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Benchmade 860 Bedlam Review

by Dan Jackson 16 Comments

This post contains affiliate links. We may get paid an affiliate commission if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of the links on this web page.

Last Updated: August 3, 2019
The original Benchmade Bedlam 8600 is an automatic knife released in early 2010. The knife received rave reviews across the community and this large, middle eastern inspired knife was quickly deemed to be a new Benchmade classic. However, the knife was only available as an automatic, which is totally sweet, yet not particularly practical because large automatic knives are illegal in lots of places without a military or police exception (plus there is just more stuff to break with an automatic knife).

Benchmade 860 Bedlam Review
Buy the Benchmade Bedlam at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

Thankfully, Benchmade understood that this knife was meant for the masses, and they recently released a non-automatic version, the Bedlam 860 that you see here. The 860 is very similar to the 8600. It’s a large blade that could be used defensively, but will probably be a collector’s item more than anything. Lets take a closer look at what makes the new Bedlam 860 tick.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Bedlam is a very big folding knife with a 3.95″ blade, an overall length of 9.71″ and a weight of 7.1 ounces. I know some guys have been talking about using the blade as an EDC, but the length and weight doesn’t make it practical to me. I find it more to be built as a self defense tool. The kind of specialty blade used by martial artists. Of course you could use this for whatever you want – as a collector I found it to be immensely appealing and have carried it as well.

The blade shape of this knife is very cool, and really distinct. People commonly refer to it as a trailing point blade or even a “Persian” style blade. While both of those names are accurate, in it’s place of origin this style of blade is commonly referred to as a “Jambiya”. The Jambiya is a traditional style of knife found in a lot of Middle Eastern countries. Jambiyas are also used as official Combat Knives for the country of Jordan, and it is rumored that the 860 was originally designed for the Prince of Jordan’s royal guard.

Benchmade 860 Bedlam - Blade Details

At any rate, the Bedlam has a large upswept blade with a thin swedge running along the top part of the blade and a hollow grind starting from about 3/4 of the way up. This is a nasty looking knife with plenty of attitude. If you study the tip you will notice that it is designed so that the last few millimeters of steel actually thickens as it reaches the very tip. This is known as a revere distal taper and provides extra strength for thrust cuts and stabbing. Even with the tapering it’s still a fairly delicate tip so I wouldn’t use it to pull nails or stab through cinder blocks.

The steel is 154CM which I have covered in a couple of my other Benchmade reviews. Suffice to say 154CM is a great all-around steel and was an excellent choice for the Bedlam. It sharpens easily, holds a great edge and is resistant to wear and corrosion. The entire blade is hit with Benchmade’s proprietary BK1 matte black coating. BK1 is a tough scratch resistant finish that is very resistant to corrosion. You also have the option of getting the knife in a plain (uncoated) satin finish. To me the knife looks a little naked without the coating, but it’s all a matter of personal preference.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The handle of this knife is made of 2 large pieces of sculpted G10 over full stainless steel liners. The G10 scales are wonderfully sculpted and have been given an interesting tiger stripe like pattern. Underneath the liners (along with the rest of the hardware) has been given a flat black finish. The liners are partially milled out to reduce weight and place the balance point right in the middle of the second choil. There is a partial backspacer made of some sort of resin, and a stainless steel pommel that could serve as a glass-breaker or non-lethal impact device. The handle is screwed together so you could take it apart for cleaning and maintenance. Everything is secure, well aligned and totally flush.

Benchmade 860 Bedlam Handle

From an ergonomics standpoint, the 860 is quite nice. You would expect a knife of this size to feel good in hand and the Bedlam does not disappoint. What interested me is the variety of grips. the two choils allow you to either choke up or sit back on the knife and really extend your reach. There is a good amount of jiming on the thumb ramp, first choil, and the pommel so the knife feels very secure. The G10 has a low to medium amount of traction to it, but given the overall size of the knife and it’s handle features, I feel very comfortable wielding this blade.

