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The Gold Class Lowden is the most expensive production knife Benchmade has ever made. By: Ian Rebello Published: Jun 19, 2026 When the Lowden first turned up in Benchmade's 2025 catalog, it didn't even have a name yet, let alone a working prototype. Of course, that only hyped the release even more, and by the time the knife actually shipped last August, the EDC crowd was ready and waiting. Less than a year later, Benchmade is dropping its switchblade-inspired flipper into the deep end with a Gold Class version. Fair warning before you scroll to the price: it's going to make some of you wince. A blade etched like a sonic boom. The whole knife revolves around its 2.79-inch spear-point blade, cut from Damasteel's Drakkar pattern. The 72 layers only reveal themselves once the blade gets its full bevel grind, and a deep acid etch leaves behind a rippling texture meant to mimic the shockwaves trailing a supersonic jet. It's a genuinely rare steel, and to put it lightly, it's the main reason this thing carries a four-figure price. Benchmade wraps it in a stealthy black DLC finish, which keeps the pattern subtle until the light catches it just right. Cockpit brass and skeletonized titanium. Benchmade leaned all the way into the space-age aircraft theme for the build. The 6Al-4V titanium frame wears its own DLC coating, marbled carbon fiber inlays break up the surface, and a polished brass bolster is supposed to echo the cockpit canopy of an F-22 Raptor. For the first time on a Lowden, the frame is skeletonized, with fuller-like cutouts running down each scale that drop the weight to a featherweight 2.56 ounces. You still get Benchmade's bulletproof AXIS lock and that rare rear flipper, so it'll stay fidget-friendly for those of you that actually decide to use yours. You'll have to hunt for one. This is officially the most expensive production knife Benchmade has ever made, edging past the $1,500 Gold Class Crooked River from 2019. Only 250 will ever exist, and you won't find a single one online. Spec sheet. Model: Benchmade 491BK-261 Gold Class Lowden Blade Steel: Damasteel (Drakkar 72-layer pattern), 58-60 HRC Blade Style: Spear-Point Blade Length: 2.79" (7.09 cm) Blade Thickness: 0.09" (2.29 mm) Blade Finish: Black DLC Locking Mechanism: AXIS Lock Flipper Handle: 6Al-4V Titanium, marbled carbon fiber inlay, polished brass bolster Open Length: 6.81" (17.3 cm) Closed Length: 4.05" (10.29 cm) Weight: 2.56 oz (72.57 g) Pocket Clip: Reversible, tip-up Manufacturing Origin: USA Limited Edition: Yes, 250 pieces MSRP: $1,800 Pricing & availability. The Gold Class Lowden (491BK-261) is available now at $1,800, but good luck adding it to a cart. Benchmade is keeping this 250-piece run exclusive to select dealers and its Oregon City factory store, with zero online availability. Recap. Benchmade Gold Class Lowden. Benchmade dresses its Lowden flipper in a 72-layer Damasteel blade and skeletonized titanium, making it the most expensive production knife the brand has ever sold. From our partners. More gear.

