Benchmade 18050S Intersect

The Benchmade 18050S Intersect is the partly serrated version of Benchmade's compact fixed-blade fishing knife. The 68.1 mm drop-point blade is in MagnaCut with a Stonewash Polish finish, and the serrations near the handle make short work of line and rope. The handle is Depth Blue Santoprene, the knife is 166 mm long, weighs 67 g and comes with a low-profile sheath.

The Intersect belongs to the Benchmade Water series and is the smallest knife in the series, made to sit on your belt, in your pocket, on your pack or on your life jacket. The difference from the 18050 is the S in the model number: a partly serrated blade. It costs a little in clean cuts when you cut food and bait, but gives a much more aggressive bite in braided line, rope and other fibrous materials – especially when they are wet.

Serrated MagnaCut blade, Santoprene grip and low-profile sheath

Five features that make the 18050S a compact knife for line and rope:

• Partly serrated edge: The serrations work like a small saw and cut through rope and braided line where a plain edge tends to slip off. The plain section at the front still gives precise cuts.
• MagnaCut steel (60–62 HRC): Stainless powder steel developed without chromium carbides in its structure. It gives better corrosion resistance and toughness than S30V at the same hardness, and the steel is also relatively easy to resharpen. That is exactly what a salt-water knife needs.
• 68.1 mm drop-point blade, 3.05 mm thick: A short, strong blade with a robust point. Jimping on the spine gives your thumb firm support when you work precisely.
• Santoprene handle: A rubbery material made of EPDM rubber and thermoplastic that gives a secure, non-slip grip, even with wet and cold hands.
• Low-profile sheath: The sheath can be attached to a belt, pocket, backpack or life jacket, so the knife is ready when a line needs cutting fast.

Maintenance and safety

• Rinse the knife in fresh water after use, wash it by hand and dry it thoroughly – a dishwasher can cause damage that Benchmade's warranty does not cover.
• The serrations are best sharpened with a thin, round or tapered sharpening rod – an ordinary whetstone cannot reach into the serrations.
• Do not use the knife as a pry bar, and push it fully into the sheath so it is secure before carrying it on your gear.
• Fixed-blade knives are often subject to stricter rules than folding knives – check the regulations in your country before transporting or carrying it in public.