Benchmade Wants Your Next EDC Knife to Be a Fixed Blade

Enter the Dacian, which just might make you rethink your trusty folder.

benchmade-dacian-fixed-blade-with-sheath

Published August 22, 2024

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Updated August 22, 2024

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Got an EDC pocket knife you love? You’re not alone. Most of us tote a folder to tackle the little cutting, piercing and slicing tasks we encounter on a daily basis.

In addition to being gorgeous, the Dacian is relatively easy to unsheath, and the lack of a hinge eliminates a failure point, bolstering its durability.

But with its latest release, Benchmade encourages you to forget everything you know and (take a deep breath) consider making a (gasp) fixed blade your everyday go-to. Without further ado, meet the all-new, all-purpose Dacian.

Benchmade Dacian

$270 at BladeHQ

$300 (10% off)

Benchmade Dacian

We know, we know. This is hardly the first EDC fixed blade. But the Dacian’s high-level craftsmanship and features might make it the first to leave some of you (not to mention us) to seriously considering the possibilities.

Now, what stands out? The blade itself, for starters. It’s a 3.54-inch spear point made of CPM-MagnaCut Stainless Steel (60-62 HRC), which, as you probably know, is very hot right now. This high-end super steel offers an optimal blend of toughness, edge retention and corrosion resistance.

A generous amount of jimping along the top allows for a close grip, handy for detail work. The 203 skew carries a stonewash polish, while the slightly pricier 203BT-01 variant boasts a blue Cerakote finish that adds both visual and non-stick appeal.

Moving on from the blade, the Micarta handle (Canvas Micarta with the 203BT-01) features deep finger grooves that enable additional comfortable grip options.

The knife comes with a molded sheath featuring a high-retention clip for convenient waistband or pocket carry. A small hole at the tip not only allows moisture to escape but also for you to attach a lanyard and carry around your neck if you like.

benchmade dacian sheath — The hole at the end of the sheath is handy for both draining and lanyard carry.

The Dacian weighs 3.37 ounces and measures 7.57 inches in overall length. That means its slightly longer than an open Bugout and slightly shorter than a Griptilian. Silhouette-wise, it’s comparable to the Chris Reeve Knives Inyoni — it’s just a bit shorter and wider.

Now, why wouldn’t you want a knife like this one? Well, if you are like this writer and reside n an urban area such as New York City, it might be more trouble than it’s worth. While it is technically legal to carry a four-inch fixed blade here, the look alone might invite unnecessary hassling from cops.

However, if you’re in the suburbs or a rural region, that’s likely not a concern, and the upsides are notable. In addition to being gorgeous, the Dacian is relatively easy to unsheath, and the lack of a hinge eliminates a failure point, bolstering its durability.

benchmade dacian fixed blade knife — The 203BT-01’s pretty Cerakote finish conveniently keeps stuff from sticking to the blade.

In general you’ll get more stability from a fixed blade, making this knife a more than suitable option for light outdoor work. Heck, we might even trust it more than Benchmade’s PSK (personal survival knife) when it comes to heavier duty tasks, like batoning.

Although if you are doing that on an everyday basis, you probably don’t need us to tell you what knife to pack.

Availability and pricing

The Benchmade Dacian is available now. The 203 retails for $300, while the 203BT-01 retails for $320. The knives are slightly discounted at BladeHQ, and the link below will take to both options.