Luke Cuenco 04.16.25
When I first picked up the Benchmade Mini Bedlam (865BK-01), its bold and stylish black/coyote/OD green G10 handle and sleek graphite Cerakote blade caught my eye, and that’s likely going to be the case for anyone that sees you carrying around this newer offering from Benchmade. Benchmade’s reputation for crafting reliable, high-performance knives is well-earned, and this Mini Bedlam, with its tactical scimitar blade, feels like another extension of that legacy. After carrying and using it daily for a while, I can say it’s a standout for its grip, slicing prowess, operation, and rugged aesthetic, even if it’s outside of my normal style of EDC knife. Today, we’ll go over a few reasons why you may want to take a hard look at the Mini Bedlam before you adopt one yourself.
Benchmade Coverage on AllOutdoor
Specifications – Benchmade Mini Bedlam 865BK-01
- Blade: 3.45″ CPM-S90V, scimitar, 59-61 HRC, graphite Cerakote finish
- Handle: G10 (layered black/coyote/OD green), 5.2″ closed, 0.587″ thick
- Weight: 4.81 oz
- Overall Length: 8.63″ open
- Lock Mechanism: AXIS Lock
- Clip: Split-arrow, reversible, tip-up, black oxide finish
- Deployment: Ambidextrous thumb studs
- Made In: USA
- MSRP: $350
Like I said earlier, the first thing that struck me was the handle’s layered G10 design. The coyote, black, and OD green colors give it a tactical edge without being over-the-top. It’s easy to spot in a gear bag or on the ground, which came in handy during a recent camping trip. At 4.81 ounces, it’s not the lightest EDC, but it feels substantial without dragging down your pocket or taking up too much space.
Blade Performance – Benchmade Mini Bedlam 865BK-01
The Mini Bedlam’s 3.45-inch scimitar blade, made from CPM-S90V steel, is a slicer’s dream. Out of the box, it was wickedly sharp, easily shaving paper and gliding through materials like cardboard, paracord, and even tough nylon webbing. I used it for everything from opening packages to a couple of craft projects for my truck, where it excelled at slicing through some ripstop material with ease. The scimitar shape, with its pronounced belly, makes pull cuts effortless, and the blade’s 0.114-inch thickness balances strength and finesse. One downside to this blade style is that it’s extremely bad at prying due to how thin the blade is near the edges. For those who like to use their knives as a multi-tool, the Mini Bedlam might end up needing a resharpening more often as a result.
The graphite Cerakote finish, meanwhile. adds durability and a non-reflective sheen, perfect for outdoor use and particularly for me up here in the wet and humid Pacific Northwest. After scraping against rough surfaces like tree bark and metal, I noticed only faint scratches near the tip. The CPM-S90V steel’s edge retention is phenomenal—after two weeks of heavy use, it still cuts cleanly without needing a touch-up. However, the scimitar design isn’t great for piercing. When I tried puncturing thick plastic or improvising to open a can, the tip felt less precise, awkward to use, and most of all, risked breaking the tip.
The Handle: G10 Grit and Comfort
The G10 handle is a highlight. Its aggressive milling and serrations provide a locked-in grip without the need for overly aggressive texturing. Even when my hands were wet from rain or sweaty during a hike, the Bedlam easily stayed secure in gloves and on my bare hands without much effort. At 5.2 inches closed, it fits my medium-sized hand perfectly, with a curved shape that feels natural during extended use, like when I was breaking down boxes or trimming kindling into really thin pieces. If you prefer smoother scales, it could feel abrasive over long periods. The weight, at 4.81 ounces, is noticeable compared to ultralight knives like Benchmade’s Bugout. For me, the heft is just about right without going overboard and gives the blade a nice balance and feel in the hand for maneuvering.
