Benchmade Narrows 743/748 Folding Knife

The full-sized Benchmade Narrows weighs approximately 2.4 ounces, making it an exceptionally light option for a knife with a 3.43-inch blade. This impressive weight-to-blade ratio is achieved through a slim profile and precision-milled titanium handles, making it a standout in the ultralight EDC category.

The Benchmade Narrows utilizes a more compact iteration of the AXIS lock to accommodate its extremely thin handle scales. Instead of standard Omega springs, it uses a torsion-style clock spring to move the crossbar, and the external bar itself features a stepped section to provide a better grip during operation.

The Narrows is designed as a premium, light-duty slicing tool and a high-end everyday carry piece. Its thin blade geometry and M390 or CPM-20CV steel excel at cutting tasks, but because of its ultra-slim construction and ball-bearing pivot, it is not intended for hard-use tasks like batoning or heavy prying.

The Narrows series features ball bearings in the pivot rather than the phosphor bronze washers found on many other Benchmade folders. This design choice provides a smooth, free-floating action that gives the knife a different tactile feel compared to traditional AXIS lock models.

The Benchmade Narrows is a luxury technical piece that justifies its value through specialized engineering and high-end materials. It offers a unique combination of a full-sized blade and titanium construction in a package thinner than most plastic-handled knives, appealing to users who prioritize advanced manufacturing and minimal carry weight.

The 748 Narrows is the full-sized version featuring a 3.43-inch M390 blade, while the 743 Mini Narrows offers a more compact 2.98-inch blade made from CPM-20CV. Both variants share the signature ultra-thin titanium handle design and updated AXIS lock mechanism, available in different finishes including satin and black DLC.