Benchmade Bugout 535 is it good for EDC? OUTDOORS? or BUGGING OUT? 

I would recommend the full size griptillian for outdoor use, I’ve had the same one for 3 years edc and used the hell out of it while hunting and camping. Lockup is still slop free after thousands of times being flicked open. And the handle on the 551 fills my hand better than the thin knives.

I bought the tan/black Bugout a month ago and at first it felt so light as to be cheap and flimsy but so far its proven to handle any normal day to day task I use my knives for. Its earned it's spot in my rotation.

"Bug Out" because it's functional yet doesn't add a lot of weight to an already complex system.

I just got this knife and love it! It is the Worksharp exclusive with black 20CV blade and yellow handle, I think it looks awesome! Great review thank you

One of my mechanic friends pulled out a knife today. I told him to check out your channel, and sure enough we found his knife on your channel new sub.

The clip being shorter actually has better tension vs their longer clips. I would never worrying about carrying in pocket otherwise just put it in your front waist straps on your backpack. Great review. It has Titanium thumbstuds and first ever titanium axis lock as well.

You Sir are the EDC Prophet for sure! The reason I believe is that almost 2 years after this video, BM now has the 535 EDC Black on Black on the market.

Have one, love it! I use it as my edc but wouldn't dream of taking it tofield or bush. I use my triage for that and it's not likely to change any time soon. This blade is awesome for an edc around town, with that deep carry and light weight frame.

5 yrs later and I just bought this knife! Love it, just installed black micarta scales and a stone washed copper back spacer to match the stock copper thumb stud. So light and thin, one of my favorite EDC’s. I guess I don’t understand the dislike for the name Bug-out?! The ole two is one and one is none applies. I would definitely take this in a bug out situation for all the little light work, but not as my only knife! I think Benchmade marketing was brilliant with the name. Great video!

I have this exact knife. Fair comments, all. Appreciate your reviews.

Bought this knife and really like it as an EDC, but for a true bugout folding knife the Benchmade Freek or Spyderco Paramilitary 2...

This a great knife. I do not know why would I need my 940 for? That 535 is an ultimate city EDC. Light, takes small amount of space in pocket (fits my pockets better than 940), great steel, gear slicer and flips tremendously (I see no difference to 940).....+ deep carry clip. I stopped using my PM2, Delica, miniGrip or 940 because that one is great for city and office

I handled this at the Benchmade factory over the weekend. It's a beautiful knife, the steel is fantastic. But I personally couldn't justify it over the Ka-Bar Dozier. I'd rather have the mini-grip or the North Fork that they make.

This is a beautiful light carry knife, I love mine. Get the partial serrated blade, though, it'll cut through rope and straps 10x easier than the smooth blade.

usually with bugout bags you have a fix blade and a light back up just for redundancy which this one fits the bill

You couldn't get me to carry one of those for free. My first rule for an edc is at least a 4" blade or longer. Well made heavy duty & best bang for the buck. Screw all minis. That bug out is for suburbanites that open mail on a tough day. I recommend a $100 new Cold Steel Recon-1 clip point. If a task is larger my Espada XL covers those easily

Thanks for your review. I just picked one up and it is EDC perection! Bugout and Manix 2 G-10 is what I have and I feel like I'm set for any situation. Keep it up and great work as always.

I’d encourage you to actually go on a 5-10 mile hike with the Bugout in your pocket. It’s held very securely with no worries. I’ve done just that with mine, and it never budged. I also put it thru the same tests you did along with making tent stakes and hotdog sticks. Did great and still don’t need a sharpening.

Love the knife.. got the standard blue version.. outdoors use.. yes and no.. I love s30v and I love the lightweight factor.. for me "travel" and edc knife. I use it a lot.

Great review! One thing to add, I believe they released this at an outdoor show to appeal to hunters as well. As an avid hunter I see this blade shape as excellent for processing game. I just ordered one because I think it’s a great edc that will transition very well to butchering small game.

I hear a ton of people complaining about the price of this knife, but the same people own a 940 and the only difference is either 2 aluminum or g10 scales and $55.00 and the bugout has a slicier blade .

My edc is a manix 2 LW with s110v. My bug out is the zero tolerance Zt300 with s30v. I can't imagine moving to the benchmade bugout. I fall into the school of thought that a good edc or bugout knives should be built for battle as much as it is for survival. The features of the bugout is really geared to edc office worker. To each his own.

