This is a prime example of a knife I had absolutely no intention of liking. Got it anyway because I talk myself into stuff too much. Now, months later, it doesn't leave my pocket. Sure, if it's a heavy day at work, I'll take something that fits the bill a little better. But for ANY other day, it's with me. I have packs full of knives. I seem to carry 2. The bugout is one of them. TOTALLY never expected that. It's so good, I don't know why I have all this other stuff. Oh. Because I'm me.
I agree. I had no intention of buying or liking the Benchmade Bugout. I ended up caving in and buying one of the CF Elite model "all black" Benchmade Bugouts. I had to check one out. When I received it I wasn't to sure. It just was so light and felt weird after owning so many Spyderco's and Microtechs. After using it for a few days and carrying it for a few days, it has become amazing. The lightness is great but also the deep pocket clip, the blade, free drop with the light weight, etc.... It had by far exceeded what I had previously thought. It is a incredible EDC carry knife and after new break in, it amazes even more. IMO the Benchmade Bugout is one of the best EDC's ever created to date.
I can relate. I’ve been carrying a 940 for years, I got this knife on “sale”. Still seemed expensive for how it felt initially. I was going to return it thinking I should just be happy with the 940. Then I started using it and it runs circles around the 940 from a slicing standpoint. I totally get it now, this thing is an overachiever albeit an expensive one.
Spot on review. Absolutely love my 535. I too am tired of everyone talking about scale flex as if it were designed to be an end all survivalist knife. I think people can't get over the name. To me, it is everything you need in an EDC and nothing you don't.
Agree,totally it's a great edc,mine is the grey535 it's a great knife for daily chores,kitchen work,and cleaning small game and in a pinch will skin and dress a deer
Absolutely love mine. Hand picked from a local Benchmade retailer with great free dropping action without blade play and perfectly centered. You have described this knife well. Has quickly become my most practical and carried knife in the collection.
I bought a blue 535 Bugout when they first came out. I love the knife and I carry it every day. I use it for carry around the house in my gym/basketball shorts. When going out, or wearing cargo shorts/pants, I am toting the 5500 Mini Presidio Auto. I like the sub 2 oz. knife for my intended purpose. I still feel like different knives lend themselves towards different modes of dress. Thanks for another great review, Rob.
I've had the standard 535 since not long after it was released. It's one of my favorite EDC knives. The light weight, deep carry clip, excellent steel and minimal pocket space required, means this knife is usually the one in my pocket. I may look to get another at some point so I have one set up for left and right carry since I switch back and forth depending on whether I'm carrying a gun or not.
I think $130 is the perfect price for this guy. Especially the coated ranger version! The blue version is always on my duty vest here in Chicago pd, as a utility blade so I can save the edge on my tactical blade.
Most of the points we now judge folding knives on were invented by RU-vid knife reviewers. Hot spots, fast deployment, deep carry pocket clips, perfect blade centring, the steel, blade to handle ratio, none of these things were an issue between the invention of the pocket knife and RU-vid. Will this knife cut, resharpen and last are the only questions. Thanks for the video, really good review.
I think they were issues to a degree... just not the same scale... and back then I don't think crazy prices existed as they do now. These things are important when you are looking to spend more on a knife or anything for that matter.
@@theplasticdesert2408 I would agree with that... I think people are super critical of Benchmade and the QA/QC... I have never had a bad Benchmade... and they are the only production company to my knowledge that does not import any portion of their knives.
