A go-to in the kitchen and the field, Benchmade is often the go-to blade for those looking to slice and dice. Now, the brand has taken a dive into the world of water.
The Water Collection is designed with all the oomph of Benchmade’s classic hunting knives, with an aquatic spin that makes them perfect for the fisherman who likes to take their catch from water to plate.
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Blade material
CPM-MagnaCut steel -
Blade finish
Stonewash polish -
Handle material
Grivory and Santoprene
Giving the Benchmade Water Collection a Test Drive
I had a chance to fish the notorious Pyramid Lake, home to the largest cutthroat trout on the planet. Though my schedule was a bit overbooked, I somehow found a way to cancel literally anything else so I could make this happen.
I’m not saying this was on my bucket list, but I’m also not not saying that. The idea of catching these world-class trout on the fly from the comfort of an in-lake ladder is what dreams are made of for a small stream dry fly fisherman.
Anywho, we were there to chase behemoth fish and test the new lineup of knives from Benchmade. Fortunately, we were successful on all fronts.
Benchmade Water Collection Fishing Knives
There are six knives in the Water lineup, and they have a few important specs in common. Before we break down the differences, let’s look at the consistencies found throughout the series.
- Steel: All the knives in the Water Collection feature stonewash CPM-MagnaCut steel.
- Handle: The handles are constructed of Santoprene, which has an almost rubbery feel, or Grivory (the folders), which has a true plastic, grippy feel. This gives the knives a secure connection to the hand, even when wet.
- Sheath: With the exception of the folders, all of the blades in the water collection come with a molded sheath.
Now that we’ve gotten the commonalities covered, let’s check out the knives in the collection.
The Fishcrafter
There are two Fishcrafter knives in the lineup. Both are essentially the same knife, with a choice between a 7-inch and 9-inch blade.
If this particular knife looks familiar to hunters, it might be because it emulates the ever-popular Meatcrafter, which happens to be one of my favorite blades in the kitchen.
The extended blade gives the Fishcrafter the perfect bend and flex needed to easily fillet your catch.
Check Price on 7″ FishcrafterCheck Price on 9″ Fishcrafter
Adira & Mini Adira
The Adira knives are the EDC of the waterbound adventurer. In much the same way that my Bugout and Mini Bugout are rarely far from my side, the Adira and Mini Adira have filled that niche for the water lineup.
The Adira has a 3.6-inch drop-point blade, whike the Mini Adira squeaks in at 3 inches. Both knives have a sturdy yet nimble feel in hand, making them the perfect wader pocket knife.
The attached paracord lanyard originally felt like a take-it-or-leave-it feature, but I quickly realized how much I appreciate the additional grasp point in my pocket. It really does make a difference.
Check Price on AdiraCheck Price on Mini Adira
The Intersect
The Intersect is the minimalist utility knife I didn’t know I needed. There are no bells or whistles, just a sturdy blade and solid handle capable of doing the dirty work on a boat or onshore.
It has a pretty compact footprint with just a 2.75-inch blade, but it feels like the easy go-to knife for all things rugged. I’ve cut rope with it. I pried open a can with it. This thing will very likely live in my truck and be abused in ways no knife should.
The sheath of the Interesect extends up past the handle, giving it an almost dive knife feel. I’d normally not be a fan of that kind of overbearing cover, but when your hands are wet, the added backing gives a bit of security where I don’t feel like I’m about to slice myself open when I pull this sucker out.
The Undercurrent
Speaking of dive knives, the Undercurrent certainly fills that role in the Water class. With a sheath that has a push button release, this blade is secure regardless of the situation or circumstance and is exactly what I’d want in hand if I’m completely submerged.
This knife feels hardcore in ways that are hard to describe without actually holding it. It would be just as at home shucking shells as it would be cutting ropes or splitting nets.
If I had one wish for this knife, it would be a change in tip. Though I get the Sheepsfoot style, I’d love a blunt tip on this blade for use on inflatables. This could be the go-to raft knife in that case (and yes, I’ll likely grind mine down for that exact use).
What I Think of the New Benchmade Knives
In the end, we finished up the initial trip testing these knives with a delightful lunch of fresh trout cooked in the leftover grease of a previous brat, which is, in my opinion, just about the best way to cook fish. The knives performed as anyone would expect from Benchmade, and then some.
Since the initial trip, I’ve found places for all of the Benchmade Water Collection knives in my rotation. These are hard products to review because they do exactly what they say they’re going to.
I’ve never had much for dedicated fishing knives, so this addition to my waterside kit has been quite the upgrade from the one random wood-handled filet knife and whatever pocket knife I happened to have on hand.
Now, let’s see if Benchmade makes the leap to more fish-centered products. Nippers, pliers, and forceps, anyone?
