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Benchmade’s Case for the EDC Fixed Blade Just Got Even Better

Literally and figuratively.

Close-up of a Benchmade knife sheath made of tan leather with black stitching and rivets, partially covering a textured blue handle. The Benchmade butterfly logo and name are embossed on the leather.Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

By Steve Mazzucchi

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Almost exactly a year ago, I was writing about Benchmade’s initial argument for making a fixed blade your EDC knife, the Dacian. 

Coming on the heels of Benchmade’s PSK, an equally unlikely folding survival knife, it represented the second half of a paradigm-shifting one-two punch. 

A fixed-blade knife with a textured dark blue handle and a brass lanyard hole, partially sheathed in a tan leather sheath embossed with the Benchmade butterfly logo. The sheath has black stitching and rivets securing the handle area.
The new leather and Boltaron sheath represents a significant upgrade over the original molded one.
Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

Of course, the renowned Oregon City, Oregon-based outfit is one of few with both the chops and the attitude to subvert expectations that way.

This summer, the brand doubles down, refreshing the two original Dacian knives and adding a third, all outfitted with a significant upgrade over the original molded sheath. 

This time, as Judas Priest might say, it’s hell bent for leather. 

Three of a kind

Perhaps Benchmade’s savviest move with the Dacian was simply making a fixed-blade knife that looked great and performed even better, encouraging users to add it to the daily rotation.

This time around, the brand opts to not mess with success (too much), as the Dacian returns with the same excellent materials and design, augmented by an awesomely blacked-out bonus treatment.

Three fixed-blade knives with textured handles are arranged vertically on a light surface. The top knife has a brown handle and a blue blade with a butterfly logo near the base. The middle knife features a blue handle with brass rivets and a black blade marked "MAGNACUT." The bottom knife has a black handle and a black blade, also displaying a butterfly logo near the base. All blades have a partially serrated spine.
The two original Dacians (top) are joined by a blacked-out third (bottom) that might be the best-looking of the bunch.
Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

Toward that end, the generous 3.54-inch spear-point blade still boasts MagnaCut steel, which offers an unmatched blend of toughness, edge retention and corrosion resistance.

Generous jimping along most of the spine, meanwhile, enhances grip, particularly when tackling detail work.

The handle, meanwhile, shrouds the lower half of the full-tang blade in ergonomically shaped, grip-friendly denim micarta, rounding the length out at 7.57 inches.

The riveted lanyard hole near the rounded and jimped rear enables the attachment of, say, paracord or chain for an additional carry option.

Close-up of a black knife blade with a textured handle. The blade has a matte finish with the word "MAGNACUT" printed near the handle. The spine of the blade features a series of small notches. The handle is secured with a black screw.
Benchmade shows it means business by choosing MagnaCut, which sits atop the blade steel heap at the moment.
Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

One of the three editions, the classic-looking 203-04, gets a satin-colored blade with a stonewash polish. The other two, the blue-and-brown 203BT-03 and the new variant, the all-black 203BK-02, get a little something extra with their blade hues.

Each is treated with Cerakote, which not only imparts eye-popping matte colors but also boosts your precious MagnaCut’s resistance to abrasion, wear, corrosion and chemicals.

No ordinary cover

While the original molded Dacian sheath wasn’t bad, it fell short in one regard: its aesthetic style did not quite live up to the knife itself.

Benchmade has remedied that situation this time around, as each knife gets an appropriately toned sheath made of rugged full-grain cow leather, with a molded Boltaron insert for reliable protection and security, as the blade locks into place when sheathed.

Two fixed-blade knives with textured handles, each sheathed in leather cases embossed with the Benchmade butterfly logo. The top knife has a brown handle and a black sheath, while the bottom knife has a blue handle and a tan sheath. Both sheaths feature a belt loop for carrying.
The sheaths are designed for a horizontal orientation on the belt that makes every movement easier.
Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

The sheath is designed for “ambidextrous scout carry,” meaning it sits horizontally along the beltline (on either the right or left side), which makes bending, sitting and simply moving easier and more comfortable. 

This orientation makes it less likely to catch on anything in your vicinity while ensuring the blade can be deployed swiftly and confidently when needed.

Three fixed-blade knives with textured handles and leather sheaths are arranged vertically on a light surface. The top and bottom knives have black sheaths with a butterfly logo embossed on them, while the middle knife has a tan leather sheath with the same butterfly logo and the word "BENCHMADE" embossed. The handles of the knives are in different shades of dark colors, with the top and middle handles appearing dark gray and the bottom handle a dark brown.
While the new blacked-out Dacian is my favorite, that tan-toned sheath is a real beaut that should age well.
Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

At 0.94 ounces, it adds very little weight to your carry, while dramatically upping the functionality and style — and solidifying Benchmade’s position that, if you are going to make a fixed blade your EDC knife, this is the one. 

The three leather-sheathed Dacians — 203-04, 203BT-03 and 203BK-02 — are available now for $300 apiece.

About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

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