BNB Knives
BNB, formerly Buck N Bear, specializes in creating Damascus steel blades, high carbon, stainless steel knives for hunting, tactical knives, and daggers. BNB knives are established by a third-generation knife maker Atif Shabir.
BNB Knives vs Benchmade
BnB Knives, established by Atif Shabbir, specializes in handmade knives known for quality craftsmanship using materials like Damascus, D2, and high-carbon steel. Benchmade is a well-established brand producing high-quality knives with a reputation for reliability and innovation.
BnB offers folding, hunting, tactical, and custom knives, notable for the artistic use of Damascus steel, appealing to those who appreciate traditional knife-making. Benchmade provides tactical, EDC, outdoor, and rescue knives, known for their AXIS lock mechanism and premium materials.
BnB Knives are priced to cater to enthusiasts and professionals seeking handmade knives, generally at a slightly lower price point than Benchmade. The key difference is BnB’s focus on handmade craftsmanship using traditional materials contrasting Benchmade’s mass production and technologically advanced construction.
This leads to differences in design aesthetics, with BnB featuring more artistic, traditional styles appealing to collectors while Benchmade emphasizes modern, functional designs for diverse applications. Ultimately, BnB serves a niche valuing quality craftsmanship whereas Benchmade targets a broad market prioritizing innovation and reliability.
Choosing Between Stainless Steel vs Damascus Knives
Stainless steel and Damascus each have their strengths and weaknesses when it comes to knives. Stainless steel is often easier to care for – it won’t chip or break as easily if dropped and doesn’t require extensive maintenance.
Damascus on the other hand has superior edge retention, maintaining its sharpness for much longer without the need for frequent honing or sharpening.
The tradeoff is that Damascus demands more meticulous care. It can develop rust if not properly cleaned and oiled. The intricate Damascus patterning on the steel makes the blades more prone to chipping from impacts.
So while stainless steel wins on convenience and durability, Damascus provides exceptional cutting performance. Choosing between them involves weighing priorities – easy care or peak sharpness is more important for the needs at hand.
For larger kitchen knives that see daily use, stainless may be the better option, while Damascus is better suited for those willing to put in the added preservation effort with knives honed for delicate work.
What Users Say About BNB Knives
“I just unboxed from my monthly subscription wows me as a knife guy. The walnut handle and quality leather sheath also show amazing attention to detail. We’re talking 256 expertly forged layers of steel with a super high nickel content that makes it shine.”
“This beauty is easily worth twice what I paid thanks to the subscription service scoring deals – but you can grab one for yourself on the BnB Knives website. I’m so stoked about the craftsmanship I’ll be getting more of their knives soon!”
“Seriously, BnB pulls off the impossible – fashioning these amazing quality blades and selling them at fair prices. I recently bought two of their knives and the ergonomic handles paired with functional yet gorgeous blades blow my mind. Their magnificent knifemaking deserves support from enthusiasts like us. I can’t recommend them enough for both form and function in one impressive package!”
Damascus Steel Knives by BNB Knives
BNB Damascus knives give you exceptional qualities of Damascus steel which makes them a highly desirable option among professionals. These BNB knives feature distinctive flowing patterns on the steel from an intricate process of layering and forging metal alloys to produce high-strength and high-performing knives.
Their Damascus knives maintain a surgically sharp edge through sustained use without succumbing to fractures or chips.
When you hold one of their Damascus Steel Knives, the weighted feel and alluring aesthetic are sure to convey premium craftsmanship.
Pocket Knives and Karambits by BNB
BNB Pocket knives are designed for everyday carry (EDC) and are a great tool for a variety of tasks, from opening packages to cutting rope, etc. while BNB Karambits on the other hand, with their curved blade, is a better choice for slicing and utility tasks.
Some of the BNB Pocket knives offer a folding mechanism for safety and portability. Karambits known for their curved blade and often with a safety ring to give you a secure grip, make for a great self-defense tool.
Even though many people use Karambits for everyday carry these curved knives are specifically made for self-defense.
BNB High Carbon and Stainless Steel Knives
Both these materials have different contents of chromium which impacts their durability, maintenance, and quality.
