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The Benchmade designed H&K Entourage side open automatic knife offers a simplistic design coupled with top-notch performance. The entire H&K line of knives are all manufactured by Benchmade and carry their limited lifetime warranty and are eligible for all Benchmade services. The enlarged push button offers ease of use and you will also find an integrated slide safety located on the spine of the handle in close proximity to the firing button. This model, the 14701SBK, offers a tanto style 440C stainless steel blade, that is partly serrated, in a black finish. The pocket clip on this series of H&K Entourage knives is designed for tip up carry only. Made in the USA.
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Blade Length: 3.74"
- Overall Length: 8.44"
- Blade Material: 440C Stainless Steel
- Blade Finish: Black
- Handle Length: 4.7"
- Handle Material: 6061-T6 Aluminum
- Weight: 4.5 oz.
Benchmade HK 14701SBK Entourage Auto Knife
Every single Heckler and Koch knife is built by Benchmade Knives with the same attention to detail, solid materials, and solid engineering that you get with any Benchmade knife. The 14701SBK Entourage features a combo edge Tanto blade. Pair that up with a black anodized, machined 6061 T-6 aluminum handle and you have a serious automatic knife that is built for heavy use.
BLADE
The tanto blade measures 3.74. The partial serrations are 1 3/8 long. Why tanto and why serrations? The tanto point gives you the extra tip strength you need for heavy piercing cuts. The combo edge gives you maximum power when cutting straps, ropes, and even seatbelts in an emergency egress situation.
For an automatic knife, the blade comes out extremely fast. Push the button and the blade extends to full open before you can say Open. The blade lock up is extremely tight. There is no blade movement from side to side or front to back.
The 440C stainless steel blade bears the HK logo on the front side and some detail information on the back. It is fully finished with a black tactical coat. The blade is a somewhat modified tanto shape that drops slightly from the top of the spine down towards the blade edge where it angles up. The blade shape is somewhat reminiscent of the nose end of a grey reef shark or a barracuda. It gives the blade a predatory feel which I like.
The blade measures in at 58-60HRC. This means that it is going to keep a good edge and not need sharpening every other day. Under heavy use, the blade will probably need to be honed once every couple of weeks and may need a resharpening every 45-60 days. I especially like Benchmade Knives because with their LifeSharp program you can send your knife in and for a modest fee they will tune it up to factory specs for you. I usually send my Benchmade knives in about once a year for a full tune up. It is well worth the small fee.
The blade is ideal for heavy tactical use and for urban warriors. Because the knife isnt taking a huge bite out of your wallet, it is easy to use it on heavy every day cuts. And it steps up and handles your daily cuts with ease. This is the kind of automatic knife that is perfect for LE as a utility knife as well as for Military for the same purpose.
HANDLE
The handle is built from aircraft grade 6061 T-6 aluminum. The classic lines features an extremely generous finger groove that flares sharply into a semi blade guard. With heavy jimping in the finger groove as well as on the blade spine where it flares up before meeting with the blade, this handle is easy to get a hold on and keep a secure grip. The butt of the handle spine, where it curves down to meet the front of the knife, also has heavy jimping so your thumb has a secure control point if you ever hold the knife in a reverse grip. And the finger groove keeps your pinkie finger from sliding up onto the blade when the knife is held like this. This makes the knife ideal for heavy piercing cuts. The handle is .53 thick which gives my hand a nice, comfortable grip. Along the face of the handle are two shallow grooves that run the length. More for looks than grip, they give the knife a nice aesthetic feel.
The enlarge push button makes the knife easy to activate even if wearing duty gloves. On the spine of the handle, the slide safety is also easily operated with bare hands or with gloves on. I especially like the location of the safety because it means I can operate this knife with just one hand. This is ideal for LE when their other hand may be occupied with other things.
A tip up pocket clip sits on the handle. It is configured for right hand carrysorry lefties, this one isnt reversible. There is a small lanyard hole at the butt of the handle, although I cant imagine using a lanyard with this particular knife
The knife measures a full 8.44 long and when closed it is 4.7 long. This full sized auto knife is built for Armageddon. The handle is going to take everything you throw at it and isnt going to wilt under the pressure.
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS
Benchmade Knives produce HK knives. Manufactured here in the US, these knives are built from high quality materials to the specifications and standards that you expect from any Benchmade product. The Entourage is exactly what you want in an automatic duty knife. Fast action, easy one hand operation, and construction that is going to withstand serious abuse. At the price, it is an absolute steal of a deal. The Entourage is the kind of knife you can depend on to perform when you most need it to perfrom. A great LE or Military utility knife, this knife is also fantastic for those looking for a full size daily carry automatic knife.