I recently purchased this Ridge Top folding knife from Benchmade. I have a couple other Benchmade knives and find them to be good production quality knives. Although I'm not a fan a unnecessary decoration, I've always like filework on handmade knives. So I placed my order when I saw this handsome Benchmade knife for only $55.
What is filework, also known as jimping? Jimping are small notches filed into the back of the blade or along the back of the spring, between the scales and liners. This is to provide a better grip on the knife. In this case it's a spacer between the scales, as one scale is a springed locking mechanism.
For the most part, I like this knife. My main complaint is the back of the blade. The edges are really sharp and feel unfinished. I can't imagine that it would have taken much effort to "ease" the edges a bit. I guess I'll have to finish those edges with some sandpaper or a fine file.
I've seen jimping in a lot of different patterns, mostly on handmade knives and some tomahawks. I think good filework should be really crisp, like good wood carving that are not sanded post carving that blurs the edges. Likewise, filework shouldn't be buffed to a shine that smooths over the crisp edges. Here's a good example on this tomahawk by North River Custom Knives.
