Benchmade Knife Company Inc. From Benchmade

ABOUT US: Benchmade Knife Company, Inc. set-up shop in Clackamas, Oregon in 1990 (originally founded in California in 1988). The initial knives primarily consisted of the Bali-Song® knives, using a combination of outside vendors and inside processing to build finished products. And like most companies, starting out meant scarce money and big plans, using second hand equipment and limited resources.

Soon, a natural born fortitude and an undying passion to make it right and make it Benchmade, prospered into significant growth. As the product line grew so did the in-house capabilities. We began to acquire new machines and technologies including the first of several lasers, making Benchmade the first knife manufacturer to have such equipment in-house. Open minds and positive attitudes would lead to several more industry firsts over the course of the next several years.

This was only the beginning of Benchmade's breaking of new ground in the manufactured knife markets by using non-traditional materials and modern manufacturing methods in not only building knives better but, inevitably building better knives. The Designer Series was first introduced in 1991 with several custom designs being manufactured. By tapping into the custom knife makers' knowledge and combining it with our manufacturing expertise we were more readily able to offer more contemporary knife designs and innovations to the knife users.

Consecutive years of aggressive growth led to the next logical step in 1996 when Benchmade moved into its own 35,000 sq. ft. facility. A contemporary styled building complete with all of the modern equipment and amenities necessary to manufacture what has become recognized as a higher standard of specialty cutlery.

Today, Benchmade Knife Company, Inc. manufactures knives for a loyal and ever growing following of knife users. As we move into the 21st century we are poised for even more exciting opportunities, innovations and ongoing total world-class quality. Here at Benchmade we employ a simple philosophy- "Make it cool, make it solid, make it happen and definitely make it Benchmade."

GOLD CLASS   Erasing the lines between custom and manufactured, it is a matter of satisfying the ultimate desire. Whether it is embellishing existing designs to loftier heights, creating entirely new ones, or even crafting a one of a kind experience from a collector?s wish list, the Gold class clearly sets the new standard of knife manufacturing.

BLUE CLASS   Staying true to blue, the Blue Class represents the heart of everything that is Benchmade. For years it?s been where people have come to expect greatness. Whether it?s folders or fixed blades, the Blue Class knife is designed and built for the individual who appreciates the difference a high-quality cutting tool can make.

BLACK CLASS   It represents the most commonly used knives by professionals where life and death situations are often all in a day?s work, so the tools they use must be up to the challenge as well. From Law Enforcement and Public Safety to elite Military troops, our obligation is still the same, the best tools for the job. Imagine what they can do in your world.

RED CLASS   Edged tools with the same Benchmade signature innovation and performance driven mindset, geared for the casual knife buyer. It?s a commitment to be the “best in class” value, and initiate an entirely new group of knife users to the Benchmade performance difference. (The Red Class products, except the Model 160, are produced in our monitored off shores facility.)

Form and function are the key ingredients to any knife design, and we take both very seriously at Benchmade. That is the reason behind our Benchmade Designer Series. It's founded on the premise of a high regard for the individual custom knife maker and what they represent to the knife industry. These skilled artisans and craftsmen pour their passions and employ their talents into making unique realities one piece at a time. They are continually developing new innovations and fresh designs, which improve the form and function of knives. By working closely with a selection of world-class custom designers, Benchmade is able to tap into the newest locking mechanisms, modern materials, and the latest designs. Collaboration between designer and manufacturer transpires into something special that previously may have only been enjoyed by a fortunate few. It works because we all share the same passion for superior form and function in making one of mankind's oldest tools.

And it certainly doesn't stop here! Benchmade is committed to working with the hottest custom designers, and delivering the latest designs and innovations. We'll continue driving the manufactured knife market to still higher standards for the future! It's what we do.

PARDUE- Mel Pardue is one of those rare individuals who get paid for doing what he enjoys most- fashioning various materials and metals into custom cutting tools. He's been doing just that for over 20 years now, and thankfully for all of us, he has no plans of retiring anytime soon. Mel's association with Benchmade brings his custom knife making experiences and a personal knife design style that has a class and simplicity all its own. Some of his current Benchmade collaborations offer great utility to the everyday knife user while at the same time presenting an upscale distinction. Less is definitely more when it comes to Mel's designs.

