I have been getting email after email about the new Benchmade Weekender knife, which is supposed to be “the redux of the traditional folder pocket knife tailored for weekend escapes to nature.”
Benchmade says that the Weekender “has everything you need for basic camp chores, from whittling to opening a cold one by the fire.”
Benchmade dealers make it sound like the Weekender is an instant-classic and the best off-hours EDC folding knife ever made.
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Don’t get me wrong, it seems like a solid design – maybe – but something’s missing.
And this isn’t just because I had a terrible experience with Benchmade’s first flipper knife, leading me to steer away from the brand anytime they try something new again. This design seems simple enough to be fairly risk-free.
The Benchmade Weekender has a 3″ clip point blade “for your EDC cutting needs” according to one dealer, and a smaller 2″ drop point knife for “smaller cutting jobs.”
Another retailer says the saber-ground clip point blade is for heavy work, and the flat ground spear point knife blade for finer tasks.
It also comes with a bottle opener. No, it’s not a combination screwdriver and bottle opener, or can opener and bottle opener, it’s just a bottle opener.
The blades are made from CPM-S30V, and you have two handle material choices – greenish brownish Micarta, or grey G-10. The handle measures 4.08″ closed and is 0.40″ thick.
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If given the choice between Micarta and G-10, I think Micarta is the better choice for an outdoors knife, as it tends to handle better in sweaty hands.
Here’s what the grey G-10-handled version looks like.
The Weekender has a non-locking slip joint mechanism for both knife blades.
I’d like to ooh and ahh at the new Benchmade Weekender, but I can’t help but feel that it’s a miss.
I have nothing against slip joint knives, and own a couple. S30V is a great knife steel that has good edge retention, wearability, and corrosion resistance.
The knife is priced at a premium, but doesn’t seem unreasonable for Benchmade, especially when you factor in that this is two knives in one, and that you get Micarta or G-10 rather than fiber-reinforced plastic of similar.
But, I feel that I could take two other USA-made knives, one large and one small, and cobble together a slimmer multi-bladed knife for less money. It wouldn’t be a Benchmade, though.
Maybe it is the absence of active locks that’s throwing me off. Or – where’s the pocket clip? Lanyard hole? If this is advertised as a weekend camping knife, where’s the carabiner clip?
I’m in the minority when it comes to Benchmade knives. I’ve purchased their Bugout knives for review purposes, and while I don’t strongly dislike them, I also don’t understand how they’re as popular as they are. Maybe the same will be true here, and I’m way off-base.
I have had both good and bad experiences with multi-bladed folding knives, and so I don’t think that’s my problem.
The way I see it, either the knife is missing something – at least for a knife that retails at $225 – or there’s something coloring my views.
I’m sorry – I know not every tool or knife is suited for everyone’s individual needs or tastes, but there seems to be a disconnect between what I see in the Weekender (or don’t) and all of the promotional hype surrounding it.
To me, it doesn’t look comfortable to hold or convenient to carry, with no carrying options besides having it swimming around a pocket or tool pouch. A gentleman’s slipjoint knife should be slimmer. An outdoors knife should have a lock.
If a “pass Go, get a free knife” card landed in your hand, would you get the Weekender, or pass on it? Why?
Options: Micarta (model 317-1), G-10 (model 317)
COO: USA
Price: $225-250
Note: One retailer has special “call for price” pricing that’s lower than competitors’. You don’t have to call them, simply add it to your cart and you’ll see the special low price at checkout.
Bruce
This knife offers me nothing that a griptillain doesn’t already do. Any good knife can open a drink by using the spine of the blade when it’s closed. If I needed a knife without a lock (jurisdictional issues), I’d carry the Swiss Army knife because it’s more socially acceptable. The axis lock is so good that I have no idea why you’d build a knife without it.
Jared
There’s no blade lock? 🤔 Weird omission for such an expensive knife. And why wouldn’t they make the bottle opener have a flat tip or be pokey for dual duty?
MM
For the majority of the time I was reading the article I was thinking to myself, Okay, so this clearly isn’t the end-all be-all camp knife, but I think Stuart is being awfully hard on it, it seems like a decent enough choice for EDC. And then I got to the end and saw the price. Yikes. I’m not opposed to dropping that kind of money on a knife but I would not be choosing this one! And if I had to outfit myself for camping from scratch I’d much rather pick up a SAK and a fixed blade knife.
