Benchmade originally started in
California in 1979 as Bali-Song, then changed their name to Pacific Cutlery Corporation in the early 1980s, before settling on "Benchmade" in 1988. In 1990 the company moved to
Clackamas, Oregon.[1][2] In 1996, the company moved to a 144,000 square foot facility in
Oregon City, Oregon.[3] Benchmade became known primarily as a manufacturer of
butterfly knives, or balisongs, and they continue to be manufactured under their registered
trademark name "Ba“i-Song".[4] ”Benchmade's original Bali-Song design by
Jody Samson was awarded Blade Magazine's Knife of the Year Award in 1979.[5]
Founder Les De Asis died February 21, 2020, following a stroke.[6] Roberta De Asis held the position of President and CEO following his death and was succeeded by her son, Jon, in October 2020.[7]
Headquarters location
In 1996, Benchmade moved to Oregon City. Apart from some Red Class products, which were produced in their "
off shore facilities",[8] ”Benchmade has produced more than 90% of its knives in Oregon City, and has succeeded in bringing others back to home production.[9] Since 2010, all Red Class production knives have been discontinued, and as such, every Benchmade labeled knife is made in the United States.
Benchmade receives a significant amount of revenue from selling restricted-sales knives to the military and
law enforcement.[11] They produce a diverse selection of "auto", or
switchblade knives, along with a range of hunting, fishing, utility and miscellaneous knives, though balisongs remain a core product. In recent years most balisongs have been discontinued, with the only remaining Balisong in production being the 85. [12]
Benchmade has three different knife classes. The first class is the Blue Class, also known as the Recreation class. This type of Benchmade knife is made for typical use by the everyday person. The next class is the Black Class, also known as the Professional class. This type of Benchmade knife is made for military, law enforcement, and public safety workers. The last class is the Gold class, also known as the Collector class. This class of Benchmade knife is made for collectors and are limited edition.[13]
Benchmade has a
patent on the locking mechanism used in most of the switchblades they produce.[14] Benchmade additionally holds an exclusive license on use of the McHenry / Williams "AXIS Lock", a spring-operated locking mechanism used in both automatic and manual action models.
The designers are
Jody Samson,
Ernest Emerson, Allen Elishewitz, Mel Pardue, Bill McHenry,
Mike Snody, Jason Williams, Warren Osborne, Ken Steigerwalt, and Bob Lum.[15] Several production Benchmade models based on the work of these designers have become influential within the industry.[12][16][17]
Some of the Benchmade knife models include:
Benchmade Griptilian
Benchmade Freek
Benchmade Crooked River
Benchmade Bushcrafter
Benchmade Infidel
Benchmade SOCP
Benchmade 556 Mini Griptilian
Benchmade Contego (Discontinued)
Benchmade 940 Osborne
Benchmade BKC Bedlam Axis
Benchmade Serum (Discontinued)
Benchmade Mini Barrage
Benchmade Model 42
Benchmade Model 533 Mini-Bugout
Benchmade Model 535 Bugout
Benchmade Model 537 Bailout
Benchmade Model 4400 Casbah
Benchmade Model 51 Morpho
Awards and honors
Benchmade has won several awards and recognition for product innovation and design.[18]
The Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence Knife of the Year Winner, Benchmade 915 Triage (2011)[19]
Field & Stream Best Fixed Blade Knife Winner, Benchmade 162 Bushcrafter (2013)[20]
Kokatat American Made Outdoor Gear 'Sassy' Award Winner, Benchmade (2014)[21]
50 Campfires Gear of the Year Award Winner, Benchmade 551 Griptilian (2014)[22]
Knife News Dealer's Choice Best Overall Award Winner, Benchmade (2016)[23]
^Bottorff, Steve (2002). Sharpening Made Easy: A Primer on Sharpening Knives and Other Edged Tools. Knife World Publications. pp. 87–88.
ISBN978-0-940362-19-2.