Download This Issue - US Concealed Carry

The Switchback uses
three different colors of
bright, glowing tritium.
ferent colors makes the watch easy to
read even in odd orientation, because
orange tritium always marks the 12
o’clock position.
This entry level TruGlo watch retails
for $190, but street prices are closer to
$125. This is a great value for a Swisspowered
timepiece of this quality. The
look is unquestionably “tactical” and
the watch has no lack of functionality.
If you are looking for a watch with some
attitude, consider the Switchback or
one of TruGlo’s higher end models. You
can see the entire TruGlo watch line at
www.truglowatch.com, or call them at
(888) 8TRUGLO.
Benchmade Triage 915
The Triage 915 is a knife I asked
Benchmade to make. Well, I don’t really
think the production of this knife had
anything to do with me, but it is the exact
knife that I wanted! I have always
liked the utility of the Benchmade “rescue
hook,” but never understood why
there wasn’t a model with a regular knife
blade too. Combining a serious folding
knife with a rescue hook and a carbide
glass breaker creates a great everyday
carry knife with a lifesaving rescue tool
that is always in easy reach. Brilliant!
I also appreciate the “non-tactical”
look of this knife—especially when
ordered with the “safety orange” handles.
In a world where any knife can be
looked at as a weapon, the Triage looks
(and sounds) more like rescue equipment.
While a 3.5-inch blade is pretty
sizeable, the knife is not particularly
scary looking, and shouldn’t draw too
much undue attention.
The Triage exhibits typical
Benchmade quality, using N680 highly
corrosion resistant steel for the main
blade, and 440C stainless steel for
the safety cutter blade. The handles
are a very grippy, textured G-10, with
stainless steel liners. The knife is also
equipped with a reversible pocket
clip for tip-up carry. In another nod
to discretion, the pocket clip is the
“deep pocket” type, which exposes
very little of the knife when carried.
The Triage is similar to the wellestablished
Griptilian folding knives,
featuring Benchmade’s excellent AXIS
lock. The AXIS mechanism locks securely,
and permits one handed closing
when necessary. This is a great everyday
knife—with the added benefit of the
rescue tools—in a very practical and
discrete package.
The Triage 915 retails for $165 with
either black or orange handles, and
you can choose a plain edge or a
“ComboEdge” with partial serrations.
Personally, I like the utility of serrations
on a knife of this type. The knife pictured
has the optional black BK coated
blade, and retails for $180. You can find
these knives somewhat cheaper if you
shop around a bit. Benchmade stands
behind all its knives with a lifetime warranty
and its excellent customer service,
including the LifeSharp program.
Check out the new Triage 915 and other
top quality cutlery at www.benchmade.
com. H
Duane A. Daiker is a contributing editor
for CCM, but is otherwise a regular
guy—not much different from you.
Duane has been a lifelong shooter and
goes about his life as an armed, responsible,
and somewhat opinionated citizen.
Duane can be contacted at Daiker@
RealWorldCarryGear.com, or though
his fan page on Facebook, and welcomes
your comments and suggestions for gear
reviews.
All prices as of April, 2011.
Combining a serious folding knife with a rescue hook and a carbide glass breaker
creates a great everyday carry knife and rescue tool .
MAY/JUNE 2011 n CONCEALED CARRY MAGAZINE n USCONCEALEDCARRY.COM
53