The Benchmade Hidden Canyon Hunter is a Powerhouse Tool

Benchmade Hidden Canyon Hunter

Every hunter needs a knife for field dressing, skinning, and butchering. Separating wheat from the chaff is hard with a market bloated with cheap hunting knives. I know I’ve burned through my share of junk ones. However, I’ve had the good fortune to test some of the top hunting knives from the most popular manufacturers this year. It’s safe to say that the Benchmade Hidden Canyon Hunter is a real standout from the crowd. I put this premium-grade knife through many tests this year to see if it truly lives up to the $260 price tag.

Benchmade Hidden Canyon Hunter Overview

Stats

• Overall Length: 6.42”
• Blade Length: 2.79”
• Weight: 3.11 Ounces
• Blade Steel: CPM-S90V
• Blade Type: Drop Point, fixed-blade
• Handle: Richlite

Pros

• Incredibly sharp factory edge
• Unbelievable edge retention
• Excessive jimping provides excellent control
• Lightweight

Cons

• Expensive
• Steel type is difficult to sharpen
• Handle is a little slick

Benchmade’s Hidden Canyon Hunter is offered in two steel variations: CPM-S90V and CPM-S30V. The two models differ roughly by $60 based on the steel type. I tested the more expensive S90V version. This is a martensitic stainless steel best known for superb edge retention (more on that later). It’s also known for being hard and having excellent corrosion resistance. This makes it ideal for a hardcore hunting knife that might get exposed to the elements.

The Hidden Canyon Hunter is a simple drop-point fixed blade. At 2.79 inches, it’s in the perfect size range for whitetail deer, mule deer, pronghorn, and elk. Benchmade put two sets of jimping on this knife. There’s one set in the usual spot at the top of the spine, and a second set further down the blade, closer to the tip.

The Richlite and G10 handles have a nice wood finish. It gives the knife the aura of a classic hunting blade. However, this knife is much lighter than anything else I’ve used. At just over three ounces, it practically disappears in a hunting pack. When carried in a pocket, it has a thin profile that’s also easy to carry. Benchmade went with a simple Bolatron sheath. It feels a lot like Kydex, and from what I can tell, it performs nearly identically to that material. I appreciate the fact they made one side blaze orange. It makes the sheath easy to find in tall grass and the dark when field dressing an animal.

Pros of the Benchmade Hidden Canyon Hunter

The factory edge on this knife is incredible. Mine came hair-popping sharp from the factory. I did a series of tests with this blade, and it passed all of them with flying colors: cardboard, cordage, braided fishing lines, and plastic. The Hidden Canyon Hunter sliced them all with no noticeable reduction of the edge quality. When they say S90V holds an extreme edge, they are not kidding!

After I harvested a decent Michigan seven-pointer during the firearms season, I was able to put the knife through its paces. It ended up being one of the easiest field dressing jobs of my life. I hung the buck from a tractor bucket, opened the belly, and barely had to do anything else. Just open the belly and let gravity do the rest. In hindsight, I should have counted my cuts because there weren’t many.

One feature I love about this knife is that second set of jimping near the tip. I was able to put some extra leverage on the front of the blade when cutting through some tough tendons. This feature adds much control to the blade missing from my other knives.

I expect to sharpen the blade between each animal with most bargain or budget knives. However, the Hidden Canyon Hunter’s edge remains after that dressing job. I think it could easily dress another deer or two before needing a touch-up. This knife is an excellent option for hunters who use their knives infrequently and want minimal maintenance. I came home, rinsed off the excess blood and hair, and it’s good to go again.

Cons of the Benchmade Hidden Canyon Hunter

It will be hard for many hunters to get around the $260 price point. I get it; that’s a lot of money for a knife. You’re essentially paying a premium for two things with this knife. Most of the cost is tied up in the CPM-S90V steel. It’s a premium material, and no cheap knives are made from it. Secondly, Benchmade knives are made in the USA, accounting for some additional costs. I feel like the price is worth it, given the quality of the blade, but everyone’s mileage on that may vary.

I do wish Benchmade had given the handle more texture. It feels pretty slick in the hands. I could have loved it even more with only a few grooves. However, I will also note it wasn’t as slippery as I expected when I dressed that buck. I should mention I was wearing gloves while dressing (judge me all you want; I don’t like that deer blood smell on my hands). In any case, I never once had the knife slip during that dressing job.

Finally, S90V steel has a reputation for being notoriously difficult to sharpen, especially if you’re in the field. This knife needs to be checked before each trip because it requires a dedicated bench session and a serious sharpener to touch up. Granted, maintenance sessions will be more limited than other types of steel, but it’s a factor worth considering.

Final Thoughts on the Benchmade Hidden Canyon Hunter

Ultimately, the Benchmade Hidden Canyon Hunter is a winner. I see a lot of hunters complaining about the quality of products these days, especially knives. However, I’ll argue that you’re not looking at the right knives if you keep having quality problems. The Hidden Canyon Hunter shows that quality products built to last still exist. Granted, they come with a premium price point, but that’s to be expected with almost everything these days. Subsequently, this is a hunting knife that I expect will have a place in my pack for years to come.