I dont quite get your point, your upset at youtubers for reviewing products and then voicing there concerns and criticisms of the products?... why should any company even make survival/camp knives, when everyone could just use a good ol kitchen knife in the woods? maybe we all should still be backpacking with big ol mag-lites and 5lb folding chairs, I mean products will always evolve to fill the consumers needs/desires and holding companies accountable for the products they release by criticizing the products flaws is the only way that we as consumers get better products... Deep carry pocket clips are becoming a standard feature among knives and flashlights and to me that's only a good thing! since deep carry clips mean that your less likely to lose your expensive knife/flashlight. Its always one of the first things I check for and im glad to see its something i have to worry less and less about since companies are finally getting it right more often then not. As for hot spots, well sure if your only using your knife for some light food prep and light cutting tasks like cutting rope or boxes then a knifes ergonomics might not be that big of a deal to you, but if your craving and whittling or batoning (something that didnt use to be done with knives) then theirs certain knife features that are going to be beneficial for those tasks and of course steel types should always be discussed when reviewing a knife otherwise thats like reviewing a vehicle and not discussing the miles per gallon, blade steel directly correlates to a knifes durability. If your spending $100+ on a knife and one brand you look at has the blade perfectly centered on all there knives and another companies is hit or miss, then logically the company with the better tolerances is likely going to be the better built product and is likely going to stand behind there product and take care of any defects with out as much hassle. At the end of the day knives are tools and just like any other tool brand if your not constantly updating your brands product line to fit the needs of consumers then your gonna lose your market value. Watch any ratchet review for snap on, mac, gearwrench, tekton, craftsman etc the reviewer is gonna talk about the chrome finish, the grip/smoothness of the handle, the wrenches tolerances of the drive and or sockets and forward/reverse switch, the teeth count and smoothness of the ratchet, the swing arc degree radius etc etc are those things that mattered 10-15 or 20 years ago to consumers? not really, but nowadays with the competitiveness of mid tier value brands to high end professional tool brands people notice the smallest of imperfections and flaws and it drives the market to producing better tools for the consumers... The benchmade bugout is a product of reviewers continually voicing there opinions to benchmade on what they considered would make the perfect edc blade and benchmade did a great job of executing. This knife isn't gonna be for everyone by the nature of design, but to the consumers that this knife was built for, its nearly perfect in every way. Its a great thing when companies listen to there consumers and the bugout is proof that benchmade with all there flaws as a brand is at least listening to there consumers and attempting to do better by us.
I gotta disagree, Benchmade North Fork was my first $100+ and it was dismal out of the box. Even the most generous warranty is still no excuse for a lack of quality control at the factory.
I guess here it goes. All my life I have been a Spyderco knife owner. Owned the Manix 2 for 8 years, and the Native 5 for over that. Then I ran across a used Benchmade Griptilian in the Bone collector edition. It quickly made it's way into the carry rotation. About 2 weeks ago I purchased a new 940/2. It is a nice knife. Great steel, awesome ergos. Than the bug hit me. So yesterday while playing with one of the same model of Bugout, decided to buy it. ( They also had a brand new Rift with the gray and black scales and 154cm satin blade, that also came with me.) I have to be honest here. I always favored larger knives. I guess it fits better when you are 6'8".... Anyhow, wow! I cannot help but feel like a fool for missing out on the bugout for so long. It is the smoothest opening and drop shut Benchmade I ever handled. Interestingly the handle fits perfectly, and the blade size is in a sweet spot. Looks pretty amazing in it's own simplicity as well. Blade is a bit on the thin side, but hey know the tool you carry and use it accordingly. I feel like the Bugout will be in my pocket for the foreseeable future. I have to tell you, if you are on the fence, buy it. You will not regret it. And the cost, well cry once they say.... This is from a bow collector, so $150 is a breath of fresh air instead of a new bow.
Wonderful review!! I have owned a blue Bugout since December. Ordered it from KSF, and they opened the box on my request to inspect it prior to shipping. It's perfect! Lockup, blade centering are dead on. It's loosening up nicely, too. I love this knife! Besides a bunch of SAK's, this is my first folder. Thinking seriously about ordering this model (535GRY-1) very soon, and adding Rogue Bladeworks Carbon Fiber scales later.
I just recently bought a carbon fiber clone. Its a really good knife, eventhough i don't believe it is s30 or s90v. Could be 440c or d2, i don't know. I thought i would not ever spend the original price on a knife like this, but i am now really thinking of buying the real deal. The whole concept of the knife is a dream for me as an edc knife. Light, compact, slick, but big enough to be handy enough for carving to cutting, feathersticks, and slicing. The action is super smooth, it is very ergonomic for what it should do and it is just an absolute beauty of a folder. Since taking this with me every day, all the other knifes feel too bulky and heavy for me and i love them all. The only real downside of this knife is the price. The rest is just spot on for an edc knife. Even if you want to take a big knife with you, this one still can be carried in addition without even noticing it. Of course it is a matter of taste, but for me and the environment/nature around me it is more than enough. I don't live in northern hemispheres like alaska or norway/sweden though, so i can not say if this knife would be too weak for tasks in the woods there, but for middle europe it is perfect for hiking, fishing, kayaking, every day tasks and food prep
Just got mine (blue plain blade) today for 106 out the door.... Thought it was a great deal. They had one just like the one you have for 110 + tax..... Might go back and get it too. I'm pretty impressed with this design. I think you're right about being an excellent all around EDC. It'll fill that role for me....and allow my other larger blades to pull SD and back up duty. Excellent video by the way. Thank you for sharing. I need to look you up and send a few blades to you to get a mirrored edge sharpen done on them....and just dedicate them as "get'n down to business blades....I'm out of pew pew pellets". Lol.
