Ahead of Benchmade’s 2016 catalog release, details surrounding a number of new knives have emerged. Alongside updates to a few existing models are three striking new flippers and two interesting additions to Benchmade’s ‘Hunt’ line. Benchmade’s new designs tend to be iterative, incremental refinements to a proven formula. This year, Benchmade steps further out of its comfort zone than ever.
Warren Osborne, designer of the popular Benchmade 940, designed the new Proxy, a titanium framelock flipper, a first for the company. Unlike Benchmade’s first flipper; the 300SN, criticized for the inconsistent flipping action of the AXIS lock, the framelock on the new Proxy shouldn’t suffer the same drawback. If you’ve got a Benchmade Flipper on your mind, you may also want to consider a linerlock called the Precinct. Or, if you’re in the market for a new assisted flipper, it would be a mistake not to look at the new Amicus in super premium CPM-S90V.
We can expect to see at least two new mid-size gentleman’s knives this year, a smaller version of the titanium Monolock released early last year and a dressy AXIS lock knife based on a long-discontinued Allen Elishewitz design from the Benchmade archive. Both have tip-up carry – a first on a framelock from Benchmade – and 3.25” drop-point blades.
There are unmistakable new additions to Benchmade’s Hunt line this year: a small fixed blade and lithe new folder. The fixed blade is a ‘cleaver’ design called the Nestucca Cleaver. Based on a traditional Alaskan Native Ulu knife, it has a small overall length for a four-inch blade accomplished by a forward finger hole cut into the blade. Also new is the Crooked River, an AXIS lock folder with a slim profile and classy look in aluminum bolsters and a choice of handle scales.
The Barrage and Mini-Barrage join the Griptilian and Mini-Griptilian in seeing premium steel and milled G-10 handle upgrades. The Griptilian series will also receive attractive blue-liners to offset the grey G-10, while the Barrages will be dressed in a uniform grey. Look for a variety of different finishes and serrated versions to come on all four of these blades.
It’s hard not to be impressed with what Benchmade has in store for 2016.
Knife featured in image: The Benchmade Hunt Nestucca Cleaver
Emmanuel Lagunas
December 11, 2015 at 2:05 am
Todd White
Steve B Soldate
December 11, 2015 at 2:05 am
Duuuuuude
Daniel Allen
December 11, 2015 at 2:13 am
Chris Peterson
Keith Beav-o Lafollette
December 11, 2015 at 2:13 am
I really love this blade perfect lil Skinner
Dalton Guiermmo Dabney
December 11, 2015 at 2:20 am
Trever
Matt Boe
December 11, 2015 at 2:23 am
I dig the design, but I have avoided the Griptilian because of the cheap feeling scales. Not just because they are an FRN (plastic) material, I really like how Spyderco does theirs, but because they feel hollow. $100 dollar knives shouldnt feel like chinese toys. With a standard g10 model coming, I may finally own one.
Jacob Haynie
December 11, 2015 at 2:27 am
And all for the low price of 180 dollars each!
Jacob Haynie
December 11, 2015 at 2:28 am
Benchmade used to be best in class for price, now they’re worst
Matt Boe
December 11, 2015 at 2:31 am
I agree. They make nice knives, but not THAT nice. I can get equal craftmanship with better materials from ZT or Spyderco. Sonetimes even Kershaw.
Stewart Watson
December 11, 2015 at 2:39 am
Gross…
Tom Jerhada
December 11, 2015 at 2:41 am
Andrew Lohse
Keenan Bond
December 11, 2015 at 2:43 am
Rake Zink
Daniel Heller
December 11, 2015 at 2:52 am
I sorta feel like im about to be let down hard at shot
Tom Jerhada
December 11, 2015 at 2:58 am
So pricey
James Ilyich Rogers
December 11, 2015 at 3:36 am
The reference picture makes the G10 Griptillian look promising. Contoured grey G10 with bright blue accents on the inside, and a CPM 20CV blade.
It looks pretty nice compared to other knives sporting M390, CTS204p, or CPM 20cv coming in at $178.
I’m not crazy about the basic design of the Griptillian still, but the upgrade in materials is significant.
Griffin Stanford
December 11, 2015 at 5:16 am
Lucas Vella
Stephen Robinson
December 11, 2015 at 5:24 am
Izzy Izzy Tello
Lucas Vella
December 11, 2015 at 5:38 am
They want $250 for a switchblade HAHAHAHAHAHA
Paul Simpson
December 11, 2015 at 5:43 am
Johnathan Malach
Jake Vandenberg
December 11, 2015 at 6:15 am
Ready for the frame lock flipper fad to die down. The G10 Griptilian is pretty though.
David Rayas
December 11, 2015 at 6:32 am
Miki Gomez
David Landrum
December 11, 2015 at 6:34 am
I think I’ll opt for a Fremont Farson blade.
Matthew Scott
December 11, 2015 at 7:45 am
I’ve been pretty disappointed with most of Benchmade’s designs for a few years now. I used to be a huge fan, but they haven’t released a new model that has excited me in awhile. I love Warren Osbourne’s designs, especially the 940, 960, 740, and 440, but that flipper doesn’t do anything for me. It doesn’t even look like he designed it, none of his styling cues are there. Benchmade makes quality stuff, but they really need to start pushing the envelope design wise
Joaquin Jay Nodner
December 11, 2015 at 11:09 am
Sweeeeeet
Nick De Fiore
December 11, 2015 at 12:20 pm
Amy De Fiore
Danielsaur Carrasco
December 11, 2015 at 12:46 pm
765!!
Dylan Dobson
December 11, 2015 at 1:36 pm
No new bali :/
Joseph Woodard
December 11, 2015 at 2:23 pm
Wesley Bates
Wesley Bates
December 11, 2015 at 2:29 pm
I dig it
Jose Aponte
December 11, 2015 at 5:55 pm
I love knives so much. That another beautiful knife.
David Nemophilist Blank
December 11, 2015 at 8:21 pm
Reginald Brown
Erik Frost
December 11, 2015 at 8:40 pm
Chris Peterson
Johnny Fyfe
December 11, 2015 at 8:44 pm
Like a lucky 13 only better
Salam Fatohi
December 11, 2015 at 8:49 pm
Emily, be worried lol.
Emily Patricia Rice
December 11, 2015 at 9:29 pm
Just what you need, more knives
Salam Fatohi
December 11, 2015 at 9:31 pm
I’m glad you agree.
Emigdio Flores Jr
December 11, 2015 at 9:34 pm
Phil Gwin
Emily Patricia Rice
December 11, 2015 at 10:14 pm
No.
Nathan Klamerus
December 11, 2015 at 10:39 pm
Dalton Mason
Salam Fatohi
December 11, 2015 at 10:39 pm
No to your no.
Johnny Fyfe
December 11, 2015 at 11:07 pm
Because I actually like the people who work at benchmade
Jason Di Ianni
December 11, 2015 at 11:24 pm
Taylor Czar
Dalton Mason
December 11, 2015 at 11:24 pm
I’ll wait to get excited until I see the price tag
Doug Earley
December 12, 2015 at 12:29 am
holy shit that cleaver is balls
Zane R. Schenk
December 12, 2015 at 1:36 am
More of the same….good company but not a progressive lineup.
Hunter Lockley
December 12, 2015 at 2:24 am
Travis King
Travis King
December 12, 2015 at 2:41 am
Nice. I love this time of year when new knives are introduced.
Justin Greene
December 12, 2015 at 3:17 am
Stanley Branham this is what I told u the other day