In the field, your gear isn’t just equipment; it’s your lifeline. You learn to trust what works and discard what doesn’t. A quality knife is one of those non-negotiable tools, and for many professionals, Benchmade has consistently proven its worth under pressure. This reputation is built on American manufacturing, superior steel, and innovative designs that stand up to real-world use.
Having relied on everything from basic folders to survival fixed-blades, I’ve developed a keen sense for what makes a knife truly great. It’s not just about holding an edge; it’s about ergonomics, reliability, and how it feels in your hand when the situation gets tough. This ranking is based on that hands-on experience, cutting through the marketing to bring you the Benchmade knives that are truly worth your consideration in 2025.
Our Top Benchmade Knife Recommendations
- Benchmade – Turret 980 Tactical Knife
- Benchmade – Buschcrafter 162 Outdoor Knife
- Benchmade – Anthem 781 EDC Folding Knife
- Benchmade – Griptilian 551-S30V EDC Knife
- Benchmade – Mini Griptilian 556 Knife
- Benchmade – Bugout 535 EDC Knife
- Benchmade – Mini Bugout 533 Folding Knife
- Benchmade – Bugout 535 with CF-Elite Handle
- Benchmade – Adamas 275 Tactical Knife
- Benchmade 940 Osborne Knife
Benchmade – Turret 980 Tactical Knife
Built as an everyday workhorse, the Turret 980 is designed for the long haul. It features one of the strongest locking mechanisms in Benchmade’s history, making it a reliable folder for intense situations where a sure, full-handed grip is non-negotiable. This is a heavy-duty tool you can confidently add to your EDC, survival kit, or backpack.
The blade is crafted from American-made CPM-S30V steel, providing first-rate edge retention and corrosion resistance. Its versatile drop-point style is user-friendly for a wide range of tasks. The handle is constructed from durable G10, a composite material that is highly resistant to heat, moisture, and other harsh elements, ensuring the knife stands up to hard use.
Benchmade – Buschcrafter 162 Outdoor Knife
When you leave the pavement behind, the Buschcrafter 162 is the robust survival tool you want on your belt. Its rugged style is matched by unmatched function, making it as versatile as it is tough. This fixed-blade knife is built to handle any task the trail can throw at it, from processing firewood to preparing game.
Like the Turret, it utilizes reliable American-made CPM-S30V steel for superior edge retention. The precision drop-point blade is constructed for strength and versatility in outdoor applications. The handle is made from ultra-durable G10, which is impervious to moisture and remains stable across fast-changing climates and temperatures.
Benchmade – Anthem 781 EDC Folding Knife
The Anthem 781 is more than just a blade; it’s a precision tool built to perform for a lifetime. It features a distinctive grooved grip design and offers ease of use across a number of cutting applications. With its slim profile and lightweight construction, it integrates seamlessly into your EDC collection, backpack, or tackle box.
This knife steps up with high-end American-made CPM-20CV steel, which features a uniform microstructure for exceptional edge retention, durability, and corrosion resistance. The handle is machined from anodized billet titanium, providing an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, making it stronger than steel while being resistant to the elements.
Benchmade – Griptilian 551-S30V EDC Knife
A legend in the Benchmade lineup, the Griptilian 551 is the definition of a hard-use, everyday-carry knife. Its CPM-S30V stainless steel blade is extremely well-balanced, offering superb edge qualities and rust resistance for long-term reliability. The glass-filled nylon handle is both tough and attractive, ideal for demanding jobs.
The heart of this knife is Benchmade’s renowned AXIS lock mechanism. It is exceptionally strong and fully ambidextrous, allowing for smooth, one-handed opening and closing. Combined with a lightweight design and comfortable handle grips, the Griptilian is a work tool that feels good in your hand all day long.
Benchmade – Mini Griptilian 556 Knife
For those who need the proven performance of a Griptilian in a more compact package, the Mini Griptilian 556 is the perfect solution. It features a practical 2.91-inch drop-point blade and weighs a mere 2.68 ounces, making it incredibly easy to carry without noticing it in your pocket.
This knife benefits from Benchmade’s precision American manufacturing in Oregon. The factory employs modern laser cutters and CNC machining centers with tolerances found in the aerospace industry, ensuring every component, from the blade to the AXIS lock, is built to exacting standards.
