The thread in the Wanted To Buy forum got me to thinking about this when someone requested pictures of the blue boxes. I wound up just looking over my boxes for differences between them. I wish I had years to place with them, but alas, I do not. Perhaps some of our more informed members can either put my poor camera skills to shame or shed some light on the years these boxes were in use.

First is the oldest box I know of. Very flat, unfold on both sides and didn't slide or have any inserted foam or the like. Also worth noting is that there was no "Extremely Sharp" warning on the back end of the box, and the LifeSharp service was mentioned on the top of the box and not one of the sides as it is on subsequent boxes.




Next is a comparison between the oldest (plain blue background) and the next-oldest. This one incorporates the butterfly background, LifeSharp on one side, tolerance statement on the bottom of the box, and Handle With Care warning on the backside. It was made in at least two thicknesses as the later pictures show.



Now just the thickness comparison.. same boxes otherwise:



The rest are really similar in appearance, but have some minor changes. These are the ones where I don't know much about dates.

The rest are all sliding inserts around blue box outers. The differences are largely in how the inserts fold up. There's a few types that I've seen. They are : No side tabs with a wide bottom tab, no side tabs with a double bottom tab, narrow side tabs with no bottom tab, and wide side tabs with a wide bottom tab. Behold!






Then there is the limited boxes.. The regular boxes have a fairly matte finish on them. Limited boxes are shiny and embossed. A comparison between a Limited box and a regular current box is below:




Somebody else could probably document this a lot better than I have, but I haven't seen this done yet. Enjoy.

You're missing the earliest box. Back from when BM was located @ Clackamas City, OR. Looks the same as early boxes from Oregon City, but the print is different. I'll post a pic tomorrow if you don't have one

I sure don't have one. I'd love to see that! If you're not opposed, I might link to it at the beginning of my thread (with credit to you) just to get the timeline down.

My first BM was purchased in 1997 and I wasn't bright enough back then to keep my boxes.. and they'd already moved by that time anyway.

Are the variations I detailed even considered variations? I figured you'd know of at least one or two I didn't have, Rx

Sure, they are variations
I would also add Red, Black, and Gold class boxes. As well as HK, NRA, and maybe Bradley and Leupold as well.

I got some boxes, will take pics tomorrow and PM them to you, to be added to your post.

True.. guess it may as well be a "Boxes of Benchmade" comprehensive rather than just blue boxes.

I don't own any red or gold class knives. I have a couple variations of black boxes and a few types of HK and a Bradley Alias I... I wonder if the Stag Arms 910 had a Stag box or a regular BM box... Dingo? How about the Warn Barrages? Regular BM Box or their own?

This could be a neat project.

I also don't own any clamshell knives or boxes. I'd welcome a picture of those as well.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Carson,

good post carson,the old bm's quality was ALWAYS there, lockup, dead centered blades...

Thank you Carson, for an interesting and informative post. Look forward to any and all added info on this.

here’s a Blackwater box that my BW auto came in-








the retailer put their sticker over the BW (BM) sticker

Here's one I have not pictured above.

What a great thread! As a relative newcomer to Benchmade, I've never seen some of these. Thanks!