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Benchmade is the Dealers’ Choice for Best Overall New for 2016 Lineup

November 20, 2016

Presented by: Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpeners

The KnifeNews Dealers’ Choice Awards recognize extraordinary achievement in the production knife world. KnifeNews turned to knife dealers to determine the winners. With hundreds of new production knives passing through their hands and many hours spent interacting with end-users, dealers have the most comprehensive and informed perspective. 21 of North America’s top dealers cast their votes in 10 different categories to choose the best of the best in 2016.

We are pleased to announce that Benchmade is the winner of the KnifeNews Dealers’ Choice Award for Best Overall New for 2016 Lineup. Votes cast by dealers indicated that other contenders in this category include CRKT, Kershaw, Spyderco, and Zero Tolerance.

Benchmade released over 20 new products in 2016, and the company offered something different with each release. Benchmade’s Derrick Lau says that variety is a core element of the brand’s identity. “I think that the diversity of options played a huge role. It’s something our customers have always enjoyed.”

The Crooked River was a fresh interpretation of a traditional folding hunter that really resonated. Even when entering uncharted territory, as they did with the 490 Amicus, Lau reckons the risk paid off. The brands’ new products were such a hit with consumers that the company recently had to expand their manufacturing capacity.

A key component of Benchmade’s 2016 success was customer feedback. Lau told us that the successful Griptilian G-10 upgrade was the result of input from users who’ve carried the Noryl GTX originals for years. Benchmade places a great deal of emphasis on the customer’s response to their products. “Part of who we are and how we operate is customer feedback,” Lau says. “With our lineup this year, our customers played a part in the end result.”

This is Benchmade’s third KnifeNews Dealers’ Choice Award, after having won Best Knife Upgrade for the G-10 Griptilian family and Best New Assisted-Opening Knife for the 490 Amicus. Benchmade is proud to have their efforts recognized in this way. “It’s truly an honor to named Best Overall Lineup. And honestly, it means that much more to us that it was voted on by dealers!”

AWARDS SCHEDULE

Best New Tactical Fixed Blade:
Top 4 Contenders
CRKT Clever Girl (WINNER)
Friday, November 11th

Best New Outdoor Fixed Blade:
Top 4 Contenders
Mora Garberg (WINNER)
Saturday, November 12th

Best New Fixed Blade for EDC:
Top 4 Contenders
TOPS C.U.T. 4.0 (WINNER)
Sunday, November 13th

Best Knife Upgrade:
Top 5 Contenders
Benchmade G-10 Griptilian (WINNER)
Monday, November 14th

Best New Automatic Knife:
Top 4 Contenders
Kershaw Launch 6 (WINNER)
Tuesday, November 15th

Best New Assisted-Opening Folder:
Top 4 Contenders
Benchmade 490 Amicus (WINNER)
Wednesday, November 16th

Best New Value Folder (MSRP under $100):
Top 4 Contenders
Cold Steel Pro-Lite (WINNER)
Thursday, November 17th

Best New Manual Folder:
Top 5 Contenders
Zero Tolerance 0456 (WINNER)
Friday, November 18th

Most Innovative New Knife:
Top 3 Contenders
CRKT Homefront (WINNER)
Saturday, November 19th

Best Overall New for 2016 Lineup:
Top 5 Contenders
Benchmade Knife Company (WINNER)
Sunday, November 20th

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