  MCHENRY & WILLIAMS- It runs in the family…Bill McHenry and stepson Jason Williams spend their days making exquisite pieces of "art with an edge on it" in a small shop tucked away in the rural woods of the Northeast. Their very meticulous, one-of-a-kind productions are sold to a select group of collectors. Bill's fine art and metal smithing background combines well with Jason's mechanical background, and together they have been responsible for introducing several notable innovations into the knife making world. Benchmade was fortunate to be involved with their most recent innovation, the revolutionary AXIS™ locking mechanism. It represents four years of their persistent "tinkering" until they were satisfied it was right, which translates into what some have proclaimed to be "the strongest folding lock mechanism ever." It's certainly one of the smoothest.

  OSBORNE- A recent addition to the Benchmade collaboration team, Warren Osborne is one of those custom knife makers who is truly impassioned about his work. For Warren, having been raised in the farming and ranching industry taught him early on what great utility a quality knife can offer. How a knife feels in the hand over extended use, blade design/edge configurations and the types of materials used as well as the quality with which it is made are all mandatory parts to an Osborne design. Over the years Warren has carved out a loyal following in the custom knife world as a result of his award winning innovation and quality designs... We at Benchmade are excited to be working in collaboration with Warren Osborne and look forward to bringing his functional designs to the world.

  FECAS- A well spoken Southern gentleman, Steve Fecas calls South Carolina home. The mystique of custom knives and what they have to offer caught his eye in the mid-1970's and he has been creating some of his own special mystique ever since. The Fecas custom knives are primarily hunters, boots, fighters, and gent folders. All of which favor a stylish, swept back slenderness all to their own. As a testament to Steve's talent, his custom designs appear all throughout the custom knife market with a common theme… SOLD.

  STEIRER EISEN- There's more to living in Austria than picturesque vistas. For Armin Stuetz it has been making his fascination with knives become a livelihood over the years. He founded Steirer Eisen which is his own knife manufacturing company located in Styria, Austria. There, he and his staff of artisans and fine craftsmen work their passions into knife designs direct from the heart. Armin says he is only satisfied when his customers are satisfied. Hmm…sounds familiar.

  NEIL BLACKWOOD- A lifelong hobby turned fulltime profession, Neil grew up naturally working with his hands as his father was a shop teacher. His custom work really takes advantage of the latests materials and works them into creative reflections of his detailed eye. He says if his love of what he does ever fades, he will pick up a fishing pole.

  MIKE SNODY- Exploding into the knife making world, Mike has successfully created a name for himself in a short amount of time by wrapping solid function in the guise of contemporary design. His design influence is derived from his own personal experiences. And his "sensitive" side certainly hasn't held him back either.

Benchmade knives are high-performance cutting tools made from some of the finest materials in the world. Even though we use these select materials it is still important to use proper care and maintenance to ensure optimum performance levels. Always keep your knife blade sharp. A dull knife requires additional force to use and is potentially more dangerous to use than a sharp one. There are a variety of products available when it comes to sharpening your knife. Benchmade also offers a LifeSharp™ service to its customers, which is a nice convenience. As for which one is best, it pretty much comes down to choosing the one you're most comfortable with using. Never sharpen your knife on a power-grinding wheel as this can burn the temper out of the blade and weaken its integrity.

Always keep the locking areas of your knife clean- accumulation of dirt or debris could adversely affect the locking mechanism creating a potential safety hazard. To clean these areas we recommend using compressed air and lubricating with the specialty lubricant, MILITEC-1®.

