This knife is out of production. Go to Benchmade Automatic Knives page for similar knives.
The Benchmade designed H&K Mini-Entourage side open automatic knife has been redesigned--offering a G-10 inlay for added security and implementing D2 tool steel for better edge retention. 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 14751BK-1, offers a tanto style D2 tool steel blade in a black finish. The pocket clip on this series of H&K Entourage knives is designed for tip up carry only and offers a left or right hand carry option. Made in the USA.
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Blade Length: 2.87"
- Overall Length: 6.78"
- Blade Material: D2 Tool Steel
- Blade Finish: Black
- Handle Length: 3.91"
- Handle Material: 6061-T6 Aluminum / G-10
- Weight: 3.7 oz.
When German firearms manufacturer Heckler & Koch set out to create a line of knives that lived up to its "No Compromise" motto, it turned to Oregon's Benchmade for products that matched the innovative functionality, quality, and safety that H&Ks existing customers expect from the companys other products. After all, H&K weapons provide the firepower for members of the German special forces, German police, and the militaries of many NATO-member and NATO-associated states. These include the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy Seals, Delta Force, and enforcement agents in the Department of Homeland Security. In addition to providing light weapons and small arms for the military and law enforcement, H&K also offers options for sporting and commercial use.
In collaboration, Benchmade and H&K arrived at goals for HK-branded bladed and ancillary products that uphold standards of performance, fit, and finish worthy of the aerospace industry. Featuring first-quality materials and technologies, Benchmade's product line for HK demonstrates the thoughtful talent of Benchmades in-house design staff and the manufacturing strengths of Benchmade's U.S. production facilities, attributes that more than live up to the Heckler & Koch name.
For 2016, the Benchmade HK 14751BK-1 Mini Entourage represents a refreshed configuration of the 14751BK, the smaller sibling within the Benchmade HK Entourage family. Available for 2015, the HK 14751BK Mini Entourage included a blade made of 440C stainless steel inside a black anodized 6061-T6 billet aluminum handle. For 2016, Benchmade has switched to D2 tool steel for the blade of a reconfigured version of the Mini Entourage, and has added G10 inlays to a redesigned billet aluminum handle.
Blade Profile
Unlike the larger HK Entourage, which Benchmade offered for 2015 with two blade profile options (tanto-point and drop-point), the HK 14751BK Mini Entourage was available only with a tanto-point blade. In 2016, the same option represents the sole choice for the new Benchmade HK 14751BK-1 Mini Entourage.
The tanto-point shape takes its name from a misapplication of a Japanese word that means "short blade," a term originally used to designate a traditional Samurai sword. In modern knife designs, a tanto-point or chisel-point blade demonstrates a straight-edged tip shaped like the leading edge of a chisel, angled at 60 to 80 degrees. In some cases, tanto-point blades feature a sharpened tip that serves as a second cutting edge. Because of the thickness of the tip of the blade, a tanto-point knife can absorb enough impact to survive a penetrating strike into hard materials. That same feature also can pose a disadvantage when you attempt to use a tanto-point knife as a penetrating tool, although the strength of the blade design increases the amount of force you can apply to the blade. Additionally, the point can be difficult to control because of its thickness.
The Benchmade HK 14751BK-1 Mini Entourage features a slightly curved blade spine that angles down to its tanto-point. A top swage, or false edge, appears just below the spine of the blade where the metal displays a milled reduction in the thickness of the blade. The swage makes the knife better able to deliver a penetrating strike without unduly reducing the strength of the blade. Because the tanto-point profile lacks a curve, or belly, on the main cutting edge of the blade, it offers slightly less performance as a general-purpose knife in undertaking cutting chores.
Benchmade offers the new HK 14751BK-1 Mini Entourage with two blade edge choices. The 14751BK-1 Mini Entourage features a plain edge, whereas the 14751SBK-1 Mini Entourage incorporates serrations, or rip teeth, that cover roughly half the cutting edge of the blade. Rip teeth can saw through wood, slice rope or paracord, and quickly cut through other types of fibrous material.
Whether you're an old hand at sharpening knives or prefer to leave the task to experts, Benchmade's LifeSharp warranty service includes the option of returning your knife to the company's Oregon headquarters at any time for refurbishment and factory resharpening, provided that you meet certain terms and conditions. The service does not apply to the serrated portions of blades.
