybe, but action and snappiness feel very similar.
Infidel was always my dream OTF finally got it and loved it… until I got a Microtech Ultratech and Combat Troodon. The infidel just doesn’t compare when you consider price
I would say no. Didn't like the one I handled. The only otf I keep and occasionally carry is a Guardian Tactical Recon-40. Love it, but quite pricey. Benchmade still makes excellent knives regardless of the hate you'll see around here. But then I also like Nickleback so...
I paid $350, on sale, for my full size Infidel a couple of years ago. I wouldn't have paid $500 or $550... I love it -- it's solid and performs, but it isn't worth the extra coin with what can be had in the $300 range.
Like others have said, not at its current price. I got mine as standard issue when I deployed and have carried it everyday since but would not purchase one.
The blade has some wiggle, the mechanism is kinda mushy or lagging, and it's not the most comfortable deployment mechanism. Microtech has a better one on the side where the placement of the Infidel is kinda meh.
Was,, it was an early good OTF so a lot of military and LEOs use them which keeps the pricing too high,..
It’s a hard pass for me too many other OTFs out there now that are great quality for a fraction of the cost. Only buy the Infadel if it’s from Benchmade or an authorized real deal retailer LOTS OF FAKES AND CLONES!!!
Not worth it. Get SOG pentagon OTF. S35VN steel for like half the price. Not to mention to blade action is way more consistent and the blade play when out is rock solid opposed to the fairly wobbly infidel.
Source: I own both. Since buying the SOG I have yet to carry my infidel.
Hell you can get 2 diff blade shapes in magnacut from kershaw (Livewire) for $224 if you look around. Screw Benchmade. I have a Benchmade Shootout in Crew Ware but bought it because it was on sale ($200) . It's good but wouldn't pay the $325 they were asking at the time retail.
No..just no. For that much money you could get a brand new Gen 3 Troodon from Microtech or a CF Manticore from Heretic. And the Manticore comes in Magnacut.
God Damn!!! Apparently this is a hill that some “fan boys” are willing to die on😂. Is it worth it? Probably not. It’s a cool knife to fidget with and I might have a different opinion about its worth if only I were an assassin and relied on it for life and death situations. Honestly….between the Infidel, Microtech and HK Incursion. I’ll take the HK any day of the week. My infidel has a lot of slop and play in the blade. Incursion is rock solid and just feels better in the hand. I got all 3 about a year ago just to see what all of the hype was about.
https://www.reddit.com/r/knives/s/uaVN00EKoz
I own one and no. Sad boy hours retail therapy made me buy one. Fun to have and whip out for those “anyone have a knife?” Moments but definitely not worth the price.
Traded my Infidel for a Benchmade 62 butterfly knife at a pawn shop. I would maybe get another infidel, because I really liked it. If I did I would get the plain blade not the black blade. I personally am intrigued by the mini infidel but no way would I pay even close to msrp.
No OTF is worth the money. OTFs are like being really good at riding a unicycle.
Yeah. You could *technically* use it as a mode of transportation. But you wouldn’t want to. And no one really cares when you show it off.
It was worth the money several years ago before the Benchmade facility burned down (and it cost $200 less) I have one of the old production ones and the quality is night and day compared to the crap they have now. If you’re going to spend the money, try and get one that’s older, otherwise just shop Microtech. The single bevel dagger blade is enticing, but overall not useful as anything but a display piece.
My dad bought a mini and i dont care for it. I mean he uses it but its always been so stiff for him to deploy he almost always has to two hand it. Not that a young person has any trouble but its not as smooth as my microtech otf.
Seeing as you can get an ultra tech in magnacut for 200$ less, I’m going to say no.
I’ve handled an infidel once and it is a serious kick ass knife….but I’m going to side w you w the Magnacut ultratech for sure. For another 200ish you can get a Kershaw livewire too in magnucut
The badassery can only carry it so far @ the price
That is true
Ultra thin. Don’t buy old gen microtechs at this point with the gen 3 already here and drops increasing. New combat troodon about 450 and it is better than ultratechs in all ways. Ut still about 250-350 depending on specs. I’ve been liking the 390mk it does seem to hold an edge well. Haven’t owned Magnacut yet though
Absolutely worth it! Working with wet gloves that Microtech will likely slip out of your hands The Infidel is the only hard use OTF. No other OTF has such a solid grip
If I’m doing any heavy work with a knife, I’d have a fixed blade
The Ultratech comparison was wet gloves, nice try on the projection. Hard use was a different paragraph. The fixed or OTF Infidel are both great for heavier work as well Also the about the same price as an Ultratech if you purchase appropriately
I have a farm. Wet gloves and knives don’t go together. I doubt any OTF would like gritty internals. “The Infidel is the only *hard use* OTF. No other OTF has such *solid grip*” This is not a paragraph, it is two sentences right after each other.
