While my channel has been growing, my individual videos have been getting less views over time.
It’s probably been the f words.
But I do know one thing other than my last beer review did terrible…
2 of my top 3 videos this years have been Benchmade knives.
So maybe I should have made more videos about the same knives… and done an unboxing, a
first impressions, a field test, a full review, additional thoughts, and 6 months of carry
video.
If a single knife doesn’t generate an hours worth of content, what the good is it?
Todays review, as the title spoils is for the Benchmade Mini Boost, a knife that I was
never really interested in- but since Journey Wind Junk offered to loan me it, and Benchmades
get the clicks why the heck not.
Also I’ll make it convenient for everyone by just making this video 45 minutes and cover
the same material 5 times.
Is there such thing as too much advanced knife bro?
(Checks magic 8 ball).
Let’s dimension it up.
Like the overall length and weight.
Is a 6 months of carry video still accurate if it’s 4 days a month?
Blade size and cutting edge.
What’s the best kind of field for a proper field test.
Handle size and grip area.
Is the popularity of an unboxing video a reflection on society?
Spine thickness and handle thickness.
What does it say about society.
Tallness.
Smokey Mountain Knife Works asked me to try out a few new questions for their texted based
Instagram feed.
And by request Abra Kadoobie.
The Benchmade 595 or mini boost is a smaller version of their full sized boost- because
the people probably asked for it.
The 595 is an assisted axis lock pocket knife- translated it’s kind of small and opens
a little faster- end of review.
The Mini Boost features a blade made from s30v, and not 154cm because they’d have
to charge less for it.
Benchmade should really take a page from spydercos playbook slap VG10 in it and dare people not
to pay $150 for it.
The blade is a drop point style with a flat grind and a satin finish.
Journey Wind junk in his review which I’ll link in the description cut up some food and
stuff with it, and it was still sharp when I got it.
So sharp it handled all different sorts of my body hair well.
Just joking Josh.
The lockup is handled by an assisted axis lock.
For a while I’ve wondered how are assisted axis locks compared to regular axis locks?
Ok maybe I just thought that one time and moved on.
ITS LIKE A DANG SWITCHBLADE.
ITS AMAZING.
Part of the appeal of a regular axis lock… like a good one thats been broken in on a
lightweight knife like the 940-1 is how quickly and consistently you can deploy and close
it and look like a darn pro.
You can can also pull back the axis lock and deploy it too.
. What about an assisted version?
Ok first you have the safety switch up top to prevent misfires.
Forward position locks it, rear position unlocks it.
It’s a little bit sticky of a switch so it seems like it does what it’s supposed
to.
Too easy would be not good I think.
Excellent observation!
Thank you!
Ok so it’s unlocked.
Give the thumbstud some pressure and it rockets out.
Not really that much faster than a standard axis really.
Like this demonstration demonstrates.
Whereas you can close a normal axis with one hand but pulling black the axis with a finger
and flicking it backward easily.
You really need two hands to close the assisted safely, because you can’t flick the blade
closed because of the spring or torsion bar or whatever provides the action on the assisted
blade.
I mean you can awkwardly do this multistage process, but I don’t want to.
You can also fling the blade open with a proper hard flick or pull back the axis on the Boost
and a little lighter of a flick.
So if your initial thoughts about an assisted were like mine- sounds like it adds a few
extra steps for what amounts to an almost imperceptible faster opening- well you’d
be right.
Also it must be noted you can lock the blade open with the switch on top.
So it’s quote “like a fixed blade” This is not my knife though, so I won’t beat
the hell out of it seeing how well it holds up.
The handle.
It’s real nice it’s half grivory and half some rubberized shit… it keeps the knife
in hand without unnecessary jimping.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
It must be noted unnecessary jimping also helps manufacturers sell you the same knife
twice by removing it in the revision.
The handle is about the same size as the Mini Griptilian…
And I prefer the boost handle because of the less jimping.
The liners inside have some weight saving holes drilled.
The handle is not open backed, and there’s a lanyard hold in the back.
The pocket clip.
it’s a short deep carry design like the bugout… it goes in the pocket easy and the
knife doesn’t stick out.
It’s configurable to the right or left side in a tip up tactical AF configuration.
Comparisons.
First let’s do a size overview of other Benchmades so you can see where the Mini Boost
fits in.
Just slightly bigger than the Mini Griptilian.
Ok now the real comparison.
First is the boost.
Again not really my style of knife because the handle is too small, blades a little short,
and I don’t like the added complexity of the assisted opening.
The locking blade could be a feature if you’re one of those dummies who treats folders like
fixed blades.
Now the mini griptilian.
Less expensive, a less steel snob friendly steel- I love it, some people don’t.
Easier opening and closing for me… the one handed is the key.
Now the Bugout.
The Bugout is a great choice for a light weight camp or hikers knife.
Very durable- you’ve seen my review right?
I think it’s my biggest knife review ever.
Now the Mini Crooked River.
I like the Mini Crooked river because it has a larger handle and blade, and isn’t as
mini as the mini boost or mini griptilian.
How about the 940-1… lighter weight bigger blade and handle.
A classic pocket knife, that deserves most of the accolades it gets.
Way more fun to fight with than the mini boost.
Umm how about the Zero Tolerance 0350 date night underwear edition.
This knife while is heavy and you know kind of ugly… is much easier to close 1 handed…
because it’s a liner lock- frame locks apply to this comparison too like a lot of the Kershaw
assisted knives have…
It isn’t as easy to close as a regular axis or compression locks but it’s possible fairly
easily with practice.
An axis lock assisted isn’t easy, because of where the lock is located.
Again it’s possible but about 3 times as awkward.
It’s easier to just press it against your leg to close it, than to close it one handed.
Ok let’s wrap it up.
I mean I don’t really need to because I really covered it all in here.
The boost is an ok knife- just not really one for me.
But I like that you like it though.
If you like that I like that you like it, then like this review by batoning that thumbs
up button.
Please subscribe to this channel, subscribe to my Instagram.
Also follow Journey Wind Junk on Instagram…
his blog… and his blade reviews uhh… reviews- which I will link for your convenience in
the video description.
Thanks for watching!