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Benchmade Knives Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Manufacturing & Sales



Who Makes Benchmade Knives?

Benchmade Knife Company is a company based in Oregon and founded by Les de Asis. Les formed Benchmade in 1987 with a focus on quality and customer service. The company is known for being the first to employ high-tech tools, like a high-power laser cutter and low-tolerance CNC machinery, into the manufacturing process.



How Are Benchmade Knives Made?

Each Benchmade knife is manufactured with high-quality materials and modern machining techniques that ensure a premium finished product. Some of the machines that the company uses are on par with those in the aerospace industry and have tolerances less than half the width of a human hair! Coupled with well-trained technicians, these processes ensure that the knives made by Benchmade are tightly controlled for quality.



What is the best Benchmade knife?

Each benchmade knife is designed for a specific purpose so the answer varies based upon use. Some of the most popular models are the Griptilian, 940 Osborne and 535 Bugout folding knives.



Does Benchmade make good knives?

Yes. Benchmade is known for its high-quality American-made knives in the price range of $100-200. They make a wide variety of knives from everyday carry (EDC) folding knives, fixed blades, and hunting knives. Each Benchmade comes with a lifetime warranty so you can have it repaired or serviced.



Is a Benchmade knife worth it?

Yes. A Benchmade knife is an American-made product that should last a lifetime. The workmanship, materials, service, and technology make the knives a good value in the price range of $100-200. Each Benchmade includes a full lifetime warranty for repairs. They utilize some of the best materials available for knives which include high-end steel, G10, micarta, aluminum and carbon fiber.



Where Are Benchmade Knives Made?

Benchmade is headquartered in Oregon City, Oregon, and they have a 144,000-square-foot manufacturing facility where all Benchmade-labeled knives are made.



Which Benchmade Knives Are Made in the U.S.A.?

Benchmade manufactures each knife they sell at a facility in Oregon City, Oregon. All of Benchmade's knives are made in the U.S.A.



Where Are Benchmade Knives Sold?

Because of their high quality and innovative features, Benchmade knives are sold at high-end outdoor and sporting goods stores around the U.S. and in more than 20 countries around the world. Authentic Benchmade knives can also be purchased online, such as from authorized dealer KnifeArt.



Where Can You Buy Benchmade Knives Online?

Many websites sell Benchmade knives, but due to the knives' popularity and the concern of getting a counterfeit, you must buy from an authorized Benchmade dealer to be confident that you're getting what you pay for. KnifeArt is an authorized Benchmade dealer that has been in business for more than 20 years and offers a wide selection of Benchmade products and a satisfaction guarantee.



Who Sells Benchmade Knives?

Benchmade knives are often carried by gun dealers, knife and tactical supply stores, sporting goods stores, marine suppliers and even jewelers. Online stores carry Benchmade products as well, but you'll want to order from an authorized Benchmade dealer like KnifeArt to ensure you get an authentic blade.



How Much Do Benchmade Knives Cost?

There are many different styles of Benchmade knives available, ranging from folding to fixed to tactical blades. Some of the basic, lower-end knives can be purchased for less than $100, but most of the company's products are in the $150-$300 range. Benchmade also makes very high-end knives, such as in their Gold Class of products, that cost more than $550; many collectible knives such as first-production runs of a Benchmade model can sell for even more.



Styles of Benchmade Knives

Which Benchmade Knives Are Assisted?

Several models in the Benchmade family are assisted opening and incorporate the AXIS Lock system. These include the Arcane, Boost, Emissary 3.5 and Volli families, the Barrage and Mini Barrage families, the 495 Vector, the 470-1 and the 595 lines of Mini Boost blades.



Which Benchmade Knives Make Good Groomsman Gifts?

Nearly any type of Benchmade knife will make an excellent gift for your groomsmen, but some of the smaller folders are ideal for this occasion. You might consider the Mini Griptillian, a 485 Valet model or one of the assisted-opening knives from the Volli family. Please ask if you have questions about the best knife to meet your needs.



Who are some of the most popular designers of Benchmade knives? Legendary Mel Pardue, an influential knifemaker creating strong utility knives with class. Warren Osborne, specializing in quality hand-finished pocket knives. Shane Sibert, known for functional durable designs for the outdoors.

What is the locking mechanism on most Benchmade knives? Most Benchmade knives are often made with the patented Axis Lock system originally designed by knifemakers Bill McHenry and Jason Williams. The Axis Lock mechanism, an asset for ambidextrous one-handed operation, has greatly improved the strength, construction, and safety of the standard folding knife, allowing for fast and efficient deployment of the blade.

What are Benchmade Osborne knife designs? Designer Warren Osborne is best known for the Emissary 3.5, Barrage, fixed Contego, and the intensely popular 940/943 Family.

Sharpening Benchmade Knives

How Sharp Are Benchmade Knives?

Benchmade knives come from the factory sharpened and ready to use. The type of carbon steel used in most models of Benchmade knives is designed to hold a superior cutting edge. It's important to ensure your blade remains sharp for safety and to ensure that your knife stays in good working order. Dull blades require more force to use and may result in a damaged knife.



