It took me some time to get behind computerized knives. In truth, if I wasn’t gifted a Benchmade AFO II many moons in the past, I’ll by no means have began utilizing it. Automatics are sophisticated and if one thing goes improper with them, you may be left with a paperweight when you really want a dependable knife (fortunately, that hasn’t occurred to me but).
Then there’s the legality problem. It’s essential know the legal guidelines the place you might be once you’re carrying one or you may find yourself in some scorching water with authorities. Professional tip: the LegalBlade app by KnifeRights and Blade HQ are important knife legislation sources. Even with these potential drawbacks, I’ve come to simply accept computerized knives into my blade assortment. I take advantage of and carry them typically; I recognize their efficiency and the vibe that comes together with it.
However there stays one type of automatics that all the time feels extra like a weapon greater than a software — to the purpose that I’ve by no means thought of them an EDC. I’m speaking concerning the OTF — “out the entrance” — computerized. A minimum of, that’s what I assumed till I took on the problem of utilizing an OTF auto as my EDC.
For the final month, Benchmade’s Shootout OTF has been my pocket-carry taskmaster. In that point, I’ve come to understand the nuances of this auto — in each its type and performance. The Shootout OTF is an thrilling knife to make use of that may make it interesting to customers of various backgrounds and experience. However, is it an EDC? Learn on to seek out out.
In brief: Benchmade’s Shootout is a double-action out-the-front knife. Though it faces the identical authorized scrutiny as a regular computerized, it’s twice as enjoyable to make use of and carry. However is it a great EDC possibility? After a severe quantity of testing, I believe so.
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OAL
8.22” -
Blade size
3.51” -
Blade metal
CPM-CruWear -
Blade coating
PVD -
Blade form
Tanto -
Grind
Low and flat -
Hardness
63-65 HRC -
Lock kind
Double-action backbone fireplace -
Carry
Deep, left or proper hand, tip-up -
Weight
2.8 oz. -
Worth
$350
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Light-weight building -
Double motion, backbone fireplace performance -
Professional-level fidget issue -
CPM-CruWear metal -
Textured grivory deal with casing
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Not for twisting, turning, or prying -
Professional-level fidget issue
Benchmade Shootout OTF Knife Evaluation
Benchmade affords 5 Grivory fashions of the Shootout ($325-375), plus two fashions which have the model’s CF-Elite carbon fiber deal with materials. This fall, Benchmade will launch an electrical purple Grivory variant that’s visually beautiful. The Crater Blue model that I examined will keep within the rotation for a short time.
It’s rugged sufficient to pair properly with a flannel and work boots and sharp sufficient to go along with a go well with (if I ever should put one on once more).
Design & Options
The Benchmade Shootout OTF is a light- to medium-duty computerized knife. It’s constructed from contoured and textured Grivory casing and carries a tanto-style CPM-CruWear blade. The blade additionally has a PVD coating for added corrosion and abrasion resistance. For carry choices, the Shootout has a deep carry pocket clip and a lanyard slot within the butt cap of the knife.
The Shootout is a double-action, spine-fire-style knife. This implies the blade is deployed and retracted utilizing a singular button. This additionally makes the Shootout fairly enjoyable to play with, however it could entice plenty of consideration with the noise it makes going out and in.
When you get this knife, I like to recommend you relax with it in public. When you want a fast repair, go run off someplace and get a number of backbone fires in. However don’t take too lengthy, or individuals are going to assume you’re a weirdo.
CPM-CruWear is a tricky software metal that manufacturers like Benchmade have rotated into their lineups previously few years. Other than being a tricky, high-alloy metal, CruWear (like M4) has respectable edge retention. It’s simple to sharpen and may be honed to a razor edge with little effort and time.
The draw back: CPM-CruWear can corrode pretty simply when you don’t handle it.
Benchmade’s selection so as to add PVD (bodily vapor deposition) coating to the Shootout’s blade was a great one. PVD entails a skinny layer of safety that’s vacuum-bonded to the floor of the metal. It’s akin to Cerakoting by way of longevity, however a lot thinner.
What’s in a Identify?
Other than its identify, Benchmade’s Shootout sequence doesn’t share many traits with the Bugout and Bailout strains.
