Benchmade CSKII: Not Recommended for Woods Use

Sometimes a smaller survival/combat fixed blade is all that will fit into your kit. This CSK II knife weighs out at very light 12.6 oz total weight while still providing a 6" 1095 steel blade that can perform survival tasks (with some limitations). This blackened 3/16" thick blade should slice well and helps keep the blade light. But it probably won't be the best heavy duty wood splitter... it lacks the width and blade length. The lighter weight blade is fast and light in hand and would be an serviceable defensive/offensive blade for you deploying soldiers. I don't even mind the short run of serrations. The Kraton handle is very comfortable and well-designed and the MOLLE-capable leather sheath is sturdy. The BM CSK II therefore provides a lot of capability for both light duty survival and combat purposes at a price and loadout weight that is more than reasonable. /////////// UPDATE December 2008: My CSK II knife totally broke under light duty limb stripping during a wilderness outing in 19ºF snowy conditions. Therefore I DO NOT recommend this knife for survival situations at all now. To break under light use (see my video!) is horrible. //////////// Revised Nutnfancy Likeability Scale: 1 out of 10