The Best Benchmade EDC’s

A Little Bit About Benchmade

Over the past 30 years, Benchmade has grown from a small machine shop in Southern California to a world-class knife manufacturer in the production knife capital of the Pacific Northwest. Quality remains at the heart of the business, as they continue to draw inspiration from the people, places, and products around them. In the line of duty, the field or forest, for everyday carry - you buy Benchmade because you know it will perform without compromise, however you need it to for as long as you need it to. Their offerings include everyday carry pocket knives, hunting and survival knives, rescue knives and tactical knives, and they even have kitchen cutlery.

What’s An EDC?

And EDC, which is short for everyday carry, is a knife that can be carried on a daily basis to perform any cutting task that comes up like cutting rope, opening packages or even slicing an apple. Usually, it’s a pocket knife but there are also some good, compact EDC fixed blades. With Benchmade, I’m going to focus on their line of pocket knives. Here are the best of the best!

Composite Lite Automatic Knife

Made in the USA, the Composite Lite Automatic Knife is a great all-purpose, mid-sized platform automatic. It has a razor-sharp 154CM steel, drop-point blade with a 58-61 HRC and a satin finish. With the push of a button to deploy the automatic opening mechanism, the blade can be deployed lightning fast. The lightweight handle has G10 handle scales and features an enlarged actuation button and a lanyard hole, along with a reversible, deep-carry pocket clip. This is legitimately, an unbelievably lightweight knife!

Bailout Pocket Knife

Bailout Pocket Knife For those looking for something a little more robust, the Bailout Pocket Knife takes lightweight strength one step further. Outfitted with woodland green anodized aluminum handles and a grey Cerakote finished CPM-M4 tanto blade, this pocket knife changes the tactical game. The blade’s super steel provides a tough cutting edge with excellent retention, and it has a 62-54 HRC. The secure AXIS lock mechanism is reinforced by a titanium lock bar for dependable blade lock up. The extended aluminum pommel lanyard slot on the handle features a glass breaker and a reversible pocket clip completes the package. Bailout can hang with the best of them despite its slim, pocket-friendly profile, which weighs in at just over 2 1/2 ozs.

Infidel OTF Automatic Knife

In addition to the incredibly stable, fast action and the rugged, pure tactical nature of the knife, the Infidel OTF Automatic Knife has a cool factor that is hard to describe without physically experiencing it. The OTF pocket knife has a D2 tool steel, double-edged dagger blade with a satin finish and a 60-62 HRC. The Infidel features a double action out-the-front action, meaning that the blade is both deployed and retracted by spring pressure generated by user pressure on the ambidextrous slide release button. The black handle is constructed of 6061-T6 aluminum, and it has a deep-carry, tip-down MOLLE compatible pocket clip. A Codura belt sheath is included for ease of carry and storage.

Mini Bug-Out Pocket Knife

The Benchmade Bugout was designed for the modern outdoor adventurer, incorporating the lightest, best performing materials in an extremely slim yet ergonomic package. The result of overwhelming feedback, the Bugout has been scaled down in the form of the Mini Bug-Out Pocket Knife. It maintains the same material configuration as its full-sized counterparts in a 1 1/2 oz package. The mini pocket knife has a black, razor-sharp CPM-S30V steel drop-point blade with a 58-60 HRC and features AXIS assisted locking technology. The handle is made of white Grivory and features a mini, deep-carry reversible pocket clip and a lanyard hole. With a closed length of 3 7/10”, this ultralight pocket knife is small enough for a mint tin, yet big enough for an adventure!

Auto Presidio II Knife

As the seasoned veteran of Benchmade’s tactical folding knives, the Presidio Family takes its rugged good looks one step further with the Auto Presidio II Knife. Fusing muted colors with the renowned functionality of the Auto AXIS opening mechanism, this expeditious automatic leaves nothing to be desired. It has a serrated, CPM-M4 steel, drop point blade with a grey finish and a 62-64HRC. The sharp blade can be deployed with the Auto AXIS mechanism for effortless one-handed opening and closing. The 6061-T6 aluminum handle has a burnt bronze finish, and it features both a lanyard hole and a reversible, tip-up pocket clip for carry options.