Most of our blade steels have a very high carbon content which enables them to hold a superior cutting edge. Unfortunately, carbon is also the element that causes rust so, preventive care is required if the knife is used in humid or marine environments. To aid in the cleaning of rust on the blades, we recommend using a fine grade, semi-chrome polish. A product such as marine Tuf-Cloth™ works well to not only wipe down the blade for cleaning but, also adds an invisible coating for added corrosion protection without leaving any oily film which may attract dirt and debris. Lightly lubricate the pivot of the blade periodically to keep it operating smoothly.

Never attempt to use your knife as a screwdriver, pry-bar, chisel, or punch. Never throw your knife. It was not designed for those purposes. Use for any purpose other than cutting is considered abuse and is not covered under the Benchmade Warranty. DO NOT disassemble your Benchmade knife. Disassembly by anyone other than the Benchmade Knife Company, Inc. Warranty/Repair Department will void the warranty! Minimum charge to reassemble your knife is $20.00 plus parts.

Most of all please enjoy your new knife and always remember to use it in a safe, responsible manner. Thank you for choosing Benchmade.

When it comes to knives, there are many different blade styles, finishes, coatings and configurations. Determinations of each can be based on applicable tool function as well as the overall knife design. Below are descriptions of Benchmade's current offerings.

EDGE CONFIGURATIONS
This refers to the cutting edge itself, and we currently offer two primary edge configurations. PLAIN EDGE, which is the traditional straight ground cutting edge. This edge is the most common used in knives due in part to its relative ease of resharpening and overall blade utility. COMBOEDGE™ is the Benchmade term for a blade which is mostly plain edge, but also has a partially serrated edge. This blade enhancement is beneficial to the knife user who has a need for cutting fibrous materials such as rope or webbing on a regular basis. The serration provides a scalpel sharp cutting surface while increasing the cutting edge length in a shorter distance. Benchmade has also created a hook blade in the Rescue Hook models, which is designed to readily cut fibrous materials like a serrated edge, but without the exposed blade edge.

BLADE FINISHES & COATINGS
Blade finishes refers to the surface treatment of the blade, which can be anything from the way in which the steel is processed, to a multitude of blade coatings which are applied to the blade itself. We use a variety of finish methods to "dress" our blades. The two most common terms used to describe Benchmade blade finishes are SATIN, POLISHED, BEAD BLAST, BK1, or BP1.

SATIN FINISH- creates a low-luster sheen to the blade steel surface. Several common forms of satin finish include:

• STONEWASH- the blade surface is refined using abrasive tumbling media or "stones" that leave a pronounced random "scratch pattern" on the blade. This finish tends to mask any scratches that may occur with use. Examples- Model 805, 813
• SCOTCHBRITE- this finish softly blends the grinding lines on the blade leaving a pleasant "grained" or "brushed" look. Typically the graining pattern goes from spine to edge. Examples- Model 190, 4530
• TUMBLED or VIBED- similar to a stonewash finish; this finish leaves the blades bright and smooth with a faint random scratch pattern. Examples- Griptilians, Bali-Songs
• BURNISHED- usually applied using non-abrasive media, whether by hand or in vibratory equipment. This finish refines the blade surface without much of a discernable graining or scratch pattern. Examples- Model 770, 941
• HAND RUBBED- a finish typically done only by custom knife makers, it is similar to a scotchbrite finish with the main exception being that the graining goes from tang to tip.

