There are hunting knives that feel a little too precious to actually get bloody. Then there are knives like the Benchmade SlipRidge Fixed, which should be right at home in the mud, muck, and yes, blood, of the hunt.
I’ve only had mine in hand for a short time, so this isn’t a full review yet. The knife and the rest of the SlipRidge family just launched yesterday. I’ll carry it through hunting season, hopefully run it through a few animals, and report back once I’ve actually put the blade to work.
So far, I really like it. It has all the trappings of a serious, high-end hunting knife.
The SlipRidge family of hunting knives encompasses the fixed blade — which can be bought on its own or as a combo with Benchmade’s SlipRidge Hook — and a folding SlipRidge with a 3.5-inch MagnaCut clip-point blade. Both are available with stabilized wood or Rust Orange G10 handles.
Benchmade sells additional interchangeable scales for the folder in black canvas Micarta, carbon fiber, dark brown wood, OD Green G10, and Rust Orange G10. I have the stabilized-wood fixed-blade combo, which is the version I’ll be testing this season.
Benchmade SlipRidge Fixed Combo First Look
The Build
The SlipRidge Fixed starts with a 3.7-inch MagnaCut drop-point blade with Benchmade’s SelectEdge sharpening. The blade has a high tip and plenty of belly for skinning and processing, along with a deep finger choil and contoured pinch points that let you move your grip forward when you need more control.
The stabilized wood scales on mine give it a much more traditional hunting-knife look, while the Rust Orange G10 version goes in the opposite direction with a brighter, easier-to-find handle. Both versions come with a modular Boltaron sheath.
The Combo
You can buy the fixed blade on its own, but the Combo adds Benchmade’s separate SlipRidge Hook. The small skeletonized tool is made from 440C stainless steel and rides alongside the knife on the same modular Boltaron sheath.
Benchmade designed the hook for opening cuts during field processing, leaving the main blade available for the bulk of the skinning and breakdown work. The whole setup stays relatively compact, which is important considering you’re carrying two separate cutting tools instead of one.
A Hunting Knife That Feels Right in Hand
What I like most so far is simply how the SlipRidge feels. The blade gives me plenty to work with without getting into giant hunting-knife territory, and the handle feels substantial without making the knife bulky. I also like having several places to change my grip depending on what I’m doing. That should matter once I’m making the smaller, more careful cuts involved in breaking down an animal.
I’m particularly partial to the wood version. It has the classic hunting-knife look I tend to gravitate toward, but the blade steel and overall design are thoroughly modern.
Of course, holding a knife at my desk tells me very little about how it’ll behave once there’s hair, fat, blood, and connective tissue involved. That’s the part of this test that still needs to happen.
The SlipRidge Hook
I almost never use a gut hook, but if I were going to carry one, this is the style I’d want. It’s extremely light, takes up almost no space, and it’s wicked sharp. I actually gave myself a little slice while fiddling with it in my hand.
My only hesitation so far is the shared sheath. With the hook riding alongside the knife, drawing the SlipRidge feels a little odd. I’m more aware of that second sharp object than I’d like to be while grabbing the handle and pulling the knife free. It isn’t a deal breaker, and it may become completely normal once I’ve carried it for a while.
Benchmade SlipRidge Fixed: Initial Thoughts
So far, I’m a fan.
The SlipRidge Fixed is compact, comfortable in hand, and has a blade shape that makes sense for breaking down big game. I like the stabilized wood and the size, and I’m especially interested in seeing how the MagnaCut edge fares once I put it through an animal or two.
I don’t know how I feel about the combo sheath, yet. The feel of pulling the knife out of the sheath while navigating around the hook isn’t my favorite, but time will tell if I adapt to it. The hook is a clever addition for hunters who use one, but the knife is what I’m here for.
Mine will be in my pack through hunting season. Once it’s had some blood, hair, and actual field time on it, I’ll come back with the full review.