With less than 10% chromium content, high-carbon steel is exceptional in maintaining sharpness and edge retention. High-carbon steel knives are easier to sharpen and achieve a finer edge than other materials.
High-carbon steel can rust and corrode fairly quickly if not properly maintained. It needs regular cleaning and oiling to maintain its quality.
Stainless steel features at least 10% of chromium which is why it is highly resistant to rust and corrosion, making it a low-maintenance option. It’s durable and retains its appearance over time, making it suitable for frequent use.
You may find stainless steel difficult to sharpen and does not hold the edge as easily as high-carbon steel does.
BNB Knives on STL Tacticals
STL Tacticals offers a range of original BNB knives. Get your hands on their timeless Damascus Balck Panther, a tactical knife featuring the durability and aesthetics of Damascus steel. Praised for its ergonomic handle and matte finish, an affordable option for tactical use.
BNB knives also feature a wide collection of hunter knives, kitchen knives, daggers, matchets, and tactical knives.
Tactical Knife Buying Guide
When picking out a tactical knife, you’ve got a lot of options to consider. What are you going to use it for most? That should guide your decision.
Blades Types
Tactical blades come in different shapes – drop points are good for slicing accurately, clip points pierce well, straight backs can slice and puncture, spear points are ideal for stabbing, and tanto blades are super tough and good at piercing since they’re often used by law enforcement. You’ve also got Wharncliffe blades better for carving tasks, and trailing points great for filleting.
Handle Material
Beyond the blade, pay close attention to the handle too since that impacts performance. Composite materials give you strength and durability. Aluminum is sturdy yet lightweight, though can be slippery. G10 composites are also lightweight and durable, but scratch easily, get slippery when wet, and break down over time in sunlight. Leather looks awesome, and holds up over time, but it doesn’t love moisture and can rot.
Method of Deployment
Thumb studs, disks, and holes – as the names suggest – allow you to manually flip open the blade with your thumb for a smooth, controlled opening. Flippers are small protruding levers or tabs on the blade spine that let you pull back with your index finger to swing the blade open.
Nail nicks are integrated grooves designed to allow your fingernail to catch and manually pull the blade out. Buttons and switches allow for automatic opening – just push or slide them and the blade automatically shoots open, powered by internal springs/mechanisms. This allows for swift, easy opening with one hand.
The Emerson “wave” is a specialized feature that opens the knife as you draw it out in one smooth motion.
Again, your decision should depend on how and in which situation you would be using the knife.
BNB Lifetime Warranty
BNB knives come with a lifetime warranty meaning as long as you live and own an original BNB knife you’re covered. But there are some exceptions to this lifetime warranty
- Disassembly or severe modification
- Loss, theft, misuse
- Batoning, rust/corrosion
- Broken blades
- Normal wear and tear
BNB Knives Quality and Craftsmanship
BNB knives have earned themselves a name for producing high-quality, hand-made knives. The company prides itself on providing its customers with the best without breaking the bank.
BNB knives are made with premium-grade material and are crafted by hand, their craftsmanship is visible in every piece they make. The BNB knives are aesthetically appealing yet durable.
The material used in the knives is carefully selected to ensure the quality standard the company claims that they have a rigorous quality assurance system in place at each step of the knife’s production.
FAQs
Who owns BnB knives?
BNB Knives is owned by 3rd generation Pakistani knife makers Atif Shabbir and his brother.
Which knives are worth the most?
The Shah Jahan Dagger which was sold for $3.375 million at an auction in 2019 is the most expensive type of knife at the moment while the second most expensive knife is Theodore Roosevelt’s $414,000 Hunting Knife.
Which is the illegal knife to carry?
As a law-abiding citizen of the US, you have to acquire permission to carry a ballistic knife. A ballistic knife is defined as:
United States Code, Title 15 Section 1245
(d) “Ballistic knife” defined. As used in this section, the term “ballistic knife” means a knife with a detachable blade propelled by a spring-operated mechanism.
Pub. L. 85-623, Sec. 7, Oct. 27, 1986. Amended Nov. 18, 1988.
Do knives hold their value?
Collectible knives from prominent brands or historical eras, particularly those produced in limited runs, may appreciate in valuation. Signature lines from elite bespoke knife makers may also gain value over time due to their demand and supply dynamics.