Spotlight: Benchmade is where hard-working knives are made by hard-working people
Turning sheets of steel into hand-assembled works of art
Company Name: Benchmade Knife Company
Headquarters: Oregon City, OR
Signature Product: SOCP, Triage and Auto Stryker
Website: https://www.benchmade.com/
1. Where did the company name originate from?
Our company’s name is a reference to how we make our products: a combination of manufactured precision parts and hand assembly. This was a “bench” operation and our CEO Les de Asis wanted the name to reflect the marriage of manufactured and custom.
2. What was the inspiration behind starting the company?
Les first started making knives at a young age. He wanted a knife built with the latest materials and manufacturing technology to replace the cheap butterfly knives, known as Bali-Songs, he played with as a kid. Using his high school shop skills, he blueprinted his dream knife. In 1979, Les assembled and finished his first Bali-Song.
3. What is one of your most popular products for law enforcement and why?
We have several products that are popular for law enforcement including the SOCP, Triage and Auto Stryker. The Outlast is one of our newest products that combines several functions in one tool. This all-in-one knife includes a first responder extrication tool for MVAs, a carbide tip for glass breaking, safety cutter for seat belts and two blades, one of which is fully serrated.
4. Why do you believe your products are essential to your vertical (Police, Fire, EMS, Corrections, Government) community?
A knife is an essential tool for law enforcement professionals. Our designs take into consideration the importance of weight, function and carry options, resulting in a product that will meet the individual needs of any law enforcement professional.
5. What makes your company unique?
Benchmade combines craftsmanship with precision manufacturing to produce some of the world’s best US-made knives. Our customer service team is well-renowned and all of our products are backed by a limited lifetime warranty and lifetime LifeSharp service.
6. What is the most rewarding part of serving the first responder/local government community?
Benchmade is proud to be able to provide products to the first responder community that they can depend on when it matters most. Hearing stories about how our products have helped them save lives makes us very proud of the work that we do.
