Skip to main content

Giveaway: A Customized Benchmade 818 Mini Loco Premium Tactical Knife

The tactical knife is, without a doubt, the single-most useful tool you can have in your every day carry arsenal. Weather you need it for something as mundane as finally getting into one of those impossible-to-open, ridiculous plastic packages or as heroic as rescuing a trapped motorist from a fiery wreck by cutting through a seat belt, a good tactical and survival knife should always be on hand.

And because hardly anyone makes tactical knives better than Benchmade, we teamed up with the brand to reward our readers for their longstanding support with another fantastic giveaway. If you’ve always wanted a custom-engraved Benchmade knife, now’s your chance. Simply enter below to add your name to the pool.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

One first-prize winner will receive the Benchmade 818 Mini Loco Premium Tactical Knife with custom laser engraving. According to Greg hall, Benchmade Product Line Manager, “This overbuilt, premium tactical knife features refined custom hardware. Smaller than its big brother, the 818 is perfect for everyday carry or as a backup knife.” And with an AXIS lock mechanism, a reverse tanto blade style, a blade made from CPM S30V premium stainless steel, and a black G10 handle with stainless steel liners, this knife is as strong and refined as it is useful. The blade’s length comes in at 3.38 inches, with a total open length of 7.62 inches and a total weight of a mere 4.47 ounces, meaning it’s light enough for even the most discerning of backpackers.
Total Retail Value: $225 + $50 of customization

Image used with permission by copyright holder

One second-prize winner will receive a “Food, Water, Knives” t-shirt, a Benchmade 30th Anniversary water bottle, a guided field sharpener, and a folding tool kit. All of these are great additions to any man’s every day carry kit, especially the folding tool kit, which will help keep your Benchmade knives functioning properly long into the future.
Total Retail Value: $115

Benchmade Knife Giveaway
Chase McPeak
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Chase McPeak is the former Lifestyle Editor. Chase regularly appeared on Beards, Booze, and Bacon: The Manual Podcast where…
How to plan your Glacier National Park visit for 2025: Reservation deadlines and key rules
Here's what Glacier National Park's new reservation system will mean for you in 2025
Hiking Glacier National Park in Montana.

Glacier National Park is one of the most gorgeous ones in the United States, so it's not a surprise that it saw almost three million visitors in 2023. Visitors can't get enough of Going-to-the-Sun Road, Lake McDonald, and the many lakes and glaciers in the area — the best time to visit Glacier National Park is often the busiest time. Because of the congestion in recent years, the National Park Service had previously enacted a reservation system for entry to the park as part of a pilot program. The National Park Service recently revealed this will continue in 2025, including timed entry reservations for the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road and the North Fork — here's what you need to know.
Here's how it will look like going into 2025
Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park Tevin Trinh via Unsplash / Unsplash
West Entrance: Going-to-the-Sun Road

Reservations required: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m., June 13 – September 28.
Applies to travel beyond Apgar Village.
Entry without a reservation: Before 7 a.m. or after 3 p.m.
Exceptions: Visitors with lodging, camping, or certain commercial reservations (originating beyond Apgar checkpoint) will be allowed entry.

Read more
How to plan a day hike: Essential tips for beginners
Day hikes aren't hard to plan; just follow these steps
Man wearing yellow jacket and backpack hiking or rucking in forest or woods with tall trees

Day hikes are one of America's most treasured pastimes, and with some of the most amazing sights for hiking on the globe, it's easy to see why. Nothing beats the fresh air and the invigorating exercise, and the best part is that you can go on these adventures pretty spontaneously. While day hikes require minimal planning, there are still a few things you should bring together before you go.

In this guide on how to plan for a day hike, you'll find essential tips for mapping out your route, packing the right gear, staying nourished, and ensuring your safety on the trail. Follow these steps, and you'll be ready for a successful day hike.
Get the route right

Read more
Insulating your tent for winter camping isn’t as hard as you think
Insulating your tent for winter camping isn't as hard as you think
Woman with a headlamp camping in a winter tent surrounded by snow.

When temperatures drop, and the wind starts howling, heat loss while winter camping can quickly turn a cozy night into a frosty one. The secret to keeping your tent warm isn't about getting the most high-tech gear. Actually, it lies in understanding how heat escapes. From the cold ground beneath you to the sneaky drafts around your tent, each type of heat loss plays a role in how well your tent holds onto warmth. In this article, we'll explore the various ways that heat can sneak away from your tent, as well as how to insulate a tent for winter camping.
Types of heat loss while winter camping and how to avoid them

There are several ways your body and tent lose heat: conduction, convection, radiation, and evaporation. Here's how to avoid all four:
Ways to avoid heat loss due to conduction
Conduction occurs when heat is transferred from your body to colder surfaces, like the ground. To prevent heat loss through conduction, focus on insulating surfaces that come into direct contact with your body.

Read more