
Best Benchmade Pocket Knives For EDC in 2021

Benchmade knives have a well-deserved reputation for being some of the highest grade production knives on the market. Benchmade’s quality control is legendary and the commitment of their designers and craftspeople is expressed in every knife that comes out of their Oregon City, Oregon production facility. Below we’re going to take a close look at the 8 best Benchmade EDC pocket knives.
The Best Benchmade Pocket Knife For EDC
1Griptilian 551 Knife Benchmade Pocket Knife




The Griptilian is in the conversation for the best EDC Benchmade folding knife ever made. The handle is fashioned from high density resin and is robust and comfortable. There is no chance this puppy is going to slip when you need it to hold fast. The blade is 154CM stainless and has a hollow ground edge with plenty of cutting surface. This Benchmade pocket knife has a naturally aggressive profile and makes short work of all your daily tasks from opening boxes to cutting rope. The Griptilian is similar in length to the Adamas 275 but doesn’t feel nearly as large for some reason. Just a beautifully engineered, tough as nails EDC knife that will double as a tactical knife in a pinch. If you are looking to upgrade your knife collection, then make sure you read our top 10 pocket knives list.
Drop point blade with powder coat finish
Partially serrated cutting edge
Glass filled Noryl GTX handle
Reversible pocket clip
Weight 3.88 oz
- BrandBenchmade
- Model551SBK
- Weight3.2 ounces
Effortless blade action
Locks down nice and solid
Full bodied handle for superior grip
Beautifully balanced
Some will pine for a slimmer handle
2Adamas 275 Knife Benchmade Pocket Knife




The Adamas 275 occupies a grey area between EDC knife and tactical knife. While we can definitely see it being used for an array of military applications we wouldn’t mind having one on our belt when heading into the mountains for the weekend. This is perhaps more knife than some people would be comfortable carrying on their person on a regular basis but with its D2 stainless steel folding blade, AXIS locking mechanism and the combination of incredible balance and light weight it’s a knife you’ll have a hard time leaving home.
D2 drop point blade with serrated spine
Open length 8 ¾ inches
Cordura sheath with snap retention
Skeletonized handle construction
Weight 7.68 oz
- BrandBenchmade
- Model275BK
- Weight13.6 ounces
As tough as it is good looking
Incredibly sharp right out of the box
Silky smooth action
An agreeable heft
Hard to find fault other than the price
3940 Reverse Tanto Benchmade Pocket Knife




It’s hard for some to get their head around the 940 from Benchmade. With just a few minor tweaks you could envision it next to your dinner plate at the steak house. But make no mistake this a serious piece of everyday carry with a Benchmade blade of premium CPM-S30V stainless steel and a handle fashioned from 6061-T6 aluminum. Open or closed it’s a lightweight beauty and with the no-nonsense reverse tanto folding blade it allows you to effortless project cutting force. The icing on the cake? It weighs a scant 2.9 ounces. Amazing. Find more great products like this by checking out our guide to the best camping knives.
Premium CPM-30V stainless steel blade
Benchmade AXIS lock mechanism
Reversible pocket clip
One hand opening
Weight 2.9 oz
- BrandBenchmade
- Model940BK
- Weight1.6 ounces
Nice and sharp out of the box
Aluminum handle is deceptively comfortable
So light you might forget you have it
Beautiful balance
If you’re not fond of green you’re out of luck
4Mini Griptilian Sheepsfoot 555HG Benchmade Pocket Knife

The Blue class Griptilian from Benchmade has been a hit from the moment it was introduced and the Mini Griptilian 555HG is no doubt bound for the same fate. The Mini is a slightly downmarket version of the standard Griptilian but don’t let that fool you. That’s like saying the 911 Carrera is a slightly downmarket version of the 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet. The Mini 555HG features one of the company’s most comfortable handles and the modified sheepsfoot blade provides excellent piercing ability where the more common sheepsfoot has virtually none. That blade is made of 154CM steel and does an admirable job holding an edge. Be sure to also check out our list of the Best Spyderco Knives for more great items like this.
154CM stainless steel blade
Partially serrated spine
Reversible pocket clip
One handed opening
Weight 2.68 oz
- BrandBenchmade
- Model555HG
- Weight0.8 ounces
Sublime balance
Handle provides excellent grip
Equally adept at cutting or thrusting
Relatively inexpensive for a Benchmade
The handle can feel a bit plasticky
5Barrage 583 Tanto Benchmade Pocket Knife




