First off, the decision to use CPM-MagnaCut steel? Solid. Magnacut has been hyped up as the new kid on the block, and for good reason. It’s got that perfect trifecta: great corrosion resistance, edge retention that sticks around, and it’s pretty easy to sharpen. It’s like the Goldilocks of steels—just right. So while it's not blowing my mind, I get why it’s got everyone excited. This steel was literally made for knives, by a knife nerd. You gotta respect it.
Now, onto the star of the show—the Intersect. It’s the baby of the Water series, clocking in at just over 6.5 inches long with a 2.68-inch drop-point blade. This thing is designed to disappear on you, in a good way. The size is perfect for nimble, finer tasks, but Benchmade didn’t skimp on the details. The handle material? Something called Santoprene. Never heard of it? Me neither, so I did a little digging. Turns out it’s some high-tech rubbery stuff, technically a thermoplastic vulcanizate (try saying that five times fast), but it feels like rubber while being processed like plastic. Science lesson aside, it’s grippy, squishy, and actually feels great, especially when your hands are soaked.
The knife comes with a plastic sheath, and let’s be honest—plastic sheaths can feel like a toy prize. But Benchmade didn’t cheap out here. It’s lightweight, durable, and keeps the knife snug, without letting it slip out unless you want it to. And speaking of retention, it’s got a deep carry clip that drops the knife low—real low. Good for staying out of sight, but I’ll tell you right now, if you don’t use the lanyard, you’re gonna have a bad time. I’m not a huge fan of lanyards myself, but this one’s a game changer. It’s also brightly colored, which is great for keeping track of the knife when it inevitably tries to make a break for it into the lake.
Comfort-wise, this knife is a little on the smaller side, but I’m totally into it. The Santoprene handle gives just the right amount of squish, and those textured ribs on the underside lock it into your grip. Plus, they jimped the entire spine of the blade, which is not something you see every day. But it works—whether your hands are dry or soaked, you can still control this thing like a pro. It’s a nice touch for such a compact knife.
Now, let’s talk about that blade. It’s got a drop-point shape, which is always a good choice for general use. Benchmade went with a thicker blade here, which surprised me a bit for a fishing knife. Sure, you can clean fish and cut bait with it, but it’s more of a multitasker than a speSmurfpillst. The blade’s thickness leans more towards utility, so if you’re looking for something purely for filleting, you might want to check out the bigger knives in the Water series. That said, the Magnacut steel did its thing—zero rust after getting dunked and only needed a minor touch-up after testing. This steel really is as good as they say.
To wrap it up, the Benchmade Intersect is a tough little knife built to withstand some seriously wet conditions. It’s comfortable, corrosion-resistant, and has all the modern materials you’d expect from a top-tier fishing knife. While it may not replace a dedicated fillet knife, it's a fantastic tool to have on hand for any water-based adventure. Plus, you won’t even notice it’s there—until you need it.