Benchmade 860 Bedlam Pocket Clip

The pocket clip is given a black finish and allows for reversible tip up carry. It’s a pretty deep carry, but not super deep. Clip retention is fairly weak, which makes it easy to insert and retrieve from the pocket, but it also increases the chance of the knife falling out. It’s a delicate balance, but I do like the ease of retrieval.

As far as overall carry goes, this is a large 7 ounce knife, so you would expect to notice it. I actually found the Bedlam to carry well, and liken it to a larger tactical flashlight. Compared with the other big knives I’ve carried (like the Cold Steel Spartan and ZT 0300) the Bedlam carried very well.

Deployment and Lock

While the deployment of the 860 Bedlam isn’t as fast as the 8600 Bedlam, it is still very good. The big black blade really sings with just a flick of a thumb stud and it locks in place with authority. The ambidextrous thumb studs are big and easy to get at. There are phosphor bronze washers in this knife, so you can expect a nice smooth deployment every single time.

Benchmade 860 Bedlam Ergonomics

The axis lock is the same used in the 8600, and it was a great choice for the 860. This is a strong lock that is easy to use with one hand and is fully ambidextrous. At first, I noticed zero blade play with this knife – everything was very snug as you would expect from a Benchmade. Over time I found that the pivot loosened up a little and I started to experience some side-to-side blade play. This is pretty normal for a lot of folding knives (and not the first time this has happened with an axis-lock blade). What I did was apply some blue lock-tite to the pivot screw. This fixed the problem completely and I haven’t had issue with blade play since.

Benchmade 860 Bedlam Review – Final Thoughts

What can I say? If you are all into the Bedlam then I am here to confirm that this is a sweet knife. A big, USA made knife with rock solid construction, great materials and it looks really cool. There is a lot to like with the Bedlam. The real question is whether this is something you can get away with carrying. For some I know this will mostly be a novelty or collectible. Others might buy it with an eye towards use as a utility and self defense blade.

If you like the looks and have room in your collection, then the Bedlam is a well made knife worthy of your consideration.

Benchmade - Bedlam 860 Knife, Scimitar Blade, Serrated Edge, Coated Finish, Black Handle
Benchmade - Bedlam 860 Knife, Scimitar Blade, Serrated Edge, Coated Finish, Black Handle
  • HIGH-QUALITY: The 154CM stainless steel blade is tough, rust resistant, and holds an edge well. The G10 handle is durable and stable enough for a wide range of temperatures, making it ideal for tactical use.
  • WELL-DESIGNED: Benchmade's AXIS lock is exceptionally strong and fully ambidextrous. The Bedlam 860 is a manual knife that can be opened and closed single-handedly.
  • COMFORTABLE: The 860 is large yet is one of the most comfortable knives to handle. The reversible pocket clip offers ultimate accessibility.
  • FOR TACTICAL USE: The Bedlam 860's curved blade style is inspired by scimitar swords, which were used for military defense. This modern version is good for slashing and is designed for tactical applications.
Buy on Amazon

I recommend purchasing the Bedlam at Amazon or BladeHQ.

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Filed Under: Benchmade, Collectable Knives, Made in the USA, Tactical Knives Tagged With: 154cm, g10, trailing point

About Dan Jackson

Dan is the creator of BladeReviews.com. He founded the site in 2010, and for the first 5 years Dan wrote all of the reviews and recorded all of the video reviews. He grew up using pocket knives, and the decision to start the website stemmed from his fascination of all things sharp combined with a deep passion for writing. He has personally reviewed almost 300 knives of all shapes, sizes, and price points. He is recognized as an authority on daily carry knives and has consulted with knife companies on product design.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jonathan says

    April 17, 2011 at 3:23 pm

    So did anyone reply to you letting you know where the best place to pick up the Benchmade 860 Bedlam would be?