If the knife fairy visited me and offered me a free knife and I had the option to choose between different models I’d probably pick something else, though that’s a hard question to answer without knowing what all the choices are. I don’t think this is a bad knife, it’s just not very interesting either. If someone wanted to give me this knife I wouldn’t turn it down but I’d likely end up re-gifting it to someone else, it doesn’t excite me to keep it around as a collectable and I already have knives I prefer for EDC, outdoors, etc.
Jared
That’s what I was thinking – to justify the price it needs to do something special. Nothing wrong with SAK-style knives, but absent some unique features I’d just pick up a Victorinox Recruit and still have $200 in my pocket.
Stuart
Exactly!
At this price, it’s missing something.
RAFAEL TERRAZAS
OK. NO LOCK ON EITHER BLADE. A BOTTLE OPENER THAT’S USELESS IN THE WOOD’S, INSTEAD OF A TOOL YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE. YOU’RE NOT MISSING ANYTHING. IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU WERE VERY CLOSE TO WANTING TO CALL IT A PIECE OF CRAP., SO I’LL DO IT FOR YOU. IT’S A PIECE OF CRAP. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU’RE USING IT IN CAMP, THEN AN ANIMAL ATTACKS YOU. YOU TRY TO PROTECT YOUR SELF, AND THE BLADE CLOSES ON YOU, AND CUTS YOUR FINGER OFF. I’VE BEEN A HUNTER FOR OVER 50 YEAR’S. BELIEVE ME. IT CAN HAPPEN. ANY KNIFE WITH OUT A LOCK IS DANGEROUS. FOR $225.00. BUY A KNIFE THAT YOU WILL FEEL CONFIDENT ON USING IN AN EMERGENCY. NOT ONE THAT WILL HELP YOU KILL YOUR SELF.
Dongleface
Animals not gonna attack you in the woods most likely, and if a dangerous animal like a bear, lion, wolf, moose comes at you, a small 3 inch folding knife is not your best option of self defense preparedness anyway
Dongleface
And cutting your fingers is not going to kill you if it happens.
Monte
Yep. My old timer still works and works and works
Aaron
I had an old timer asy first pocket knife given to me by my father when I was 8 yrs old….I still have it and it’s as good knife as it was 39 yrs ago! And it didn’t cost $250.00 either.
PW
Couldn’t agree more. I also thought this piece was harsh until I saw the price. I’m not a “knife guy” and I was expecting something half as expensive!
I guess I’d have to hold this knife, but it looks awkward. Like the handle would be uncomfortable with one blade folded and the other open.
I pretty much always want a locking blade too. It feels like an omission here.
Someone gifted me a Benchmade knife, and I have a positive view of the brand. But a gift is pretty much the only way I’d end up with this knife. I don’t get it, it’s not for me.
Jerry
I agree with Stuart. If a gentlemans knife, it should disappear in a pocket, and this one seems bulky for that. A camp knife should have a lock. And a stand alone bottle opener, no can opener or screwdriver tip? You can open a bottle with the back of the blade of a folded knife but you pretty much need a can opener to open a can (thinking camp use).
Not to say its a bad knife at all, but I’m a bit at a loss to the target customer. Campers will want a lock, EDC will want it slimmer and/or a pocket clip. I often wear carpenter jeans with a knife inside the pouch, held in place with a clip. Without a clip, it will either swim around or possibly fall out.
I may be wrong, and it will sell like gangbusters but its not for me. For the money I can get an Axis Lock flipper for heavy use, and a little folder that uses utility knife blades for delicate tasks, and as a sacrificial edge, and do it for less $$$
MM
Agreed about the can opener, that’s one of the reasons why I think a SAK is a better choice for a generic camp knife. The scissors are also super handy, so is the saw. And they’re inexpensive. For the $250 that the Weekender costs you could instead set yourself up with:
$60 Victorinox Ranger (2 blades, bottle opener, can opener, scissors, saw, metal saw/file, corkscrew, etc.)
$32 Fiskars X7 hatchet
$70 Silky Bigboy 2000 folding saw
$82 Your choice of Morakniv: Bushcraft Pathfinder or Garberg Utility knife. Or if you prefer spend another $5 for an Ontario Rat-7.
Mike B.
I think Benchmade came up with a nicer than usual mass produced two bladed plus bottle opener slip joint. Then they turned it over to an over-stimulated ad writer who was tasked with coming up with a market placement for it. So we get a lot of lifestyle fetishism imagery with the knife, which is just a plain ol’ slip joint when you get down to it.
