Benchmade

Benchmade Mini Claymore Automatic

Benchmade began in California in 1979 as Bali-Song, later becoming Pacific Cutlery Corporation in the early 1980s, and finally adopting the name “Benchmade” in 1988. In 1990, they moved to Clackamas, Oregon, to be closer to other knife makers, and in 1996 shifted again to their own 35,000-square-foot facility in Oregon City. Known for their butterfly knives, or balisongs, produced under the trademark “Bali-Song,” their original design by Jody Samson won Blade Magazine’s Knife of the Year in 1979, inspiring the butterfly logo. Founder Les deAsis passed away in February 2020, after which his wife Roberta became President and CEO, before their son Jon took over in October 2020.