Benchmade has released their 2018 lineup. From the Gold Class 698-181 Foray to the Mini Crooked River, there’s a lot to unpack. While we’ve covered each individually (you can find those here), here’s a brief overview of what Benchmade is offering in 2018.
As always, you can click any image on this page to see a larger version.
The new Gold Class Benchmade 698-181 Foray brings together Damasteel, marbled carbon fiber, and mother of pearl inlay to form a handcrafted work of art. It’s truly a unique and beautiful addition to Benchmade’s Gold Class line. Let’s take a look at the details.
Benchmade 698-181 Foray Features
- Loki™ patterned Damasteel® (58-60HRC) Blade Steel (exclusive to Benchmade)
- Blade Length: 3.22”
- Thickness: 3.48mm
- Marbled Carbon Fiber Handles with a Mother of Pearl inlay
- DLC Coated stainless steel liners
- DLC coated hardware
- Custom anodized thumb stud and barrel spacers
- AXIS® lock
- Reversible tip-up DLC coated deep-carry pocket clip
- Closed Length 4.15″
- Overall Length 7.34″
- Weight 3.46oz
The new 2018 Benchmade 495 Vector is an everyday carry, AXIS® Assist flipper that Benchmade is taking in a new direction with G10 handles, stainless steel liners, and expressive styling. Let’s take a look at the details.
Benchmade 495 Vector Features
- CPM-S30V premium stainless steel (58-60HRC) spear point blade
- Blade Length: 3.6”
- Thickness: 2.54mm
- Black contoured G10 with stainless steel liners
- AXIS® Assist flipper with integrated safety
- Reversible tip-up silver deep-carry pocket clip
- Closed Length 4.82″
- Overall Length 8.42″
- Weight 4.11oz
The new 2018 Benchmade 595 Mini Boost is the new mini version of the popular Benchmade Boost. It features the same dual durometer handles that greatly increase grip performance while maintaining strength, and it also has AXIS® Assist.
Benchmade 595 Mini Boost Features
- CPM-S30V premium stainless steel (58-60HRC) drop point blade
- Blade Length: 3.11”
- Thickness: 2.54mm
- Dark gray Grivory® and black overmolded Versaflex®
- AXIS® Assist flipper with integrated safety
- Reversible tip-up mini black oxide deep-carry pocket clip
- Closed Length 4.07″
- Overall Length 7.18″
- Weight 4.07oz
The new 2018 Benchmade 565 Mini Freek is the mini version of the popular Benchmade Freek. It features the same dual durometer handles that greatly increase grip performance while maintaining strength, and it also has a fully ambidextrous AXIS® lock.
Benchmade 565 Mini Freek Features
- CPM-S30V premium stainless steel (58-60HRC) drop point blade
- Blade Length: 3”
- Thickness: 2.64mm
- Warm gray Grivory® and black overmolded Versaflex®
- AXIS® Lock
- Reversible tip-up black oxide split arrow pocket clip
- Closed Length 4.05″
- Overall Length 7.05″
- Weight 2.57oz
The new 2018 Benchmade 575 Mini Presidio II and the 5750 Mini Auto Predio II incorporate all the attributes of their big brothers into smaller, lighter, more concealable packages. With black anodized, 6061-T6 billet aluminum handles and 3.2″ CPM-s30V, it can definitely hang with it’s big brother.
Benchmade 575 Mini Presidio II and 5750 Mini Auto Presidio II Features
- CPM-S30V premium stainless steel (58-60HRC) drop point blade
- Blade Length: 3.2”
- Thickness: 2.896mm
- Black anodized, 6061-T6 billet aluminum Handles
- AXIS® Lock
- Reversible tip-up black oxide deep-carry pocket clip
- Closed Length 4.34″
- Overall Length 7.48″
- Weight 3.99oz (Mini) 4.13oz (Mini Auto)
The new 2018 Benchmade 9750 Coalition is a everyday, tactical carry automatic. Benchmade says its “alliance between aircraft grade alloy and tractable G10 make for a reliable, positive grip. Let’s take a look at the details.
Benchmade 9750 Coalition Features
- CPM-S30V premium stainless steel (58-60HRC) drop point blade
- Blade Length: 2.87”
- Thickness: 2.54mm
- Dark gray anodized, 6061-T6 billet aluminum with black G10 inlay handles
- Push-button automatic with integrated safety
- Reversible tip-up black oxide deep-carry pocket clip
- Closed Length 3.91″
- Overall Length 6.78″
- Weight 2.63oz
The new 2018 Benchmade 417 Fact is a “minimalistic masterpiece.” Benchmade says it “won’t get in your way, but will be there when you need it.” Let’s take a look at the details.
Benchmade 417 Fact Features
- CPM-S30V premium stainless steel (58-60HRC) spear point blade
- Blade Length: 3.95”
- Thickness: 2.794mm
- Skeletonized black anodized, 6061-T6 billet aluminum handles with stainless steel liners
- AXIS® Lock
- Reversible tip-up DLC Coated deep-carry pocket clip
- Closed Length 4.77″
- Overall Length 8.72″
- Weight 3.24oz
The new 2018 Benchmade 133 Fixed Infidel is a new fixed blade iteration of the popular Infidel out-the-front knife. Benchmade says, “Driven by the iconic tactical design of the Infidel® out-the-front, the Fixed Infidel® affords the certainty of a fixed blade for some of the uncertainty of the mission.” Let’s take a look at the details.