I agree with others, I’ll keep using my 30+ year old Vic Champ for a slip joint with useful extras. (I even uncork wine bottles with it!) I also carried a Benchmade Presidio or mini-Barrage. And just got a mini-Bugout in Carbon Fiber and S90V which I really like. I much prefer one hand opening blades these days but, if I were in the market for a minimal slip joint, it would likely be a high quality Barlow style.
Vidit
Moi je trouve ce couteau très correct mais beaucoup trop cher pour ce qu il propose. En France entre 250 et 300 euros. Pour ce prix là on peut avoir mieux. Je ne l achèterais pas
Glen
When Benchmade made the statements they did years ago that was enough for me to never buy anything Benchmade ever again. Spent thousands upon thousands of dollars supporting this company over the decades be it professionally and even for personal use. Not stopping nor would I want to stop anyone from buying from them; used to be companies sold products for usage/profits and that was it.
Enrique
So glad to see another like minded individual; far too many folks seem to have forgotten that Benchmade for reasons I’ll never understand caved to the outrage mob. Coming from someone that similar to Glen bought Benchmade for several decades both on the jobsite and off, that was enough to turn me away years ago.
Don’t merely take mine or Glen’s word for it, search Benchmade control and you’ll see why we’ll never buy from them ever again.
Jarred
I searched Benchmade control and got a bunch of common sales links and a couple reviews about quality control. They’re quality control has slipped more and more, while prices stay the same or increase. Sounds like you’re referencing something more specific though. I feel like I’m missing something. A little more to go on?
And yeah, this knife is overpriced and way over-advertised. I carry a multitool so don’t need my knife trying (and failing) to be something it’s not. I don’t get bottle openers at all. Might appeal to the lazy alcoholic camper crowd I suppose. If there is such a thing. A can opener is a great idea. If they could integrate that smoothly I’d be impressed. I wish knife companies didn’t feel so compelled to release new models constantly. Watering down their inventory with unnecessary junk. Just update or provide more options to the tried and true models.
Marc
They helped police destroy guns for the local department. Search Benchmade 2nd amendment.
DW
Lazy alcoholic camper here. Definitely does not appeal to me. I’m lazy, so I can’t be bothered to look for another tool since this one only does two things. I also need the extra dough for beer, so I’ll take a cheaper knife that does more stuff better. Check in with the yuppie “lifestyle” crowd, they love showing off expensive useless stuff.
Davethetool
Not a fan of old school slip joint knives in general. We all had at least one or two when growing up but knives have evolved so much that I don’t see any advantage to own a slip joint over a locking blade and/or a knife with spring assist opening. I have never been a fan of the drop point or pen blades either which is a big reason I do t own any Swiss Army knives ie I don’t like the blade designs they come with. Favorite blade design is the tanto
with the clip point knife blade taking second place in preferences. Regarding the rest of the bench made knife, it’s hard for me to understand why in the world would they not put a screwdriver tip on the bottle opener? Seems this knife was designed by people who never leave the office and definitely don’t do blue collar work or camping.
Josh
Two-Sun makes very good tanto Swiss army style knife with 14c28n steel for $35
Maikeru
I like the idea of it, that it has a bottle-opener, that it has two types of blades, and that they’ve gone with slots instead of nail-knicks (a little more positive with opening with gloved or cold hands, plus there are various kits that allow you to add a thumb stud to those). Though the lack of lock-up on the large knife feels like a missed opportunity.
On the note of the price; it seems like the price of knives and multitools from makers like Benchmade, Leatherman, Gerber, Victorinox (etc) has gone up tremendously in the last 10 years (and even the last 3-4)—I purchased a higher-priced model of Leatherman and a larger Griptilian totaling less than the price of this one Benchmade; comparable models of both of the Griptilian and Leatherman are both each at least $40+ than when I bought them.
Rob H
I’ve never owned a Benchmade knife. I carry fairly utilitarian, less expensive knives that I won’t worry over if I lose or break. I really don’t like the idea of no blade lock though. I can’t immediately think of any knife I own that doesn’t have a lock of some sort.
Koko+The+Talking+Ape
Benchmade makes nice knives that (usually) aren’t gimmicky or trendy. But on the whole, I’m with Stuart on this one.
A lock is a genuine advance that increases safety. Leaving one out is a problem. But some places (like much of Great Britain, I believe) bar locking knives, so that’s a justification. Okay.
A clip is also a useful thing, though some slender, small knives don’t have them, because they’re supposed to disappear in pockets. Is this knife small and slender? No.
One-handed opening is also a useful feature. Even Case (the knife your grandfather carried around) is starting to offer it. Why doesn’t this knife have it?
