In 2023, the Benchmade knife company introduced roughly 40 new knives consisting of updated fan-favorites and entirely novel blade designs. Of the more-than-three-dozen new releases, the most noteworthy was undoubtedly the all-new 748 Narrows — an ultra-premium AXIS-locking titanium and M390 EDC knife that represented the Oregon City outfit’s thinnest and most low-profile full-size folder to date. Despite an exorbitant, nearly-$600 MSRP, this ultra-svelte folding knife proved to be a major hit for Benchmade. And after prompting Benchmade to release a fully-blacked-out version of the Narrows, the 748’s continued success has now lead the company to deliver an even more compact and pocketable version of the knife with Benchmade’s new 743 Mini Narrows.
The Basics
Just like the brand’s Bugout, Osborne, and Griptilian models, Benchmade’s super-top-shelf 748 Narrows knife has now been reconfigured in a scaled-down version that’s pretty much identical to the full-size-spec — save for the trio of milled out sections on the handle being ever-so-slightly smaller than the items found on the full-size Narrows. In total, the new 743 spans 6.95” overall, which is roughly an inch shorter in total than the 748’s 8.02-inch length. Additionally, Benchmade has also made a major material change — though one that doesn’t make the new 743 variant any less premium than the 748.
The Handle
Meticulously crafted in America, the Benchmade 743 sports a handle that clocks in at just 0.28-inches-thick — just like the full-size 748. This makes it 33% thinner than Benchmade’s ultra-popular Bugout knife, as well as Benchmade’s thinnest folder yet. The handle is milled from top-shelf grade 5 titanium and boasts a redesigned version of the brand’s signature AXIS lock that had to be reconfigured in order to fit in the more low-profile handle while still offering the sturdiness the locking mechanism is legendary for.
The Blade
Clocking in at just under 3.0” (or 2.98” if we’re getting technical), the 743’s blade is less-than-half-an-inch shorter than the 748’s 3.43-inch blade — though it carries over the regular Narrows’ drop point profile and 0.08-inch thickness. And while the 748’s Böhler M390 blade steel was already an impressive — and extremely capable — material, Benchmade has nonetheless opted to upgrade the construction to Crucible Industries’ slightly-more-premium CPM 20CV blade steel.
Available Variants
Just like its full-sized counterpart, the new 743 Narrows Mini is currently offered in two different versions; a bare 20CV and titanium model with a Sapphire Blue PVD-coated pocket clip, thumb-studs, handle hardware, and pivot collar; and a stealthy, completely and totally-blacked-out variant.
Spec Sheet
Brand: Benchmade
Model: 743 Mini Narrows & 743BK-01 Mini Narrows
Overall Length: 6.95”
Blade Length: 2.98”
Blade Thickness: 0.08”
Blade Steel: CPM 20CV
Handle Material: 6AI-4V Titanium
Handle Thickness: 0.28”
Lock Type: AXIS
Weight: 1.98oz
Manufacturing Origin: USA
Pricing & Availability
The Benchmade 743 Mini Narrows and the completely-blacked-out 743BK-01 Mini Narrows are both available now, with MSRPs of $560 and $580, respectively. Alongside the knife itself, the price of each 743 also includes a lifetime warranty, as well as Benchmade’s LifeSharp services which will clean, tune, sharpen, and, if need be, even rehone your blade, for free, for life.
Recap
Benchmade 743 Mini Narrows Knife
Benchmade has taken its super-premium 748 Narrows knife and given it the Mini treatment — along with a new CPM 20CV blade construction — which results in an even more pocketable and compact EDC folder that’s just as thoroughly premium as its full-sized counterpart.