POLISHED FINISH- can be defined as any highly-reflective or glossy finish that refines and smoothes the metal surface. This finish aids in corrosion resistance as microscopic peaks and valleys of the blade surface are smoothed out leaving less surface area exposed.
BEAD BLAST FINISH- can be defined as any non-reflective finish applied to the metal surface by bead blasting or sand blasting the blade with any of a variety of media. The intent is to roughen the surface for anti-glare. The trade off is it tends to be more susceptible to corrosion due to the increased surface area exposed. This finish is also commonly referred to as a "military finish".
BT2 BLADE COATING- A PTFE based, food grade coating (non-toxic) that when applied to a blade, provides exceptional corrosion resistance as well as a non-reflective surface. This coating fills in all of the valleys or "pores" on the surface of a blade reducing the surface area of the blade. Basically that means that even as the coating is "worn away" it's still doing it's job of providing corrosion resistance since water can't get into the "pores" of the steel. This coating is no longer used on Benchmade products.
BK1 BenchKote™ BLADE COATING- Our own proprietary blade coating offering excellent corrosion resistance, which exceeds the ASTM-117 specification for saltwater corrosion resistance. BK1 is a poly-ceramic coating (a blend of polymers and ceramic). It's thinner than the previous blade coating BT2, has equal to or better corrosion resistance (exceeding the ASTM salt spray standard) and unlike BT2 has much better wear resistance due to the ceramic.
BC1 BLADE COATING- No longer used on current product knives.
BP1 BLADE COATING- BP1 is a physical vapor deposition or 'PVD' process. It offers an extremely hard, thin ceramic surface layer to the blade, and it is applied in a vacuum chamber. Its extreme hardness and excellent adhesion provide wear resistance and lubricity while creating an attractive visual distinction in the process.

BLADE STEELS (Table of Common Steels)
When it comes to blade steels, Benchmade not only selects premium grades for their natural qualities, but we also have perfected our own proprietary custom heat treat process which maximizes each steel's edge toughness and cutting performance.

154CM- An American made premium grade stainless steel originally developed for turbine blades in jet engines. The predecessor to ATS-34, which has now seen a strong resurgence in the knife market. Good corrosion resistance with excellent toughness and edge quality.
S30V- An American made and developed premium grade stainless steel created especially for knives. It is a powder made steel with uniform structure and clean steel properties. As a blade it offers excellent corrosion resistance and excellent edge qualities.
D2- An air-hardened tool steel, which offers good corrosion resistance and excellent mileage in wear resistance. A good choice for hard use environments.
440C- A high-chromium stainless steel with an excellent balance of good hardness and excellent corrosion resistance. 440C takes a nice edge and comes back fairly easy as well. An excellent value priced steel for its performance.
M2- A very tough, tool grade high-speed steel used primarily as a cutting steel in the industrial area. It offers excellent strength and wear resistance. Due to its make up, it is highly susceptible to corrosion, so we always apply our BK1® BenchKote coating for corrosion resistance. An excellent choice for hard use environments.
N690- An Austrian made stainless steel, which is comparable to 440C in performance and value. Keen edge qualities with excellent corrosion resistance.
AUS8- A high-carbon, low chromium stainless steel, which offers a good balance of toughness, edge sharpness and corrosion resistance.
H1- A high-chromium stainless steel, which offers maximum corrosion resistance in both salt water and fresh water-100-percent corrosion resistant. The tradeoff in performance is good edge quality with good edge toughness, so we use it in wet environment rescue or emergency tool applications. No longer used on Benchmade products.
X15- A high-chromium stainless steel with a maximum corrosion resistance in both salt water and fresh water. This steel took the place of the previous H1 steel used on the Water/Rescue knives.
DAMASCUS- A specially forged, layered steel makeup of a variety of steels. It offers excellent toughness and edge quality. For finishing, the surface layers or lines are exposed through an acid etch, which creates a very unique visual effect. Used in special applications due to its inherent high cost and artistic nature.

BLADE STYLES
Certain blade shapes are more beneficial for certain tasks. This is a general overview of the blade shapes that apply to the Benchmade product line. Please note that many more blade shapes exist that are not covered in this section. Knowing what blade shape to use is just as important as what type of steel best suits the needs of the user.

TANTO- Most tantos seen on the American cutlery market are Americanized formats. Like the Japanese tanto, the Americanized tanto has a high point in-line with the spine. A flat grind is applied to the point, leaving it very thick and extraordinarily strong. This thick area helps to absorb impact from piercing, as the tanto was originally designed for armor piercing. The front edge meets the bottom edge at an obtuse angle rather than curving to meet it as seen in the Japanese tanto. The only negative aspect of a tanto is that cutting surface area is sacrificed to gain tip strength.

REVERSE TANTO- The reverse tanto offers the best of both worlds. This shape offers all the piercing power of a tanto without the loss of the cutting surface area. This shape is an excellent all-around design.