And yes, why not make the bottle opener also a can opener or screwdriver for zero added cost or bulk or difficulty?
This knife lacks a lot of function, gratuitiously so (except for the slip joint, which might be necessary for some people).
Steve
I’m a huge fan of Benchmade knives, mainly because of their axis lock which is southpaw friendly and an excellent lock. I used a Mini Griptillion for years and have carried a Mini Bugout for the last five or ten. Their steel is very good, a sharp edge that stays that way for a while. Their customer service is also excellent. All that being said I have no interest in a bulky non-locking two bladed knife without a clip. I won’t even mention my disdain for a bottle opener . . . but I guess I just did.
RC+Ward
What makes these companies think in this day and age anyone needs a bottle opener? I can’t remember the last time I needed a bottle opener.
RCWard
The price is beyond a joke, really? Ridiculous
Doresoom
My EDC is a Benchmade Osborne. No way I’d trade carrying it for this knife. I don’t even know why they’d consider making a folding knife without their Axis lock mechanism. It’s hands down the best knife lock mechanism I’ve ever used.
R K
I wish someone would give me this knife I would not complain. I could not afford to buy this knife. If you can afford to buy this knife why complain. I would love to have a bench made knife like this.
Stuart
Nobody gave me this knife.
I considered buying one for review purposes, but it doesn’t seem like a good value for what you get. The design, for the price, seems to be lacking.
R K
I did not mean that they gave you the knife. Sorry for the misunderstanding . I was trying to say I would be thankful if I had that knife, but the only way I could have it is if someone gave it to me. I apologize.
R K
I did enjoy the article and subscribed to the newsletter.
Ed
It’s a modern take on your classic pocket knife. I own and carry everything from OTF microtech’s to a case stockman. If you like to get get nostalgic with the benefits of modern steels and handle scales, then this knife is for you. It’s by no means the knife I’d carry for “camping”. It is in my pocket right now, but I like going old school from time to time and this knife takes me there. It’s not a knife I’d grab if my life was on the line, but if it’s in your budget and want to reminisce then give her a go.
Marc G
Just stick to the tried and true griptilian. If you want a bottle opener nothing beats a swiss army knife ( victorinox) also the price point for this knife is absurd don’t get me wrong i really like Benchmade but they missed the mark with this one.
Jon
I have come to terms with the pricing for quality tools, but $200 for a pocket knife rather baffles me. Seems like it should at least be some form of artisan craft piece to justify the price point.
Is there some element of quality here that I am missing?
Stacey+Jones
pretty, useless & pricey? 1 out of 3 is bad.
Kurt Andrews
Not a miss, just too expensive. Knock off $60 and I’d buy one in a new York second.
Papa Dawg
I own 6 or more Benchmade knives. I say this so you know the $200 price tag doesn’t bother me. The lack of a lock does. There doesn’t seem to be that “hook” or little something extra in this knife. Nothing compels me to buy this knife.
On the other hand, I own a Bugout knife. It is frequently my choice for EDC. The appeal of the Bugout is a superior piece of steel in a highly customizable platform.
Tiny
From the UK, where I need a slipjoint for daily carry, I agree with the article. Mostly a slipjoint gives me a light work blade and a couple of tools and I carry a SAK often, as the red plastic handles are very non-threatening.
If I want something bigger or more robust – I have the Spyderco UKPK (one hand opening, pocket clip and a choil that lets me control the blade a bit for safety). Or several Boker blades that also add this functionality.
This Benchmade is very well made but crying out for some sort of extra features to make it more useful than a traditional pocket knife.
DrZelenka
With no active blade lock it’s a no-go for me. Wouldn’t even consider it.
JoeM
AHA! Now it dawns on me… Since this article was published it was nagging me that I’d seen this somewhere before. I couldn’t place it, I didn’t know why, and it bothered me.
It just clicked… This is a Benchmade version of a traditional Swiss Army/Victorinox Scout. Cutting blade, Whittler/Marking Blade, Bottle Opener. It’s missing the Tweezers and Toothpick, but this is a high-end Scout, scaled up.