I have this knife & to be honest I’m on the fence. The knife feels so cheep & the blade loosened up after only a couple of days. I used the thread lock but for $120.00 should I have to? I try to get exited about Benchmade but I find myself taking these knives back. After only owning a few, I think BM is more hype then anything else.

Just purchased this off your link. Thanks for the honest reviews. Honest reviews are getting hard and hard to find.

Gideon: "Hey look, it's the Benchmade Bugout" Wife (an intellectual): "Lol that's not for Bugout"

I use mine all the time for lite batoning and all other camping tasks like rope cutting and food preparation and especially feathersticking. It really is great when you have to walk a lot when camping and hiking and you don’t even know it’s there. Funny enough it’s actually the only benchmade i have that can baton without the lock temporarily failing. Super strong lock open strength.

It’s a perfect bugout folder because I will of course also have a fixed blade for fire 🔥 preparation and other heavy duty task. This one will serve as a knife I use for light task such as food preparation, and for skinning and gutting small game. And since I also have a fixed blade want a really lightweight folder with a good belly. And I want a small clip because if I do use it as a edc I use the clip but in the wood I would never use the clip because then I going to loose it. And when I then have it in my pocket I don’t want a unnecessary large clip that just take up space. So this is the best bugout pocket knife I have ever seen.

I would "bugout" with a Leatherman Wave as a "pocket knife" but only as a backup to a fixed blade 4-5" preferably in CPM-3V. Benchmade really should have called this the EDC

Great video I just got my first Benchmade Bugout this week Standard 535 blue and I love it

I love this blade! It is in my top 5 blades and when I reviewed it I found it to be an excellent backpacking blade. Great video. Does the Benchmade Bugout make it into your top ten favorite pocket knives?

I think I'm gonna pick up a Cold Steel Pocket Bushman as a bag knife. I don't wanna toss a $200 in a bag that isn't gonna see a bunch of use. Fully agree that this is a perfect feather weight edc.. so glad I got one. Amazing cutter

Yes you would carry this ultra-light in a BOB, at least in an URBAN bug-out-bag (unless you are saying go-bags are for urbanites and BOB's are for near-the-woods folk). Imagine temporary relocation to a stadium or school gym. I wouldn't want a blade that is so large or awesomely tactical that it increases the odds of confiscation (or a request to not bring it inside); yet I would want something more daunting than a box-cutter if my family had to sleep in our car or even sleep on the street following a hurricane, flood, or urban emergency. At least the Bugout is some sort of minimalist "claw" to shoo away an opportunistic two-legged urban predator. Heck even if I were working late in a downtown office, I'd clip this to my dress pocket shirt for quick and easy access (it's light enough not to drag down the pocket edge, while the deep-carry clip makes it less visually offensive to any co-workers and the clean-up staff). Even walking to an almost empty parking lot is going to feel safer. BOB? Yes, I beg to differ although maybe it's a matter of an urban environment vs. fringe-to-woods where first responders might be days away, not hours away. In an urban setting, a BOB needs to be ultralight and at 1.8 ounces this fits the bill. My urbanBOB of choice - is the Flash 22 ultralight pack from REI (just 70 denier): eyeglasses to replace my contact lenses, toothbrush and travel toothpaste, floss); 200 weight fleece, Houdini ultralight rain/wind hoody, Platypus "IV"-style collapsible film water bottle, purification straw, cheapo Sierra Design/REI wind/rain pants; change of uw/socks. Not much! (Maybe flip-flops if there is the possibility of a communal shower.) You and your wife are looking at it from beyond even suburbia - your BOB, I suspect, needs to be a lot larger (and robust!) than 22L, your knife needs shelter and kindling making capability, your knife needs to deal with potential wild dog packs which don't retreat on visuals alone. Also, if you belt-mount your fixed blade you won't raise any eyebrows at all. (Wild dogs are more of a risk than people think: www.cnn.com/2019/07/07/us/florida-man-attacked-hundred-bites-dogs-trnd/index.html ) Starting to love your your reviews and Shabazz's. Totally different reviewing styles, but you each see knives from a different point of view (I think you focus on working knives and Shabazz on pocket jewelry). After seeing the Bugout broken down I can't believe that skeletonized handle is up to cutting those nested triangle heaps of cardboard you include in every test.

It’s a good EDC knife, agree that the name is stupid. Love the shorty deep carry clip, great blade shape and grind. Aside from the color, which I like, I consider the handle shape/styling to be somewhat conservative. Probably meets the definition of a gentleman’s folder.

I am not into the whole prepper "bugout" thing either. but I would think that if I was building a bug out bag. I would have 2 knives. One like you said, large over build knife and the 2nd would be something along the lines of this bugout knife. Basically one in my pocket and one in my bag.