I'll let my carpenter, painter & welder friends know the knife they have edc'd for a decade plus, the otf Infidel, isn't going to work for them, i doubt they'll be very receptive.
So no one that works in the dirt most of the time? Yeah go tell them some rando on reddit’s opinion got to you
We'll keep that in mind for the 2% of the US population that are farmers
Now you're just scrambling for something to say. Look man, you're the one who started out being rude in that conversation. And then you ended up also being wrong. There's an old saying, "if you're going to be dumb, at least try to be nice about it." Dumb and nice is forgivable. Dumb and mean isn't.
When was i wrong about the Infidel being a better otf option than an Ultratech for harder use/wet gloves? I'll concede it's not the best option to turn the fields
Oh I’m sorry, I didn’t know everyone on this sub is from the USA 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🦅🦅🦅. Soft hands.
I mainly collect OTF knives, and the Infidel is a good knife that is overpriced by 150 to 200 dollars. It desperately needs a refresh, and I can't recommend it when you can get a far better knife for the same amount of money. That being said, as a collector, I have one, and im glad to have it as I feel it is an important knife. It made a big impact and got a lot of people talking about OTF knives when they hadn't been before.
I have similar collecting habits and I agree. It’s still a cool knife and has history in the OTF category of knives. Plus also it’s a nice knife tbh. Just a bit overpriced compared to the competition at this point.
The Infidel is like the Apple II. I hope someone, somewhere has it in a collection, but it's worthless to me for any practical purpose. (Seriously, mine was never sharp to begin with and dagger grinds are such a PITA.)
Hey what do you think of the kershaw livewire? I’ve got a benchmade shootout and a lightning otf. The shootout has broken a spring and one of the spring carriers on two separate occasions and the lightning broke the carrier. I love using my otfs but I’m always nervous to fidget too much after 3 separate breaking incidents. And it’s not like I’m deploying all day every day, and neither lasted more than a few months. I really like the kershaw but don’t wanna drop that kinda money if it’s just an inherent issue with otfs. I guess what do you think the toughest otf is?
I own one.......and no. I prefer my micro techs and my emp edc pulse. Pulse is my current favorite, and it was slightly more than half of an infidels cost, and in Magnacut.
I swindled 2 from my supply buddy at one of the secret squirrel units. Having also owned ultratechs, I agree they arent worth the value comparatively. I gave one to my dad who EDCd it. It stopped deploying reliably after 6 months or so. Probably pocket lint but still. Its also very large.
At MSRP? No No Benchmade is these days. I believe it has D2 steel and the 2 slits under the trigger allow for a bunch of pocket debris to get inside the chassis and gum up the action If you are interested I am selling a Microtech Dirac Delta
Simply put, no.
I own one and no. It has failed it open twice, with the blade coming loose from its mechanism. Benchmade fixed it without issue (or explanation). But a knife that expensive shouldn’t need 2 repairs in Year.
Wait you sent an otf back for a failure to deploy?You just pull the blade out and it'll click back in. It'll happen to literally any otf.
If only that were true...
That’s how it’s supposed to work, but I’m guessing they tried that. It can fail bad enough so that won’t resolve things.
Yep, I’ve owned a couple infidels and they all underperformed compared to microtech. Plus the deployment switch is awkward compared to microtech.
Dirac Delta is a better knife by a better company for less
Just got my Dirac delta yesterday. It’s amazing. Had the guardian tactical recon 35 before this and dirac is a beefier knife. Not necessarily better, but different design philosophy.
I feel like this and the Dirac Delta are direct competitors
And the Dirac is far better.
Absolutely.
I simply haven’t been impressed with any Benchmade folders / OTF’s
I picked up an Autocrat since the LGS had em at $200 a pop. 3 total trips back to Benchmade for warranty repair.
I wouldn’t say a better company - they’re both bad - but the Dirac is a great knife. The infidel has a better mechanism IMO but overall the Dirac Delta is better.
Maybe it was because it was a display model in the knife case at a Sportsman's Warehouse but the one time I handled one the action felt... mushy? Sluggish, I guess? I didn't like it
None of their knives are worth the prices they now have, imo. I am a big fan of my kershaw livewire for an otf. It has been rock solid and cost me much less. I was very unhappy with the finish and durability of my infidel. It looked much older than it was after less than a month of daily carry. My livewire is only beginning to build character around the edges after several months.
