Benchmade 203BK-02 Dacian

The Benchmade 203BK-02 Dacian is the all-black version of Benchmade's compact fixed-blade knife for EDC and outdoor life. The 89.9 mm spear-point blade is in MagnaCut with a black Cerakote finish, the handle is black Canvas Micarta, and the knife is 192 mm long. It comes with a black leather scout-carry sheath with a Boltaron insert.

The Dacian is built as an uncomplicated, robust full-tang knife that is easy to carry every day and strong enough for whittling, cooking and camp work. Where the 203 has a Blue Denim Micarta handle and the 203BT-03 brown Micarta with blue Cerakote, the BK-02 is black throughout – blade, handle and leather sheath – and the sheath is made for carrying the knife horizontally on the belt.

MagnaCut, black Cerakote and Canvas Micarta

Five features that make the Dacian BK-02 a practical fixed-blade knife:

• 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. This makes it well suited to a knife that has to whittle, cut food and handle moisture.
• Black Cerakote finish: A ceramic coating that protects the blade flats against wear and corrosion and removes reflections. The edge is uncoated and sharpens as normal.
• Spear-point blade with high grind: The point sits on the centre line and is strong, while the high grind on the 3.05 mm blade gives low cutting resistance in both wood and food.
• Canvas Micarta handle with finger grooves: Canvas cast in resin gives a grip that holds even with wet or cold hands. The handle is 9.91 mm thick and has deep finger grooves for control in several grips.
• Leather scout-carry sheath: The sheath is carried horizontally on the belt, and a moulded Boltaron insert holds the blade firmly, so the knife sits securely without wearing the leather.

Maintenance and safety

• Wipe the blade after use, and give the edge a thin film of knife oil if the knife will be stored for a long time. Wash by hand – not in a dishwasher.
• Let the leather sheath dry naturally if it gets wet, and do not store the knife in a damp sheath for long periods.
• Do not use the knife as a pry bar or screwdriver, and push it fully into the sheath so the Boltaron insert grips.
• 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.