At the 2022 SHOT Show, the Benchmade knife brand first introduced the world to its all-new 430BK Redoubt — a tough-as-nails, full-sized workhorse of an AXIS-locking folder designed for everyone from EDC enthusiasts to laborers and craftsman to active duty military personnel. Since its debut, the Redoubt has only grown in popularity.
Alongside several available aftermarket handle scale sets, the continued popularity of the 430BK has now promoted the Oregon City outfit to deliver a pair of new tanto-bladed versions of the Redoubt with the 431BK-1 & 431SBK-1.
Meticulously crafted in America, the 431BK-1 and 431SBK-1 Redoubt are both constructed around an AXIS lock-equipped Grivory handle, though the proprietary glass-filled thermoplastic composite has now been finished in a new muted Forest Green hue before being complemented via Ranger Green-finished textured Grivory sections. The new color way has also been paired with a black oxide-coated reversible, tip-up, deep-carry pocket clip.
The biggest update to the 431BK-1 and 431SBK-1 Redoubt knives over their predecessors is undoubtedly the pairs’ new blade shape. Boasting the same top-shelf CPM-D2 steel and beefy 0.124-inch thickness as the existing drop point variants, the new Redoubt models sport 3.53-inch tanto blades and an overall length of 8.27” — just ever-so-slightly-smaller than the drop point version’s 3.55-inch blade length and 8.29-inch overall length.
Both tanto models also see their blades cloaked in a new Cobalt Black Cerakote finish that not only protects the underlying steel, but also adds just a bit of texturing. Made by Crucible Industries, this high-carbon, high-chromium powder metallurgy variant of the hardwearing tool steel clocks in at between 60 and 62 HRC on the Rockwell hardness scale.
Just like with Benchmade’s existing drop point Redoubt variants, the new pair of tanto versions are offered with a straight or partially-serrated edge.
The Benchmade Redoubt was already a fantastic workhorse of a knife, though the new tanto-profile variants no doubt lean further into the model’s tactical nature without compromising its immense utility. At 0.124-inches thick, the Redoubt also boasts a much beefier blade than most Benchmade folders, enabling it to stand up to some serious hard-use tasks. A bonafide pocketable powerhouse, the thing also punches well above its weight, with an overall weight of just 3.7oz while sporting full-sized dimensions with its roughly 8.3-inch overall length.
Brand: Benchmade
Model: 431BK-1 & 431SBK-1 Redoubt
Overall Length: 8.27”
Blade Length: 3.53”
Blade Thickness: 0.124”
Blade Steel: CPM D2
Blade Edge: Straight or Partially-Serrated
Handle Material: Grivory
Lock Type: AXIS
Weight: 3.7oz
Manufacturing Origin: USA
Benchmade’s plain-edge 431BK-1 Redoubt and partially-serrated 431SBK-1 Redoubt are available now, with pricing set at $200 for both versions — the same price as the existing drop point Redoubt models. Like all Benchmade knives, the new tanto-bladed Redoubt models both come backed by a lifetime warranty and their price includes the company’s LifeSharp services, which will clean, tune, and resharpen your knife for free, for life.
After receiving an incredibly warm reception from the public upon its debut in 2022, Benchmade’s Redoubt knife is now being offered in new tanto profile versions that also sport new colorways.