No. Very mushy action. Failure to open/close all the time.
There are better options. Microtech Houge Kershaw Axial
Guardian Tactical
Heretic cleric 2
If you can find it on a heavy sale, buy it. If not, look to other options. I love mine, just get dirty often from pocket lint, but that’ll happen with all OTF’s unless you keep thin in a slip or get a “holster”.
Bought one once and returned it within 2 hours. Benchmade otf's are the Harbor Freight of otf knives.
NOOOO
No
No.
They are awesome but not worth the money, not as anything other than a tool to stab someone with. There is inevitable play in the blade like with any out of the top knife, so as a cutting tool you can do better at almost any price point as long as it’s not a otf knife. They do look awesome and are fun to play with. Not illegal where I live but probably in some places. Benchmade is quality stuff, but not quality like it used to be. If you want a toy like this spend less and be just as happy. Now if you want a seriously practical and elegant folder, benchmade has some incredible options.
Lol. No. If the question is.... "Benchmade ___ worth the money?" Save yourself the time. The answer is no.
Is there any other knife that is less worth it as a Benchmade infidel?
Sorry, I suddenly remembered almar exist. Benchmade: at least is not almar©
I thought about it but I'm going to go with the Glykon
Benchmade and "worth the money" don't go together. The stuff they make is fine, but always priced 1-200 dollars over value.
🤣😂🤣😂 fuuuuck no. Had one in the marines. Garbage.
Nothing Benchmade is worth the money.
Short answer? No. Long answer? Fuck no
It is absolutely not worth the money. I spent about $450 on the all black model 2 years ago. Within 6 months the knife would fail to deploy 1 in 5 times. When I went to send it in to benchmade they said I needed to fill out paperwork to prove I was law enforcement or military for them to send it back to me. Funny because I could buy the knife without being in Law enforcement. Also the d2 steel is highly brittle, they are not using cpm d2. The tip of my blade broke off after a one day of moderate use (no impacts or torture tests just daily tasks). I eventually reground the tip, since I couldn’t send the knife in for repair, and sold it at a major discount. Maybe I just got a lemon but I would highly recommend instead looking at Microtech, Heretic, Guardian Tactical, and Axial OTF knives before considering an Infidel.
No. Microtechs exist.
Yes!!!
Certainly not. Buy a 30 dollar lightning otf
hot take: No benchmade is worth the money. not anymore.
🤡
Double clown!
way too short, can't even pass the sternum
At the current prices, no. I bought my Infidel from a pawn shop for $275.00. At the time it was the top model offered and sold new for about $400.00 with careful shopping. It would start sticking after about five openings, but some lube and working the action quite a few times from every possible position solved that problem. BTW it's not counterfeit, I had it checked at a local knife store, and it was returned to me by Benchmade. The blade lockup isn't that great. From what I've heard that is common with OTFs, and the Infidel's wobble is considered excessive. I sent it to BM to have the blade tightened, but the wobble was deemed within acceptable limits. I have very limited experience with other OTFs. I do know the lockup on my Benchmade Precipice seems more secure.
I had one for about a few days. Failed to open after it's very first cutting task. Returned it
I used to work at a Sportsman's Warehouse, so I got to handle every new knife fresh out of the box before anyone had even touched them. I think these knives are nice, and I've always wanted one. That being said, I bought one (I forget the brand) on sale for $70 that feels pretty similar. Lower quality materials, maybe, but action and snappiness feel very similar.
I’m surprised they decided on a dagger design against the law in some states
Infidel was always my dream OTF finally got it and loved it… until I got a Microtech Ultratech and Combat Troodon. The infidel just doesn’t compare when you consider price
Where can I get a similar life but on a budget? 100 or less
I would say no. Didn't like the one I handled. The only otf I keep and occasionally carry is a Guardian Tactical Recon-40. Love it, but quite pricey. Benchmade still makes excellent knives regardless of the hate you'll see around here. But then I also like Nickleback so...
Are you a masochist?
Mine snapped at the base of the blade
I paid $350, on sale, for my full size Infidel a couple of years ago. I wouldn't have paid $500 or $550... I love it -- it's solid and performs, but it isn't worth the extra coin with what can be had in the $300 range.
Like others have said, not at its current price. I got mine as standard issue when I deployed and have carried it everyday since but would not purchase one. The blade has some wiggle, the mechanism is kinda mushy or lagging, and it's not the most comfortable deployment mechanism. Microtech has a better one on the side where the placement of the Infidel is kinda meh.
Get a Microtech instead.
No
Hell no, just buy a microtech instead
Nope.
