The Kitsari is Benchmade's first hawkbill, and it arrived as a limited run. The concave edge and down-curved tip come from tactical knives and karambits: instead of pushing material away the way a straight edge does, the curve pulls it into the belly of the blade and the cut finishes itself. Anyone who has fought with a dull knife on wet rope knows exactly what that is worth.
Around water, line is where it earns its keep. A hawkbill draws mono, braid, backing and leader into the apex and parts it clean instead of skating off. Same story on zip ties, shrink tube over a rod wrap, bailing twine, webbing and clamshell packaging. It is deliberately not a general-purpose blade — the geometry fights you on anything that wants a straight edge.
The steel is Z-12Ultra PM, a powder-metallurgy tool steel run at 62-64 HRC. That is hard, and it holds an edge well past S30V. The trade is that it is a tool steel and not a stainless: wipe it down after a wet day and keep a light oil on it. Blade finish is Cerakote on the flats.
Handle scales are black G10 milled in a radial pattern with Flat Dark Earth PVD hardware and a matching deep-carry pocket clip. At 2.29 ounces and 0.42" across the handle it disappears in a pocket. AXIS lock, so it opens and closes one-handed with either hand.
Benchmade has sold through this run. What is on dealer shelves is what is left of it.
Best For
- Cutting line, cord, webbing and packaging — anything the blade can hook and draw in
- Someone who already owns a drop-point EDC and wants the one shape it cannot do
- Collectors: a limited run of Benchmade's first hawkbill, in a steel they rarely use
Not For
- A do-everything pocket knife. Slicing, spreading and point work all want a straight edge
- Food prep or game dressing
- Anyone who will not oil a non-stainless blade
Ed's Take
Be honest about what this is. It is not the knife we hand somebody who walks in and asks for one good folder — that is still a Bugout. The Kitsari is a second knife, and a specialist. If you spend your days cutting line and tape and shrink tube, the hawkbill is not a novelty, it is the right tool, and the Z-12Ultra edge will outlast anything else in the case. If you are buying it because the run is finished and the hardware looks the way it does, that is a fine reason too. We would just rather you knew which one you were doing.
Specifications
| Model | 213BK-2601, Limited Edition |
| Mechanism | AXIS® Lock, manual opening |
| Blade Steel | Z-12Ultra PM™ Tool Steel (62-64 HRC), not stainless |
| Blade Style | Hawkbill |
| Blade Finish | Cerakote® |
| Blade Length | 3.146" |
| Blade Thickness | 0.090" |
| Handle Material | Black G10, radial milled, Flat Dark Earth PVD hardware |
| Handle Thickness | 0.42" |
| Pocket Clip | Deep carry, Flat Dark Earth |
| Open Length | 7.475" |
| Closed Length | 4.329" |
| Weight | 2.29 oz |
| Made In | Oregon City, Oregon, USA |
Backed for Life
Every Benchmade carries a limited lifetime warranty and free LifeSharp service: send it in dull and dirty, get it back razor sharp, for as long as you own it. Ed's Fly Shop is a Benchmade Pro Dealer, so your warranty is valid and we can help you get it handled.
Come handle one at 432 E Main St in downtown Montrose, or order online.
