Benchmade
Benchmade knives, precision crafted in the USA for everyday carry, hunting and fishing. Shop the Bugout and Mini Bugout, Griptilian and Mini Griptilian, Adamas and Mini Adamas, the Anonimus, and the Fishcrafter, Meatcrafter, Adira, Intersect and Undercurrent fishing and hunting knives, plus the Guided Honing Tool and the SOCP rescue tool.
Explore more outdoor gear and accessories, from multi-tools to camp essentials.
Feel the AXIS lock and the weight of a Bugout at our Grey Lynn concept store at 36 Pollen Street, or order online for fast, tracked delivery across New Zealand.
Benchmade Tools & Knives
About Benchmade
Benchmade has been making knives since 1979, when Les de Asis started out building butterfly knives in California. The company later moved to Oregon City, Oregon, where it still designs and manufactures its knives today. Benchmade is known for precision machining, premium steels and tight quality control, and its knives are carried by outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, anglers, first responders and everyday users around the world.
Many Benchmade folding knives use the AXIS lock, a strong, ambidextrous locking mechanism that lets you open and close the blade smoothly with one hand.
Folding knives for everyday carry
The Bugout is one of Benchmade's most popular knives, a very light folding knife designed for backpacking and everyday carry, with the Mini Bugout as an even smaller version. The Griptilian and Mini Griptilian are tough, versatile workhorses with a comfortable grip, and the Adamas and Mini Adamas are heavy duty knives built for hard use. The Anonimus is a modern folding design with a slim profile.
Benchmade offers a range of handle materials, such as Grivory, G10 and carbon fibre, so you can choose by weight, grip and look. Grivory is a light, tough glass filled nylon, G10 is a dense, grippy laminate, and carbon fibre keeps weight to a minimum.
Fishing, hunting and Benchmade at Land & Sea
Benchmade's fishing knives are made for life on the water. The Fishcrafter fillet knives come in 7 and 9 inch lengths, with flexible blades for clean fillets, and the Adira, Intersect and Undercurrent are corrosion resistant fishing knives with grippy Santoprene and Grivory handles in Depth Blue. For hunters, the Meatcrafter is a trailing point butchery knife for processing game.
Keep your knife sharp with the Guided Honing Tool, and keep the SOCP rescue tool handy for emergencies. At Land & Sea we stock a strong Benchmade range, and our team can help you choose the right knife for how you will use it.
Frequently asked questions about Benchmade
What is the Benchmade AXIS lock?
The AXIS lock is Benchmade's patented locking mechanism used on many of its folding knives. A small spring loaded bar sits across the handle and locks the blade open, and you release it by pulling the bar back with your thumb. It is strong, ambidextrous and lets you open and close the knife smoothly with one hand, which makes it popular for everyday carry, outdoor use and situations where your other hand is busy.
Why is the Benchmade Bugout so popular?
The Benchmade Bugout is popular because it is very light for a full sized folding knife, with a slim handle and a sharp, versatile blade. It is designed for backpackers, trampers and everyday carry, where weight and pocket comfort matter, and it uses Benchmade's smooth AXIS lock. The Mini Bugout offers the same design in a smaller size. Handle materials range from Grivory to carbon fibre.
Which Benchmade knife is best for filleting fish?
The Benchmade Fishcrafter is designed specifically for filleting fish, with a thin, flexible blade that follows the backbone and ribs for clean fillets, and a grippy Santoprene handle that stays secure when wet. It comes in 7 and 9 inch lengths. Choose the 7 inch for snapper and smaller fish, and the 9 inch for kingfish and bigger species. Rinse and dry it after each use to keep it in top condition.
How do I sharpen a Benchmade knife?
Benchmade's Guided Honing Tool makes it easy to keep your knife sharp by holding the blade at a consistent angle as you hone it, which is the key to a good edge. Use light, even strokes on both sides of the blade, and hone regularly so the edge never gets too dull. If the blade is badly damaged, it may need a full resharpening. Our team can talk you through the best approach.
Are Benchmade fishing knives rust resistant?
Benchmade's fishing knives, such as the Fishcrafter, Adira, Intersect and Undercurrent, use corrosion resistant steels and handle materials designed for wet, salty conditions. No steel is completely rust proof, so rinse your knife in fresh water after use in saltwater, dry it fully and apply a light coat of oil to the blade from time to time. With that simple care, a quality fishing knife will last for many seasons.
What is the Benchmade Meatcrafter used for?
The Benchmade Meatcrafter is a trailing point butchery knife designed for processing game and trimming meat. Its long, curved blade makes clean slicing cuts for breaking down a carcass, trimming fat and silver skin, and preparing cuts for the freezer. The grippy handle stays secure even when your hands are wet or greasy. It is popular with hunters who process their own deer, pigs and other game at home.