I’ve Spent Years Testing Benchmade Pocket Knives. Here Are the 7 Best, Ranked

Benchmade makes a whole range of hunting blades, from the new wood-handled Slipridge folder to the lightweight Taggedout, which is a lightweight folder that’s basically a beefed-up Bugout built for hunters. I always keep a folder in my pocket while hunting, but also have a fixed blade or three in my pack along with a pocket sharpener in case there’s field dressing to be done. The Benchmade Raghorn is a midsize modern hunting fixed blade that’s light and streamlined; it rarely leaves my pack and rarely needs sharpening.

Despite being almost nine inches long, the Raghorn weighs just 3.5 ounces thanks to a relatively thin blade and lightweight G10 scales. (My older Raghorn has carbon fiber scales and a blaze orange blade coating but isn’t in production anymore, sadly.) As with many Benchmade blades, S30V is used for durability, edge retention, and toughness. I’ve butchered dozens of animals with mine and it’s rarely required more than a light tune-up.

Key Specs

The Bugout Vapyr released in 2026 stands as evidence that Benchmade isn’t content to rest on its laurels. Nine years after the original Bugout debuted, Benchmade designers revisited the iconic ultralight EDC and found a way to make it even lighter and thinner. And it’s arguably more robust, employing thin aluminum scales instead of lightweight synthetics for an all-metal build.

Considering the featherlight 1.72-ounce weight, it’s an impressive feat of engineering and production. The Vapyr uses an upgraded version of the Axis lock with a slide that’s ridged and easier to grab, but the action isn’t quite as free-swinging as the original Axis.

Key Specs

The Infidel might be Benchmade’s most influential automatic and the Shootout its most popular, but the pricey Auto Fact is my personal favorite. The Italian stiletto-styled side-opening automatic is one of the most unusual automatics I’ve seen. It’s not as fast as most out-the-front (OTF) switchblades, but the spring-loaded Axis lock deployment is smooth, not jarring like many more powerful side-opening automatics.

The long, narrow blade has a dagger look, but is single-edged, making it safer and more practical for everyday tasks. Still, this is more of a novelty than a workhorse and one of the few knives I keep in rotation for EDC despite its limitations in terms of practicality. The action is awesome, but it needs to be kept clean and well-oiled or the action can slow down or fail entirely if you get it too gummed up.

Key Specs

The 940 Osborne isn’t my all-time favorite Benchmade, but it’s arguably the most important Benchmade knife. The Osborne debuted in 2000 and it paired Warren Osborne’s ranch-ready design with the then-new Axis lock. The blend was a hit with a wide range of knife enthusiasts and working people, thanks to a capable build and the intrigue of the Axis.

Since 2000, there have been dozens of Osborne variations and limited releases. The original 940 used 154CM steel and aluminum scales, but today you find countless versions of the original plus a Mini Osborne, Auto Osborne, and customizable Osbornes. The design has stood the test of time and there are plenty of similar blades from other brands, especially since the Axis lock patent expired. If there’s a downside to buying an Osborne, it’s that the price has climbed to $300 since 2000 and many of those capable imitators (the Kershaw Iridium, as one example) cost significantly less.

Key Specs

I love flipper actions on pocket knives. They rival the speed of an automatic, snapping open fast and locking out securely as a result, but most rely on liner or frame locks, which aren’t as easy to open one-handed, making them less practical everyday tools. Benchmade doesn’t make a ton of flippers, but the Lowden is one of the relatively few Axis lock flippers combining the one-handed convenience with the fidget-friendly speed of a flipper.

The Lowden sits deep in the pocket and is easy and fast to deploy. I still prefer the Bugout overall, but the slightly heavier Lowden has an all-metal build and a thicker blade, which makes it feel more robust for everyday abuse. And if you generally prefer a flipper like I do, but also want the ease and security of the Axis, this is one of a handful of knives with that particular combination.

Key Specs