Deep black, clean lines and touches of burnt copper: the Benchmade Lowden 491BK-02 plays on contrasts without compromising the understated elegance expected of a high-end EDC knife. Its design draws some of its inspiration from traditional daggers, particularly through its well-balanced Spear Point blade and the rounded end of its handle.

The 7.1 cm blade is crafted from CPM-S90V, a premium steel particularly renowned for its remarkable edge retention and corrosion resistance. Its black Cerakote coating enhances the knife’s visual identity whilst providing additional protection for its surface. The flat grind ensures a precise and efficient cut despite the Lowden’s compact dimensions.

The blade opens quickly via a flip mechanism. Mounted on ball bearings, the blade deploys exceptionally smoothly, whilst the AXIS lock allows for intuitive, ambidextrous handling. The milled black G10 scales provide a secure grip without adding unnecessary weight.

The hardware and burnt copper-coloured metal components add a warmer touch to this all-black design. Finally, a deep, reversible clip allows the Lowden to be carried discreetly on either the right or left side.

Technical specifications of the Benchmade Lowden 491BK-02 S90V black G10 folding knife:

Total length of the knife when closed: 10.3 cm
Blade length: 7.1 cm
Total length of the knife when open: 17.3 cm
Blade thickness: 2.3 mm
Blade steel: CPM-S90V
Blade hardness: 59–61 HRC
Blade profile: Spear Point
Grind: flat
Blade finish: Black Cerakote
Edge: smooth
Handle material: milled G10
Handle colour: black
Details: burnt copper-coloured metal fittings
Opening mechanism: manual flip-open
Pivot: ball bearings
Lock: ambidextrous AXIS Lock
Clip: deep, reversible (right/left)
Clip position: Tip-Up
Weight: 72 gr
Manufactured in the USA
Manufacturer’s reference: 491BK-02
UPC code: 610953214586

Tellknives review:
The Lowden has a rather unique character within the Benchmade range. More refined than a tactical knife and more assertive than a traditional gentleman’s folder, it strikes a compelling balance between understated elegance, mechanical efficiency and ease of carry.

The choice of CPM-S90V steel confirms its premium status. This steel requires more care when resharpening, but it rewards the user with exceptional edge retention. The ball-bearing flipper and the AXIS Lock, for their part, form a combination that is as pleasant to use as it is effective in everyday life.

We find this 491BK-02 variant particularly successful. The burnt copper accents prevent the all-black design from becoming too monotonous, whilst the compact size and modest weight of 72 g make the knife very discreet in the pocket. A refined, high-performance American EDC with an instantly recognisable visual identity.