of all the benchmades i own (12 or so) this is my least favorite and i say that with regret because i love the knives they put out and carry at least one daily. this is just too much for the average person to carry around, and the g-10 grips are so aggressive you can barely get it in and out of a pocket without really working at it. in fact i've sanded down the g-10 under the clip and it's still a bear to to work in and out. that said, for hiking, hunting and other woodman stuff it would be fine, never find it missing from your pocket anyway.
this is also my first axis-assist benchmade and i find i like the plain axis lock much better. this doesn't open any faster really than my griptillian or 940 but closing it is slower and more cumbersome, you have to manually close the blade on the volli because of the assisted opener. with the simple axis lock knives a flick of the wrist, or even just gravity will close it up securely. not the end of the world but still more bother than i need when one hand is occupied with something and the open volli is locked in place in the other.
just my opinions for my lifestyle, i don't collect knives, i buy and use them. benchmade is my go-to knife for most chores and general carry. this one may be relegated to a backpack or truck knife. my 3 stars by no means reflects my thoughts on benchmade products, which i think are the best for the money out there re: american made knives, just this one in particular.