CLIP-POINT- A clip point is a blade design where the top of the blade has a cutout or "clip" on the spine of the blade. The cutout is either concave or straight. Clipping the blade brings the point of the knife lower, allowing better control, as well as making the tip sharper. Since a sharp point is one of the goals of this blade shape, you will often see the clip accompanied by a false edge. The combination of a controllable, sharp point and plenty of belly makes the clip point an excellent all-around blade shape and is often used on hunting, military and utility knives.

DROP-POINT- A slow convex-curved drop in the point characterizes a drop-point blade. The drop-point format lowers the point for control but adds strength to the point. Usually coupled with plenty of belly for slicing, this format is often used for hunting knives. It is also a fantastic all-around format. Like the clip-point, the drop-point is seen in a wide range of knives.

SPEAR-POINT- The spear point is a symmetrical blade design with the line of symmetry extending from the tip to the pivot screw. This blade design is usually accompanied with a false edge along the spine of the blade.

HEAT-TREATMENT
Over the years we have developed a "special recipe" for heat-treating our blade steels. This process maximizes the steels' molecular structure for a custom toughness and Benchmade superior performance. All steels may be created equally, but that is where it stops when it comes to making a Benchmade.

HANDLES
Handles come in all different shapes, sizes and materials. Benchmade takes care to design enough grip and stability in each model no matter the overall size so that it will ultimately be functional to a broader range of varying hands. The best way to test a handle for grip is to try it on and ask yourself, does it feel secure, is it comfortable, will I be able to use it everyday if I need to…
When it comes to handle materials it's a matter of form and function. Whether it's durability, weight, design style, or even price, Benchmade strives to select the best material for the job.

CARBON FIBER- A contemporary, premium composite of thin strands of carbon tightly woven into various weave patterns, then set in resin, which is most commonly clear but can be color tinted. It offers great looks and is fairly strong for its minimal weight.
STABILIZED WOOD- Select hardwood veneers are vacuum impregnated with special dyes and resins. Sheets are then layered and combined under tremendous heat and pressure to adhere the veneers as one for a durable and attractive real wood medium.
MICARTA- Layers of linen cloths soaked in resin and pressured together. Most commonly used on more stylish knives due to its rich finish qualities. Available in colors.
6061 T-6 ALUMINUM- A nonferrous metal originally developed as a premium aircraft grade aluminum. It offers a solid handle form and function at a nominal weight.
G10- An extremely durable makeup of layers of fiberglass soaked in resin, then highly compressed and baked. Impervious to moisture or liquid and physically stable under climate change. Most commonly black, but is available in various colors, too. Benchmade was the first knife manufacturer to use G10.
6AL-4V TITANIUM- A slightly lighter weight, modern metal offering incredible strength and resiliency. Key properties include non-magnetic and corrosion resistance. Lends itself to a variety of desirable appearances through finishing.
NORYL GTX®- A modern engineered plastic offering high-strength, minimal flex and optimally lightweight properties. Molded to form.
VALOX®- A reinforced resin with excellent stiffness, strength and dimensional stability. Molded to form.
ZYTEL®- A lightweight glass filled nylon engineered for strength and durability. Widely used throughout the auto industry in engine related components. Molded to form.
KYDEX®- A mixture of acrylic and PVC, which offers outstanding impact and chemical resistance as well as fire retardancy. Widely used in the auto and aerospace industry. Molded or thermo-formed.
DELRIN®- A lightweight and durable engineered polymer with low wear properties. Used throughout the auto industry. Molded to form.
420J STAINLESS STEEL- A low carbon, high chromium content steel which offers excellent corrosion resistance and finishing qualities. The use of steel in the handle presents a unique "feel" in weight and appearance.
KRATON®- A polymer based compound offering excellent molding attributes to handle shapes. It is lightweight and its flexibility or hardness can be optimized for best performance qualities.
17-4PH STAINLESS STEEL- A precipitation hardening grade steel with excellent corrosion resistance. For our purposes it offers excellent molding properties as well.
DIECAST ALUMINUM- A cast or molded part with all of the same features and benefits of aluminum. Provides for cost reduction through ease of manufacturing. Can be worked to a variety of finishes.

