Editing Benchmade (section)

==Products==
Blade steels such as [[154CM]], D2, [[CPM S30V steel]], [[CPM S30V steel|CPM S90V steel]], CPM 20CV, N690 and M390 are used on many models. Benchmade also uses [[High speed steel|high speed]] M2 and CPM M4 tool steels.<ref>{{cite book|title=Sharpening Made Easy: A Primer on Sharpening Knives and Other Edged Tools |first=Steve |last=Bottorff |publisher=Knife World Publications |year=2002 |pages=87–88 |isbn=978-0-940362-19-2}}</ref>

Benchmade receives a significant amount of revenue from selling restricted-sales knives to the military and [[police|law enforcement]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_public_safety.asp | title = Benchmade 'Public Safety' Military and Law Enforcement Page | access-date = 2006-11-04 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061030062414/http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_public_safety.asp | archive-date = 2006-10-30 }}</ref> They produce a diverse selection of "auto", or [[switchblade]] knives, along with a range of hunting, fishing, utility and miscellaneous knives, though balisongs remain a core product. In recent years most balisongs have been discontinued, with the only remaining Balisong in production being the 85. <ref name="TWFK">{{Citation | surname=Dick | given=Steven| title=The Working Folding Knife | year=1997| publisher= Stoeger Publishing Company |isbn= 978-0-88317-210-0|pages = 280 }}</ref>

Benchmade has three different knife classes. The first class is the Blue Class, also known as the Recreation class. This type of Benchmade knife is made for typical use by the everyday person. The next class is the Black Class, also known as the Professional class. This type of Benchmade knife is made for military, law enforcement, and public safety workers. The last class is the Gold class, also known as the Collector class. This class of Benchmade knife is made for collectors and are limited edition.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Benchmade Knife Company |website=Benchmade.com |url=http://www.benchmade.com |access-date=2015-05-04}}</ref>

Benchmade has a [[patent]] on the locking mechanism used in most of the switchblades they produce.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.benchmade.com/about_knives/locking_mechanisms.asp | title = Benchmade Locking Mechanism Page | access-date = 2006-11-22 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061130170120/http://www.benchmade.com/about_knives/locking_mechanisms.asp | archive-date = 2006-11-30 }}</ref> Benchmade additionally holds an exclusive license on use of the McHenry / Williams "AXIS Lock", a spring-operated locking mechanism used in both automatic and manual action models.

The designers are [[Jody Samson]], [[Ernest Emerson]], Allen Elishewitz, Mel Pardue, Bill McHenry, [[Mike Snody]], Jason Williams, Warren Osborne, Ken Steigerwalt, and Bob Lum.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.benchmade.com/designer-profiles|title=Custom Designer & Knife Craftsmen Profiles |website=Benchmade Knife Company |language=en |access-date=2019-08-20}}</ref> Several production Benchmade models based on the work of these designers have become influential within the industry.<ref name="TWFK"/><ref name="clarke">{{cite journal |last=Clarke |first=Christopher |title=Benchmade/Emerson CQC7: Double-Duty Folder |journal=Tactical Knives |volume=1 |issue=3 |year=1995 |pages=58–60}}</ref><ref name=sporting>{{cite book |first=Joe |last=Kertzman |title=2002 sporting knives |publisher=Krause Publications |year=2001 |page=108 |isbn=978-0-87349-266-9}}</ref>

Some of the Benchmade knife models include:
*Benchmade Griptilian
*Benchmade Freek
*Benchmade Crooked River
*Benchmade Bushcrafter
*Benchmade Infidel
*Benchmade SOCP
*Benchmade 556 Mini Griptilian
*Benchmade Contego (Discontinued)
*Benchmade 940 Osborne
*Benchmade BKC Bedlam Axis
*Benchmade Serum (Discontinued)
*Benchmade Mini Barrage
*Benchmade Model 42
*Benchmade Model 533 Mini-Bugout
*Benchmade Model 535 Bugout
*Benchmade Model 537 Bailout
*Benchmade Model 4400 Casbah
*Benchmade Model 51 Morpho