Creating a list of the best Benchmade knives isn’t easy. Benchmade has such a wide selection of top-notch cutlery, and all of it is purpose-built for something. You can bet your life on any Benchmade knife, so I did my best to find the best of the best for this article. The knives below have made especially big waves in their respective categories and have become favorites of hobbyists and professionals worldwide.
So, without further ado, here are the best Benchmade knives!
10 Best Benchmade Knives
- Best Benchmade Pocket Knife – 940 Osborne
- Best Benchmade EDC Knife – Bugout
- Best Benchmade Outdoor Knife – Freek
- Best Benchmade Hunting Knife – Meatcrafter
- Best Benchmade Tactical Knife – Adamas
- Best Benchmade Fixed Blade – Bushcrafter
- Best Benchmade Folding Knife – Narrows
- Best Benchmade Automatic Knife – Claymore
- Best Benchmade OTF – Shootout
- Best Benchmade Bali-Song – Necron
1. Best Benchmade Pocket Knife – 940 Osborne
For almost two decades, the Benchmade 940 has dazzled knife users the world over because it’s just so dang versatile. It’s small and slim enough to slip into EDC roles, but robust enough for long days of hard work. It was designed by Warren Osborne as the perfect knife for ranchers, but it’s good for so much more. We’ve seen everyone from survivalists to cops to programmers carrying the 940, and they all love it!
Don’t just take my word for it! Look at what Zachary P. had to say about it:
“This knife has lived in my pocket since I got it!”
I’ll be honest, at first I was skeptical. Could this knife really be everything people say it is? Yes, yes it was. This knife is sturdy, perfectly made, and just melts away in your pocket. Everything about it just makes me happy. [I] have used it all day every day at work … It has eaten cardboard every day (about an hour each day) and is still hair popping sharp. It’s a brute when you want it to be and a surgeon’s scalpel when you need it to be. If you are considering it, just make the investment. You won’t be disappointed.Zachary P. on Sep 21, 2023
2. Best Benchmade EDC Knife – Bugout
The Bugout isn’t just a great EDC knife – it single-handedly revolutionized the concept of an EDC knife. It packed a premium blade steel, a strong and ambidextrous lock, and a tasteful design, all into less than two ounces. All that, combined with Benchmade’s warranty, makes this one of the best EDC knives you can get at any price.
As you might imagine, many other knife companies have come out with an ultra-light-3-inch-drop-point-crossbar-lock folder in search of a piece of the Bugout pie, but in our opinion, the original is still the king! Even Everson agrees:
“Amazing lw knife”
This is by far my fav knife for any type of carry, it is unbelievably light and surprisingly durable. This tools 5 stars cannot be overtold. Def a recommendable knife.Everson T. on Feb 5, 2021
3. Best Benchmade Outdoor Knife – Freek
For hikers and campers, it’s difficult to beat the Freek. It shares many characteristics with EDC knives, but it’s a bit bigger and beefier, and it uses a CPM M4 blade steel. That steel is popular in outdoor knives for its incredible toughness and edge retention, but it is susceptible to rust. Benchmade gave it a Cerakote finish for protection, so you get the best of both worlds!
The Freek is light enough to not weigh you down on a long hike but strong enough for harder camp tasks. We love the Freek! And so does Johnathan:
“The Ultimate Daily Driver… Do It, Do It, Do It!!”
