My Benchmade Nimravus fixed blade knife review will be from the “End Users” perspective. I will only give you feedback based on my time using these fixed-blade knives.
The Nimravus is one of Benchmade’s oldest designs and is still a bestseller. I was issued two of these knives about twelve years ago, and they are both still my go-to fixed blades.
I would say this is due to both being the perfect universal size and the overall build quality.
Before we go any further, I must let you know that I am not a knife guy. I can’t think of a single fixed-blade knife I’ve purchased in my adult life.
However, I have been issued a dozen or more, and my two Benchmade Nimravus fixed blade knives are my favorite. Again this review is from the perspective of an End User who deployed worldwide with these two knives.
Specifications
Designer: Benchmade
Mechanism: Fixed
Action: Fixed Blade
Blade Steel: 154CM | 58-61 HRC
Blade Length: 4.50″ | 11.43cm
Blade Thickness: 0.115″ | 2.92mm
Overall Length: 9.45″ | 24.00cm
Handle Thickness: 0.58″ | 14.73mm
Sheath Weight: 5.00oz. | 141.75g
Weight: Drop-point Blade Style 6.20oz. | 175.77g
Weight: Tanto Blade Style 5.86oz. | 166.13g
Features
Coated Blade Steel: 154CM (58-61 HRC)
Clip Type: MALICE CLIP® (MOLLE Compatible)
Clip Position: N/A
Glass Breaker: No
Handle Material: 6061-T6 Aluminum
Lanyard Hole: Yes
MOLLE Compatible: Yes
Sheath Type: Nylon w/ Kydex Insert
Use: Tactical
First Impressions
Out of the box, I could tell the Benchmade Nimravus was designed to be a tactical knife, not an everyday carry knife. I was already familiar with Benchmade’s folder types as I had used them as a carry knife.
In my hand, for the first time, I could tell it was a good fixed-blade knife. The knife felt balanced in my hand, and the aluminum scales that run along the handle gave the knife a secure grip and feel.
The knife had a partially serrated blade at the base of the plain edge, and both were extremely sharp.
Build Options
With an overall length of 9.45 inches and weighing in at just 6.2 ounces, these full tang knives made of 154CM high-end steel come in both 4.5″ drop point or tanto configurations.
You can choose from black or brown proprietary coating for the knife, and the 6061 aluminum handles can be swapped out.
Laser engraving is offered by Benchmade, who will customize these knives in the house.
Sheath
Each Benchmade Nimravus fixed blade knife ships with a good on-belt molle sheath that comes in either black or brown.
The nylon sheath has a hard plastic insert that covers the blade’s edge during non-use.
My Experience
About 12 years ago, I was issued a Nimravus. I’m pretty sure it was the drop point in brown. By this point in my career, I’d heard of Benchmade. I had a few of their folding pocket knives, but this Nimravus was my first fixed blade from Benchmade.
Up to that point, I had been using SOG, Glock, and good-old K Bars. I liked the Nimravus, so I went to supply and got a black one with the tanto tip. I put the brown one on my dry land plate carrier and the black one on my maritime wet carrier.
For the rest of my career, they were reserved for operational use and secured at the 11’ clock position on the cumber-bun. The land kit saw much more use than the maritime did. The amount of wear on each knife is proof of that.
I had a Kydex sheath made for the black knife, which was better suited for the wet environments I was working in. On the land kit setup, I attached the provided factory nylon sheath with the inner plastic insert to the plate carrier; both in the same spot.
Blade Quality
As stated earlier, the full tang knife is made of 154 CM steel, which is very good stuff. I used both the drop point and Nimravus tanto points.
Both blades have the partially serrated rope-cutting portion at the blade’s base, an option I am a big fan of in the field.
Both blades have held up well over the years. I’m sure I have sharpened each of them a few times. Though I have to say, I never got to a point where they were too dull to do the task at hand.
Whether cutting rope, opening MRE’s, or building demo charges, my Nimravus blades always got the job done.
After 12 years, the blades are in great condition and continue to function as well as when I got them.
The protective coating has kept the blades from corrosion all these years.
The Benchmade Nimravus fixed blade is currently available only on Amazon.
At the time of this review, the knife is running for $250.00.
Handle Fit and Function
The anodized handle on these knives is a bit of a departure from the normal. The Nimravus utilizes a two-piece handle made of 6061 aluminum that Allen head bolts onto the knife, similar to the grips on a 1911 handgun.
The horizontal directionally cut serrations feel good in the hand and make gripping the knife easy. The finger notch or groove at the top of the grip is also a nice addition.
The finger choil helps the minimalist hilt to do its job: to keep your hand from slipping forward during use onto the blade.
Durability
Overall I’ve got to give it to the Nimravus; this knife has stood the test of time.
After 12 years of use, this little Benchmade knife has proven to be a tough and reliable option.
Over the years, the handles have shown their age with some scratches and pitting. The 6061-T6 Aluminum has held its shape, but the brown paint job has worn a bit.
Both the Tanto and drop point blades have held up nicely. The blades have kept an edge pretty well over the years. The serrated portion does stay sharper for longer than the plain edge does.
Watch My Video Review
Final Thoughts:
I expect these knives to perform for me over the next 12 years like they have over the previous 12 years. I’m retired from military service now, so I don’t anticipate anywhere near the same level or types of activities.
That said, if you are in the market for a big enough, small fixed blade for any normal application, I recommend the Benchmade Nimravus.
It has proven to be enough of a durable and dependable knife year after year.
