2-25-2025

My Benchmade Knives

I haven't bought any Benchmades for a long time (since maybe 2017). Here is what I have and some of my thoughts on each:

AFCK

This is special to me as it was my first quality knife ever. Mine is in ATS-34 steel. It taught me to love the hole rather than a stud to open the knife. Mine was misplaced for a long long time, but now is back home again. I rarely carry it these days, but it is special. A liner lock knife.

The AFCK has a sort of cult following and they try to make enough noise to get Benchmade to bring it back. I'm not sure where I stand on all of that. I like the knife, but for sentimental reasons. I think there are many better designs these days. My top choice would be a Spyderco Military if you want a knife this big.

It was produced long ago, like around 2000. Mine is a combo blade. I see people say it was a Bencmade/Spyderco collaboration.

Arvensis 119 by Shane Siebert

This is a BIG fixed blade knife in 154CM steel. Discontinued. The price was a reasonable $275 Really a nice knife if you want a 5.5 inch fixed blade. The knife overall is 11 inches. Big and heavy. Impressive. Nice Boltaron sheath with retention strap.

Onslaught ("mini") - Bob Lum 746

There is (or was) a big and a little version. Discontinued. I see them selling for $300 on Ebay in 2025. Mine (a 746) is the mini, the big one is the 741. The steel is 154CM and the design is very nice. A hole to open.

Griptillian

Mine got lost on a hike in the Grand Canyon. It had a hole to open, which I did like a lot, but I don't see offered these days. It is still a very popular Benchmade classic and sells for about $200.

Loco 808

A big stout S30V blade with an oblong hole to open. Big and heavy (which I like). Discontinued

Osborne 940

A really nice knife in S30V. Mine is a combo blade, which I sort of regret. With green anodized aluminum scales and a thin blade is a a very light EDC knife It still seems to be in production, which indicates it is a classic. Awkward to open -- the stud is really "tucked in tight", but as long as you aren't in any hurry to get it into action it is a really nice knife. They call the blade a reverse tanto.

Kulgera 930

A nice axis lock knife in S30V steel. It always used to annoy me because it was as dull as a butter knife. That Benchmade would ship out knives this dull is a large part of what drove me to Spyderco. I have since learned to sharpen and have turned it into something acceptable. A stud knife. A point like a dagger, made to stab people apparently. The blue G10 makes it attractive, but it is not a great design.

Torrent 890 Steigerwalt

This is an spring assisted stud opening knife in 154 CM.
Mine is marked "Prototype January 2009". It was purchased in a Tucson Knife shop.
I don't know why I own this thing.

"Vex" 10750

This was a "Black" series Benchmade, made in China, back when they were doing Black and Red for different "grades" of knifes. It is in 8CR14MoV steel and is a liner lock knife.

A bargain basement benchmade (about a $150 price full retail).

Contego 810

Another discontinued Benchmade. I don't actually own this, my son does. It is a big stout axis lock in M4 steel and a reverse tanto blade. I really like the deep cut texture on the scales. As a surprise, the stud to open actually works naturally.
Feedback? Questions? Drop me a line!

Tom's Knife Info / tom@mmto.org