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Benchmade Drops Arguably Its Most Premium (and Polarizing) Knife Yet

When you make a knife that is styled and priced more like a luxury wristwatch, you are bound to stir things up.

Close-up of a metallic object with two parallel curved edges and a rectangular protrusion, set against a black background.Benchmade
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By Steve Mazzucchi

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Like a supersonic jet, Benchmade’s latest EDC knife arrived seemingly without warning. 

Perhaps that’s fitting, as the brand says the new Gold Class Lowden is “inspired by the speed and precision of American experimental aircraft.”

Black Benchmade folding knife with a textured blade and carbon fiber handle with gold accent.
Benchmade leans into the futuristic aircraft vibes with this image of its extremely luxe new Lowden.
Benchmade

For better or worse, that detail is likely to be lost in the shuffle, with its luxe materials and, let’s be honest, equally jaw-dropping price hogging the spotlight instead.

High-end Lowden

The renowned Oregon City, Oregon-based brand appears to have spared little to no expense with the ingredients involved here, which helps justify the eye-watering MSRP of $1,800.

That number alone has brought the haters to Benchmade’s Instagram post about the knife. 

Folded black and gray folding knife with a gold accent and visible screws on a light gray surface.
The silhouette is similar to the classic Lowden, though the light skeletonization of the frame is new.
Benchmade

In fairness, the brand surely anticipated such a reaction, and if you think of it more like a luxury wristwatch, it’s actually quite affordable.

Anyhoo, the most notable material is the steel in its 2.79-inch spearpoint blade.

Close-up of a black Benchmade knife blade with a textured pattern and part of a silver and gold handle.
The Drakkar Damasteel blade is a showstopper … and undoubtedly the biggest reason for the knife’s four-figure price.
Benchmade

According to its maker, Söderfors, Sweden-based Damasteel: “Drakkar represents a totally unique way of producing Damasteel patterned material in sheet format. The pattern is composed of 72 layers and comes alive with a full bevel grind to the blade.”

Benchmade adds that it is “shaped by deep acid etching — echoing the shockwaves of supersonic flight.”

Close-up of a black and gold metallic device with a circular button and a small lens or camera on a black background.
The Axis Lock can be found on nearly every Benchmade folding knife; the rear flipper appears on precious few of them.
Benchmade

One thing is certain: It is not, under any circumstances, to be confused with Drakkar Noir.

Such an ostentatious blade cannot possibly be sheathed in a pedestrian handle, so this Lowden’s is the furthest thing from one. 

The titanium frame boasts a DLC (diamond-like carbon) finish, marbled carbon fiber inlays and a polished brass bolster.

Close-up of a black and gray textured metal object with screws and a long vertical slot against a black background.
The reversible tip-up clip adds a level of security to a knife I would still feel very nervous to carry around in my pocket.
Benchmade

True to the Benchmade brand, it also employs the brand’s patented Axis Lock, one of the smoothest and most secure in the business, as well as a reversible tip-up clip.

Lastly, the knife carries a feature standard for the Lowden but pretty rare for the brand: a rear flipper that will make it endlessly fidget-friendly … if you dare to actually take it out of the box.

Availability and pricing

Limited to 250 pieces worldwide, the Benchmade Gold Class Lowden is available exclusively at select Benchmade dealers and the brand’s Oregon City factory store, for the price of $1,800.

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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