This knife is awesome and I want one badly too, problem is not enough check at the end of every month. Plus it's hard to justify to my wife a purchase like this. If it was a fixed blade it would be easier to justify. Expensive folders not so easy

I just got a Boker Mini-Kwaiken with G-10 and put the Pops deep pocket clip on it. Love it so far. Sits in my pocket much nicer than the Ontario RAT1 I was using.

I fell for the hype and bought me a bugout and yes, it is hype. Don't get me wrong it's a nice blade but.... in my opinion its worth about 30 bucks.

It’s actually a perfect pocket knife for a Bugout kit. It’s good steel for the blade, and barely weighs anything, making it a great companion to the heavy duty fixed blade knife or hatchet, that is also part of your kit.

Excellent knife and is good American quality for the price.

I can't wait to see some one make custom scales for this knife!👍

Great review. I handled this the other day and it is an awesome knife. I agree with your review. Thanks!

It’s a good lightweight knife for taking to the office where you might have to open a box at the most. What Benchmade wants for them is insane.

I couldn’t see this knife as a bug out knife but I could see it as a light backpackers knife or a light weight EDC if you don’t need to baton. I personally would carry something like my Battle Horse Knives Battlelore my absolute favorite knife! Please check this knife out! I may do a field test of it. Thanks! Great video! 👍🏻

Maybe bug out is an evolving concept. Ultra light mobility could be next. I like this knife.

In all honesty if I was going to put the word bug out in a name I would beat damn well sure I would build it like my cold steel 4 Max or SR1. Pretty knife for EDC though just not enough for my usage. Great vid like always

By the way, I like how in your videos you cut some everyday-type things. I'm sure all of us knife knuts cut a lot of cardboard; no boxes ever go into the recycle bin whole. Zip ties? Also a good one. Cutting the tomato? Perfect. That's one that would play toward this knife's strength, but a Medford may not do as well.... Speaking of which: have you done the Spydiechef yet? Awesome knife.

Love the knife, hate the price. Good overview, nonetheless. 🙄

Aaron, my take is that you will hopefully have a sturdy fixed blade in a "bugout" bag. The folder is just a bonus slicer. As you said, "EDC" would be a more appropriate name. I am re-viewing this vid because I just bought one on "Ranger" green with a dark gray blade. The 535GRY just came out.

Your reviews have gotten so much better overtime, from an advice perspective.

Excellent review. Thanks for using the hell out of it.

Was your Bugout buttery smooth to open and close from the start? Recently got one and it is very stiff to open and close. Won’t flick open or drop shut. Also won’t deploy easily using the thumb studs. Basically having to open and close it using two hands. Any thoughts or recommendations? Thanks in advance! Love your channel and content! Your recommendations and reviews have lead me to many amazing purchases and gear that I absolutely love!

this is a knife i put in my bag but for different reasons. it weighs next to nothing and excels very well at food prep. I use it to cook with saving the edge on my larger fixed blade. it weighs so little I do not notice I have it or don't. plus I can keep it clean and don't end up with sawdust in my food. but no, its not a great folder for bugging out. I dont think any folder really it. this knife dissappear in a bag and thats what I wanted.

Great review! According to the law of physics, a shorter pocket clip should in theory be stronger than a longer when it comes to holding your knife in the pocket. Have you changed your opinion on this knife now four years later, btw?

In 2024 would you still consider this a great knife or would you get other benchmade at the moment?

By far the best video on this knife

Great video. Believe it or not, I’m a knife guy and I’m just getting around to trying one. It hasn’t arrived yet, but I’m skeptical that it’ll feel like a $172 knife now. (in OD) Even $162 for the base model, it seems high. Do you still think it’s a good value at $162?

Idk if I'm the only person that thinks seeing your dog is the best part of your videos.

Thanks Aaron. Another great review. Love me some Benchmade!

Ordered one today I can't wait to get it thanks for great video.

I have had my 940 for a year now and I desperately have to send it in for servicing. I was thinking about just buying another 940 to have on hand for while I wait but this one is really peeking my interest and calling to me. Do you think it compares overall to the 940 or would that just be like comparing apples and oranges? Thanks for the great review video! 👍😊

I flicked the thumb-stud on this one with the Ranger Green/Gray, but it's an indoor knife for sure!