    Reply
    • Dan says

      April 17, 2011 at 4:19 pm

      Jonathan,

      Thanks for reminding me about this, I completely forgot. I think the best place to buy the Bedlam is on KnifeCenter. I’ve updated the review, but my rationale for this is that KnifeCenter has the best price, offers free shipping and provides unparalleled customer service and support. Here is a link to the Bedlam on Knifecenter.

      Thanks again for your comment and please let me know if you have any other questions! Dan

      Reply
  2. edge observer says

    August 15, 2011 at 9:35 pm

    Great write up! I have a Bedlam 860. I have some issues with the knife but think it’s nice to have in the collection all in all.

    Reply
    • Dan says

      August 16, 2011 at 9:51 am

      Hey man very cool, thanks for stopping by. I’d be interested to hear what your issues are – I really like mine.

      Reply
  3. Roadkill says

    February 17, 2012 at 2:27 pm

    I just got to handle one of these this week. I want one soooooo bad. The grips are so comfy!

    Reply
    • Dan says

      February 18, 2012 at 12:51 pm

      It’s a really unique knife! Benchmade did a great job with this one. And I agree – it’s very comfortable!

      Reply
  4. Gazater says

    March 13, 2012 at 11:23 pm

    Hey I was reading some reviews about this knife one of them on edgeobserver.com and it said that there are some problem with the lock that resulted in some side to side and vertical play with the blade, this made me really hesitant to get the knife or not..
    please tell me if you found the same problem?? And where would I buy to get the best quality??

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Dan says

      March 14, 2012 at 8:03 am

      Hey Gazater, In using my 860 I did notice that the pivot would work loose and a little side to side play would develop. What I did was apply some lock-tite to the pivot screw and tighten down the bolt. Haven’t had any issues yet.

      Reply
  5. Gazater says

    March 14, 2012 at 9:01 am

    This would be my first knife if I got it and I don’t have any experience with knives…
    So I am not really sure where to get the equipment to do that and what exactly do I need to maintain this knife??
    Do I need to get a sharpening kit as well??

    Reply
    • Dan says

      March 14, 2012 at 4:58 pm

      Hey Gazater,

      Great question man, and one that really belongs in a blog post of it’s own – I am definitely going to write one. I actually emailed you my answer since it’s long and rather off topic. If you don’t receive the email, please email me through the contact form. I’d be happy to explain things in further detail. 🙂

      Dan

      Reply
  6. Gazater says

    March 14, 2012 at 6:47 pm

    Hey man thank you so much for the reply…It really helped I think you have a great knowledge about knives.
    Really Helpful,
    Thank you again.

    Reply
    • Dan says

      March 15, 2012 at 7:00 am

      My pleasure man, thanks again for the great question. Feel free to email me if there is anything else I can help with.

      Reply
  7. Mark Nawrocki says

    April 16, 2021 at 10:03 pm

    Any idea how I can get ahold of one these nowadays?

    Reply
    • Dan Jackson says

      April 17, 2021 at 8:09 pm

      Mark, Maybe on Ebay or BladeForums? BladeForums has a “Want to Buy” forum I believe.

      Dan

      Reply
  8. Randy says

    June 2, 2021 at 6:35 pm

    I have the 8600. I don’t carry it every day but it has a solid spot in my rotation. Fits the hand like a glove open or closed. If one were very good with their hands in a self defense situation they should not even need to open it.

    Reply
  9. Van says

    March 24, 2024 at 7:10 am

    I was pleased to find such a thorough explanation and review of this exotic knife 🔪.
    I purchased the 860 in all black several years ago in a quaint shop in New Hope, Pa.. Having sold and collected knives 🔪 for decades, this knife really popped out at me in the display case.
    Now that I’ve owned it , I’m torn between carrying it or just keeping it in my collection. Every time I look at it I get the itchies and want to carry it. I’m just concerned about losing it by accident and having to get clipped buying another.
    I’ll wrap this up by thanking you again for your review.
    GOD Bless America 🇺🇸

    Reply

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