Designed as a replacement for the long serving AFO, the Claymore is lighter, thinner, and faster opening.
Also an automatic opener, they’ve improved the blade steel to CPM-D2 and moved the pocket clip for deep carry. Additionally, Benchmade moved the safety and enlarged it to make it easier to manipulate.
If all that wasn’t enough, it’s also cheaper than the AFO.
The Claymore has been issued NSN 1095-01-796-1907.