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Benchmade’s Unexpected New Knives Might Actually Be Its Most Useful Ever

The brand best known for EDC folders and tough outdoor fixed blades turns its attention to even more ubiquitous cutting tool styles.

Five knives with various blade shapes and handle materials, including wood and textured synthetic, arranged on a stone surface.Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol
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By Sean Tirman

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Benchmade has built its reputation over the years by building some of the most innovative, durable and reliable folding EDC knives on the market. The brand’s name is often uttered with reverence whenever someone sparks up a conversation about the greatest pocket knives of all time.

Of course, the Oregon-based outfit has also traded extensively in robust outdoor fixed blades, although this is perhaps not as widely recognized as the brand’s specialty.

Six kitchen knives with black blades and mixed green and wooden handles arranged in descending size on a concrete surface.
The knives are available with two handle options, but many can also be customized with an array of other material options.
Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

However, having thoroughly conquered both those sectors of the knife industry (and more), the brand has recently turned its eyes to an even more ubiquitous part of the category. Although not its first venture into these waters, Benchmade’s 2026 cutlery lineup might be its most compelling entry yet.

Making the cut

As mentioned, this is not the first time the brand has ventured into the realm of kitchen knives … sort of. That distinction is owed to the brand’s now-best-selling Station fixed blade knife. The brand has also previously released field-friendly fillet and hunting-focused meat processing knives.

Two Benchmade knives with textured handles, one with a wood finish and the other with an olive green finish, on a stone surface.
If you opt not to customize, you can select between green G-10 or tan Richlite/G-10 handle options.
Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

However, this new collection differs from that knife in a few distinct ways. For starters, the Station was designed as a jack-of-all-trades kind of situation — a single, versatile, standalone knife that can make all the cuts you might need in the kitchen, out in the field or anywhere in between.

But this new collection is largely more specialized — designed to function separately if necessary, but stronger and more complete as a unit when you start pairing them up with one another.

Three kitchen knives with wooden handles and black blades laid out on a concrete surface.
Regardless of which silhouette you choose, all the knives come with rugged and capable CPM-154 stainless steel blades.
Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

While the Station was (and is) more than capable of getting the job done, these knives, with their more focused silhouettes, are much more specifically adept and, dare I say, professional.

Of course, they still have threads connecting them to one another, namely in their styling and materials. All three boast remarkably rugged CPM-154 stainless steel blades and either G-10 or a Richlite/G-10 combo handle scales in similar colorways. (Unless you customize them, in which case there are far more options.)

Two fixed-blade knives with angular blades, one with a black blade and green handle, the other with a silver blade and wooden handle, on a concrete surface.
The aggressive Wildcoast (pictured above) was built for field cooking, just like its stout predecessor, the Station.
Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

In good company

If you already appreciate the brand’s Station fixed blade, the Benchmade Wildcoast is likely to catch your eye. In silhouette and function, it is the closest to that precursor, designed for open-fire cooking and rugged outdoor kitchens.

That said, it is also different enough in its size and format to stand out and stand alone. It measures 11.79 inches, of which 6.83 inches are made up by its broad clip-point blade.

Chef knife with a black blade and green and black handle on a textured stone surface.
The aptly named Chef Knife is available as a standalone for the first time.
Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

That size and shape make it adept at both tough cuts and precision detail work. It also has an all-weather grip pattern and is even fit for a paracord wrap, should you want to use it in your bushcraft endeavors. (To be fair, all three have lanyard holes, so keep that in mind.)

For something a bit more refined and indoor-friendly, there’s the Benchmade Chef Knife. Interestingly, this knife already existed, but this is the first time ever that the brand has offered it as a standalone. (Previously, you could only get it in a set).

Far larger than the Wildcoast, it measures 13.02 inches with an 8.17-inch blade. For those paying attention, that’s the ideal length for a chef knife, per countless professionals in the culinary field.

Knife with a stonewashed blade, wooden handle, and black textured end resting on a concrete surface.
The True Pairing Knife is perfect for smaller, detail-oriented work.
Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

Last but not least, there’s the True Pairing Knife, a highly precision-oriented task knife that’s ultra-adept at peeling, trimming, mincing, garnishing and more. This knife, the smallest of the trio, measures 8.54 inches with a 4.12-inch blade.

It’s important to note, as well, that all three of these knives can be had as production knives, but they’re also available to go through the brand’s customization process, opening them up to a bevy of alternative materials, colorways and more.

Three black knives with olive green handles and butterfly logos on the blades, laid on a textured surface.
All of the knives come with their own sheaths, which make storage easier and also help protect them during transport and field use.
Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

Availability and pricing

Benchmade’s Chef Knife, Wildcoast and True Pairing Knife are all now available on the brand’s site, starting at $400, $350 and $250, respectively. All three knives can also be customized.

Of course, you can also get a three-piece set that features the Wildcoast, True Pairing Knife and the brand’s existing Meatcrafter processing knife, starting at $900.

About the Author: Sean Tirman is an associate editor at Gear Patrol who specializes in EDC, cannabis and outdoor gear.

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