Benchmade sets a new standard for everyday carry with the introduction of the bugout(r) Vapyr(TM). From the company that introduced AXIS(R) Lock and created the world's most influential everyday carry knife, Benchmade once again redefines what's possible in EDC OREGON CITY, OR, UNITED STATES, June 2, 2026 / EINPresswire.com / - Benchmade Knife Company, the leader in premium knife innovation and the company behind the revolutionary AXIS (R) Lock and iconic Bugout (R), today introduces the 534BK Bugout Vapyr(TM), a groundbreaking new everyday carry platform that pushes the boundaries of what a pocketknife can be. Engineered to be 33 percent thinner than the original Bugout while weighing less than 49 grams, the Bugout Vapyr represents the next major leap in everyday carry innovation. Designed, engineered and manufactured at Benchmade's Oregon City headquarters, the Vapyr combines breakthrough engineering, advanced materials and category-leading manufacturing expertise into a knife that establishes a new benchmark for ultralight performance. The product is the latest example of Benchmade's continued investment in engineering, product development and advanced manufacturing capabilities that allow the company to build world-class knives at scale. "The Bugout Vapyr is more than a new product launch for Benchmade. It's a statement about where we are headed as a brand," said Ryan Coulter, Vice President of Product. "For nearly four decades, Benchmade has challenged assumptions about what a knife can be. The Vapyr continues that tradition. It reflects our commitment to meaningful innovation, manufacturing excellence and creating products that inspire adventure, preparedness and confidence every day." When Benchmade launched the original 535 Bugout in 2017, it transformed the everyday carry market. In the years that followed, the Bugout became one of the best-selling and most influential pocketknives ever made, establishing a new standard for lightweight performance and carry comfort. Now, Benchmade is once again pushing the category forward. The Bugout Vapyr introduces a radically thinner profile, innovative liner-less construction and a refined AXIS Lock(R) configuration that delivers exceptional strength and reliability while reducing weight and bulk. Built around premium MagnaCut blade steel and engineered for everyday use, travel, adventure and preparedness, the Vapyr is designed for people who demand maximum performance with minimal compromise. "No one else could have built the Vapyr," said Joe Prebich, Vice President of Marketing and Sales. "The combination of engineering talent, manufacturing expertise, product development capability and scale required to bring a knife like this to market simply doesn't exist anywhere else in our category. AXIS Lock changed the industry. Bugout changed the industry. Vapyr continues this legacy. It represents years of investment in innovation and manufacturing excellence, resulting in a carry experience that is thinner, lighter and more refined than anything we've built before." The Vapyr is thinner, lighter, stronger and more refined, delivering a level of innovation that only Benchmade could bring to market at scale. With a starting MSRP of $375, the Bugout Vapyr establishes a new benchmark for premium everyday carry value and performance. The Bugout Vapyr features an anodized aluminum handle with an integrated aluminum chassis engineered for long-term durability and performance. Its drop-point MagnaCut blade incorporates a liner-less lock architecture and slim AXIS Lock configuration, allowing the knife to achieve a handle thickness of just 7.16 millimeters while maintaining the strength and reliability Benchmade customers expect. Designed for adventurers, travelers, tradespeople and everyday carriers alike, the Vapyr earns its place in the pocket day after day. Its combination of premium materials, corrosion resistance, edge retention and featherweight carry characteristics make it an ideal companion for everything from routine daily tasks to unexpected challenges in the field. The knife's black Cerakote finish and Taiga Green backspacer accents align with Benchmade's broader 2026 design language, reflecting a continued focus on purposeful innovation and modern performance. Beyond its technical achievements, the Bugout Vapyr showcases the manufacturing and engineering capabilities that have made Benchmade the leading premium knife manufacturer in the world. From product development and industrial design to machining, assembly and quality control, every Vapyr is produced at Benchmade's Oregon City headquarters, where the company continues to invest in people, technology and manufacturing capacity. While many brands rely on outsourced production, Benchmade maintains direct control over every step of the process, allowing its teams to move faster, innovate more aggressively and deliver a level of consistency that has made the brand a benchmark for quality throughout the global knife industry. The result is a world-class product built in the Pacific Northwest and carried by knife enthusiasts, professionals and adventurers around the world. The introduction of the Bugout Vapyr reinforces Benchmade's position as the company that continues to define the future of everyday carry. Just as AXIS Lock and Bugout changed expectations for an entire generation of knife enthusiasts, the Vapyr signals where the category is headed next: thinner, lighter, stronger and more capable than ever before. Vapyr is not simply the next Bugout. It is the latest proof point that Benchmade continues to define where everyday carry is headed. About Benchmade Knife Company Benchmade Knife Company has been designing and manufacturing premium knives in Oregon City, Oregon, since 1987. Family-owned and operated, Benchmade has built its reputation through a relentless commitment to innovation, engineering excellence and manufacturing expertise. By maintaining direct control over product development, machining, assembly and quality assurance, Benchmade continues to set the standard for premium knives trusted by military professionals, first responders, outdoor enthusiasts and everyday carriers around the world. Katie Davis Chair 6 Collective [email protected]

