Knives made and assembled in Oregon since 1979
✅ Made in USA
Where Benchmade products are made
Oregon City, Oregon
Blades are laser-cut, machined, finished and hand-sharpened, and every knife is assembled on site.
The balisong
Benchmade began with the butterfly knife that still anchors its logo.
Steel disclosed
Over half the line uses US steel; premium models using imported steel are labeled.
Every Benchmade knife is made and assembled in Oregon City, Oregon. More than half its line uses US steel; the models that use premium imported steel from Japan or Sweden are clearly identified on the product pages.
The story
Benchmade began in 1979 when founder Les de Asis built a refined version of the balisong (butterfly knife) — a design that won Knife of the Year and gave the company the butterfly that still anchors its logo. Originally Bali-Song, then Pacific Cutlery, the company adopted the Benchmade name in 1988 and settled into its own Oregon City facility in 1996 as it brought production fully in-house.
Today Benchmade is one of America’s best-known knife makers, turning roughly a million blades a year at its Oregon City plant, where steel is laser-cut, machined, finished and hand-sharpened by local craftspeople. The company is candid about sourcing: every knife is made and assembled in Oregon, more than half its line uses US steel, and the models that use premium imported steel are clearly identified. Family-led after founder Les de Asis’s passing in 2020, Benchmade keeps its everyday folders, professional tools and collector pieces rolling out of Oregon City.
It started with a butterfly knife — now about a million blades a year, all from Oregon City.
Why they matter
Knives are widely imported, so a maker that machines and assembles every blade in Oregon is worth backing.
Buying Benchmade supports skilled knife-making jobs in Oregon City, Oregon.
Featured products
Browse Benchmade knives available now in the Buy American store.
Frequently asked questions
Are Benchmade knives made in the USA?
Yes. Every Benchmade knife is manufactured and assembled at the company’s Oregon City, Oregon factory.
Is the steel American?
Over half of Benchmade’s line uses domestically sourced steel. Some premium models use blade steel imported from Japan or Sweden; Benchmade labels which knives are USA-made with US steel on its product pages.
What is Benchmade known for?
It started with the balisong (butterfly knife) and is now known for high-quality folding and automatic knives, the AXIS Lock, and its everyday-carry, professional and collector classes.
