Benchmade's new SlipRidge folding hunter pairs a 3.5-inch CPM MagnaCut blade with the Axis Lock, full liners and removable scales, in two builds starting at $300.
Benchmade built its reputation on everyday carry, but the Oregon maker has long maintained a broader catalog that runs from culinary and tactical knives to outdoor and water-oriented blades. The SlipRidge is the latest addition to that hunting side of the lineup, and its timing lands right as prime hunting season gets underway.
At the center of the design is a full-bellied modified clip point measuring 3.5 inches, roughly a quarter inch longer than the Bugout's blade. The steel is CPM MagnaCut with a satin finish, and each edge is honed through Benchmade's SelectEdge ultra-fine sharpening process. That combination points to a knife that will dress game without complaint, though it is frankly overqualified for pedestrian work like breaking down boxes. The blade profile and geometry also make it tempting for heavier daily duties — leather work, rope slicing — while still behaving like a precision folder.
Deployment comes by way of Benchmade's patented Axis Lock crossbar mechanism, paired with an ambidextrous thumb stud. One-handed opening and retraction are swift and smooth, and a deep-carry pocket clip keeps the knife low in the pocket. The other construction details:
Full liner construction for rigidity under load
User-removable scales that conceal the pivot, keeping debris out and simplifying cleaning
The same removable scales open the door to aftermarket customization
Buyers get two complete builds. The Rust Orange G10 version weighs 4.2 ounces, while the Dark Brown Stabilized Wood version comes in at 3.7 ounces, making it the lighter of the pair. Benchmade will also offer replacement scales in micarta and carbon fiber for those who want to change the look or trim weight further.
The SlipRidge is available now for $300, with no wait for a limited drop. For hunters who want a single folder that handles field dressing and still earns pocket time the rest of the year, this one sits in a useful middle ground — more blade and more steel than an EDC-first design, without the bulk of a dedicated fixed blade. The MagnaCut specification at that price also raises the bar for what buyers can reasonably expect from a production hunting folder, and it gives Benchmade a credible answer to the growing field of stainless-hunting-knife rivals.