Prices when shopping online for the Benchmade CSK II knife range from about $65 to as high as $145. At the lower range the value is well worth the price, but I would not purchase this knife for over $75.

Specs and Features

The sheath material is leather and is has a MOLLE Malice clip and a belt loop. The knife weighs a total of 7½ oz. and has a fixed blade. The overall length of the knife is 10¾". The blade is 6" in length and is 0.180" thick. The material of the blade is blackened 1095 carbon steel and it has a hardness of about 57-60 HRC. It is a combat/survival clip-point style blade.

First Impressions

Upon first inspection the blade is very sharp and it is ground to fairly thin edge; it should easily slice through paper. The thickness is good, too and despite the saber grind it should be a good knife for slicing. The handle is a rubber that feels grippy but not tacky. The sheath is leather; it has a belt loop, two sets of ties and MOLLE Malice clip. I like that it is a 1095 carbon steel blade; I prefer that over a D2.

Performance Review

This knife is small and lightweight and is good for the lesser survival tasks but is definitely not for hacking or splitting wood. This would be serviceable as an offensive or defensive knife. There is a short run of serration that I believe is unnecessary as a sharp, straight edge would do the job just as well as a serration. The knife broke in use under snowy conditions at about 19°F. I would not recommend this knife for survival situations or heavy-duty use.

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