Les de Asis passed away

[Doc B]

Les de Asis, the founder of Benchmade, passed away yesterday. I don't know any details...but it was on the Facebook feed, from BM.
Rest in Peace, Les. I've enjoyed many of your knives.

[TPK]

I've never owned a Benchmade but it's still sad news for knifers.
As Jim said, may he Rest in Peace.

[edge213]

I love Benchmade knives.
Hopefully the company continues on.
RIP Les.

[kennedy knives]

Sorry for the loss more info on Les de Asis there's a article in Knife world

[Quick Steel]

Les de Asis was a strong presence in the knife world and I regret his passing. It is regrettable that his final days were marred by controversy.
RIP.

[orvet]

I missed this topic until I got an email from Goldie Russell saying that Les had passed away. I searched for Les's name and found the topic. I figured someone head heard about this already.
That is really shocking, I believe he was quite a bit younger than I am.

I was privileged to know Les and be able to hang around when he and Jody Samson and a couple other guys were setting up the original Benchmade Factory in Clackamas Oregon.

There are two guys that I knew pretty well from that time and in that area, Al Mar and Les de Asis. I have known a lot of really outstanding individuals associated with the cutlery industry, Al & Les are two that stand out in my mind as top quality individuals!
Rest well my friends!