I just got one , i wanted something really lightweight, i like it alot. First benchmade for me, normally a buck knife kinda guy, but i really like this one!
I have the 535 in green and grey too and it really is great. I get what you're saying about it not being pocket jewelry but I do think it is a handsome looking knife in this color scheme. The coating seems decently durable too.
bothering me more than the fact that its expensive is that notch near the base of the blade when its closed. functionally probably not an issue, but it does bug me visually
The price of benchmades is high, because you're buying a knife for life. Not to replace when its busted. You spend more on it so you get a service center that will keep your decade old knives in working order. You can even ask for a replacement blade to be installed for much cheaper then a "budget knife" making them more cost efficient in the long term as well. You just have to actually use you're knives to see the value behind having a lifetime warranty. If i went through 3 replacement blades a year 15$. Or 3 new cheap budget knives 35$. After 5 years. that's 225$ vs 525$. Long term warranty covered knives are much better value.
@@joshualawson5577 you should watch some durability tests. The flex isn’t really a factor for durability and if you really are bothered solely by the fact that it flexes just put different scales on it
If I didn't have two 940s and three Para3 I would get one. Will recommend to folks who need an AP (All-purpose) edc tool. It's a great design choice in most key areas. Give me G10 for 15USD more and I might get one. I'll take a little weight for the G10 awesomeness.
How much weight would have been added with g10 scales? I really dig the idea and the design, but I would rather have g10 scales. I am still waiting for Rogue to make g10 scales for the full size freek.
I bought two of the blue with satin blade models ordered aluminum scales for one of them and I absolutely love this knife. I will be buying more. I picked up the aluminum scales for $60 (aimfront) and they just turn the knife into something special. This might be the best slicer I’ve ever used.
I opted for the Griptilian due to price. The shape of the Bugout would have been my choice otherwise. After owning the Griptilian for several months, I thought the scales were a bit cheap and seeing how it can break led me to consider new scales. I finally got a set from Applied Weapons Tech and it made a big difference. My knife looks and feels more substantial. If I owned a Bugout, I would be changing those scales as well.
I have three bug outs gave one away (my daughter took it lol)all three from the factory from my local shop drop free perfectly centered. In fact easy 95%+ of the BM they get are perfect, where are you all buying from. And moved clip to a mini grip and is perfect for mini grips.
Nice looking knife to me. A little on the pricy side but that doesn’t completely stir me away. I’ll just wait for a fairly good sale on bladehq or something.
I won't be buying any more Benchmade, BUT...also, when I got mine, the discounts for LE and military applied. Take advantage if you're going to buy and you qualify. I haven't put it to much use. The handle does flex inward if you're death gripping it. That's not really a bad thing in this particular case. Feels like it actually improves the grip even more. It's lighter than my paramilitary 2, and has a drop point instead of an in between clip/drop point. It snaps open so easily, it's almost as fast as an assisted blade. Still hard enough to open with a one hand flick that you 'PROBABLY' won't get in trouble in places where that's a concern. Probably. I can't guarantee it, obviously. 2 things that are maybe an issue. The pocket clip is so aggressive, that I had a hard time getting it clipped on jeans. Probably easier on thinner pants, but it will also maybe wear those out faster. The other thing is that the clip is only able to be set to clip up. That's my preference, so it's good for me; but, won't be for everyone. It can be switched to left or right side carry though.
I've had a BM530 for 10 years and it has constantly found its way into my pocket because it's 1.8 ounces and slim profile. Once I realized the Bugout was an improved version of this... I ordered one. 1.85 ounces, 20CV steel, perfect daily carry that disappears in your pocket.
