Think of Benchmade today, and you will most likely picture the Bugout, followed by the Osborne and Griptilian and then perhaps the Meatcrafter, Narrows, Shootout or a few other models, depending where your predilections lie.
De Asis specialized in bali-songs, aka butterfly knives, so much so that he initially incorporated the company as Bali-Song, Inc. The word “Bali-Song” sat perfectly in a butterfly logo, just as “Benchmade” does today.
Regardless, you will almost certainly visualize an exceptionally designed and constructed pocket knife or perhaps a fixed blade.
You may be surprised to learn, however, that these kinds of tools were not always Benchmade’s stock in trade — and that its latest release, a premium butterfly knife called the Laro, is more on brand than you might imagine.
Bali-song background
As a brand that has been around for almost half a century, Benchmade has quite a history. But what’s most interesting with regard to the Laro is the company’s roots.
Founder Les de Asis, a native of Oakland, California, was just shy of 30 years old when he started hand-making custom knives in 1979.