Прекрасно ревю!!!😊

good job man, been looking out for a reviewer like this. keep it up

My bugout bag has a POS blade in it. It sits in my truck waiting to be stolen. And after 10 years of having it, I have never bugged out. By the way I have a pulaski axe in my my truck too. I it gets used all the time. Just my two cents. I would love to bugout with the Bugout. After then end of the world I may change my mind. lol

I really love my bug out.but my SOG SEAL XL REALLY WOULD BE AWESOME FOR bug out

Super kanał, pozdrawiam i czekam na następne filmy.

Thought you might like to know that the handle is made of Grivory semi-crystalline polyamides with partially aromatic content.This is not cheep plastic, it's deemed as one of the strongest poly plastics thus far- www.plasticprop.com/articles/how-strong-plastic-really. Benchmade didn't fool around when they thought of what material to use for the Bugout! www.emsgrivory.com/en/products-markets/products/grivory/grivory-gv/

Good looking blade and blue is my favorite color.

Which should I go between bugout and para3

I have just ordered one, after watching your video 😀👍

definitely should’ve been called “EDC Lite.” Would it be in my bug out bag, absolutely. Would I consider it a “Bug Out” “Trail” knife... for me no. An all purpose bug out style blade will be a full tang fixed bladed knife between three and 6 inches. And I believe a bug out bag should have more than one type of knife . I’ll sacrifice weight to have that invaluable tool on me.

Pretty sure the liner for the Axis Lock is titanium.

I got one of these, in part based on your review. I love it. Now I really want a larger one of the same design. Do you foresee Benchmade coming out with a larger endura-sized bugout? Don’t you think it would be a huge seller?

Nice knife. But over priced IMO.

I finally have the money to get my first benchmade. I finally got a bugout in hand. I cant decide. Ive always wanted a griptilian, in love with the sheepfoot design/look and i can get it in two of my favorite colors...together! Grey with blue liners. However!, after handling the bugout, I love the even lighter weight, simplicity of the bugout. Still has plenty of room for a full four finger grip with my XL glove hands, which was my biggest concern between the griptilian & the bugout. That question has been finally answered. Both give me a good full grip. Currently, price wise, it would be an extra $40 to go with the upgraded griptilian over the bugout. Is it worth it!?

I agree the name isn't great but I think they meant bugout as for ultra light campers cause they focused on keeping it light weight

you should get a Benchmade Adamas and review it.

I'm not a Benchmade fan, but they've got my attention with this one. Mind you, part of why I'm still on the fence is the price, just because there are so many good options in a light EDC knife that are a fraction of the price. Incidentally, that's a theme with me and Benchmade.

Great review. Nice knife. I don't care for the blue. Have to wait for black or gray.

I ordered one yesterday. It for me is a edc knife or at least is my plan. Broke my old Spyderco the other day that I had for a long time. I have high hopes for it being my first benchmade and high end steel.

I completely agree with that blade profile being awesome. Similar to the 781 Anthem at a fraction of the cost. Bugout is a poor marketing name choice, but we can always call it the 535 😁.

For EDC, would you still take the Manix 2 LW?

Now that it has flytanium scales im getting one

If they're going to call it a bugout knife, they could at least make the spine sharp enough to strike a fire steel, seems obvi.

Guy on instagram makes super nice carbon fiber and g10 scale for this knife

Is it 3 x or 2 x better than knives that cost that much less ?

Gideon, long overdue response but I'm on the fence, what's your current opinion on this versus 940?

Thank you for mentioning the extended use aspect of using a knife.

Good job as always. It is a Benchmade price is a little high I want one I will have to save up for it thank you for the review.

So I live at the base of Mt Everest & my bugout plan is to scale the peak & wait out the zombie apocalypse there so every single ounce counts. Kidding of course. Nice blade but not anything groundbreaking by any stretch of the imagination.

Just bought the new 535-2 black , unreal. Guess I’m not as picky... yes 144.00 .

Nice review. I've checked it out at my Local BM Dealer and decided to pass on it at this time.

Reminds me if a kershaw whirlwind in regards to the overmolded zytel handles over thin stainless liners.

Well, considering that a Griptillian is 100 dollars, this knife is a huge upgrade for only 15 bucks. Better steel, handle material, and slimmer profile.

I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts concerning the Benchmade 275 Adamas.

what would you pick between Bugout and Delica4 for urban lifestyle? Mostly I use for box cutting and food prep.

nice concept but without liners and so thin blade is a no go....nice try though

I see this knife as a companion knife in a bug out system or any system that's not EDC

Knew you would pre order the bugout! 😁

Bugout or begleiter? I want both but what do you reccomend? I truly hope you respond to this! Help!