I do have Intersect and the sheath is so much better imo. However the handle isnt glued well to the tang, so everytime you squeeze it, it opens tiny bit ://
Not too happy with mine, The magnacut is nice, but I feel the blade should have been thicker so it could be used for emergency prying. The sheath is a total joke, the biggest issue being that the release button is far too easy to activate if caught accidentally. Only a matter of time before I lose the knife into water when the release catch gets caught up on my pfd.
Exactly. Do they actually field test these things with people or do they sit in their tower and look down upon us while wiping their nose with our money.
I don't know the 12-volt extreme cordless tools, but what I would really love is for DeWalt to make a 12-volt extreme version of the 850 20 volt impact driver. It would be even smaller and lighter and get in the tighter places than the 850 and I would love to own one for working around the house and in my profession which is aviation maintenance
They do make a 12volt impact driver. I just checked Lowe’s and they are on sale. The screwdriver with 2 batteries and a charger is $99 down from $130 and the same kit with the impact driver is $130 down from $150.
Yeh...agree w/you man. So much design in the knife.. but no design thoughts in the sheath. That sucks. Will wait and see what aftermarket kydex shops can do for us.
It’s says 0.1lbs on their website which is kinda dumb. I know this, I stopped carrying it and bought the No 20k mini bolt action pen and like it much more than this one. For me it became too heavy when writing for a while.
@@kennethkuhlman8864 oh ok thanks man it’s like 1.6 oz converted. That is kinda heavy. Do you know if the top of the pen where the pocket clip connects is metal too or plastic?
Was all set to get M12 tools, but started finding enough reddit posts and RU-vidrs saying the M12 grip is too fat, unergonomic, and uncomfortable. That made me decide I have to make a trip to HD and check it out for myself. Unfortunately, really hard to judge as they have painful security clamps and chains around them. From what I could tell, the M18 line, Dewalt, and Makita, are definitely more comfortable as I could feel the bulge of the handle press against the pinky side of the palm. How long do you use the tools before you really start to feel the lack of ergonomics? You kept them though, the weight savings outweighs the comfort? I just don't know how much I should care about comfort if I just use them for weekend projects.
So my opinion on the grip is that it really doesnt matter in the long run. I just dont prefer the feel of the M12, not only the diameter but also the feel of having the base of the grip being the battery, its just not as solid feeling. So if I had to do it all over again I would probably buy the Gen4 M18 Fuel hammer drill and impact driver because they are super powerful, then I would get a smaller light duty tool like the Dewalt 12V screwdriver(its what I reach for almost every time around the house for day to day stuff) or maybe their 5-in-1 12V tool that has the different heads, but I have never used it. But if you dont have the 5-in-1 tool you can make due with the Milwaukee Shockwave Right Angle Adapter (48-32-2390) and a 12in long bit extender(48-32-4512). The bit extender lets you get screws that are close to a wall by bringing the tool farther away and it lets the angle get reduced. The power of M18 Fuel tools is just crazy compared to the M12 so you'll never have to ask yourself if you can get the job done. And the new Gen 4 M18 Fuel impact driver has excellent modulation compared the the older Gen 3 which suffered in that department. But they are a lot more money that M12. Its a hard decision though.
Thanks very much for this review. It caused me today to compare both the M12 Fuel (Gen 3) combo kit and the M18 Compact Brushless (model 3692-22CT) kit before deciding on one. Prior to seeing your review, I was leaning toward the M12 Fuel. But upon trying both, I came to the same conclusion you did on the ergonomics, and have just decided to keep the M18 Compact and return the M12 Fuel. The Compact simply felt better in the hand, with a more relaxed grip and more control. It's not just the lack of support above the grip that you point out, but also the thicker grip on the M12 - and I have large hands. The Compact tools are slightly heavier on the scale, but in the hand they almost feel lighter because the ergonomics are just better. And both the drill and impact driver are shorter and narrower on the Compact, so there's no real size advantage for the M12. And the M18 is more powerful. I also checked the variable speed triggers - important for woodworkers - and they have comparable levels of control. I'll miss the triple LED on the M12 Fuel impact driver, but otherwise I just liked the M18 Compact more.
I can't help but feel like this wouldn't work for me for a devoted dive knife. I'd want a blunt tip, a dual-sided blade (one fully serrated one plain), and a tank tapper. This as none of that, and it appears not to come with straps. As a knife for any other water use, sure.
Even I could tell that the sheath wasn’t going to work from the photos they released. I can’t believe no one at Benchmade caught these issues before it was released to the public.