LINERS
Knife liners provide the skeletal structure to folding knives. Depending on the locking mechanism, the liners also dictate the performance strength of the folder. Benchmade primarily uses double liners in its knife models.

420J STAINLESS STEEL- A low carbon high chromium steel offering excellent corrosion resistance and optimal strength in a knife liner.
6AL-4V TITANIUM- A slightly lighter weight, modern metal offering incredible strength and resiliency. Key properties include non-magnetic and corrosion resistance. Offers excellent qualities in a knife liner.
410 STAINLESS STEEL- An ideal 400 Series steel offering good corrosion resistance and workability.

FINISHES
When it comes to handle materials it's a matter of form and function. Whether it's durability, weight, design style, or even price, Benchmade strives to select the best material for the job.

ANODIZATION- An electrochemical process used for adding color to titanium surfaces. A combination of chemical bath and electrical voltage level generates the desired color. A similar process is used for aluminum with the addition of a chemical coloring bath.

SHEATHS
The sheath represents a significant part of the function in a fixed blade knife design and Benchmade's are no exception. We realize the need for versatility and overall carry security is paramount when making a selection of which knife will serve you best. Most Benchmade sheaths employ a common dimension of mounting system to allow for ease of adaptability of our sheath accessories throughout all models.

KYDEX®- A mixture of acrylic and PVC, which offers outstanding impact and chemical resistance as well as fire retardancy. Widely used in the auto and aerospace industry. Molded or thermo-formed.
LEATHER- A more traditional choice, but still every bit the same versatile sheath material it has always been. Easily shapes and forms to the knives while offering good durability.
BALLISTICS NYLON- A heavy-duty woven nylon fabric originally developed for use in bullet proof vests and personal body armor. Offers great durability in a lightweight sheath.

AXIS LOCK
A Benchmade exclusive, this patented AXIS™ locking mechanism is an ingenious marvel that has been touted by some as quite possibly "the strongest folding lock ever." It's the culmination of four years of "tinkering" by renowned custom knife makers Bill McHenry and Jason Williams. So simple yet so functional, this mechanism is certain to leave you scratching your head and saying, "WOW, why didn't I think of that…" The features of the AXIS lock are significant and greatly enhance the function of knives. First and foremost is the strength. This lock is definitely more than adequate for the demands of normal knife use. A close second to strength is the inherent AXIS advantage of being totally ambidextrous without user compromise. The blade can be readily actuated open or closed with either hand- without ever having to place flesh in the blade path. Lastly, and certainly not any less impressive, is the indescribable "smoothness" with which the mechanism and blade function. By design there are no traditional "friction" parts to the AXIS mechanism, making the action the much smoother. And it's all reasonably exposed so you can easily clean away any unwarranted debris. Basically, AXIS gets its function from a spring-loaded bar that rides forward and back in a slot machined into both liners. The bar extends to both sides of the knife; spanning the space between the liners and is positioned over the rear of the blade. It engages a ramped notch cut into the tang portion of the knife blade when it is opened. Two omega style springs, one on each liner, give the locking bar its inertia to engage the knife tang, and as a result the tang is wedged solidly between a sizable stop pin and the AXIS bar itself. It's a lot of words in an attempt to describe simplicity, but the very best way to truly appreciate the AXIS lock is to experience it for yourself firsthand. There are several models to choose from with more on the way.