Benchmade – Bugout 535 EDC Knife
The Bugout 535 was designed to be light as a feather yet incredibly tough, making it an ideal partner for hiking, camping, and backpacking. Its genius lies in its ability to be a truly go-anywhere tool for everyday use without adding noticeable weight to your gear.
It carries a reliable CPM-S30V steel drop-point blade, manufactured at the Benchmade factory in Oregon City, Oregon. The handle is fully ambidextrous and made from Grivory, a textured, glass-filled nylon that provides an ergonomic grip and superior durability for its weight class.
Benchmade – Mini Bugout 533 Folding Knife
The Mini Bugout 533 takes the beloved Bugout concept and scales it down for ultimate pocketability. It retains the same featherlight and tough characteristics, making it ideal for everyday carry where a smaller footprint is preferred, without sacrificing the capability needed for outdoor activities.
It shares the high-performance CPM-S30V steel and precision drop-point construction of its larger sibling. The orange Grivory handle ensures high visibility if you set it down and provides the same ergonomic, textured grip molded from durable, glass-filled nylon.
Benchmade – Bugout 535 with CF-Elite Handle
This version of the classic Bugout 535 introduces an upgraded handle material that enhances its performance. The CF-Elite polymer offers a lighter and stiffer handle compared to the standard Grivory, refining an already exceptional design for users who demand the utmost in lightweight carry.
It maintains all the core features that make the Bugout great: the reliable CPM-S30V steel blade, fully ambidextrous operation, and a textured grip for control. This model is for the enthusiast who wants the ultimate iteration of this lightweight EDC legend.
Benchmade – Adamas 275 Tactical Knife
Built to military specifications, the Adamas 275 is an overbuilt folding knife ready for the most demanding tactical situations. Its D2 tool steel blade holds an edge exceptionally well, making it a reliable tool when sharpening equipment isn’t readily available. The G10 handle is durable and stable across a wide range of temperatures.
Like other top Benchmade folders, it utilizes the exceptionally strong and fully ambidextrous AXIS lock, allowing for single-handed operation. Despite its rugged build, the 275 is designed to be comfortable to hold and use, and it comes with both a reversible pocket clip and a Cordura sheath for multiple carry options.
Benchmade 940 Osborne Knife
A true icon in the knife world, the Benchmade 940 Osborne is renowned for its distinctive reverse-tanto blade profile and slim, streamlined design. It is a favorite for everyday carry because it offers a long cutting edge in a very shallow carry profile, disappearing in the pocket until you need it.
Designed by renowned knifemaker Warren Osborne, this model is a masterpiece of form and function. It typically features high-performance steel and an AXIS lock mechanism, all contained within a lightweight and ergonomic handle, making it one of the most popular and enduring EDC knives ever produced.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Benchmade Knife for You
Listen up. Choosing a knife isn’t about picking the coolest-looking one. It’s about selecting the right tool for the job, and that job depends entirely on you. Having carried a Benchmade on multiple deployments and in my daily life for years, I break down my selection process into three key areas: intended use, blade steel, and the handle/ergonomics.
First, ask yourself: what am I actually going to use this for? If you need a hard-use fixed blade for camping, bushcraft, or a serious tactical role, you’re looking at models like the Adamas or the fixed-blade versions of the Puukko. They’re overbuilt, tough as nails, and can handle brutal tasks. For an Everyday Carry (EDC) folder, you want something lighter, more discreet, and legally compliant. The Bugout is the king here because it disappears in your pocket until you need it. The Griptilian is a fantastic all-rounder if you want something a bit more substantial for general tasks. Don’t buy a massive tactical knife for opening boxes at the office, and don’t buy a slim, lightweight EDC knife to baton wood.
Next, let’s talk about the heart of the knife: the steel. Benchmade uses a variety of steels, and they matter. For most EDC tasks, CPM-S30V is the sweet spot. It offers a great balance of edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance, and it’s relatively easy to sharpen with the right tools. If you’re in a corrosive environment (think saltwater or lots of sweat), you might want to step up to Crucible’s CPM-20CV or Bohler’s M390, which are premium steels with exceptional edge holding and stainlessness. Just know they can be a bit more challenging to put a new edge on. For the hardest use, look at CPM-CruWear or D2 tool steel; they’re incredibly tough but require more maintenance to prevent rust. The Axis Lock is a Benchmade hallmark for a reason—it’s strong, easy to operate with one hand, and incredibly reliable. I’ve trusted my life to that mechanism.
