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Best Benchmade Pocket Knives For EDC in 2021

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This product guide was written by GearHungry Staff
Published June 19, 2018
Support us! GearHungry may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn more

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

1
Griptilian 551 Knife Benchmade Pocket Knife

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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.

Key Features:

Drop point blade with powder coat finish

Partially serrated cutting edge

Glass filled Noryl GTX handle

Reversible pocket clip

Weight 3.88 oz

Specification:
  • BrandBenchmade
  • Model551SBK
  • Weight3.2 ounces
Pros

Effortless blade action

Locks down nice and solid

Full bodied handle for superior grip

Beautifully balanced

Cons

Some will pine for a slimmer handle

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

2
Adamas 275 Knife Benchmade Pocket Knife

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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.

Key Features:

D2 drop point blade with serrated spine

Open length 8 ¾ inches

Cordura sheath with snap retention

Skeletonized handle construction

Weight 7.68 oz

Specification:
  • BrandBenchmade
  • Model275BK
  • Weight13.6 ounces
Pros

As tough as it is good looking

Incredibly sharp right out of the box

Silky smooth action

An agreeable heft

Cons

Hard to find fault other than the price

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

3
940 Reverse Tanto Benchmade Pocket Knife

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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.

Key Features:

Premium CPM-30V stainless steel blade

Benchmade AXIS lock mechanism

Reversible pocket clip

One hand opening

Weight 2.9 oz

Specification:
  • BrandBenchmade
  • Model940BK
  • Weight1.6 ounces
Pros

Nice and sharp out of the box

Aluminum handle is deceptively comfortable

So light you might forget you have it

Beautiful balance

Cons

If you’re not fond of green you’re out of luck

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

4
Mini Griptilian Sheepsfoot 555HG Benchmade Pocket Knife

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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. 

Key Features:

154CM stainless steel blade

Partially serrated spine

Reversible pocket clip

One handed opening

Weight 2.68 oz

Specification:
  • BrandBenchmade
  • Model555HG
  • Weight0.8 ounces
Pros

Sublime balance

Handle provides excellent grip

Equally adept at cutting or thrusting

Relatively inexpensive for a Benchmade

Cons

The handle can feel a bit plasticky

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

5
Barrage 583 Tanto Benchmade Pocket Knife

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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. 

Key Features:

M390 stainless steel blade

One-handed opening

AXIS locking mechanism

Ambidextrous design

Weight 5.2 oz

Specification:
  • BrandBenchmade
  • Model583BK
  • Weight0.2 ounces
Pros

Pointed tanto blade won’t snap off

Reliable performance in all conditions

Benchmade LifeSharp service

Corrosion resistant coating on the blade

Cons

Heavier than some may prefer for an EDC knife

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

6
Mini Crooked River 15085-2 Clip-Point Benchmade Pocket Knife

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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.

Key Features:

CPM-30V clip point blade

Reversible pocket clip

Stabilized diamondwood scales

Ambidextrous AXIS locking mechanism

Weight 3.29 oz

Specification:
  • BrandBenchmade
  • Model15085-2 MINI
  • Weight3.36 ounces
Pros

Great for hunting, fishing or around the house

Beautifully realized throwback design

Built to exacting tolerances

Wonderful balance

Cons

Not what some would call ‘affordable’

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

7
Grizzly Ridge 15061 Drop-point Knife

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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.

Key Features:

Ambidextrous manual opening

Premium CPM-30V stainless steel blade

Blade length 3 ½ inches

Grivory and Versaflex handle

Weight 3.77 oz

Specification:
  • BrandBenchmade
  • Model15061
  • Weight3.84 ounces
Pros

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

Cons

We weren’t crazy about the color scheme

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

8
Bushcrafter 162 Fixed Outdoor Survival Knife

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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.

Key Features:

CPM-S30V steel handle 

Resin-soaked fiberglass G-10 handle

Fixed blade construction 

Leather sheath

Specification:
  • BrandBenchmade
  • Model162
  • Weight7.7 ounces
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

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 knives

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.

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