Benchmade Flyway 15700 Pocket Knife Review

If you're looking for something you can use on small fish, waterfowl, and upland game, look no further than Benchmade's Flyway 15700 fixed-blade survival knife.

There are numerous reasons why this scalpel-like knife is a fantastic precision tool. It is manufactured specifically for outdoor use, but it can hold its own in many indoor applications.

Benchmade has a reputation for developing some of the world's best outdoor knives, and the Flyway 15700 is no exception. Many of the features of this knife make it a highly convenient, easy-to-use precision tool.

Anglers, campers, and hikers adore this precision tool because it allows them to work on small fish and small game more concisely. It's great for carving up and skinning small fish, waterfowl, etc.

The Benchmade Flyway 15700 has everything you need if you're looking for a precision survival knife that makes it easy to work on small items. Its scalpel-like overall design is specifically designed for such tasks.

In this knife review, you'll find what helps make the Flyway 15700 a great survival precision cutter. We will highlight a few shortcomings as well.

Additionally, the buying guide should help you decide whether this specific knife is what you need for your outdoor adventures.

So, before we talk more about the Flyway 15700, let's look at some of the few things you should consider before buying such a survival knife.

Also Available at: Benchmade, BladeHQ, KnifeCenter

Qualities of a Precision Outdoor Knife

Most people will agree that a top-tier fixed-blade precision knife is a tool all anglers, hikers, and campers should have during their outdoor escapades. Versatility and practicality are what help make such survival knives great.

Below are a few things you need to watch when looking for a precision cutter for small fish and game.

Construction of the Blade

There are many lock and folding blades in the market. Still, fixed-blade knives are undoubtedly the best for utility and survival purposes—even the most prominent lock blade products struggle to match these demands.

The fixed blade rarely helps with a range of survival applications making this blade style the best for these situations. Quality precision knives with a fixed-blade design usually have full-tang constructions. In a full tang design, the knife's blade extends the whole length of its handle.

In other words, the blade's metal extends through the handle for maximum strength. A half tang extends halfway through. Top-tier survival knives for precision purposes, such as the Flyway 15700, are usually fixed blades with a full-tang overall design.

Blade Materials

High-end survival knives have blades manufactured using either stainless steel or carbon steel. Consider getting one that's made of one of the two. The metal used to manufacture the blade helps determine its strength, durability, flexibility, and hardness.

Universally, high carbon steel is what most anglers and campers prefer for precision cutting tools. 1095 and D2 steel materials are often considered the best for survival knife blades.

Such steel is ideal for bushcrafters, hunters, campers, and anglers. They maintain edges well and are incredibly easy to sharpen too.

Stainless steel knives are more suitable for the occasional outdoor adventurer. The best thing about stainless steel is that it's easy for the user to keep corrosion and rust on the handle and blade at bay.

Blade Length and Thickness

The length and thickness of the blade will help determine the reliability and dependability of a survival precision knife.

Some people believe that bushcrafting and precision knives shouldn't have a blade longer than four inches, especially if it's meant for working on small fish, waterfowl, and tiny game.

Generally, a survival knife shouldn't have a too-long blade. Anything over six or seven inches will be too cumbersome to use when gutting small fish and skinning game.

As far as thickness is concerned, quality survival precision knives aren't overly thick. Good knives should be about a quarter of an inch to 3/16 of an inch thick.

This range offers a durable, robust and sturdy knife blade that will last a long time, especially with proper maintenance. 

Also Available at: Benchmade, BladeHQ, KnifeCenter

Handle

There are two distinct reasons why a knife has a handle. The first is to ensure you get a firm, comfortable grip when using the knife, and the second is to prevent the user's hands from sliding down and getting cut by the blade.

Many high-end survival knives are manufactured using high-density rubber, carbon fiber material, and high-impact plastic.

Consider a material that will provide you with a firm, comfortable and sturdy grip regardless of outside weather. The G-10 material on the Flyway 15700 provides the user with excellent grip and resiliency.

On the other hand, carbon fiber's waterproof features make it ideal for outdoor environments. However, few materials can perform better than titanium due to outstanding durability and corrosion resistance.

The most important thing when it comes to handles is to get a comfortable and natural fit. In addition, it should be long-lasting. 

