The Benchmade Knife Company is an American knife manufacturer in Oregon City, Oregon. History Benchmade originally started in California in 1979 as Bali-Song, then changed their name to Pacific Cutlery Corporation in the early 1980s. The company changed their name to "Benchmade" in 1988. In 1990 the company moved to Clackamas, Oregon. In 1996, the company moved to a 144,000 square foot facility in Oregon City, Oregon. Benchmade became known primarily as a manufacturer of butterfly knives, or balisongs, and they continue to be manufactured under their registered trademark name "Bali-Song". Benchmade's original Bali-Song design by Jody Samson was awarded Blade Magazine's Knife of the Year Award in 1979. Founder Les De Asis died February 21, 2020, following a stroke. Roberta De Asis held the position of President and CEO following his death and was succeeded by her son Jon in October 2020. Headquarters location In 1996, Benchmade moved to Oregon City. Apart from some Red Class products, which were produced in their "off shore facilities", Benchmade has produced more than 90% of its knives in Oregon City, and has succeeded in bringing others back to home production. Since 2010, all Red Class production knives have been discontinued, and as such, every Benchmade labeled knife is made in the United States. One of the reasons the Benchmade factory headquarters and many other knife companies are located in Oregon, is that Oregon has more relaxed laws towards the ownership and selling of knives, with switchblades or butterfly knives in particular. There are no restrictions against selling a switchblade-style knife to an Oregon resident. Products Blade steels such as 154CM, D2, CPM S30V steel, CPM S90V steel, CPM 20CV, N690 and M390 are used on many models. Benchmade is one of the few manufacturers to have used high speed M2 and CPM M4 tool steels in a production knife. Benchmade receives a significant amount of revenue from selling restricted-sales knives to the military and law enforcement. Benchmade produces a diverse selection of "auto", or switchblade knives, along with a range of hunting, fishing, utility and miscellaneous knives, though balisongs remain a core product. Benchmade has three different knife classes. The first class is the Blue Class, also known as the Recreation class. This type of Benchmade knife is made for typical use by the everyday person. The next class is the Black Class, also known as the Professional class. This type of