I have them all; the Bugout, Griptilian, PM2, Osborne, you name it, I got it. Not one of these even comes close to the Super Freek. It’s hands down my go-to daily driver. The blade length is goldilocks, not too big, not too small. It’s just right for pretty much all my daily tasks … The handle is where the Super Freek really shines. I can get a full purchase on it, there’s 100% no flex what so ever, and it just looks outstanding … the Super Freek completely fills my hand without being too much in my pocket. Overall, the Super Freek is the best daily driver that can do it all. Don’t waste your time on the most popular knives, get what works and save yourself some money.Jonathan F. on Aug 11, 2024
4. Best Benchmade Hunting Knife – Meatcrafter
The purpose of a hunting knife is to convert your fresh kill into either edible meat or a mountable trophy. For this job, not just any knife will do. The Benchmade Meatcrafter takes the job very seriously. Its blade is thin and flexy like a filet knife and features Benchmade’s SelectEdge, an extremely thin 28°-inclusive edge for effortless slicing. In the hand, it almost feels like it belongs in the kitchen, but its Kydex sheath and rubberized handle allow you to carry it and use it in the field. It’s a perfect addition to any hunting loadout!
Even one of our in-house employees recommends it! She’s a huntress, so you’ll want to read what she has to say:
“The Benchmade Meatcrafter is a knife i swear by.”
I’d recommend it to anyone wanting to make precise and clean cuts whether its meat from the store or some you got yourself. It is the knife for the outdoors and the kitchen. It has the right amount of bend in the blade where i am able to debone, but also cut through because of how tough of a blade it is with just one knife. I love the pointy tip too because it helps me open up the animal easily without fearing to puncture any organs that would contaminate the meat. As a hunter, I have used it to process game animals. I got a swan last year and processed the whole bird with it. It felt effortless with the Benchmade Meatcrafter. I plan on using it to process a buck pronghorn or buck elk this year if i have the honor of getting either one of those. I have no doubt that I’ll have a similar experience with it.Kendall R. on Aug 22, 2024
5. Best Benchmade Tactical Knife – Adamas
When military and police personnel need a knife, it’s for everything from utility cuts to extrication and combat. That’s where the Adamas comes in. This beast of a folder has a heavy, overbuilt handle and a tough CPM CruWear blade. These features give you a bomb-proof knife capable of anything you can dish it that fits right in your pocket!
Don’t believe me? See why Jonah carries it:
“Workhorse of a knife”
This has become my work EDC knife. Being a first responder and paramedic, I need something that I can rely on in any situation and this knife is it. Sure, it is big and heavy, however, if you can get past that, this knife is the complete package. It is sharp out of the box, heavy duty and dependable. It can cut through anything in my workplace with ease such as thick canvas firehose, cardboard, bandaging materials, etc. If you want the best knife and are willing to spend the money, I hands down recommend the Adamas.Jonah M. on Dec 9, 2022
If you like the Adamas, you should also check out the Adamas Mini, Automatic, Mini Automatic, and Fixed Blade variants!
6. Best Benchmade Fixed Blade – Bushcrafter
Bushcraft is about using quality tools to make the most of your surroundings, and for that job, I’d happily pick the Benchmade Bushcrafter. This knife was re-designed this year to be more faithful to the Shane Sibert custom, and it’s better than ever. Its thick, contoured handle is comfortable for long carving sessions, its S30V blade has superior edge retention to many common fixed blade steels, and its leather sheath holds the knife securely when not in use. They did a great job with this one!
Already have this knife? Be the first to review it for a chance to get featured in our blog!
7. Best Benchmade Folding Knife – Narrows
If you’re after the finest Benchmade knife, no holds barred, you’re looking for the Narrows. I’ve held the Narrows many times, and every single time I do, I’m surprised by how thin it is. I don’t know how Benchmade managed to pack an entire AXIS Lock mechanism in to such a thin piece of titanium, but they did! And it doesn’t stop there, it has a Bohler M390 blade and Benchmade’s Mini Deep Carry pocket clip. Often, high-end knives are big, loud, and call attention to themselves. Not the Narrows – it’s as low-key as you want a knife to be, but as premium as any knife I’ve ever held!
Already have this knife? Be the first to review it for a chance to get featured in our blog!
