August has been a busy month indeed for Benchmade. The company has rolled out several new releases, the latest of which is the 431 Redoubt, a new version of the folder with a tanto blade.
The original Redoubt was part of Benchmade’s class of 2022. An entry into the tactical category, it was a no-nonsense hard use folder. The hand-filling handle echoed the styling and general shape of a famous forebear, the Griptilian, although the two-piece grivory construction helped give the Redoubt its own identity too. The 3.55-inch drop point blade was a classic do-all blade, rendered in CPM-D2, the powder metallurgy variant of the hardworking semi-stainless.
Swapping to the American tanto shape adjusts the Redoubt’s capabilities in interesting ways. Tantos usually strengthen the tip, so if higher piercing strength is a requirement this would be the version to opt for. That’s not to say that slicing performance is sacrificed, necessarily; with a near-identical blade length and a substantial straight edge portion, the 431 Redoubt can still cope with a wide variety of cutting chores, and a semi-serrated option is also available. CPM-D2 is still the steel of choice here, so edge retention/toughness/stain resistance metrics will be familiar to users of the original.
The handle shape, simple and robust on the first Redoubt, has been carried forward unchanged – except for the colors. The 431 Redoubt features a ranger green main chassis and a dark forest green on the textured back piece, helping to differentiate it from its drop point siblings. The reversible loop over clip returns, too, so the 431 Redoubt is as friendly towards lefties as it is to righties. The knife weighs 3.7 oz. total.
The 431 Redoubt is available now.
Knife in Featured Image: Benchmade 431 Redoubt
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