The Barrage 582 is one of the most satisfying EDC knives you’ll find. Handsome, perfectly balanced with premium M390 steel in the folding blade and a comfortably molded G10 aluminum handle it’s pretty much exactly what we envision when we think “ultimate EDC knife”. With effortless one-handed opening and that discreetly aggressive tanto point for self-defense situations the 583 has all the based covered. At nearly 8 ½ inches open and weighing 4.5 ounces this is not a small Benchmade pocket knife but it never feels like too much knife whether you’re stripping wire or opening boxes. Love this product? Check out our review of the Best Survival Knives for our top picks.
M390 stainless steel blade
One-handed opening
AXIS locking mechanism
Ambidextrous design
Weight 5.2 oz
- BrandBenchmade
- Model583BK
- Weight0.2 ounces
Pointed tanto blade won’t snap off
Reliable performance in all conditions
Benchmade LifeSharp service
Corrosion resistant coating on the blade
Heavier than some may prefer for an EDC knife
6Mini Crooked River 15085-2 Clip-Point Benchmade Pocket Knife




A bit of a stylistic departure the Mini Crooked River 15085-2 with its clip point blade strives to connect with the great pocket knives of the past and does an admirable job. The CPM-30V stainless steel blade stubbornly holds onto its edge while the diamondwood scales provide the type of satisfying feel you only get from wood. The clip point folding blade provides beau coups cutting surface and is also great for those times you need to penetrate tip first. The lanyard hole is an unexpected but welcome touch and the single handed opening is smooth as butter.
CPM-30V clip point blade
Reversible pocket clip
Stabilized diamondwood scales
Ambidextrous AXIS locking mechanism
Weight 3.29 oz
- BrandBenchmade
- Model15085-2 MINI
- Weight3.36 ounces
Great for hunting, fishing or around the house
Beautifully realized throwback design
Built to exacting tolerances
Wonderful balance
Not what some would call ‘affordable’
7Grizzly Ridge 15061 Drop-point Knife




The 15061 Grizzly Ridge drop point knife from benchmark isn’t going to be much good in a fight with a grizzly (not sure that even a proper hunting knife would help there) but it’s perfect for just about everything else. With a 3 ½ inch drop point blade and checkered Grivory handle core the Grizzly Ridge lets you take hold and perform whatever the task with confidence. There’s a high end CPM-S30V stainless steel blade and ambidextrous AXIS blade lock, a reversible pocket clip, serrations down the spine of the folding blade and a lanyard hole at the butt of the handle. To top it off it tips the scales at a trim 3.77 ounces.
Ambidextrous manual opening
Premium CPM-30V stainless steel blade
Blade length 3 ½ inches
Grivory and Versaflex handle
Weight 3.77 oz
- BrandBenchmade
- Model15061
- Weight3.84 ounces
Great for tactical or practical applications
Dual thumb studs don’t forget left handers
Slips neatly into the pocket if need be
AXIS lock holds firm every time
We weren’t crazy about the color scheme
8Bushcrafter 162 Fixed Outdoor Survival Knife

If you spend a lot of time out on the trail, you need a solid EDC survival knife. Some people prefer pocket knives because they’re arguably easier to carry but sometimes it’s better to carry an old-school fixed blade knife like the Bushcrafter 162. It comes with a superb-quality leather sheath with the Bushcrafter logo embossed into it, so you can easily carry it in your pocket or pack. The blade is made from American-made CPM-S20V Steel, which is known for its excellent edge retention and resistance to corrosion and rust. Plus, it has a beautifully-made resin-soaked fiberglass G-10 handle that isn’t affected by fast-changing climates.
CPM-S30V steel handle
Resin-soaked fiberglass G-10 handle
Fixed blade construction
Leather sheath
- BrandBenchmade
- Model162
- Weight7.7 ounces
Benchmade Pocket Knife Buying Guide
Benchmade Knife Classes
Benchmade separates its knives into 3 general categories: Blue, Black and Gold.
- Blue Class – The Blue class knives are intended as EDC knives. They feature high quality materials, top of the line craftsmanship and admirable durability. But they’re going to set you back a few bucks. It’s a classic case of getting what you pay for.
- Black Class – Benchmade group all their law enforcement, military and tactical products into one general category they call Black. Fear not though, most Black class knives are available to the public.
- Gold Class – The company’s gold class knives are made of exotic materials using space age production techniques that result in knives that are part practical, part work of art. Oftentimes purchased by collectors who never use them.
Benchmade Pocket Knife FAQ
Q: Do Benchmade pocket knives include a warranty?
A: Benchmade products carry a full limited lifetime warranty when purchased from authorized resellers. Perhaps more importantly they also provide at no charge their LifeSharp service wherein you send your knife back to them when you need it properly sharpened. Just be careful not to modify a Benchmade pocket knife in anyway or you will void the warranty. If you do modify the knife the company may still provide limited LifeSharp service. But they decide whether to do so on a case by case basis.
Q: Where are Benchmade Knives made?
A: Benchmade knives are proudly designed and produced in Oregon City, Oregon. They are one of only a few knife manufacturers who still produce their knives in the USA.