A lot of you probably don’t know this, but I’m a lowkey knife guy. I’ve got a growing collection of folders and collectible blades that totally do more than just open packages from my online shopping addiction. And yeah, I almost always have one on me. It’s just one of those things that makes life easier, whether you’re wrenching, riding, or dealing with whatever the day throws at you.
So when NASA decided to send astronauts up on the Artemis II mission aboard the Orion spacecraft with a Benchmade Triage in their suit, yeah, that says a lot. Because suddenly this isn’t just another well-made pocket knife. This is a tool that’s been cleared for a 238,855-mile trip into space.
And that tells you everything you need to know. If it’s good enough for that, it’s probably overkill for your next trail ride or weekend off-road run. Which honestly makes it kinda perfect.
The Triage is built around solving problems fast. The 3.4-inch blade uses N680 steel, so it shrugs off corrosion, and it’s coated in Cerakote for durability. But the real standout is the blunt opposing bevel tip. It’s not there to stab. It’s there to work. You can pry, scrape, or cut around sensitive stuff without worrying about accidentally puncturing something important. That’s just as useful around a bike or a truck as it is in a spacecraft.
The partially serrated edge is where things get practical. At first glance, you might think the blade was broken, or that it had chipped of after someone used the blade as a pry tool. But it actually serves a purpose. It’ll chew through ropes, straps, zip ties, and anything fibrous without hesitation. Think cutting down tied cargo, trimming excess straps, or dealing with recovery gear when things get messy out on the trail.
Then there’s the part that really sells it for off-road and overland use. The folding rescue hook. It deploys one-handed and slices through webbing cleanly without exposing a full blade. If you’ve ever had to deal with tangled straps or needed a quick, safe cut in a tight space, you’ll get why that matters.
Right next to it is a carbide glass breaker. Hopefully you never need it. But if you do, it’s the kind of feature that can turn a bad situation around fast. Whether that’s a roadside emergency or something deeper in the backcountry, it’s there.
Everything about how the knife operates just makes sense when you’re wearing gloves or dealing with less-than-ideal conditions. The Axis lock is designed to be smooth, ambidextrous, and easy to use one-handed. The thumb studs are right where you expect them to be. And the G10 handle is chunky and textured enough to stay planted in your hand, even when things get sweaty, muddy, or just plain chaotic.
And yeah, the bright orange handle might look loud, but there’s a reason for it. Drop it in dirt, gravel, or a dark garage, and you’ll spot it instantly. That’s not a styling choice. That’s survival thinking. Unfortunately, however, that orange 916SBK-ORG version isn’t exactly easy to find right now, but the black variant which is pretty much the exact same thing hovers around $325. Not cheap, sure. But then again, neither is the kind of mission this thing just got assigned to.
Sources: Benchmade, Gear Patrol
