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Benchmade Knife Company
Published: January 19th, 2026
Benchmade Knife Company began with a practical problem and a single individual trying to solve it. In the late 1970s, Les de Asis, a machinist living in California, became dissatisfied with the quality of butterfly knives available in the United States. Many were poorly constructed imports with loose tolerances and inconsistent materials. Drawing on his background in machining and metalwork, de Asis began building his own balisongs by hand, working out of a small second-story shop using secondhand equipment. His early focus was on tighter tolerances, improved durability, and repeatable construction.
In 1979, Les de Asis founded Bali-Song, Inc. One of the company’s earliest collaborators was custom knifemaker Jody Samson, whose experience in blade grinding and heat treatment helped shape the company’s early knives. Together, they produced the Bali-Song Model 68, which became one of the first widely recognized American-made balisongs. The knife’s build quality distinguished it from many competitors and helped establish Bali-Song as a serious manufacturer.
As demand increased through the early 1980s, the company expanded its product offerings beyond butterfly knives. To reflect this broader direction, the business was renamed Pacific Cutlery Corporation. The company began producing conventional folding knives and fixed blades alongside its balisongs. This expansion brought increased complexity to production and quality control, and maintaining consistency across a growing catalog proved difficult. By the mid-1980s, operational challenges led to the restructuring and renaming of Pacific Cutlery.
- Bali-Song was founded by Les de Asis in 1979 in California
- Bali-Songs first model was the Bali-Song Model 68
- In the early 1980s, Bali-Song was renamed to Pacific Cutlery Corporation
In 1988, Benchmade Knife Company was born with the intention of combining precision-machined components with careful hand assembly. The name was chosen to reflect that process, emphasizing work performed at the bench rather than fully automated production. From the beginning, Benchmade committed to manufacturing knives in the United States, placing priority on controlled production and consistent quality.
Two years later, Benchmade relocated operations from California to Clackamas, Oregon. The move placed the company within a growing regional hub for knife manufacturing and provided access to a skilled workforce. In 1996, Benchmade moved again, this time to a larger facility in Oregon City, Oregon. The expanded space allowed for greater control over manufacturing processes and supported increased production capacity. During this period, Benchmade invested in advanced manufacturing equipment, including high-powered laser cutting systems, allowing the company to work with harder blade steels while maintaining tighter tolerances.
- In 1988, Pacific Cutlery was renamed to Benchmade Knife Company
- In 1990, Benchmade moved from California to Clackamas, Oregon
- In 1996, Benchmade moved once again to Oregon City, Oregon (pictured above)
In 1999, Benchmade introduced the AXIS lock, one of the most significant developments in the company’s history. Designed by knifemakers Bill McHenry and Jason Williams, the mechanism debuted on the Benchmade 710. The system used a spring-loaded bar that engaged the blade tang securely and allowed for ambidextrous operation. Its strength and ease of use led to widespread adoption across Benchmade’s folding knife lineup and became a defining feature of the brand.
Classes of Benchmade Knives
As Benchmade’s catalog expanded in the early 2000s, the company introduced a formal class system to organize its knives by intended use and market position. First appearing in Benchmade catalogs around 2004, the structure grouped knives into clearly defined categories. Over time, additional purpose-driven classes were added as Benchmade expanded into more specialized outdoor and task-focused tools.
Blue Class
Model Shown: Bugout
The Blue Class became the foundation of Benchmade’s lineup, covering everyday carry and general-use knives designed for consistent daily performance. This class includes many of the company’s most recognizable models, such as the Griptilian series, Bugout, Osborne, Mini Bugout, and early production balisongs. Blue Class knives are produced as long-term staple in Benchmade’s lineup.
Black Class
Model Shown: Mini Adamas
The Black Class encompasses knives intended for professional and tactical use. These models are designed with military personnel, law enforcement officers, and other duty users in mind, emphasizing strength, secure grip, and dependable operation. Well-known Black Class knives include the Claymore, Immunity, Infidel, SOCP series, Adamas family, and a range of automatic folders and fixed blades developed to meet service and government contract requirements.
Gold Class
Model Shown: Necron
The Gold Class is the top tier of Benchmade’s production and is aimed primarily at collectors. Gold Class knives are produced in limited quantities and often feature premium materials, distinctive finishes, or unique design details not found in standard production models. These knives are typically released as one-time or short-run offerings and are often serialized.
