For the life of me, ever since I was a little boy, who regularly carried some kind of folding knife, could I understand how a “switchblade” knife (read: automatic opening knife) is any more dangerous than any other knife. Somehow, I think we have Hollywood to thank for this nonsense going back many, many years, where they portrayed gang members using a switchblade to intimidate or kill someone. How on earth one can justify how a folding knife opens, to how lethal it is, is beyond my comprehension. I’ve said this many times in the past in my knife articles, and that is, I can draw my folding knife from my pocket, and open it faster, with a flick of my wrist, than I can an automatic folder. On an automatic folder, you have to index the knife and then find the sweet spot – the button – on the handle and then press it to open the knife. Still, I like automatic folders – and not because they open faster – they don’t – at least not for me.
Many states ban the mere possession of an automatic opening knife – even if you keep it in your home. In my home state of Oregon, where automatic folders are made, and where they are legal to carry, many, many police officers mistakenly believe that an automatic opening folder is illegal. Ignorance is bliss!
Almost a year ago, I received the H&K Entourage automatic opening folder – a “switchblade” for testing. I never carried this knife, but kept it on my desk, and it was used almost daily for opening FedEx and UPS packages, as well as other chores around the house and homestead. To be honest, I had completely forgotten that I received this knife for testing for an article on SurvivalBlog – I just kept on using the knife daily, and it slipped my mind that I was to write this article about the knife – until I found the paperwork in a pile of papers on my desk from Benchmade Knives – who makes the H&K “Entourage.” So, I figured I’d best get this article written.
First of all, it is a testament to how useful the Entourage was for daily chores around the house. Yes, it is faster opening, when I picked it up off my desk – as opposed to having to dig into my pants pocket to get my regular folding knife out to use all the time. The Entourage was just “there” all the time for me. What we have is a 3.74-inch 440C stainless steel blade, with a Rockwell hardness of 58-60 – and this is a bit hard, but the edge stays sharp a good long time – only problems I’ve ever encountered with 440C stainless steel is, it takes some work to get the edge back to hair-popping sharpness. However, I don’t let my knife get very dull to start with. Unless I’m doing an intentionally destructive test, I keep a keen edge on my knives at all times.
The handle scales are made out of 6061-T6 anodized black aluminum. And, I should mention that, the blade on the Entourage is a Tanto style, which is one of my favorites. There is also a pocket clip on the handle scales, should you elect to carry the Entourage in your pants pocket. My sample had the plain edge, but you can also get a partially serrated edge, and those serrations really help out when cutting cardboard or rope.
There are friction points on the top and butt of the handle scales, that greatly aid in getting a secure grip on the knife in many different styles of knife fighting holds. And, there is a very slight upward angle on the front top of the handle scales for proper thumb placement in the fencing grip. On the bottom front of the handle scales, there are also friction points for proper placement of your index finger in the fencing grip. Closed length of the Entourage is 4.70-inches and opened it is 8.44-inches and it weighs-in at 4.50-ounces–not too heavy and not too light.
The button used for opening the Entourage is large enough that you can easily make contact with it with your right thumb, and there is an enhanced spring design for improved and faster opening times of the blade. I found my sample had the front pivot pin just a tad too tight, and it only took about half a turn with a Torx head driver, to get the tension a bit looser and more to my own liking. The blade seemed a bit slow springing out of the handle scales – but now it is perfect. And, during almost a year of testing and daily use, I never once had to re-adjust the tension on the front pivot pin.
I liked the black anodized handle scales, there were also grooves milled into the handle scales for a more secure grip. With the blackened blade, the knife has a very “tactical” look to it – very cool! On the top of the Entourage’s handle scales, you will also find a sliding safety button – to lock the blade solidly open or closed – making this a virtual “fixed” blade folder in the locked open position.
I’ve mentioned this before, but thought I’d mention it again, for new SurvivalBlog readers. Some Preppers mistakenly believe that all survival situations call for bugging out to the boonies – such is not the case. If you live in the big city, you are more apt to need survival tools on a daily basis, and one tool I find useful on a daily basis is a folding knife. The Entourage isn’t a wilderness survival knife – it’s not designed or meant for that type of use, However, if you life in a big city, having a very well made Every Day Carry (EDC) folder is a handy thing to have. I just read a report this morning, about a group of more than 100 teens, who went on a rampage in downtown Chicago – my birth town, and people were attacked by this group. There is such a thing as disparity of force – which means basically, if you are outnumbered, you can use more force to fend off your attackers. In this case, when you are faced with multiple attackers, you would be justified in using a knife to defend yourself with.
The Entourage would make an outstanding EDC folder, it’s well-made, strong, and it is priced at $170 – which is a very good price for a Benchmade produced knife. And, if you are into collecting logo knives, the H&K line is very collectible. I played with my Entourage for almost a year, and the blade was opened and closed thousands of times, and there wasn’t a sign of the button or spring failing or working loose. Check out an Entourage, if you can legally own one in your locale or state. I think you’ll be pleased with the Entourage. – SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Pat Cascio
Pat’s Product Review: H&K Knives Entourage