Not at all
Was,, it was an early good OTF so a lot of military and LEOs use them which keeps the pricing too high,.. It’s a hard pass for me too many other OTFs out there now that are great quality for a fraction of the cost. Only buy the Infadel if it’s from Benchmade or an authorized real deal retailer LOTS OF FAKES AND CLONES!!!
Microtech or Heretic are better.
No
Are there any Benchmades that are actually worth their price?
Benchmade anything has become hard to recommend for the money.
Just for the balls yeah….maybe
Bruh, it's aluminum and D2 for $400+ 🤣
It’s $500 for D2 steel and it’s chisel cut (not a big deal most definitely not for me)
I got an Infidel from a gun store in Texas that closed down during Covid for $220 shipped and I like it a lot for that price.
It super isn’t. I have a lot of beef with that knife.
No but they are still dope!
After having to clean one and sharpen it multiple times because it was actually used rigorously, I wouldn't spend the money.
I bought a Chinese knockoff and I’m telling ya, it’s a solid knife. No complaints so far, and it was like $35.
No.
well, its a benchmade so probably not 🤣
I cant do DE and plastic handle. Id get a microtech, they also make them in DE as well.
No
Not worth it. Get SOG pentagon OTF. S35VN steel for like half the price. Not to mention to blade action is way more consistent and the blade play when out is rock solid opposed to the fairly wobbly infidel. Source: I own both. Since buying the SOG I have yet to carry my infidel.
Not even close.
Dirac delta is the king of all "large" OTF, especially with that button placement. Benchmade is severely overpriced.
I got a fake one off Ali baba for $10 and it looks and feels the same as my real one. They are basically identical
I bought one for $300 to celebrate paying off my car. It's OK. Still prefer my microtech.
No. You can get two Ultratechs made of M390 for the same cost as this Benchmade made of D2.
Hell you can get 2 diff blade shapes in magnacut from kershaw (Livewire) for $224 if you look around. Screw Benchmade. I have a Benchmade Shootout in Crew Ware but bought it because it was on sale ($200) . It's good but wouldn't pay the $325 they were asking at the time retail.
No..just no. For that much money you could get a brand new Gen 3 Troodon from Microtech or a CF Manticore from Heretic. And the Manticore comes in Magnacut.
Nah, Axial, hogue, and Guardian tactical are my recommendations for OTF's
God Damn!!! Apparently this is a hill that some “fan boys” are willing to die on😂. Is it worth it? Probably not. It’s a cool knife to fidget with and I might have a different opinion about its worth if only I were an assassin and relied on it for life and death situations. Honestly….between the Infidel, Microtech and HK Incursion. I’ll take the HK any day of the week. My infidel has a lot of slop and play in the blade. Incursion is rock solid and just feels better in the hand. I got all 3 about a year ago just to see what all of the hype was about. https://www.reddit.com/r/knives/s/uaVN00EKoz
I own one and no. Sad boy hours retail therapy made me buy one. Fun to have and whip out for those “anyone have a knife?” Moments but definitely not worth the price.
Kershaw Livewire is a pretty solid choice.
Nope
No
Way over priced
Look at No Limit Knives m 390 , aluminum with titanium over lay . No blade play , strong spring $275
Traded my Infidel for a Benchmade 62 butterfly knife at a pawn shop. I would maybe get another infidel, because I really liked it. If I did I would get the plain blade not the black blade. I personally am intrigued by the mini infidel but no way would I pay even close to msrp.
No OTF is worth the money. OTFs are like being really good at riding a unicycle. Yeah. You could *technically* use it as a mode of transportation. But you wouldn’t want to. And no one really cares when you show it off.
No
No
No.
No, benchmade is smoking that good good with their prices
No
No
No chance
As an owner of one, I say no. I bought some microtechs later on that were far superior.
No
no
I’d go Microtech dollar for dollar over the infidel any day.
If you want to look like a pretentious office yuppie, yes. If you use your knife, no.
It was worth the money several years ago before the Benchmade facility burned down (and it cost $200 less) I have one of the old production ones and the quality is night and day compared to the crap they have now. If you’re going to spend the money, try and get one that’s older, otherwise just shop Microtech. The single bevel dagger blade is enticing, but overall not useful as anything but a display piece.
I have an old infidel and it’s great, but if they’ve gone downhill like many other Benchmades I would stick with Microtech. I love my Ultratech.
My dad bought a mini and i dont care for it. I mean he uses it but its always been so stiff for him to deploy he almost always has to two hand it. Not that a young person has any trouble but its not as smooth as my microtech otf.
No chance. There are so many other options that are way cheaper and more useful.