My New E.D.C. Knife: HK Axis by Benchmade

My last two EDC knives been by Benchmade.  First was the Griptilian.  First quality pocket knife I ever purchased.  I had long envied automatic knives, spring-assisted knives, so after several years, I decided to go for the HK Entourage.  Two issues: To me, it didn't feel as tough as Griptilian.  Secondly, I loathed the texture of the handle.  If what it felt like was a sound, it had little bit of the nail on the chalkboard thing going.  *shudders*

Anywho, I went back to carrying my old Griptilian & I loved it even more than before. I sold the HK Entourage to my coworker, another Benchmade carrying dude. 

Few weeks ago, I started seeing this HK "Axis" knife online...  I caught the bug.  I finally ordered one few days ago.  First impression:  It's heavier than Griptilian, and it feels more solid.  I can't quite "flick" the blade in/out effortlessly yet, but I'm sure that'll come as I get used to the design more, and knife loosen up over time.  Pics:

Handle is open on both front & back, so you can see right through between the grips.  Not used to that, but it's cool & should be easier to clean.  Steel liner runs the whole way through, which was one of the selling point I liked about this knife over my Griptilian.  Liner in Griptilian is much narrower & shorter.

Good looking knife!

HK Entourage Drop-Point by Benchmade

HK Entourage

For years I've carried a pocket knife by Benchmade called Griptilian.  It just oozed of quality from the material used to the way it was assembled.  Razor sharp blade, super slick smooth open/close & solid locking system called Axis lock.  I just loved that thing to death.

Benchmade Griptilian

 

One problem.  Literally 2, 3 times, it had come open inside my pant pocket.  It's the same pocket that I carry my keys in, and it's a scary feeling to feel the open knife blade on your fingers when you are trying to fish the car keys out of your pocket.  I didn't know if it was caused by the kind of pants/shorts I wore, maybe my driving position, as it only happened after the morning commute......

Anyway, just few weeks ago, it happened again, and it cut me this time.  I finally decided that I couldn't carry a knife that can just come open by itself like that, no matter how much I loved it.  I've always been interested in spring-assisted & automatic knives, so that's the direction I decided to go with the search.

I was very close to getting a Kershaw Launch 2.  All my friends carry Kershaw, it had good reviews on Amazon, and was a great looking pocket knife.

Kershaw Launch 2

However, doing my search, I ran into HK branded knives, and while I had seen them before, it had totally escaped me that they existed....... but my go-to firearm happens to be Heckler & Koch USP!

HK Entourage, made also by Benchmade doesn't feel as nice as the Griptilian, especially the grip.  Really chalky texture to it I'm not too fond of.  I also wasn't all that impressed with it's opening/closing.  With practice, you are just so much faster opening the blade with the manual/conventional opening Griptilian than this automatic Entourage.  I was also able to flick the knife closed with just one hand, where I need two hands to close the Entourage.

I will say though, it is quite beautiful next to the HK USP.