Benchmade Infidel - Fake Vs. Real 

"The weight is a sign of reliability. If it does not work you can hit them with it" -Boris The Blade

Definitely go with the clone personally. Paying that price is just nuts

$60 difference vs $299 is what you plan to use it for. So far I have used the Chinese knockoff for over a year on alot of stuff. Works excellent! The funniest thing about these comments are the comparison from Chinese to US made products...look around you..look at what you are wearing...ALL made in China. I bought my Chinese knife on a Chinese made computer.

I love Benchmade and support them whenever possible , but I also really like the clones too. I I was skeptical about OTF knifes durability so bought a clone for 26$ and after using it for 1.5 years I upgraded to the real deal.. I hate the idea of counterfeits in general, but if not for the fake one, I never would've learned about Benchmade or bought the real one. . Most times I still end up carrying my clone just because I don't want to lose my real one.

The crooked trigger totally gave that away.

You should do a heavy duty torture test to see if the counterfeit holds.

Here's another vote for doing a disassembly of the fake. That would be quite interesting to see. Great video!

Damn! I don't know what this guy did but he convinced me to get the fake. Thanks!

I'd prefer the knockoff. Not only is it way more affordable but I'd only end up losing the damn thing anyway lol

Was the Infidel ever in the $300 range? Nowadays, brand new they cost a whopping $446.

You just helped me figure out I got taken in a trade. Pretty sure I ended up with a fake...Thank for the vid.

Good video. Suggestion, use a blank/non linear background so your camera focuses on your items vs the mat in this case. Thanks for the detailed review of spotting the fakes!

Sadly the price point on a lot of these make them pretty good value compared to the real thing. I have a Micro-tech Troodon fake that cost under $50, and in my mind it's about $100+ worth of knife. I don't have much love for MT or Benchmade as companies (great products, lousy business practices) so I don't feel guilty owning it, though we're it an Emerson, Spyderco, CRKT, Boker, Gerber, Dalto (oops, i forgot about that cupid knock off - my bad), etc. I'd not own a fake on principal.

Fake is 440c and costs 30 bucks. I’ll take the fake any day!

The most noticeable difference I saw by watching the video was how when you shake the knife with the blade extended, how quiet the authentic version is and how noisy the replica is. That was one of the most noticeable differences.

wow for an extra 200+ dollars you can get a crisper knife that nobody will notice ever

I bought the fake and I knew it was a fake but for something that's essentially a toy I couldn't justify the cost of the original.

I'm curious if these same differences apply to the mini-infidel. I get that the obvious things like weight and quality of markings probably apply, but my mini has a few differences that make it seem fake, and other qualities that don't. The Clip has the right infidel logo graphic and overall faded color, but no butterfly. The Blade also has the right (anodized?) markings, but includes a little "d2" watermark on the "McHenry" side. It does not have "patent pending" on the shank, but instead has "US patent 7.562.455" under the McHenry logo. Any thoughts?

Hahahahaha, "This is some toxic paint"...lmfao! Thank you for that...

Great job in the video. I liked the part where the paint would just scrape off! Crazy.

Thanks for the vid! This is really helpful.

This video is no longer relevant since the new Benchmade infidels don’t have a butterfly on the clip.

You still want to be careful with "a reputable dealer" people are returning fakes in legit boxes and the cashiers don't know the difference

"I don't know if D2 is available in China" I assume it is a toxic coating" "I assume I assume I assume....." If you are going to do a factual report get your facts right or don't report. (By the way D2 is available in China.) The reason these knockoff even exists is because Benchmade overcharges for them. For the price of a real Benchmade I can buy a quality US made handgun.

If you still have this knife I was wondering if I could barrow it for a video of my own or purchase it from you

The best way to find out if you're on the fence is look at the base of the blade, the real one curves in a bit and flares out, the clones don't

Just found your channel, u got a sick collection

There is no butterfly logo even on the Infidel on the Benchmade website -- so it's not easy to tell until you have it in your hand. And how much does the fake on weigh? That info would be useful to know.

Btw, did you ever resolve the issue with the Spyderco Military? I'm really not convinced that it's a fake, maybe it was just a 'Friday' knife?

One of my first real OTFs I bought was an HK Turmoil for around $225 talked down from $300 at the gun store. I honestly hated the Infidel becauses it feels like a cheap toy. Light like you said, no heft in my hand. Action felt cheap. Wasn't my style. Those fakes are now $20 and I might get one to check it out lol

Very interesting. Great review!

So why do the 2014 to present models no longer have the butterfly on the clip?

I love mine. Got matte blade and handle. "The Infidel" on clip but no butterfly. Benchmade is the best, hands down.

im super pissed! i bought the real one for 350! its the same thing!

i have a real deal mine did not come with the butterfly on the clip and mine has us pat no 7305769 on the blade. so there are a few variables to consider.

