Benchmade 903 Mini AXIS Stryker Knife Review

The Benchmade Stryker knife series has been delighting knife lovers for quite some time.  Now available in a mini format, the Benchmade 903 Mini AXIS Stryker features all the same great features in a smaller, more compact package.

When you order the 903, you get a knife built by one of the leading knife companies in the world.  Benchmade has been producing classic, quality knives since 1988.  The Stryker gives you a Black Class, tactical folder with the incredibly tough AXIS locking system.

Let’s start with the blade.  The 903 features a drop point blade.  You can pick it up with a plain edge or serrations.  If you want, you can also get it with a BK black tactical coat.  The 154CM stainless steel blade has a satin finish on the standard 903 model.   The heat treatment gives you a 58-60 HRC blade that is built for heavy use in serious situations.  The drop point blade gives you one of the most popular and recognizable blade shapes on the market today–and not without reason.  The slow curved, unsharpened spine of the blade drops into contact with the rounded edge of the blade in a slightly lowered point tip.  This shape gives it amazing tip strength as well as offering you maximum control of the blade edge as you make heavy cuts.  It also gives you a large blade belly for maximum cuts on slicing strokes.  Because of this ability to control the edge, this blade shape is extremely popular on combat knives.  Although the broad tip doesn’t give you the piercing strength of a clip point or tanto point, the other advantages of this blade shape make it the best selling tactical blade shape.

The 154CM stainless steel is an American made premium grade stainless steel.  First developed for tough industrial chores, it quickly became popular as a knife blade steel because of the all around qualities it affords.  The 154CM gives you great corrosion resistance as well as good toughness and edge retention. The satin finish on the blade gives it a low luster sheen that will continue to look good for years to come.  If you decide to go with the 903BK, the black BK1 coating gives you a matte black coating that adds excellent corrosion resistance to the blade.  If you are worried about corrosive environment, or if you prefer a dark color to eliminate night glare, the BK is the finish for you.  Otherwise, either the satin or the BK1 will give you a lifetime of good looking cutting satisfaction.  

The blade opens smooth with the ambidextrous thumb studs.  The blade, with a bit of practice, can also be opened by pulling the AXIS slide and snapping your wrist at the same time.  When done correctly, you can get the blade open in a hurry with just one hand.  Once open, the blade locks in that position with the nearly indestructible AXIS system.  The AXIS® is a 100% ambidextrous design that includes a small, hardened steel bar which rides in a slot machined into both the steel liners on the knife.  The bar extends out through both liners and handle scales.  Positioned above the rear of the blade, it engages a ramped, tang portion on the blade when the blade is opened.  Two omega springs, one on each liner,  allow the locking bar to engage the tang. When engaged, the tang becomes wedged between the locking bar and a stop pin.

One of my favorite locking mechanisms in the world, the AXIS keeps the blade open and “locked” in that position until you pull the slide back towards the butt of the handle.  This releases the blade and allows you to close it.  The AXIS system also serves to provide a positive pressure that helps keep the blade closed when you want it that way.

The handle on the 903 consists of two, textured black G10 scales atop stainless steel liners.  The handle is comfortably shaped and gives you all the control you could ask for.  A thumb ramp right where the handle and blade meet on the spine gives you thumb a solid position for control cuts.  A shallow, jimped finger groove gives your forefinger a comfortable control point as well.

The Benchmade 903 Mini AXIS Styker combines all the great things you love about a Benchmade knife into one serious tactical package.  You get a tough blade, serious blade lock up with AXIS system, and a comfortable, grippy G10 handle that is going to withstand whatever environment you choose to operate in.  If you are looking for a small to mid sized tactical folder, the Benchmade 903 series could be the perfect knife for you.  Check out these Benchmade Knives and many more here on our website.  Let my know what you think of your Stryker in the comment section below.

SPECIFICATIONS: 

• Blade Length: 2.94″
• Blade Thickness: 0.104″
• Handle Thickness: 0.400″
• Blade Material: 154CM Stainless Steel
• Blade Hardness: 58-60HRC
• Blade Style: Drop Point
• Weight: 2.84 oz.
• Pocket Clip: Reversible, Black, Tip-Up
• Lock Mechanism: AXIS
• Overall Length: 6.81″
• Closed Length: 3.87″
• Sheath Material: Sold Separately
• Class: Black