Red Class (Discontinued)
Model Shown: Aphid
Benchmade also introduced the Red Class as a value-oriented category, consisting of knives produced overseas to Benchmade’s specifications. These models were priced lower than domestic offerings and were intended to broaden the company’s reach. The Red Class was discontinued around 2010 as Benchmade shifted its focus back toward U.S.-based manufacturing and a more streamlined product lineup.
Hunt Class
Model Shown: Hidden Canyon
In 2014, Benchmade expanded its outdoor offerings with the introduction of the Hunt Class. This category groups knives specifically designated for hunting and field processing tasks, with emphasis on edge control, corrosion resistance, and ease of cleaning. Popular Hunt Class models include the Saddle Mountain series, Hidden Canyon Hunter, Flyway, and TaggedOut, each built around the practical needs of hunters in the field.
Water Collection
Model Shown: Adira
Benchmade introduced the Water Collection in 2024 as a dedicated category for fishing and wet-environment work. The knives in this class were built around corrosion resistance, secure handling with wet hands, and straightforward maintenance after repeated exposure to water. Popular models in the Water Collection include the Adira, Mini Adira, Intersect, and Fishcrafter, among other models.
Through the 2010s and into the 2020s, Benchmade continued refining its catalog while maintaining its manufacturing base in Oregon. The company expanded its use of modern powder metallurgy steels to include steels like CPM MagnaCut and has continued its LifeSharp service program, offering sharpening and maintenance for the life of the knife. These practices reinforced Benchmade’s focus on longevity and serviceability.
Les de Asis remained actively involved with Benchmade until he died in 2020, after which leadership transitioned within the family. In the years that followed, Benchmade continued operating under the same principles that Les established during its formative years, and it has continued refining designs and maintaining domestic production.
Today, Benchmade is one of the most recognizable American knife manufacturers. From its beginnings in a small California workshop to its current operations in Oregon, it has grown from a small-scale operation into one of the largest knife manufacturers in the world, with a catalog that spans everyday carry, outdoor, kitchen, and professional-use knives.
What to Buy
The Benchmade 940 Osborne, designed by Warren Osborne, is apart of Benchmade’s Blue Class, and is built for slim carry and controlled cutting. Its 3.4-inch CPM S30V reverse tanto blade has a satin finish and a strong tip that works well for detail cuts and everyday utility. Ambidextrous thumb studs make opening simple, and the AXIS lock gives secure lockup with easy, safe closing. The 4.47-inch green anodized aluminum handle keeps the knife light and rigid, with purple barrel spacers adding a small hit of contrast. At 2.9 ounces, it rides comfortably with an ambidextrous tip-up pocket clip. Proudly made in the USA.
The Benchmade Claymore is a fast, hard-use out-the-side automatic built for duty-focused carry and part of Benchmade’s Black Class lineup. It centers on a 3.60-inch CPM D2 tanto blade with a Cobalt Black Cerakote finish and a partially serrated edge that excels on rope, webbing, and other fibrous materials. Push-button deployment is reinforced by an AXIS slide safety to help keep the blade secure during carry and movement. The 4.18-inch Cobalt Black Grivory handle keeps weight low while anodized 6061-T6 aluminum liners add strength and structure. A reversible tip-up pocket clip supports ambidextrous carry, and overall weight comes in at 2.56 ounces. Made in the USA.
The Benchmade Bugout 535 is a purpose-built everyday carry folder from Benchmade’s Blue Class, focused on lightweight performance and clean, efficient design. It carries a 3.24-inch CPM S30V drop point blade with a satin finish, offering a dependable balance of edge retention, corrosion resistance, and easy maintenance for daily cutting tasks. Ambidextrous thumb studs and Benchmade’s AXIS lock provide smooth one-handed operation and secure lockup. The 4.22-inch blue Grivory handle keeps weight to a minimum while maintaining a comfortable, neutral grip that works well in extended use. At just 1.85 ounces, the Bugout rides easily with a deep-carry pocket clip and lanyard hole. Made in the USA.
Written By
Drew Clifton
Drew is the lead writer for SMKW's Knives 101, crafting informative and engaging content for the world’s largest knife store. With expertise in knife history, design, and functionality, Drew delivers articles and product descriptions that educate and inspire knife enthusiasts at all levels.
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T.C. Barnette
T.C. Barnette is a dynamic media personality and the esteemed spokesperson for SMKW (Smoky Mountain Knife Works), where his passion for knives intersects with his captivating on-screen presence. With a magnetic charisma and deep expertise in cutlery, T.C. has become a beloved figure in the knife community.