All three share Benchmade’s Grivory materials for handles. This permits for the knives to be light-weight and sturdy with wonderful grip. Plus, the butt cap on each the Bailout and Shootout can be utilized for lanyards. However that’s about it.
Nevertheless, it must be acknowledged that each one three strains have benefitted from some severe consideration by the butterfly model. This summer season and now transferring into fall, Benchmade continues to introduce new deal with colours and blade coatings to those line-ups.
First Impressions
My expertise with OTF knives could be very restricted. I’ve messed round with a number of at knife exhibits, however I by no means owned or carried one earlier than the Shootout. From the get-go, I actually preferred the contouring and the grip of the deal with. It match my hand properly and was additionally very light-weight.
Benchmade has gone some nice instructions with its coloration mixtures and the juxtaposition of the Crater Blue Grivory and bronze PVD coating of the blade, backbone fireplace button, and butt cap appears to be like very sharp.
‘Unintended Fireplace’ Check
The widespread false impression about OTF knives accessible to civilians is that when you press it in opposition to your physique and fireplace it off, it’ll stab deep into you. That is type of true, however not fully. It’s going to suck when you maintain it in opposition to your leg and spine-fire it, however solely the tip of the blade will stick into you.
To be able to take a look at this principle, I sacrificed one among my backyard Beefeater tomatoes. The tip outcome was roughly one inch of blade going into the fleshy pulp of my fresh-picked backyard treasure.
So, not that I’m selling it, however you’d get higher penetration when you deployed the blade and used your pressure to stab it. However bear in mind: As soon as the blade is out, it’s out — and it received’t retract till you manually retract that backbone fireplace button.
When you’re involved a couple of pocket accident, I’d notice that it takes appreciable, intentional effort to deploy the backbone fireplace. In principle, it’s attainable the mechanism might snag on one thing, and the correct amount of motion and pressure might fireplace it. However that might require a near-perfect storm of things. For my part, the Benchmade Shootout is secure to hold.
Within the Subject
I had no thought of what to anticipate from this auto on my first outside journey with it. By design, I knew I couldn’t pry with it. And there was no manner I used to be going to baton kindling with it. As somebody who overlaps an EDC knife with the knife I keep on outside adventures, I knew that the Shootout would lean extra towards each day duties as a substitute of camp ones. That strategy labored out nice, however I additionally found its worth within the nice open air.
Because of its slender profile and razor-sharp edge, the blade turned out to be superior for slicing up veggies. The new and humid climate in New England resulted in some severe backyard progress. Within the month I examined the Shootout, I introduced in three to 4 cucumbers a day and twice as many tomatoes.
Due to this, I did plenty of prep work on the entrance deck, getting my farm-to-table groove on. On path, the Shootout made for a fantastic shaving software to craft tinder bundles and fir sticks. I had little question it might slice by way of rope and straps if I ended up in a jam, however I left something extra demanding to my belt knife.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out the fidget issue right here. The Shootout offers hours of senseless enjoyable. You’ll be able to cycle the blade out and in, zone out, and actually absorb time. However I wouldn’t suggest it in public. Off the path, within the yard, watching TV at house — positive. In public, spine-firing this knife and retracting it’s only going to attract the eye of somebody who’s going to freak out about it. Suppose Murphy’s Legislation.
I’m actually pleased the deep carry pocket clip buries it so deep in my pocket, so I received’t put a lanyard on it.
Professional tip: Make it possible for the blade is clear and dry earlier than retracting it. As soon as the blade goes again into its spring-loaded Grivory cave, no matter’s on it could, and can, gunk issues up.
Conclusion
Except you’re working for some black-ops outfit on the facet, you’re by no means going to want an OTF knife. However after getting the possibility to fidget with one, you’ll need one.
They’re a little bit of an dependancy. Even when I decide up the Shootout to place it into my pocket, I have to cycle it three or 4 occasions at a minimal. So, simply needless to say slightly self-control can go a great distance with a knife like this.
Nonetheless, a knife just like the Shootout really could make for a fantastic EDC knife. It’s sturdy, reliable, and constructed from fascinating supplies. Moreover, it solely requires slightly upkeep right here and there to maintain it working in good order.
You’ll be able to jam up the spring when you don’t push the backbone fireplace button sufficiently, however a flick of the wrist offers a straightforward repair. When you use this knife as designed, you’ll get a lifetime of use out of it.
