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| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Manufacturing |
| Founded | 1979; 46 years ago (1979) |
| Founder | Les deAsis |
| Headquarters | Oregon City, Oregon |
Key people | Jon deAsis, President and CEO |
| Products | Knives, pens, rescue tools |
Number of employees | 380 |
| Website | benchmade.com |
TheBenchmade Knife Company is an Americanknife manufacturer based out ofOregon City, Oregon.
Benchmade originally started inCalifornia 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 toClackamas, Oregon, to be closer to existing knife production companies in that area.[1][2] As part of the process of moving their production from outside vendors to in-house production facilities, the company moved again in 1996, to their own 35,000 square foot facility inOregon City, Oregon.[3][4]
Benchmade became known primarily as a manufacturer ofbutterfly knives, or balisongs, and they continue to be manufactured under their registeredtrademark name "Ba“i-Song".[5] ”Benchmade's original Bali-Song design byJody Samson was awardedBlade Magazine's Knife of the Year Award in 1979.[6] This connection to butterfly knives is the inspiration for the butterfly symbol in their logo.[7]
Founder Les deAsis died February 21, 2020, following a stroke.[8] His wife Roberta deAsis, took over the position of President and CEO following his death, and was succeeded by their son Jon deAsis in October of 2020.[2]
Blade steels such as154CM, D2,CPM S30V steel,CPM S90V steel, CPM 20CV, N690 and M390 are used on many models. Benchmade also useshigh speed M2 and CPM M4 tool steels.[9]
Benchmade receives a significant amount of revenue from selling restricted-sales knives to the military andlaw enforcement.[10] They produce a diverse selection of "auto", orswitchblade 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.[11]
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.[12]
Benchmade has apatent on the locking mechanism used in most of the switchblades they produce.[13] 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 areJody Samson,Ernest Emerson, Allen Elishewitz, Mel Pardue, Bill McHenry,Mike Snody, Jason Williams, Warren Osborne, Ken Steigerwalt, and Bob Lum.[14] Several production Benchmade models based on the work of these designers have become influential within the industry.[11][15][16]
Some of the Benchmade knife models include:
Benchmade has won several awards and recognition for product innovation and design.[17]