Hmm i thought these were spoon ground for some reason, nice to see they are ground on both sides

I believe the handles are zinc on the fake. I have a ravencrest ultratech knock off, and on the website it's listed as zinc alloy, and it is freaking heavy. That would also explain the lack of anodizing, as zinc usually is not anodized.

Should have shown the box as well. The Benchmade box is copied as well.

Nice video. the material they use on the fake one is zinc alloy.

Why does the bottom of the fuller look like balls?

I have an Infidel $369 and a S&W assisted OTF $50 and I must say, even though the S&W requires a manual reload, there is absolutely NO BLADE PLAY where the Infidel does have a bit of blade play. S&W seems like its better made for a fraction of the price, just not as fun because of the manual reload of the blade.

It could be pot metal! That's heavy as heck and isn't magnetic, but as stated in previous comments it is probably a nonmagnetic steel.

you know id prefer a real one but there damn expensive, just like emerson. but i i was on a budget and bought an emerson combat karambit clone on ebay for a fraction of the cost and its a DAMN good clone i love it, but i guess not all clones can be winners right..

don't know if it's been mentioned, but the handle could be a cheap non-ferritic stainless steel. that would explain the weight and non-magnetic quality.

I have a real one that is a april 2006 prototype..where can i find out its value?

I've noticed that when they advertise good steels (S35V) it is typically actually a GOOD steel. When they don't advertise the steel, it's rusty awful steel.

I have to admit, I paid twenty dollars for a chinese clone that is damn good. It fires nicely, has a decent blade, and I don't have to worry about damaging it. The real Benchmade is retailed at 400 dollars by the way. I am not saying it is supposed to be as good as the Benchmade. But for a knockoff, it is a damn good knife for the money.

I have not seen the “benchmade discount” that brings down the $490 price to $300 something one you speaknof which would be about 40% roughly lol

China is a major steel producer and much of their output is shipped to the United States. Also, steel making is a very mature industry...not a lot of arcane secrets out there. Another little point is that by definition, ALL steel is "quality" steel simply because of how it is made. Only a true consumer buffoon would believe there is a factory somewhere making "crappy steel" just to make crappy steel products. Steel is actually quite cheap, and the only thing that differentiates is what the end user wants the steel for. 440 stainless is actually a very GOOD steel and used in most knife blades, and will harden up to Rockwell 60. The Chinese currently produce MOST of the swords being sold around the world, and they do so using traditional sword-making forging, grinding, hardening, tempering, sharpening and polishing. I'm pretty sure they also know how to make knives every bit as good as being made in the United States.

The fake one could be easily spotted just from the first moment tho the button is crooked and the texture of the metal is just different.

It would be nice to see it apart. They are getting closer and closer, at least in the looks dept.

What do you think benchmade would say if you sent the fake in for repair?

I bought one of the knock offs in Hong Kong a couple years ago. I've used it little, mostly just play around with it. Still works, blade deploys and retracts with good force. Well worth the $50 I paid.

Thank for these comments I bought a fake before I knew how much the originals go for, after year use, I learned a little more about the Benchmade and suspected I got a fake knife. First got disappointed but after reading these comments I'm over it lol.... It's a good enough everyday knife and served me well for the price. Which btw I guess I gotten a slightly better end of the fakes as it holds the edge pretty good and there is no play of any sort with blade out ... So $90 was most I was willing to pay anyway, and I can't complain about it other than paint chipping after a year and some ...

Thanks for the video comparison. I almost traded my benchmade 62 for what I assumed was a real infidel.

Not all infidel knifes have the butterfly on the belt Clip My My infidel 3300bk does not and for sure it's 100% authentic.

Damn. Think I got rooked. Just bought one from a friend, seems more similar to the real deal than your fake, but weighs 7.5oz, and doesn't have the butterfly on the clip.

What about that website Alibaba ???

I have just bought one in california and mine's definitely real but there is no butterfly on the clip.

I noticed the switch lever was crooked on the fake right off the bat.

i bought an benchmade infidel at a pawn shop, they were asking $280, i got it for $200. i have a bunch of crappy otfs that work perfect but i thought it would be cool to check out some sort higher quality otf. well thats what i get for thinking i could have something nice as its looking like a bought a fake. the quality seems good though, theres only two things off about it, it weighs 7.4 ozs and the pocket clip has the fake font. for opening packages my $40 chinese lighting and other misc cheap otfs would have been just fine. im going to keep this clone, but i will be informing the pawn shop that they sold me a fake.

Great video, just subbed!

Dude just tightin back up on the fake why did you loosen the screws on it

I’ve never had that clone misfire ever

So does that mean lighter knives would be better?

There are aluminium clones ! You must have gotten a zinc handle !

Oh thank you for the vid!!! Just saved me from buying a fake!!! Thanks again!!

Great video! Thanks for the info.