The AXIS Lock: Flawless Functionality
The Mini Bedlam’s blade rides on some incredibly smooth bearings, making opening and closing it virtually silent. To that end, it can be dangerous for newcomers to higher-end knives to carelessly open and close this knife one-handed without some practice. To help with this, Benchmade has decided to use its popular AXIS lock design. It deploys smoothly with a flick of the thumb studs, locking with a solid click and zero blade play. I could open and close it one-handed, even while holding gear in my other hand, which was a lifesaver during multitasking, but for someone who isn’t expecting the blade, so moving about so freely might be a bit dangerous. That being said, once I had mastered it, the mechanism is so satisfying that I caught myself fidgeting with it more than necessary. After a month of constant use, it’s still as buttery as day one.
Portability and Carry – Benchmade Mini Bedlam
The Mini Bedlam’s portability is solid, but not its strongest suit. At 4.81 ounces and 0.587 inches thick, it’s not bulky, but it doesn’t disappear in your pocket like a sub-2-ounce knife. The reversible split-arrow clip keeps it secure in jeans or a jacket, but it’s stiff, and with a straight pocket, the tail end of the blade noticeably sticks out about 1.5″ from the top of your pocket. With angled pockets like in the picture below, this is much less of a problem and is actually kind of nice. Even with the extra bit of grip sticking out, sliding it in and out took effort, especially with thicker fabrics like hunting pants. Over time, the clip loosened slightly, but it’s not as slick as I’d like. The blade is tip-up carry only, but features a reversible clip for those who need it.
Durability and Maintenance – Benchmade Mini Bedlam
After a month of hard use, the Mini Bedlam holds up impressively. The CPM-S90V blade shows minimal wear, with the Cerakote finish hiding most scratches. Unfortunately, I did manage to drop the blade off of my workbench onto solid concrete, and this chipped the blade in a few places. Even with the damage, I haven’t noticed a huge difference in cutting anything. The Scimitar design is great at always providing you with an optimal slicing angle and this means that a few chinks in the blade aren’t going to stop the cutting. The G10 handle looks nearly new, despite exposure to dirt and moisture over several range sessions. Cleaning is straightforward—a quick rinse clears out debris from outdoor tasks, and a quick blowout with the air compressor keeps the internal mechanisms free from any unwanted moisture. The AXIS Lock remains smooth, with no grit or stickiness. The blade needed a light sharpening only after weeks of cutting abrasive materials, and I’ll likely use a blade sharpener to re-profile the damaged portions of Bedlam’s blade.
Final Thoughts – Benchmade Mini Bedlam
The Benchmade Mini Bedlam is a tactical folder that delivers on performance and style in almost equal parts.. Its CPM-S90V scimitar blade slices like a dream, with edge retention that’s hard to beat and a finish that’s unique even for Benchmade blades. The G10 handle offers a confident grip, and the AXIS Lock is smooth and reliable. While the stiff clip and $350 price tag are hurdles, the knife’s durability and versatility make it a strong contender for EDC and outdoor use if you can find more use out of a slicing EDC blade versus a more versatile drop point or tanto blade. A few drawbacks keep it from perfection. The scimitar blade struggles with piercing, and the weight might deter ultralight fans. The clip’s stiffness and the high cost could also give some pause. But with all that being said, I think this is a great blade for EDC collectors, and one that is well worth its $350 price tag if you’re looking to try something out of the ordinary for a change.
Pros
- Razor-sharp CPM-S90V blade with excellent edge retention
- Grippy, ergonomic G10 handle
- Smooth, ambidextrous AXIS Lock
- Durable Cerakote finish
- Distinctive, practical color scheme
Cons
- Stiff pocket clip
- Scimitar blade less suited for piercing and some common EDC tasks
- Heavy for ultralight EDC (4.81 oz)
- Pricey at $350
Author’s Note: The Benchmade Mini Bedlam 865BK-01 was provided by Benchmade for this review. I’m allowed to keep it indefinitely, but this has no bearing on my opinions, now or in the future. Benchmade has not previewed this review before publication.
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