That’s really interesting, I want a BM but hear of issues with the omega springs but maybe the issues aren’t as wide spread as I’ve been made to believe
@@vikingfury2065 I think it's a case of the internet blowing something out of proportion. There could be a million axis lock knives working perfect, but if 10 people have failures and spread it all over the interwebs it will seem like a big problem. I have 4 Benchmade knives with axis locks and have never had a problem. It's a great lock and definitely worth picking one up. A side example, I really love Spyderco knives and the compression lock, but I had a Para 2 that had a sticky compression lock and I'm still bitter about it haha.
I thought about buying one of these Benchmade Bugout for light weight but I will not buy one. Because of the fragile springs on these locks they do break and many owners of these have mentioned it . So I will stay with my traditional slip joint folding knives and folders with lockback design and Spyderco folders . My small fixed blades I use for total reliabilty and strength and a folder in the pocket as an extra knife. That is what works for me .
Hahah. Just got home from work. Unboxed my bugout ranger green I just order from bladehq, and I’m sitting here breaking it in and this comes up in my sub box. First impressions.....me likey
How can any one say the bug out is expensive at $115-130 look at the cost of after market scales alone $85+? Q.C. is lacking at Benchmade! wonder how many buy on the name without inspection? In my small history of purchase experience 1 out of 4 instock is worth of buying weather the centering is bad or poor grind on the blade ect. what happens to all those knives are the dealers stuck with them until they find a sucker to buy on the name alone or are they able to send them back to BM?
I like the idea of having a very light knife in my pocket. But is it durable and able to handle the tasks? Do you think it is worth $140 to $200 on it? Does it do $140 worth better than lets say a $80 Civivi Elemental in the S35VN steel?
Great Review as always! This knife is on my radar for sure. I forgot to say when I met you in St. Ignace that I have two chris reeves (I know you love those). Hope all is well! May be going to TN, pigeon forge area and might pick this up at Smoky Mountain Knife Center! Happy trails!
I noticed that on the case stockman small and medium size that a part of the edge of the sheeps foot blade is exposed when any of the other blades are open. Is this a functional or safety issue? It seems to be on every one I have seen.
I'd carry one but I'd have to replace the scales, maybe with some titanium or CF alternatives. I just can't take plastic to this degree on a knife. But then the total price gets too high to fit my budget. In any case, nice to see a reputable 'tuber discuss another good knife.
I'm a "Old" car dealer and have had GM and Import franchises. Benchmade is like GM or Ford...and they better watch there backs or the imports are going to kick there ass. In the end...price always wins!
You have great mirror edges on your knives! I take mine to a mirror as well, but I'd love to get that final popping shine. Right now I'm finishing on 3.5 ųm leather I a Wicked Edge, so I wanted to ask what you'd recommend you move to after that to improve the final reflectivity? I'm considering adding this to my other Bugouts, but I'm trying to decide between this one & the CF Elite. If I go CF Elite I'd put on a red thumbstud, but i also like the GRY-1. What do you think? Great video as always! 😃
If I’m looking for a great mirror polish, I go to 2300 grit on diamond stones, then 2.5 and 0.5 micron diamond on strops. Keep in mind, not all steels perform best at that level of polish. Anything that has lots of vanadium and tungsten carbides do best stopping at about 800-1000 on stones with a quick 3.5 micron strop.
The edge bevel from factory on mine was at about 11 degrees per side and chipped out completely on the front 1/3 of the blade. I was able to add a micro bevel and sharpen out the chips but my kme couldn’t go low enough to even come close to matching the factory angle.
TheApostleP I would agree with that statement. I said in a different statement but I’ll say it again just to be clear. I love the knife. It makes an amazing back up knife to my larger main knife. Cuts like a beast at 11 degrees per side also. Lol
All yall are crazy i love this knife and its one of benchmades best. The blade shape is my favorite of almost all knives and the steel is great too. Handle material for the blue one that i have is perfect in the hand. Action wise the only smoother knife benchmade has is the 940 and i own that one too :))
I Just recieved the all black version last week. I was’t sure if I’d “get it” or not. I do.....It’s a spectacular EDC. The “problem” with it for knife lovers is that it’s too good and there really isn’t any rational point in looking at others anymore.
