Everyday Carry

Benchmade 486 Saibu

Authored by:
Jonathan Tayag
Benchmade 486 Saibu

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What makes for a good everyday carry knife? It's all in the details. And in the case of the new Benchmade 486 Saibu, it's chock full of 'em. Designed in collaboration with custom knifemaker Seiichi Nakamura, the Saibu not only offers an EDC-sized blade made of premium steel, but it also comes in a unique, attractive design that's built to stand up to your day-to-day. The name of the knife literally means "details," and they all come together in this decidedly modern gent's EDC folder.

The Saibu features a premium CPM-20CV stainless steel drop point blade that's super sharp and wear resistant. At 2.98” it offers plenty of cutting edge for EDC tasks while keeping compact, making it an excellent option for EDCers in places with stricter knife laws. It's a plain edge knife with a high flat grind that lets it tackle slicing tasks with ease. But the curve at the tip lets you get in close for detail cutting work when needed.

The Saibu also sports dual thumbstuds and Benchmade's AXIS lock, providing fully ambidextrous operation. That AXIS lock sits within a beautiful ergonomic handle made primarily of lightweight G10 scaling for superior grip and control. Windows are cut into the handle to save on weight, but also to add gorgeous cocobolo wood inlays, giving the Saibu a refined modern gent's look.

But beyond the looks, the practicality of the design also means that this knife only weighs 2.7 ounces, making it barely noticeable in your pockets until you need to use it. The reversible tip-up deep carry pocket clip adds further versatility and convenience to carrying this stellar knife around everywhere.

True to its name the Saibu is a detail-oriented modern gent's knife that has the design and the materials that make it an excellent choice for EDC. It's attractively-styled yet immensely practical, it's a knife that both looks great in hand and feels great when you actually have to use it. Check it out at the link below.

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Jonathan Tayag

Senior Contributor


About the Author
Jonathan Tayag is secretly an information technology and corporate security expert who prefers to moonlight as a creative event and commercial photographer whenever possible. His varied experience and substantial travels have led him to seek, without even thinking about it at first, the best gear for the best use at the best price available. Before the concept of EDC (everyday carry) firmly took hold, Jonathan already spent untold amounts of time optimizing for the best-in-slot pieces of gear, from cameras and lenses to pocket knives, pens, and bags and packs. In November 2015, Jonathan joined EverydayCarry.com and has since written numerous articles and guides to help impart his knowledge to the community as a whole.

Jonathan's photographic works have appeared on numerous online websites, print, video, and television outlets for over a decade. Jonathan's previous clients include Blizzard Entertainment, Red Bull, ESL, Razer, and several other endemic and non-endemic esports sponsors and brands. His work also features heavily in online competitive gaming communities, especially those of the StarCraft and Fighting Game genres. You've likely seen his work if you've spent time in a stream or in-game chat over the years.

Discussion (2 total)

Goldthunder ·
Coming from a Benchmade fanboy, the only " gentleman knife" aspect of this is the wood inlays. It seems as everyone is beginning to use that term as a cloud for all new knives. If you would of been discussing the Benchmade proper, then maybe just maybe.
Goldthunder ·
And that is not even considered an actual gents knife. Take away the thumb studs, deep carry clip and I can see where you're coming from with the design. And by the proper not being an actual gents knife I mean in terms of " classics"