The Benchmade 319-201 Gold Class Proper is a limited run of only 500 pieces and combines modern processes with historic elements. This results in a beautiful knife with high end materials and a rich look. Combine all that with the fact that the Benchmade Proper is one of the most popular modern slipjoints on the market and you have a knife that’s almost destined to be a grail for many Benchmade collectors.
The limited-edition Gold Class Proper features a 2.82” Damasteel Damascus sheepsfoot blade in the Munin pattern with 58-60 HRC. In case you’ve any interest in the steel used, Damasteel uses two different powdered steels to make this pattern. They say they “hold the international patent to manufacture Damascus patterned steel…via modern powder metallurgy” which results in a beautiful steel that is “cleaner and has a very small amount of inclusions and impurities in comparison to conventional casted steel.” It also has a high attainable hardness combined with good corrosion resistance.
The handles on this knife are just beautiful. It has a deep, rich burgundy and black linen micarta handles with jeweled liners and is accented by a mokume-gane bolster. Mokume was first developed in Japan in the 1600s. It generally translates to “wood grain” and is similar in concept to Damascus. Finally, the Gold Class Proper literally goes gold with 24-karat gold plated hardware.
Benchmade 319-201 Gold Class Proper Details
- Damasteel Stainless Steel Damascus, Munin Pattern
- 2.82” Sheepsfoot
- 0.09” Blade Thickness
- 58-60 HRC
- Slipjoint
- Burgundy and Black Linen Micarta Handles
- 0.40” Handle Thickness
- Mokume Bolster
- 24-Karat Gold Plated Hardware
- Lanyard Hole
- 2.62 Ounces
- 3.85” Closed
- 6.69” Overall
The Benchmade 319-201 Gold Class Proper is a beautiful slipjoint that combines old world techniques with new manufacturing processes. It’s limited to only 500 pieces worldwide and makes a beautiful addition to a knife collection. If you’re interested in this knife, click any link in the article or simply click the button below.
All images courtesy of Smoky Mountain Knife Works – smkw.com.