Hello, since you appear to be no stranger to breaking down pocket knives; I have a few Benchmade and ITs and a dilemma. I will like the blade of say... My Bench made Adamas, but the handle of my Turret better. Have you found any knives that are "interchangeable". I understand it would void my warranty and so on, but when I buy a knife it 's mine and I will customize as I see fit... If I can. Any response would be appreciated. Have a blessed day.
This knife really Is a good price. regrind the blade, brake the blade, brake the knife. They will get your knife working again. This knife cost $40 more then the Spyderco Delica in vg10 thats a back lock that’s made in Japan. And on top of that the delica doesn’t really have a good warranty behind it.
Just got mine and action is very stiff, will it break in on it's own? I mean, it's a pain to open and closing can't even be done with one hand.. And sometimes I feel some grind of the lock against the knife blade...
You should try loosening the main pivot slightly to help with the stiffness and as for the grind of the lock, that’s a thing that happens with all bugouts. It usually takes some weeks to break it in
apostle did you sharpen the knife using the edge pro basic stones. i have the edge pro but i am afraid i wont be able to sharpen s30 v with regular stone
I think in a knife of this application, ultralight pack / EDC blade, full liners are superfluous and counterproductive to the weight objective. The Bugout wasn’t designed as a folding pry bar, but a utility / slicer. In that role, the base FRN handle is fine. But if you want a little more strength, check out one of the G10 models or some Ti or Al aftermarket scales.
Great, light-weight and good looking knife, but... I had to replace both of those bloody omega springs, which I had to make myself, after not much use at all. Try getting originals in czech republic.
For $25 less I can get a Massdrop/FF Gent, with S35vn. Yeah, its .25" shorter, .04 thicker, and half an .oz heavier, BUT, it doesn't flex or feel like a hunk of cheap plastic and much better looking.... Oh, and did I mention that its $25 CHEAPER. Bear in mind you can get knives with the same materials from China for about $30. I guess the rest is profit and the cost of that funny little butterfly. Oh, and it looks like a Barage but cheaper.
I bought the blue model based on the numerous reviews, the knife is sharp, but the edge of the blade looks like it was sharpened with a rasp. Because of this I don’t like it. I have $50 knives that make this Bugout look like a gas station giveaway. Did your knife come with that edge?
I've put some nylon handles to fairly hard use and they held up just fine. I mean, I didn't beat them with a hammer, but the knives I'm thinking of got real usage.
Something much cheaper with similar pocket presence (thin handle), and blade shape is the ESEE Zancudo. Worse steel, an ounce or so heavier, but over $100 lighter. It’s been my daily mule for four years running. (In fact, it might be time to send a load of safe queens to The Apostle for a knife sale)
koomo801, from a all around “practical” view, you are 100% correct. If you’re a BM fan you’re going to get one because it’s unique. It’s at that price point where they will pay for uniqueness. Twenty five bucks more and BM fans would tell them to “fly a kite”. I’m in the middle, but I think if I bought one I would have buyers remorse.
100th 442nd $25 cheaper and I might cave :). I wonder how BM is doing since their minimum pricing model began. I haven’t purchased any from them since then.
Rob- I find it weird that none of the youtubers that have reviewed this knife have seemingly noticed or mentioned the fact that this knife comes with a pocket clip that utilizes two (2) screws, yet the knife handle comes with three (3) pilot holes on either side of the handle. Why is this?
Dan Schwemin Jr Benchmade’s 3-hole pattern is almost universal in their knives, and accommodates all their 3-hole and 2-hole clips. Although the Bugout clip is unique to this knife, Benchmade still gives us the option of switching it out for any other BM clip if we desire.
Gotcha! Ok that makes a whole lot more sense now. That is certainly quite convenient that BM had the foresight to allow for this knife to accommodate both the stock low-pro clip as well as the standard BM clips if the user so chooses. Great execution!
Carmelo EL Definitely the Bugout. They have the same basic construction, but the 350 is more of an homage to the dagger - not really designed as a good all purpose cutter. The slicing geometry on the Bugout is far superior as a user.
TheApostleP Thank you for the fast response. I’m back and forth between the Bugout and the 940 for months. I went to a local retailer today to get my hands on both knives. Since you own both, if you don’t mind me putting you on the spot...which one do you personally prefer?
Hayden Nininger It’s done a fair amount of cardboard duty, and not a mark on it. Hard to say for sure at this point, but it’s definitely better than BK1 or Cerakote, and probably near the performance of DLC.
