Benchmade Adamas 2750
Pat Cascio 09.25.13
I’ve been a big fan of Benchmade knives, since they first got started. I’ve done several shop tours over the years, and I’m always amazed at the products they turn out. Some time ago, I reviewed the Benchmade Model 275 folder for another publication, I found it to be a very stout knife, made for combat and/or survival purposes. For this review, I’m covering the Model 2750 Adamas automatic folder — basically the same as the Model 275, except this one opens with the pull of the Axis release/lock mechanism.
Blade and materials
With the Model 2750, what we have is a brute of a folder with thick G10 handle scales — mine has the desert tan scales, but you can also get one with black G10 handle scales. There are holes in the frame and handle scales to lighten the weight of the Adamas, but, it still weighs in at close to half a pound. (I did mention it was a stout folder, didn’t I?) The pocket clip is reversible for a tip-up carry.
The knife’s steel is D2 — a very tough tool steel. The 3.83-inch long, drop point style blade is TiNi coated black for a tactical look. The Rockwell hardness of the D2 tool steel blade is 60-62 – hard stuff. I’ve found that if properly sharpened, D2 will hold an edge a good long time, and isn’t too much of a bear to re-sharpen. However, if the blade’s edge isn’t done right, then the D2 is a real bugger to re-sharpen. Needless to say, Benchmade did it right.
The Adamas auto also comes with a MOLLE carrying pouch, and in extreme conditions you don’t want to lose your knife, so the carrying pouch is the way to go. The overall length of the Adamas auto is 8.70-inches, and closed it’s 4.88-inches. Handle thickness is 0.730-inches. I also like that there is plenty of handle to hold on to as well. Some folders and even fixed blade knives don’t give me enough of a handle to hold onto, and I don’t have overly large hands.
My sample Adamas came with the plain edge blade, you can also get one with partial serrations, too.
Custom knife maker Shane Sibert designed the Adamas folder to honor the courage and commitment of our heroes in the military. Benchmade owner Les de Asis donates a portion from the sale of each Adamas to the Ranger Assistance Foundation. Excellent!
The handle scales sport perfectly positioned “friction” grooves in just the right locations for the different types of holds you might use (fencing position, ice pick, or reverse hold). I prefer the fencing grip in knife fighting, and the friction grooves are there for a perfect thumb placement on the top front of the handle. Plus, the back of the blade swoops upwards so that your thumb is resting partially on the top of the handle and partially on the back of the blade — it’s perfectly placed in my humble opinion. I spent more than 35-yrs in the martial arts, and obtained Black Belt rank in several different styles, and I’ve also designed several knives myself, so I think I have a little bit of a grasp on what constitutes a good fighting knife. The Adamas has what it takes to be a great fighting folder.
Axis lock
I mentioned the Axis lock at the start of this article, and it’s one of the best locking mechanisms to come down the pike. It is brutally strong and self-adjusting. On some folders, especially liner-lock types, you have to adjust the lock over time as the blade will wobble a bit. The Axis lock is one of those “gee, why didn’t I think of that” inventions.
The sliding Axis lock is simple to operate, just place your thumb on it and slide it backwards, and the blade swings out automatically. You can also manually lock the blade in place, too. There is a cool little sliding lock on the top of the handle — to unlock the blade, if you have it locked in your pocket, you just pull back on it. To lock the blade once it’s opened, just slide it forward. This gives you a virtual “fixed blade” folder. There is also a nicely placed and contoured lanyard hole on the butt of the knife.
The handle design on the Adamas is just perfect for my hand — the curves are where they should be, and at the lower front the handle extends downward just a bit, giving me some added protection if my hand should slip.
Testing
When the I had the manually opening Adamas, I really put it through its paces and the knife held-up great . With the auto Adamas, I threw the knife into some trees to see if I could get the blade and lock to fail. The lock never failed — it was rock solid all through my testing.
I also used the Adamas around the kitchen for cutting meat and veggies. Of course, it wasn’t designed for that, but it worked just fine. I also used the Adamas auto for opening Fedex and UPS boxes, and some of which came with poly strapping, and the Adamas worked like a champ.
Everyone I showed the Adamas auto to loved the way it felt in their hand. And all commented at what a brute it was. I’ll be honest, carrying this knife in my right front pocket for several weeks, the knife felt a bit heavy the first few days. But after that, I didn’t notice the weight in my pocket at all. In all honesty, I can see some of our Special Ops guys carrying this knife and using it against an enemy sentry, or as a back-up, if one of their firearms failed. I just don’t see this knife failing, under any conditions — it’s that strong and well-built. If you’re in the military or law enforcement, you really need to check out the Adamas auto. And, if you live in a state that doesn’t allow automatic folders, you can still get the manually opening Adamas.
I like to save the best for last, and the best in this case the price. The Benchmade Adamas 2750 retails for $250.00, and I thought it would sell for more than that. You are getting a custom-quality folder in the Adamas, at a factory price. Yeah, I know, $250.00 is a lot of money, but if you compare this folder to a custom made folder, you’ll see the quality, the attention to detail, and the design thought that went into this folder. If you’re serious about survival, or you might be going into combat, or you’re a cop on the street, then you should definitely give the Adamas a hard look.