For reference, you can probably get the Scout in packs of 10 for $20 right now. It’s the base model, some call it the original. But it has been officially licensed out to Scouting since the days of Baden Powell founding Scouting in Britain. As he spread it across the British Empire and the US, Swiss Army reached out to offer a basic knife that was safe for troop leaders to award to the young men enrolled. This knife has been a staple of the Scouting survival kits for over a hundred years. And, yes… When Victorinox became the outward brand that made Swiss Army Knives, they continued to make the identical model, with Baden Powell’s Flur De Lis logo on it. In Canada, they have the addition of the rope tied in a Reef Knott around that Flur De Lis, and all over the world the Scouting organization’s variation has been the imprint instead of the company logo. And to be clear, Victorinox was always the company behind them, and they did not do this for free. Scouting worldwide has been buying these suckers for troops for as long as it has existed.
Benchmade has effectively duplicated it, replacing the Can-Piercing Opener with a Bottle Opener with Screwdriver/Weak Pry Bar combo. And that, right there, is where this design rattled my brain for a day or two!
Sorry, Stuart… I needed to get that out of my head, it was driving me nuts! No judgement on Benchmade… just… I recognize this design extremely well!
OldDominionDIYer
This is a really poorly executed knife in 2022. In 1965 it would have been really nice but alas, they are 50 years too late. and the price is comical! I can get an excellent knife with a 3 inch locking blade, screwdriver bottle opening and more in macarta with pocket clip for under $75 that is better than this. Wow sad really.
Joe Sobotka
Benchmade, overpriced to the Hilt, crap.
Coach James
I must be living in a previous century. I carry a Swiss Cadet, Bantam or Recruit when I camp. They each do all I need from a knife. I can’t fathom paying $200+ for a pocket/folding knife.
Mike
Bulky, clipless, non-locking, and pricey? Where do I sign up?
Yadda
I’m all for innovation. Unfortunately this knife doesn’t feel new or innovative. It feels like a late solution for a problem that has been better solved many times.
Franco
Not to stir the pot but aren’t Benchmade knives expensive compared to most other brands? I look at a couple of online places, their cheapest knives are over $100 and with knives up to $600-$700, I think the average price about is in the $225-$250 range. They have an excellent reputation for quality and usually make top knife lists.
That being said, the non blade lock would bother me. Then the price; I have a bit over a dozen folding knives, mainly Kershaw. I have always thought about getting a Benchmade, but in the end always found Kershaw to have excellent quality for the price.
For anyone not liking the design of this knife, I can understand. If you are complaining about the price, maybe you are not familiar with Benchmade, but that’s what they go for.
MM
Benchmade is a premium brand, but even taking that into account this seems like a costly knife for what you get–it’s nothing special and there is no lock. Meanwhile, if I go to Knifejoy (for example), I set the brand to Benchmade and the price to something similar to the weekender (I did $175 to $300) there are plenty of knives in that range but all of them–except the weekender–is either an axis lock like the excellent Mini Osborne or Bugout, or is an automatic like the Mini Infidel, Claymore, etc.
Terry Collins
I own a bunch of folding knives- everything from “disposable ” SAK knockoffs, to a single blade Benchmade (bought as a treat for myself when my disability was approved, and got back paid)- I’ve spent a lifetime with a knife in my pocket, and have to say, this Benchmade, single blade, nonlocking folder has been my edc for a couple of years now- and if I lose it, I’ll invest more than I can really afford in another one.
Fit and finish are all just right the way they should be, and so often aren’t in a pocket (or any) knife.
Brian D
This is literally an overpriced W.R. Case & Sons canoe with modern materials and an added useless bottle opener. You can buy a Case canoe for around $50, they’re also US made (and always have been), and they look better too.
Brett
Not a knife person but I have been in the market for one for a while and when I saw this knife before the price was announced I was really excited. The aesthetic of the the micarta with the orange accent reminded me of the special edition Shinola knife Benchmade had done and would match my Shinola watch which was a nice plus. I was looking for something I could keep in my backpack with a 3 inch blade so the lack of clip /lanyard loop wasn’t a deal breaker, still a bummer though. Once I got the first email revealing the price I was disappointed, I had done more research by that point and I was expecting something between $100 – $150 due to it being slip joint the other reason you stated. I just can’t justify the price, nice looking knife, but knives are function over fashion for me and I can’t justify the Weekender at it’s current price point when I could get almost any other knife to serve it’s purpose better.
Jared
Even though I’m in the “not at this price camp”, it occurs to me that perhaps the slipjoint aspect will do better in other markets. e.g. in the UK, isn’t it prohibited to carry a locking blade? I know there are nice slipjoints made by other premium knife brands specifically for reasons like that.
Bob+Adkins
Blades look awfully thick for a pocket knife, which you won’t be batoning. A second blade that’s almost identical to the other makes no sense either. I like the micarta scales, I’m not a fan of cold, glassy G10.