Finally, get a feel for the handle. This is where personal preference really comes in. Materials like Grivory (on the Bugout) are lightweight and functional, while G-10 (on the Presidio II) provides a more aggressive, non-slip grip, which is crucial when your hands are wet or muddy. Aluminum handles, like on some 940 models, add durability and a premium feel but also some weight. The shape of the handle is just as important. Does it fill your hand comfortably? Is there a good guard or choil to prevent your hand from slipping onto the blade during a thrust? Go to a store and hold a few if you can. Your knife is an extension of your hand; it needs to feel right.
When I look at the 10 Best Benchmade Knives in 2025 – Ranked by a Marine, my rankings are based on this exact logic: matching the knife’s strengths to a specific user’s real-world needs. There is no single “best” knife, only the best knife for you.
FAQ
Is Benchmade really worth the high price?
In my experience, absolutely. You’re not just paying for a name. You’re paying for American manufacturing, exceptional quality control, and materials that perform. Their heat treatment of blade steels is top-tier, which directly impacts edge retention and toughness. More importantly, you’re paying for the lifetime warranty and Lifesharp service. You can beat the tar out of a Benchmade, and they’ll fix it or sharpen it for you. That kind of support is invaluable and something I relied on during my service.
Why is the Axis Lock so special?
The Axis Lock is a game-changer. It’s a spring-loaded bar that slides back and forth in a slot, locking the blade open or closed. It’s incredibly strong and allows for smooth, one-handed opening and closing. Unlike some liner locks, it’s not dependent on spring tension that can wear out, and it’s ambidextrous. I’ve used it with gloves on, with muddy hands, and it has never failed me. It’s one of the most reliable locking mechanisms ever designed for a folding knife.
How do I properly maintain and sharpen my Benchmade knife?
Basic maintenance is simple. Keep the pivot area clean and occasionally add a drop of lubricant to the Axis Lock mechanism and the pivot screw. For the blade, a light coat of oil (like mineral oil) will prevent corrosion, especially on non-stainless steels. For sharpening, I recommend a guided sharpening system like the Work Sharp Precision Adjust. It takes the guesswork out of maintaining the correct angle. Start with a coarse stone to re-establish the edge if it’s really dull, then move to a fine stone for a razor’s edge. Don’t grind away more metal than necessary.
What’s the best Benchmade knife for a beginner?
For someone new to quality knives, I’d point you straight to the Benchmade Griptilian. It’s the perfect introduction. It’s not as expensive as some of their premium models, but it has all the core Benchmade DNA: the fantastic Axis Lock, a reliable and versatile blade shape, and a comfortable, grippy handle. It’s tough enough for almost any task you’ll throw at it without being so fancy that you’re afraid to use it. It teaches you what a good knife feels like.
Can I legally carry a Benchmade automatic knife?
This is critical, and the answer is: it depends entirely on your state and local laws. Autos, like the Infidel or Autocrat, are heavily restricted in many places. As a civilian, you must research your local regulations regarding blade length and opening mechanism. When looking at a list like the 10 Best Benchmade Knives in 2025 – Ranked by a Marine, remember that some of the tactical autos are illegal for general carry in many jurisdictions. When in doubt, a manual-opening folder with the Axis Lock is almost always a safer legal bet and just as fast to deploy with practice.
What’s the main difference between the Bugout and the 940 Osborne?
This is a classic debate. The Bugout is designed to be the ultimate lightweight EDC. It’s thin, incredibly light, and literally disappears in your pocket. It’s a specialist in being unnoticeable until needed. The 940 Osborne is a more substantial, all-purpose tool. It has a longer, reverse-tanto blade that’s great for piercing, a sturdier feel in hand, and a more premium build, often with aluminum handles. The Bugout is for when you want to forget it’s there; the 940 is for when you want a tool that feels solid and ready for anything all day long.