LEVITATOR™
It's yet another ingenious mechanism from the creative duo of Bill McHenry and Jason Williams. Benchmade has the exclusive patent on the Levitator mechanism. The knife handle scale/liner is cut to create a spring system, which is used to leverage a lock-pin in and out of a notch in the tang of the blade. This spring/pin system effectively locks the blade both in the open and closed positions. Look for it soon in an upcoming Auto-Levitator design…

ROLLING LOCK™ WITH INDRAFT™
A new patented Benchmade exclusive, which was originally in the custom market for a time. The Rolling Lock utilizes a sizable, notched lock-pin, which secures against the blade tang when engaged. To disengage, a spring actuated thumb button on the right handle side is drawn back to rotate the lock pin and free the blade. InDraft is a patented exclusive, which is a combination of a slotted liner and a pin in the blade tang working in tandem to generate an inward inertia when closing the blade. This results in one of the safest blade detents available today.

MODIFIED LOCKING-LINER
The locking-liner mechanism has been in the knife world for some time and it has gained in popularity over the past several years and if properly made they serve their purpose quite well. The basic principle is an integral locking bar within the knife liner being stress bent, enabling it to spring into position behind the rear tang of the blade when the blade is opened. The locking bar wedges against the rear of the blade, locking it open until you physically push it clear and close the blade. With little practice, the process of opening and closing the blade can be done single-handed (locking-liners are made either right or left hand specific). Benchmade has long been recognized for making superior locking-liners. And with a Benchmade modified locking-liner you get a patented feature, which helps to enhance the lock function. The rear tang portion of the blade where the locking bar contacts it, is ground with a radius or concave surface. This detail helps the locking-liner to track into the fully locked position for added reliability and solid lock-up. The function success and function failure of a locking liner depends greatly on how well it is made and also the quality of the materials used. With Benchmade, you get the best of both and we offer a variety of tool styles for various applications.

OPTIMISER® SYSTEM
A patented Benchmade exclusive, which gives the user the option to choose between assisted opening and manual opening of the blade. A steel spring-bar running the length of the inside handle spine is secured in place and contacts a surface area of the blade tang. As the blade is closed the spring is tensioned against the blade tang, then as the user rotates the blade open to a 30-degree angle the spring-bar is engaged and continues the blade to its full, locked open position. The huge advantage to the Optimiser® design over similar concepts is that it must first be opened to a 30-degree angle or beyond in order for the assisted opening to engage, which allows the user better control of the blade. This feature is also an effective self-safety to prevent unintended blade discharge while carrying, or in the event the knife is severely jarred or bumped. Another exclusive benefit of the Optimiser design is that it permits the user to easily remove the spring-bar to create a non-assisted opening knife. The Optimiser functions equally smooth as either an assisted, or manual open blade. This actuation system is adapted to a locking-liner mechanism design for the actual locking mechanics.
Please note that this lock will require slightly more pressure to open than some of the other locking mechanisms. This is normal as it is a safety feature built into the Optimiser locking mechanism.
(Example: Model 670 Apparition)

MONOLOCK
The monolock mechanism is basically a locking-liner on steroids. The knife liner is one in the same as the knife handle, and thus it is designed and made to function as the locking mechanism. Subsequently, a thicker material is used to provide enough surface area to be a functional handle, and in turn creates a larger surface area to lock the blade with. Due to the nature of the design, if executed properly, the monolock rates very highly in strength and function.

LOCK BACK
A basic functional lock, which is relatively simple and low cost to manufacture. In practice the lock design positions a stop bar parallel to and in direct line with the blade at the upper back or rear tang of the blade to lock the blade open. Basically, as the blade is rotated open, the spring tensioned, center pivoted stop bar tracks around the circular portion of the blade tang until it drops or locks into the notched out tang. And to release the lock, the exposed portion of the stop bar in the handle back is depressed into the handle, pivoting the stop bar out, releasing the locked blade. This style of locking mechanism requires two hands to safely close the blade although you may still easily open the blade single-handed if desired. It's a very functional mechanism and it is used throughout the knife industry today. In the Benchmade line they are used in the ASCENT™ Series Models.