Blade Finish
The Benchmade HK 14751BK-1 Mini Entourage includes a black coating on its blade, reducing glare and offering surface protection. The HK logo and other blade markings show up in clear contrast to the overall black background, and are produced through the use of laser engraving. If you'd like to personalize your knife with your name, an inscription, or a graphic, choose Benchmade's optional lasermarking service, which uses the same technology that applies logos and other finishing marks to Benchmade's blades. You can add this option for a modest fee, either at the time you purchase your knife or after youve used it for a while.
Blade Steel
With the new-for-2016 Benchmade HK 14751BK-1 Mini Entourage, the company moves away from the 440C high-carbon stainless steel of the 2015 edition of this knife to D2 tool steel. Air hardened, D2 excels at providing long-lasting performance in demanding situations that call for heavy use.
Benchmade's 440C alloy relies on a mixture of 1.0% carbon, 17.5% chromium, 0.5% manganese, 0.5% molybdenum, 0.04% phosphorus, 0.3% silicon, and 0.03% sulphur. Its D2 formula features 1.5% carbon, 12.0% chromium, 0.3% nitrogen, 0.6% manganese, 1.0% molybdenum, 0.3% nickel, 0.6% silicon, and 1.0% vanadium. Because D2 incorporates more carbon than 440C, it offers additional hardness and wear resistance over 440C, although such high amounts of carbon can decrease blade toughness, which represents the ability to withstand flexing without distortion and to resist the tendency to chip. Although D2 contains 12.0% chromium, which is just about enough to qualify as a stainless steel, the alloy isn't classified as such. D2's lower chromium content means reduced corrosion resistance compared to 440C, although D2 still does a fine job of resisting oxidation from its environment and in use. The addition of vanadium to the D2 alloy enhances wear resistance and boosts edge retention, while manganese helps cut down on high-carbon steels' propensity toward brittleness.
D2's legendary hardness and wear resistance promote its use in fabricating the dies and tools used to make other metal objects. Its high degree of edge retention means that it won't need frequent sharpening, but (essentially for the same reason that it does a great job of staying sharp) it can be difficult to sharpen. Benchmade's alloy-specific heat treatment protocols enable the company to produce D2 blades with just the right balance between hardness and toughness, two attributes that exist on a continuum on which an increase in one means a decrease in the other.
Handle Materials
Benchmade crafted the handle of the predecessor of the Benchmade HK 14751BK-1 Mini Entourage from black anodized 6061-T6 billet aluminum, a heat-treated aluminum alloy used in producing aircraft and boats. The new design uses the same alloy. The light weight of 6061-T6 comes from the aluminum itself, but the additions of magnesium and silicon boost strength, toughness, and corrosion resistance without making the resulting alloy heavy in the hand. The use of billet aluminum yields smoothly machined handle scales with precisely finished edges and smooth chamfering.
To enhance grip, Benchmade has added black G10 laminate inlays to the sides of the Benchmade HK 14751BK-1 Mini Entourages handle scales. G10 laminate represents a composite built from layers of continuous-filament glass cloth soaked in epoxy resin. Compressed in a mold and then heated to its finished shape, G10 emerges as a rugged, lightweight, hard material that resists shrinkage and deformation even when it's exposed to high or low temperature extremes. Moisture, chemical liquids, and humidity have little to no effect on G10. These characteristics go a long way toward explaining G10's enduring popularity as a substrate on which to build printed circuit boards and other parts for the electronics industry, along with the fact that G10 doesn't conduct electricity.
Molded with a checkered texture that increases friction and promotes a tenacious grip on the Benchmade HK 14751BK-1 Mini Entourage, the G10 inlays help the knife stay securely in your hand even through rugged use and heavy pressure.
Handle Design
For 2015, the predecessor to the Benchmade HK 14751BK-1 Mini Entourage incorporated grooved sides to promote a secure hold on the knife handle. The introduction of G10 laminate inlays into the 6061-T6 billet aluminum handle scales means that those grooves disappear from the current design.
The Benchmade HK 14751BK-1 Mini Entourage includes a generous set of jimping grooves in three locations: first, on the rise at the front of the handle spine; second, on the front quillon that helps protect the hand from sliding onto the cutting edge of the blade; and third, from the back of the spine onto the butt of the handle. These jimping grooves foster a secure hold whether you grasp the knife conventionally or reverse your grip.
An off-center lanyard hole appears near the spine of the handle, next to three screw holes into which you can attach the Benchmade HK 14751BK-1 Mini Entourage's pocket clip in a reversed position. The knife and handle scales themselves fasten together with four Torx screws.