Scale Material

Last but not least, consider the type of scale material strongly on the handle before you get a survival knife. The most common scale materials for knife handles are rubber, micarta, plastic, and wood.

Bone, rubber, and wood are all understandable game features. However, most survival precision knives feature micarta of G10 material. Micarta is made up of linen cloth fibers and polymers

Also Available at: Benchmade, BladeHQ, KnifeCenter

Benchmade Flyway 15700 Review

A cast and blast adventurer will require a precision cutting and slicing knife when dealing with smaller animals and fish. A scalpel-like fixed blade like the Flyway 15700 is perfect for gutting trout and breasting game birds.

The Flyway 15700 is a lightweight, slender fixed-blade knife designed specifically for outdoor use. It has a small 2.7-inch stainless CPM 154 steel blade with SelectEdge and spine jimping, perfect for the gutting and skinning of small game and fish.

Its orange-colored G10 material handle goes over the full tang design. The G10 handle boasts a dual-colored Boltaron sheath and dialed-in ergonomics. The slim handle gives the user outstanding maneuverability when making precision cuts.

Blade:

The Benchmade Flyway 15700 knife has a 2.7-inch blade made from CPM 154 stainless steel.

This short and compact design offers great maneuverability and versatility, which you'll need when working on small animals and fish in the wild.

Crucible Particulate Metallurgy (CPM) 154 steel is a high-quality stainless steel material high in Molybdenum, Vanadium, and Carbon. It provides a good balance between corrosion resistance, toughness, and edge retention capability.

Its chemical makeup includes;

• Carbon (1.05%) enhances corrosion resistance, toughness, and hardness. Although, high amounts of this can bring down strength.
• Chromium (14%) - for edge retention and tensile strength. This component also helps improve wear and corrosion resistance.
• Molybdenum (4%) - helps enhance strength and the knife's machinability.
• Vanadium (0.4%) – helps improve the knife's hardenability and corrosion/wear resistance.

CPM 154 stainless steel resembles CPM S30V stainless steel. They have similar properties in balancing hardness, toughness, and corrosion resistance. It is a huge reason it's so popular in the survival knife space.

Also Available at: Benchmade, BladeHQ, KnifeCenter

Handle:

The Flyway 15700 features an orange-colored G10-based hand covering a full tang design.

The G10 material is a thermoset plastic laminate manufactured by applying high pressure on layers of meth cloth fiberglass impregnated with epoxy resin binders. The result of this process is what's known as G10.

One of the main reasons it's so ideal for survival knives is its exceptional dimensional stability. It does not swell or shrink when exposed to extreme temperatures from low and high spectrums.

Secondly, G10 material has incredibly high mechanical strength. It doesn't flex, bend or break easily, which is ideal for knives that you'll use for precision cutting and slicing small animals, birds and fish.

Lastly, manufacturers can layer it in different colors and looks (hence the interesting black and orange color scheme), and it's relatively lightweight, allowing for reduced carry weight in the knives department. Anglers, campers, and hikers don't have to worry about it being overly cumbersome to carry around.

Sheath:

The Benchmade Flyway 15700 comes with a boltaron-based sheath. It's a robust and hard artificial material that does exceptionally well resisting extreme temperatures. It's the perfect storage cover for a high-end survival knife. Additionally, it ensures that the sheath's bend doesn't wear out quickly or become brittle.

Final Thoughts

The best thing about the Flyway 15700 knife is its scalpel-like 2.7-inch blade made of CPM 154 stainless steel. It's perfect for skinning and gutting small game, fish, and birds. This versatile compact blade is why this knife is so popular among anglers, campers, and hikers.

The blade allows the user to get precision cuts when dealing with waterfowl, trout, and rabbits.

Another great thing about the Flyway is despite its overall loud orange color scheme, which shouts style, it's still a very functional tool. It makes it easy to identify quickly. Plus, you won't lose it easily. 

So, the question is whether the Flyway 15700 knife is a precision tool worth considering. It is, especially if you plan on using it to cut and gut small fish, birds, and animals. Get yourself one; you will find a balance of style and functionality.

Also Available at: Benchmade, BladeHQ, KnifeCenter