AUTOMATIC
It's important to first note that these types of knives are restricted and Federally regulated. Be certain of permissibility in your location including state or local governments and within your reporting bodies. These are folding knives, which open at the push of a button… An especially important feature to have if your disability, occupation or profession has the potential of limiting your mobility or freedom to access a knife through traditional means. The blade is deployed out from the handle side like traditional folding knives, but the blade is spring open assisted to a fully locked position. Benchmade is recognized for making some of the finest auto opening knives in the world. These are primarily manufactured for Law Enforcement, Military and Government Agency distribution. The Benchmade autos take full advantage of a powerful coil spring blade actuator coupled with our precisely machined taper lock mechanism, proving itself to be the most reliable system available in auto open knives. And our patented integrated safety mechanism (located on handle spine) ensures that the blade will not inadvertently deploy or close once it is locked open. Benchmade autos are precision engineered and manufactured to perform in the real world, you would be hard pressed to find a superior tool.

BILT™ SYSTEM
Yet another new, patented Benchmade exclusive, the BILT System (Bolted InLine Tang) simplifies the fixed blade handle assembly process while at the same time strengthening the overall assembly itself. A long nut is positioned in the slotted full-tang; a hardened bolt is passed through the butt-cap and then threaded into the nut drawing the handle assembly together for a solid fit.

BALI-SONG®
As much an art form as it is the ultimate example of form following function. The Bali-Song or butterfly knife is of Filipino ancestry dating back to nearly 800 A.D. It's basic form consists of a pin-hinged, two piece handle, which when closed encases the blade for carry. And when opened, come together to form the knife handle for blade use. This can all be accomplished with a single hand -making the tool that much more utility capable. Benchmade is recognized as the leader when it comes to making Bali-Song® knives.

Each new knife is packaged with written documentation of the Benchmade Warranty. Benchmade Knife Company, Inc. warrants to the original owner that the knife will be free from defects in materials and workmanship. Benchmade will without charge, repair or replace at our (Benchmade's) option, any knife returned for Warranty work and found to be defective by Benchmade. The knife must be shipped by owner, prepaid and insured, together with a description of the problem and must be accompanied by the original bill of sale, your charge or credit receipt or any satisfactory proof of the original date of purchase.

Note: Any automatic knife returned for Warranty service from outside of Oregon must also include a copy of the owner's police or military identification, or be returned through the authorized Benchmade dealer from whom the knife was originally purchased. No exceptions will be made.

WHAT IS COVERED- This Warranty covers replacement parts and labor.

WHAT IS NOT COVERED- This warranty does not cover normal wear, re-sharpening of the blade (view LifeSharp™), damage caused by neglect, misuse or the failure to perform normal or necessary maintenance, or shipping costs for returned knives. Disassembly of the knife by anyone other than Benchmade's own Warranty/Repair Department will void warranty. Please read the complete Warranty information and proper knife care instructions provided with each packaged knife.

CARRY-CLIP REQUESTS
If for some reason, your carry-clip gets lost or damaged, and you need a new one. Email the repair@benchmade.com Department for clip requests. Please include your name, ship-to address, and the knife model(s) so that we can better assist you.

Mail knife(s) to:
BKC
Attn: Warranty Dept.
300 Beavercreek Road
Oregon City, OR 97045
E-mail to repair@benchmade.com

There's never a dull moment with a Benchmade... That's right! We will gladly re-sharpen your Benchmade knife to a factory razor sharp edge (service does not apply to any serrated portion of the blade). If you prefer us to sharpen your blade, or if you may have neglected to maintain your edge for a while, simply ship your knife to us. We'll not only sharpen it, but we will also inspect the knife for any warranted repairs and "tune" the knife for optimum performance. Simply ship the knife to the Benchmade address, postage paid and insured. Please enclose your return shipping address with $5.00 for first knife and $2.50 for each additional knife, to cover handling and return shipping charges. Send the knife to:

LifeSharp
300 Beavercreek Rd
Oregon City, OR 97045
Questions can be directed to 800.800.7427 or, email repair@benchmade.com
View important warranty information listed above

Note: Any automatic knife returned for Warranty service from outside of Oregon must also include a copy of the owner's police or military identification, or be returned through the authorized Benchmade dealer from whom the knife was originally purchased. No exceptions will be made.