Benchmade Knife Company names revered industry veteran Ryan Coulter Vice President of Product. May 12, 2026, 16:30 GMT Coulter joins Benchmade at a pivotal moment for the American-made knife manufacturer as the brand accelerates innovation, manufacturing and global expansion. There simply are not many companies like this left. Benchmade is a true category leader with an incredible heritage, an in-house factory and a deeply passionate team all working together..." - Ryan Coulter PORTLAND, OR, UNITED STATES, May 12, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ - Benchmade Knife Company today announced the appointment of Ryan Coulter as Vice President of Product, bringing one of the outdoor and design industry's most respected innovation leaders to the Oregon-based knife manufacturer as the brand accelerates its next chapter of product development, domestic manufacturing and global growth. Coulter officially joined Benchmade May 2026. Effective immediately, Coulter will oversee all aspects of the company's product organization, including product strategy, innovation, roadmap development, customer insights and cross-functional alignment between product, sales, marketing and manufacturing teams. In the role, Coulter will help guide Benchmade's future direction as the company continues to expand its influence in the premium knife and tool category. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Coulter. "I was not out looking for a job, but this opportunity found me and I felt like I would have been remiss to pass it up. Benchmade is an iconic global brand with an incredible factory, an incredible team and so much untapped potential. The opportunity to help build products at this scale - with design, manufacturing and innovation all happening under one roof here in Oregon - is something incredibly special." Coulter joins Benchmade following a career spanning more than two decades across product innovation, industrial design and entrepreneurship. He is the founder of The James Brand, the modern everyday carry company he launched in 2011, and has previously held leadership roles with Nike, Burton Snowboards, Ziba Design and other innovation-focused brands and consultancies. Throughout his career, Coulter has led the development of globally distributed products, earned more than 30 patents and built a reputation for blending premium design, brand storytelling and functional innovation. His arrival comes as Benchmade continues to invest in American manufacturing, category-leading product development and the future growth of its premium brand platform. "Ryan is exactly the kind of leader we were searching for," said Jon deAsis, CEO of Benchmade. "After an extensive national search, it became clear that Ryan not only possesses world-class product and innovation experience, but also a deep belief in our brand, our heritage and our future. His entrepreneurial mindset, proven leadership and passion for American-made manufacturing make him an ideal fit for where Benchmade is headed. We are building tremendous momentum as a company, and Ryan's addition strengthens our ability to continue pushing the category forward." Building on that momentum, Benchmade continues to solidify its position as one of the few premium, global outdoor brands designing, engineering and manufacturing at scale in the United States. Headquartered in Oregon City, the company has spent decades building a reputation around American craftsmanship, precision manufacturing and category-defining innovation while distributing products to customers around the world. Coulter's addition signals a continued investment in the future of domestic manufacturing, vertically integrated product development and the evolution of the Benchmade brand for a new generation of global consumers. "There simply are not many companies like this left," added Coulter. "Benchmade is a true category leader with an incredible heritage, an in-house factory and a deeply passionate team all working together under one roof. The ability to move seamlessly from an idea to the manufacturing floor and then ship those products around the world from right here in Oregon is incredibly inspiring to me. It's an amazing responsibility and an opportunity I'm genuinely excited to be part of." For additional information, media inquiries or interview requests with Benchmade leadership or Ryan Coulter, please contact Greg Fitzsimmons at Chair 6 Collective at [email protected]. Greg Fitzsimmons Chair 6 Collective +1 970-708-7116 [email protected] Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram YouTube Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above. You just read: May 12, 2026, 16:30 GMT EIN Presswire's priority is author transparency. We do our best to weed out false and misleading content. The content above is the sole responsibility of the author who makes it available. If you have any complaints, kindly contact the author above. Greg Fitzsimmons Chair 6 Collective +1 970-708-7116