Benchmade 133 Fixed Infidel Features
- D2 tool steel (60-62HRC) spear point blade
- Blade Length: 4.52”
- Thickness: 3.658mm
- Black anodized, 6061-T6 billet aluminum handle
- Fixed Blade
- Black Boltaron® Tek-Lok™ compatible sheath
- Overall Length 9.21″
- Weight 2.51oz
The new 2018 Benchmade 101 Follow-up is a new small fixed blade knife from Benchmade. Benchmade tells us that, “This small convenient fixed blade is at the top of the curriculum in Self Defense 101… It is a first option for a wide variety of EDC activities and an excellent last resort option for back-up and self defense applications.” Let’s take a look at the details.
Benchmade 101 Follow-up Features
- CPM-S30V premium stainless steel (58-60HRC) drop point blade
- Blade Length: 2.6”
- Coated skeletonized handle with optional paracord wrap included
- Fixed Blade
- Black Boltaron® Sheath
- Overall Length 5.99″
- Weight 2.03oz
The new 2018 Benchmade 15200 Altitude is tough, lightweight hunter/skinner designed for the back country. This blaze orange or black fixed blade features one-piece CPM-S90V super premium stainless steel construction and carbon fiber and G10 stacked micro scales. Let’s take a look at the details.
Benchmade 15200 Altitude Features
- CPM-S90V premium stainless steel (58-60HRC) drop point blade
- Blade Length: 3.08”
- Thickness: 2.286mm
- Carbon fiber and G10 stacked micro-scales with anodized orange washer
- Black Boltaron® Sheath
- Overall Length 7.38″
- Weight 1.6oz
The new 2018 Benchmade 15400 Pardue Hunter is the first collaboration in the Benchmade HUNT line. “Mel Pardue brings years of hunting experience and practicallity to the design of this all-around hunting fixed blade with bushcraft in its blood,” Benchmade says. Let’s take a look at the details.
Benchmade 15400 Pardue Hunter Features
- CPM-S90V premium stainless steel (58-60HRC) drop point blade
- Blade Length: 3.48”
- Thickness: 3.353mm
- Full tang three rivet construction
- Olive drab and black striped micarta handle scales
- Pressure-fit rich leather sheath with integrated guard
- Overall Length 7.96″
- Weight 5.8z
The new 2018 Benchmade 15061 Grizzly Ridge is a folding hunting knife based on the highly regarded Grizzly Creek. Benchmade says, “Grizzly Ridge brings the comfort and sure grip of a dual durometer handle, a blade designed for all-around hunting utility, and unique orange accents.” Let’s take a look at the details.
Benchmade 15061 Grizzly Ridge Features
- CPM-S30V premium stainless steel (58-60HRC) drop point blade
- Blade Length: 3.5”
- Thickness: 3.154mm
- AXIS® Lock
- Orange Grivory® and warm gray overmolded Versaflex® handles
- Anodized orange aluminum barrel spacers
- Reversible tip-up black oxide split-arrow
- Closed Length 4.34″
- Overall Length 7.84″
- Weight 3.77oz
The new 2018 Benchmade 15085 Mini Crooked River is the mini counter part to the original Benchmade Crooked River knife. It’s smaller and better suited for everyday carry. It features the same gorgeous profile as the original, including the iconic pivot and handle materials.
Benchmade 15085 Mini Crooked River Features
- CPM-S30V premium stainless steel (58-60HRC) clip point blade
- Blade Length: 3.4”
- Thickness: 2.896mm
- AXIS® Lock
- Contoured stabilized wood handles with anodized aluminum bolsters and stainless steel liners
- Anodized orange iconic pivot
- Reversible tip-up black oxide split-arrow
- Closed Length 4.5″
- Overall Length 7.89″
- Weight 3.29oz
The new 2018 Benchmade 917 Tactical Triage is a new iteration of the popular Triage series of knives from Benchmade. While it maintains all the strengths associated with the Benchmade Triage line, it’s gone “tactical” with a different look for the blade and different feel for the handle. Benchmade says, “Public Safety workers desire and deserve the very best equipment. The new Triage gives them the features they need, along with the best materials for their applications.”
Benchmade 917 Tactical Triage Features
- CPM-S30V premium stainless steel (58-60HRC) drop point blade
- Blade Length: 3.48”
- Thickness: 3.154mm
- 440C stainless steel (58-60HRC) Rescue Hook
- Carbide glass breaker
- Black contoured G10 handles with stainless steel liners
- AXIS® Lock
- Deep-carry pocket clip
- Closed Length 4.85″
- Overall Length 8.33″
- Weight 5.28oz
Overall, this is a stout new lineup for Benchmade in 2018. We look forward to seeing what sells off the shelves first. If you’re interested in pre-ordering these, you can get yours first by clicking here.