Can I ask you where you bought the fake/clone? Personal interest only. Looking for a fake/clone like the one on the vid to pass as a real one temporarily. Thanks

Where can I get me a fake one and or a cheap real one?

Sweet dude. Ty for info. Real helpful

I got my fake infidel for $25, most of my browning, benchmade, microtech fakes cost less than $30. I have an entire collection of knives for the price of one real one.

It is zinc alloy that makes them heavier

Newer real ones are a bit different: no butterfly on clip, the D2 moved up on base of blade, next to Design by McHenry. US Patent No 7,562,4XX is under Design by McHenry.Plus on both versions blood groove is stops shorter on real Deal.

The use of a micrometer to measure the blade variance would have been the definitive proof......................................

Does yellow star tactical sell legit ones?

Return it to me saying it's a fake and not covered under their warranty

Where are you finding real infidels for $280 for non military/LEO?

Having owned both a fake and a genuine Benchmade, I'll spend the money on a Benchmade every time. The fake isn't terrible, but make no mistake-- it is not a Benchmade, it doesn't work like a Benchmade, it doesn't last like a Benchmade, it doesn't have anywhere near the quality of a Benchmade. I knew it was a fake when I saw the $30 price tag, but at the moment I can't afford to buy, nor did I have the time to find a genuine Benchmade. My next one will be a genuine replacement for the original that I misplaced during a cross-country move. I've never owned a better carry knife, and i was did that.

I would rather pay 60 bucks for a disposable knockoff that works just as good......I’ve got a microtech knockoff that I’ve carried for: years and use paid 40 bucks for it never claimed it was the real deal and didn’t care if it had the markings it’s a decent otf

Great Video! Thanks.

*Why does it have a nutsack at the base of the blade??*

The first thing that popped out at me was the trigger.

I’ve got a Chinese fake but it’s still been a very solid knife. It doesn’t have the Infidel clip, just a Benchmade knockoff but the blade doesn’t rattle and It fires every time. The fake put a glass breaker on the handle and definitely has the weight but generally it’s a decent knife and if all you want is the cool factor of the OTF, it’s totally worth the $30 and the month-long weight lol

Thanks for the video. That's a lot of help.

Be aware: Most of the authentic newer infidel 3300bk's do NOT have the little butterfly logo on the clip.

why does your Infidel pocket clip have a butterfly on the end of it? I have a real one and it doesn't have a butterfly on the pocket clip

From what I have read about the Benchmade Infidel, the fake may be the better knife.

Of course not.. just to make sure I don’t get scammed... where did you get the fake one from? Lol

Hey man…thanks for this video…I have wanted (a legit) Infidel for a while now. I am a knife nut but also a small business owner so it is not easy for me to justify cost. Tattoo shops only need so many knives for “security”. I see a lot of stuff people bring to trade and I am waiting on this to show up. I have not seen it in person yet. I was just kind of hoping to get a quick rundown of something I could point out right away to the owner if it is not legit. Your video is great and you cover the bases without being a condescending tool about it. Thanks for the info. I had a feeling that I was going to be able to tell from the blade wiggle anyways. I am now realizing that your video was posted some 8 years ago so I won’t say anything more. Let me know if you want to know what has changed over the 8 years in the word of Chinese knock off blades. Thanks again bud

Hard for me to tell. I’m looking at knives on Benchmade and they look exactly the same but I’m a newbie to the knife world. None of the ones I’m looking at are smooth like the one on the left. Sheez. I need to study.

I have the fake one, and frankly if I didn't see this video I would have totally believe that it is a real one. I have to compare it to a real 477's logo to see that is a fake. Pretty good copy. I didn't expect a real one because I only paid $50. But I could see how this could fool someone who is looking for a hard-to-find real one. (If Benchmade stop making limited amount of their knives, we wouldn't have that problem, would we?) Now, fakes are bad for business. But, depends on how good the blade actually is; I think the $50 was worth it.

I just got a fake direct from China for $29.00 at aliexpress, well made.

great review!

I bought mine from a guy for $40 and it check every box in your video the weight the wore look on the clip the lettering only thing mine doesn't have is a benchmade logo on the clip so I'm convinced it's real anyone else know different or got one only missing that logo

The actuator button looks like it's going to fall off.

Nicely done - good information

Ok I just bought one and it must be a really good fake because it’s different than both of these. It’s like in between. -Paid $110. -Pocket clip is the same grey color as the real one but Infidel is in the wrong font with no butterfly. -Weight is 5oz. -“Design by McHenry” looks correct. -Instead of Patent Pending or numbers, there’s just nothing. Still has D2. -Blade is not loose. -Button is straight. -Finish is not rubbery or anodized. It’s like a flat black paint and you can see prints and grease left by your fingers on it.

my clone Troodon is great, I have no hang ups about it. I live in England and spending 500+ on a knife is ridiculous as we are seen as criminals by our government/culture.

Can somebody leave a link to the fake one please? Thanks