Benchmade

The Benchmade Knife Company is an American knife manufacturer in Oregon City, Oregon.

History
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. In 1996, the company moved to a 144,000 square foot facility in Oregon City, Oregon. 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". ”Benchmade's original Bali-Song design by Jody Samson was awarded Blade Magazine's Knife of the Year Award in 1979.

Founder Les deAsis died February 21, 2020, following a stroke. Roberta deAsis held the position of President and CEO following his death and was succeeded by her son, Jon, in October 2020.

Headquarters location
In 1996, Benchmade moved to Oregon City. Apart from some Red Class products, which were produced in their "off shore facilities", ”Benchmade has produced more than 90% of its knives in Oregon City, and has succeeded in bringing others back to home production. Since 2010, all Red Class production knives have been discontinued, and as such, every Benchmade labeled knife is made in the United States.

Products
Blade steels such as 154CM, D2, CPM S30V steel, CPM S90V steel, CPM 20CV, N690 and M390 are used on many models. Benchmade also uses high speed M2 and CPM M4 tool steels.

Benchmade receives a significant amount of revenue from selling restricted-sales knives to the military and law enforcement. 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.

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.

Benchmade has a patent on the locking mechanism used in most of the switchblades they produce. 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. Several production Benchmade models based on the work of these designers have become influential within the industry.

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.


 * The Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence Knife of the Year Winner, Benchmade 915 Triage (2011)
 * Field & Stream Best Fixed Blade Knife Winner, Benchmade 162 Bushcrafter (2013)
 * Kokatat American Made Outdoor Gear 'Sassy' Award Winner, Benchmade (2014)
 * 50 Campfires Gear of the Year Award Winner, Benchmade 551 Griptilian (2014)
 * Knife News Dealer's Choice Best Overall Award Winner, Benchmade (2016)
 * Oregon Manufacturing Awards, Product Innovation Category Winner, Benchmade (2017)