Agree it is far from best option. It is a temporary way to get it on a TekLok. Yeah miss the H2O Sheath and that metal clip worked great with 4way mounts on PDF vest, belts, and molle
Thanks for sharing this with us. I want to get one but I was dubious about the sheath. Lately Benchmade has been falling down big time on factory sheaths. I just about always buy a Armatus Carry sheath for any Benchmade fixed blade, if one is available. If Armatus has a sheath I may buy the Undercurrent knife…
Also prybar and scissors are waaaaaaay wayyy more convenient to use on Surge, not to mention t shank where i put longer teeth saw for cutting wood, but yes they are different tools in the end
Have you checked out Walker Knife Co? They're local to me in Maine and make knives specifically for a PFD. I'm surprised Benchmade dropped the ball so hard on this sheath, seems like a great knife otherwise.
I put it on a TekLok using one of slots and first hole under slot used TekLot mounting hardware and rubber washers that comes with them to create correct spacing. I have three screw into TekLok
@@kennethkuhlman8864 Yes I can do that. I do agree that BM kinda missed the mark on the sheath the holes could have been thought out better and they could offer some adapter like you said that plugs into those slots.
I zip-tie my H2O sheath right to the gear. The spine/jimping lock on the original sheath has been an amazing feature and survived literally hundreds of jumps and dives and rough seas.
Lol thanks for the video. I dont know why i couldnt figure out how to get to the refill. I think i was trying to unscrew the wrong section. Very stupid problem to have but you saved the day 😅
I just started using the M12 generation 3 drill driver. I use my middle to finger to pull the trigger and index finger to guide or steer the tool. Milwaukee may have intended middle finger trigger pull like the installation driver. I an aircraft mechanic and the majority of drill applications are for removing and installing fasteners using the clutch.
Could you explain the clutch on this drill please? That's exactly what I am looking for. How does it handle little screws? Is it sensitive or does it overdo them? Thanks.
Absolutely right. I've got a Bosch FlexiClick and even the Bosch 12v tools have battery in the handle but they are comfortable. Notice that in Bosch, the single cell is at the back while 2 in the front under the trigger. While in Milwaukee, the single is under the trigger and 2 at the back, thus making it uncomfortable. The fat grip and battery removal, are the only reason keeping me with Dewalt 12v.
Most videos show how fast and how powerful the drill is. The first video that shows the lowest speed! Thank you! I want for delicate uses, so the slow speed is important. My 20v Atomic has a minimum speed that is faster than I want. I think this'll work!
I’d say it’s medium. The only pen I’ve used of theirs that fine is the plastic pen like this one but it’s doesn’t write very well. And Amazon carries their pens and refills after a bit of being released.
I'm fully invested into Milwaukee too and I appreciate the honest review, been thinking about getting this Dewalt DCF601as well. Great review going over all the important facts. Keep posting brother!
I have to agree I love this tool I bought the Impact 12v but I am returning it after using this because i don't need the Impact since i have the 20v one that does more
I like the handle shape of the gen 3 a lot better than the gen 2. It's almost like they're smoothing out the backs to be like their pre-fuel era tools which is a little detail I can appreciate.
Eh, I would take the clicking over the previous generation any day. I have the 2504-20. About half the time I tighten it around a bit, the whole thing pops loose in the direction I'm turning. Freaks me out every time. I love Milwaukee, but that drill is easily the most hated tool I've ever owned.
Ok so today I noticed something with my clutch… when i was loosening the clutch it wasn’t turning loosely but clicking like a ratchet rather than just spinning open like normal.. m12 3rd gen.. any thoughts ?
Great Review. Just watched your video after purchasing the Gen 3 kit. And the 1st thing i noticed and did not appreciate was the curve in the back. The grip is not steady and i kept hitting the forward reverse switch.
I've noticed the ergonomics of the gen 3 drill, I just got onto and haven't used it yet but It does feel a bit off. But I got it for $66 new on Amazon with the bare tool so I'm not complaining it's solid
Thank you so much for this very detailed analysis. I was so confused about the size and shape of the high output CP3.0 battery because I was hoping it was the exact same size as the 2.0 battery. One thing about the M18 tools, is they have the perfect small diameter, very comfortable handle design that is very comfortable; but once you install an XC or 4.0 or 5.0 or 6.0 battery into the M18 tools, they are very heavy. I think the perfect tool is the M18 tools with the 2.0 battery, it's absolutely the perfect tool weight. With the bigger batteries, it feels like it's more difficult to control tiny drill bits? I just purchased the #2732 circular saw M18 with 7 1/4" blade--they are on sale at Home Depot and come with a free CP6.0 battery. The 3.0, the 6.0, the 8.0 and the 12.0 are all a different battery chemistry and they produce higher voltage and higher amperage, they are the "High Output" batteries. They are significantly different, they aren't even in the same class, although Milwaukee hasn't made this very clear to consumers. They don't really tell consumers anything, but Milwaukee has 3 completely cells in their 3 different M18 battery lines, with the new "Forge" being a high output, and also a "Pouch Cell" technology, which is a first for Milwaukee. Torque Test Channel" on RU-vid shows an increase in measured torque that is quite dramatic when switching to one of the "High Output" batteries, and also they show the inside cells in the new M18 Forge batteries.