How Do You Sharpen Benchmade Knives?

Benchmade recommends that you use their LifeSharp service to ensure that your blade is properly sharpened. KnifeArt does not offer a sharpening service and we recommend that you use LifeSharp or work with a professional custom knife maker who can assist you.

If you are sharpening your knife at home, use whichever sharpening system you are most comfortable with.



What angle are Benchmade knives sharpened?

Benchmade knives typically carry an angle between 30 and 35 degrees inclusive.



Does Benchmade Sharpen Serrated Edges?

No, Benchmade does not offer sharpening for blades with serrated edges. Often, a replacement blade can be purchased and installed through Benchmade.



Can you sharpen a Benchmade knife?

Yes. All Benchmade knives can be re-sharpened for a lifetime of use. The company even provides a 'LifeSharp' program that will clean, adjust, oil and re-sharpen their knives free of charge. Click here for more information on Lifesharp



Quality of Benchmade Knives

How Good Are Benchmade Knives?

Benchmade knives are known to be some of the best in the industry. All the company's blades are made in the U.S. under strict manufacturing tolerances and quality assurance programs.



Are Benchmade Knives the Best?

Deciding which brand of knife is best can be subjective, but Benchmade knives are known for their high quality. Founder Les de Asis made knives for nearly a decade before founding Benchmade and learned many valuable lessons about how to ensure high quality and product availability - lessons that he used to develop the values of Benchmade. The company utilizes new technological advances and excellent employee training to maintain its high standards and backs those up with a lifetime warranty on each knife they sell.



Are Benchmade Knives Worth the Price?

Made from high quality materials and with exceptional attention to detail and quality, Benchmade knives are considered to be a good value at their $150 to $300 average price point.



How Can You Spot Fake Benchmade Knives?

Counterfeit knives are a problem for nearly every manufacturer in the knife industry. Avoid being scammed by purchasing your Benchmade knife from an authorized dealer like KnifeArt. If you already own a knife that you suspect is fake, see our article on how to tell if your knife is counterfeit.



Are Benchmade Knives Handmade?

No, Benchmade knives are not handmade. The company does work with some of the world's best designers and utilizes the latest manufacturing technology to create high-quality blades that adhere to very tight tolerances and that appeal to most knife users.



What Benchmade steel is best? To select the best steel for a knife, the intended use must be considered. 154CM steel is an excellent all-purpose stainless steel, with a decent hard range for heavy cutting applications. CPM 30V steel offers toughness, great corrosion resistance and superior edge retention due to high amounts of Carbon and Vanadium. S90V is an exceptional tool steel offering superior wear resistance and excellent edge retention.

What type of steel is used on Benchmade knives? Benchmade chooses premium blade stainless steel to best suit individual knife styles and applications. 154CM, M390, N680, S30V, S90V, D2, CPM-M4 to name a few.

What is the most popular knife that Benchmade makes? Currently, the most popular Benchmade knives are the Griptilian series designed by Mel Pardue and the 940 series designed by Warren Osborne.

Which Benchmade knife is best? There are many quality Benchmade knives to recommend based on function and application. The Griptilian, designed by Mel Pardue, is a high quality yet affordable knife. The 940 series, designed by Warren Osborne, is a versatile, slim, lightweight knife able to withstand any task, ideal for everyday carry. The 484 Nakamura design is a tactical knife with a comfortable, solid feel. Its incredible design and functional strength make it a powerful contender.

Are Benchmade Knives Made in China?

ALL authentic Benchmade knives are made in the USA.



Are Benchmade Knives Made in the U.S.A.?

Yes, all Benchmade knives are manufactured in Oregon City, Oregon, U.S.A.



Warranty, Identification & Legal Issues



Do Benchmade Knives Have a Lifetime Warranty?

Yes, Benchmade includes a written lifetime warranty with each knife the company sells. The warranty applies only to the original owner and guarantees that the knife will not have any defects in materials or workmanship. The warranty does not cover normal wear or damage caused by misuse or disassembly. If you ever need to take advantage of the lifetime warranty, it's up to Benchmade to decide whether to repair or replace the blade. Note that you must purchase your Benchmade knife from an authorized dealer like KnifeArt to take advantage of this lifetime warranty.



Do Benchmade Knives Have Serial Numbers?

Some first production and collectible Benchmade knives have serial numbers, but most of the company's products are not numbered.



Do Benchmade Knives Include the Model Number?

Most Benchmade Knives will show the model number in small type under the company's butterfly logo on the front of the blade.



Are Benchmade Knives Legal in Canada?

In early 2018, the Canadian Border Services Agency began to crack down on some types of folding knives brought across the border. Blades banned for import into Canada include assisted opening knives and folding knives that open by gravity or centrifugal force. Knives that incorporate Benchmade's AXIS Lock system may fall into a gray area under these regulations, though typically they should be safe to ship to Canada and are certainly legal to own in Canada. Here's more information about the issue.