8. Best Benchmade Automatic Knife – Claymore
Benchmade has built a reputation for maximum strength with minimum weight, and the Claymore is one of the best examples. Its blade is made of CPM D2. I know D2 is a steel we’ve seen for decades, but CPM D2 takes the formula to a whole new level. Thanks to its finer grain structure, it’s much tougher and offers more edge retention. The Claymore’s handle saves weight by trading the traditional solid aluminum handle for FRN scales, which are much lighter than aluminum, over steel liners, which are much stronger than aluminum. The result is a battle-ready auto with a total weight of only 3.87 ounces.
Check out what Joshua had to say about it:
“First auto knife & my first Benchmade”
Absolutely stunning knife. The build quality is superb and the feel is dang near perfect. The opening mechanism is POWERFUL so like the others have said in past reviews, squeeze that sucker and hold on tight when you press the button. Seriously though, one absolutely fine knife. I was so impressed with Benchmade, I turned around and ordered a Bugout within a week of getting this. You will not regret this purchase so stop thinkin about it and just get it.Joshua B. on Jan 15, 2024
9. Best Benchmade OTF – Shootout
All OTF’s have a rail system, and that system must be bedded. Most OTF’s, and many Benchmade OTF’s, do this by bedding in solid aluminum. This makes a great knife, but it’s heavy and expensive. The Shootout made waves with its revolutionary build, using a carbon fiber reinforced nylon called CF Elite for the handle.
Through some clever engineering, Benchmade bedded the rail system in the CF Elite, giving you an OTF that’s much lighter, and much cheaper, than most alternatives. And I don’t know if it’s “stronger” or not, but I can tell you this: I have seen a Shootout run over by a truck with my own eyes, and it still functions perfectly.
Is that strong enough for you? It sure is for TJ…
“Amazing entry level otf”
Very safe knife won’t go until you let it, easy sharpening and stays sharp for awhile I use it to cut down boxes mostly (because why not) and after the day of work it still can still pass the paper test. I love Benchmade and I love them even more after about 4 months of this knife. I’ve never had a half open happen or a misfire. In conclusion TRUST THIS KNIFE!!Tj A. on Jun 24, 2023
10. Best Benchmade Bali-Song – Necron
Even though they have become more focused on other knives, make no mistake. Benchmade created the modern Balisong market. In fact, many discontinued Benchmade Bali-Songs are hot collector’s items now. But in 2024, the new Necron is the Bali-Song we’ve been waiting for. It takes Benchmade back to its roots of butterfly knives for self-defense. To that end, it has a user-customizable adjustable weight system and Benchmade’s scary-sharp SelectEdge. The Necron has a few other tricks up its sleeve, you should check it out if you want to learn more!
Here’s what one of our very own BHQ resident knife nuts had to say about it:
“Now I have a one-of-a-kind knife.”
I bought the Benchmade Necron butterfly knife just to add it to my collection … First impressions unboxing the knife were pretty good as it comes in a nicely insulated vintage looking display box. Included in the box were the extra handle spacers so you could choose the length of the handles. You can also adjust the bias of the handle with the included Tungsten weights. I liked playing around with the balance until I found what worked for me … I bought the Jade Necron so I could Rit Dye the handles (Royal purple). Turned out great. Now I have a one-of-a-kind knife. Until someone else dyes theirs the same. Oh, and this was probably one of the sharpest knives out of the box. I’ve already cut myself like 4 times. I was surprised at how sharp it was … I think it’s a great knife … I’d probably give it 4 stars.Justin L. on Aug 23, 2024
Still asking what the best Benchmade knives are for you?
If you’re still unsure which Benchmade knife is right, watch our “Before You Buy A Benchmade Knife” video guide.
Are Benchmade Knives really the best?
Benchmade knives are absolutely some of the best. One of my favorite things about Benchmade is their blatant rejection of planned obsolescence. They’re not like a phone that’s designed to break after five years, a lightbulb that’s meant to burn out, or a graphics card that won’t fit into next year’s computer. Benchmade knives are purpose-built and backed by a great warranty. If you buy a Benchmade, rest assured that it will be Yours, for Life.