Because this automatic knife's blade deployment mechanism activates through a large button positioned on the left side of the handle near the pivot screw, the design favors a right-handed user. The Benchmade HK 14751BK-1 Mini Entourage uses a safety located on the spine of the handle, comparable to the position of this feature on the 2015 model of the knife.
Safety Mechanism
The safety mechanism on the Benchmade HK 14751BK-1 Mini Entourage locks the blade in place with the knife either opened or closed. Knife owners often debate the usefulness of safeties. On the one hand, some claim that the need to release a safety lock may deter them from gaining speedy access to the blade in an emergency situation. Others leave safeties engaged when they stow their knives in a garment pocket to prevent an accidental blade deployment that could result in injury. Benchmade's automatic knives don't typically deploy unintentionally, and you can increase your dexterity in using a safety if you practice the gestures required to activate or deactivate one. Ultimately, of course, each individual user must decide whether to engage or forego the safety mechanism on the Benchmade HK 14751BK-1 Mini Entourage.
Pocket Clip
With a removable, reversible painted steel tip-up pocket clip, the Benchmade HK 14751BK-1 Mini Entourage lends itself to positioning on either side of your body. From the factory, three Torx screws secure the clip on the right side of the handle between the lanyard hole and one of the fasteners that assembles the knife itself. You'll find a second trio of screw holes on the left side of the knife handle. If you prefer to carry your knives tip down, of course, the reversible feature wont accommodate your preferences. Of course, any alteration of the default configuration other than simple removal and reversal of the pocket clip on the Benchmade HK 14751BK-1 Mini Entourage voids your product warranty.
Knife Dimensions and Weight
The new Benchmade HK 14751BK-1 Mini Entourage measures 6.78 inches open and 3.91 inches closed, the same as its predecessor's dimensions. The blade length of 2.87 inches also matches that of the preceding model. The new Benchmade HK 14751BK-1 Mini Entourage weighs a full ounce less than the 2015 model, but its 0.53 inch thick handle gains four hundredths of an inch in thickness over its predecessor. The current model features a 0.098 inch thick tanto-point blade with or without serrations, depending on the model you choose. Model 14751BK-1 is unserrated; model 14751SBK-1 includes rip teeth.
Other Observations
Durability, edge retention, a smoothly deploying automatic blade mechanism, and freshly redesigned handle scales with G10 inlays on 6061-T6 aluminum: All these features make the Benchmade HK 14751BK-1 Mini Entourage a reliable choice for the real world of heavy duty service. With a smaller size to match up with the new Benchmade HK 14701BK-1 Entourage, the new Mini Entourage can be the tactical companion of an active-duty member of the armed forces or of law enforcement, or the everyday carry of someone who relies on a knife for work or recreation.
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HK 14751BK Mini Entourage
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HK 14751BK-1 Mini Entourage
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Weight |
3.7 oz. |
2.7 oz. |
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Overall length |
6.78" |
6.78" |
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Closed length |
3.91" |
3.91" |
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Blade length |
2.87" |
2.87" |
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Blade thickness |
0.098" |
0.098" |
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Handle length |
3.91" |
3.91" |
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Handle thickness |
0.49" |
0.53" |
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Handle material |
Anodized 6061-T6 billet aluminum |
Anodized 6061-T6 billet aluminum with G10 inlays |
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Handle color |
Black |
Black |
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Blade material |
440C stainless steel |
D2 tool steel |
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Blade hardness |
58-60 RC |
60-62 RC |
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Blade style |
Tanto-point |
Tanto-point |
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Blade grind |
Flat |
Flat |
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Blade finish |
Black (14751BK and 14751SBK) |
Black (14751BK-1 and 14751SBK-1) |
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Blade edge type |
Plain (14751BK) or serrated (14751SBK) |
Plain (14751BK-1) or serrated (14751SBK-1) |
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Pocket clip |
Black, removable, tip-up |
Black, removable, reversible tip-up |
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Lock mechanism |
Auto open with integrated safety |
Auto open with integrated safety |
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Opener |
Push button automatic |
Push button automatic |
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Sheath material |
Sheath sold separately |
Sheath sold separately |
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Benchmade product class |
HK |
HK |
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User |
Right handed |
Right handed |
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Best use |
EDC, tactical, law enforcement |
EDC, tactical, law enforcement |
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Manufacturer's suggested retail prices |
14751BK and 14751SBK: $160 |
14751BK-1 and 14751SBK-1: $180 |