My knife collection needed a full-size folding knife that could handle anything, so I picked up the Benchmade Freek. Often called the Super Freek, its style, size, and performance make it stand out. The knife basically disappears in your pocket despite its size. Something about its proportions distributes the weight so well that it’s become the knife I carry most. I find its design striking, the materials exceptional, and its cutting ability confidence-inspiring. I’m only a knife enthusiast, not a hardcore collector or knife nerd. I hope my experience helps you if you’re thinking about picking one up.
Before diving into the “review” and if you’re new to the knife world, it’s worth knowing that Benchmade is widely regarded as one of the best knife manufacturers out there. The brand is known for its top-tier quality, innovative designs, and strong presence among military, law enforcement, and outdoor enthusiasts. If you’re a car guy, think of Benchmade as the Mercedes-Benz of the knife world. In addition their excellent knives, its headquarters are located in Oregon City, part of the greater Portland area, where I live.
As mentioned before, I bought this knife because I was looking for a full-size folder. From the start, its aesthetics caught my eye. Viewed from the side, its smooth, streamlined shape in black monochrome tones blends perfectly. The look is topped off with red inner hardware, visible through the knife’s spine.
Design
The Benchmade Freek stands out with its bold, modern design and fluid silhouette that blends functionality with style. Its handle, typically in dark monochromatic tones, features ergonomic textures that enhance grip while adding a tactical and elegant character. A striking visual contrast comes from its vibrant red internal hardware, visible along the knife’s spine, giving it a bold and distinctive touch. The drop-point blade, dark coated, completes the look with a rugged yet refined aesthetic, perfect for most use-cases.
Materials
In addition to wanting a full-size folder, I was looking for a knife made with premium materials, and the Benchmade Freek doesn’t disappoint. The blade steel is CPM-M4, the handle is made of G10, and the hardware components are in anodized aluminum.
– Blade Steel: The Benchmade Freek benefits from CPM-M4 steel, known for its outstanding edge retention and wear resistance. Its hardness allows the blade to stay sharp much longer, even when cutting abrasive materials. It also offers notable toughness, meaning it can withstand impact without chipping or breaking easily. However, these premium attributes come at a cost, not just economically, but also in maintenance. CPM-M4 is not stainless, so it requires extra care to prevent corrosion, and due to its hardness, sharpening can be challenging. It’s definitely a steel best suited for experienced users.
– G10 Handle: It is a fiber-glass laminate known for its toughness, impact resistance, and low maintenance, offering a great balance of durability and grip. The handle is textured improving its grip / traction, even in wet conditions and despite its ruggedness, it remains lightweight, helping keep the knife comfortable for everyday carry. However, the aggressive texture can be abrasive on pockets and and while G-10 is highly functional, it may lack the premium feel of materials like carbon fiber or titanium.
– AXIS Lock & hardware: the Axis lock is a patented locking mechanism developed by Benchmade, commonly know as a Crossbar Lock. It’s fully ambidextrous, allowing smooth one-handed opening and closing from either side. It is known for its strength, reliability, ease of use and hand safety. Anodized aluminum is for the barrel spacers.
Practicality and Function
During my time carrying the Benchmade Freek, I found that its full-size profile doesn’t play well with every pair of pants. In shallow pockets, the knife tends to sit diagonally rather than parallel to the pocket seams. Despite its large size, its thickness and weight are not particularly noticeable during carry. Once you pull it out of your pocket, functionality is the name of the game , opening the knife feels natural, and holding it inspires confidence