Benchmade Bugout

[Etherealicer]

So, the Bugout made a big splash and has turned out to be one of the most popular models from Benchmade.

The Bugout is small and lightweight with a really large blade for the small frame. The handle is really grippy, for me it is almost too aggressive. After cutting a stack of cardboard my soft office-worker hands hurt (the hand was slightly reddish, you can barely see it in the image). The new, shorter deep carry pocket clip is great. Most importantly, the blade is great, slightly too large for my taste (I'm with Ben, we need a Mini Bugout).

[Etherealicer]

Bugout vs. Böker Plus FR Titan

These two knives are similar in many ways. Both have a slim, lightweight, slightly squarish frame, with quite a large blade for the framesize. They are also similar price wise. They basically weight the same (about 65g on my kitchen scale). With 8mm the FR is slightly thinner than the Bugout (10mm).

Clip: Both have a smaller deep carry pocket clip. The FR rides really low (which I like) and has recessed screws (which I like too).
Lock: Both lock up solid, but the Axis lock is king
Blade: Well, bladeshape and length is a matter of taste, I like them both. Prefer the shape and more subtle curve of the Bugout, but the length of the FR suits me better.  Not a steel expert, the Bugout has S30V steel, the FR has VG10. Both perform well.
Opening: Another matter of preference, I prefer the flipper. While taking the pictures I noticed a pretty bad scratch/dent on the Bugout thumbstud. No idea where I picked that up, but that seems to be pretty soft material.

Which one would I choose? For me its the Böker FR, axis lock VS blade-length is not an easy choice, but I have to go with the blade.

[ezdog]

I have been eying that Bugout for a while now and if I see one Tomorrow I might be powerless to resist it.

Better stay far from the knife store on my B'Day?

[Dean51]

I have been eying that Bugout for a while now and if I see one Tomorrow I might be powerless to resist it.

Better stay far from the knife store on my B'Day?

Guess what I'll post tomorrow just for you. 

[Dean51]

I really like the Bugout it's so light you forget you have it and at the same time gives you a knife with a little more handle.
I didn't find the handles to gripy or aggressive, in fact a lot smoother than a mini grip I handled.

[Etherealicer]

I really like the Bugout it's so light you forget you have it and at the same time gives you a knife with a little more handle.
I didn't find the handles to gripy or aggressive, in fact a lot smoother than a mini grip I handled.

Strange, my Baby Blue Mini Grip is soft like Baby skin... my bugout feels like a rasp... though I have found a cure for it (it is possible that I have ordered CF scales just a few minutes ago).

[Etherealicer]

I have been eying that Bugout for a while now and if I see one Tomorrow I might be powerless to resist it.

Better stay far from the knife store on my B'Day?

I think the greatest thing about the Bugout is that despite its small size and low weight, it is not a compromise, it is a larger blade and a comfortable grip.

[ezdog]

I really like the Bugout it's so light you forget you have it and at the same time gives you a knife with a little more handle.
I didn't find the handles to gripy or aggressive, in fact a lot smoother than a mini grip I handled.

Strange, my Baby Blue Mini Grip is soft like Baby skin... my bugout feels like a rasp... though I have found a cure for it (it is possible that I have ordered CF scales just a few minutes ago).

The original Grips were hard plastic gator scales sort of where the newest ones are "Baby Skin" as you say.

Yuk!

I thought I wanted one of the newest ones until now?

[Etherealicer]

I really like the Bugout it's so light you forget you have it and at the same time gives you a knife with a little more handle.
I didn't find the handles to gripy or aggressive, in fact a lot smoother than a mini grip I handled.

Strange, my Baby Blue Mini Grip is soft like Baby skin... my bugout feels like a rasp... though I have found a cure for it (it is possible that I have ordered CF scales just a few minutes ago).

The original Grips were hard plastic gator scales sort of where the newest ones are "Baby Skin" as you say.

Yuk!

I thought I wanted one of the newest ones until now?

That was of course an exaggeration (and a play on the color). The smoothest is the G10 version, which I still find grippy. The regular mini Grip is in the middle and I personally find the Bugout beyond comfortable rough. Also, the mini Grips have more shape, more thickness and more chimping (all in the right places), allowing for a very secure grip in many positions.

[Poncho65]

Excellent write up and pics, Eth

[theonew]

I haven't bought a new knife in just about two years (Saks and multitools don't count, right?). The Bugout kind of ticks all the boxes for me: love Benchmade, love the axis lock, love lightweight and thin folders; so I ended up getting one. So far I'm liking it just as much as I expected to.

[Mechanickal]

I like mine too, but I replaced the scales with Titanium ones.

And...

Benchmade released a Mini Bugout recently!

[theonew]

Did not need to know this

 

I like mine too, but I replaced the scales with Titanium ones.

And...

Benchmade released a Mini Bugout recently!

[Mechanickal]

Did not need to know this

 

[theonew]

Like the balance point very much. Unique amongst the fixed and folders I own.

[cody6268]

I like mine too, but I replaced the scales with Titanium ones.

And...

Benchmade released a Mini Bugout recently!

And at just a smidge smaller, and considerably lighter than the Mini Griptillian, I'm really looking forward to eventually picking one up!

[Mechanickal]

And at just a smidge smaller, and considerably lighter than the Mini Griptillian, I'm really looking forward to eventually picking one up!

Any idea what color?

The orange one really pops out...

[pfrsantos]

Not to rain in your parade, but I saw this review and it makes a lot of sense to me... I had a chance to get one of these and passed.

[Etherealicer]

Not to rain in your parade, but I saw this review and it makes a lot of sense to me... I had a chance to get one of these and passed.

Not watched the whole rant, but I agree it does not feel premium. I have no problems with the ergonomy and open it with a flick, while pulling the lock. The flexing has never bothered me (especially since I now have CF scales), but it is certainly worth paying attention to.
I think that is why many choose to switch handles (CF or Titanium), which of course increases the price (to about where the 940/941 are). Personally, I would think a Bugout with CF or titanium scales trumps the 941 but that might be personal preferences.

There is now a new version in CF Elite, which is more rigid, though it is all black which I don't like and I think it still looks cheap.
I would honestly be surprised if Benchmade didn't bring out more versions (e.g. an aluminum one like the Bailout).

Bugout + G10 handles is just shy of $170 (bugout from BladeHQ and scales from flytanium)
940-2 with G10 handles is just a bit over $170 (BladeHQ price)
Just so we can compare apples with apples

[cody6268]

Any idea what color?

The orange one really pops out...

Orange, because I lose stuff. I always go with whatever is the brightest color that doesn't look bad. Except I draw the line at pink. Two different knives I've looked at, Case's entire Caliber line, and the Boker/Cinch Roper, only have pink as the high-vis color.

[Mechanickal]

What's wrong with handle flex?

Why would someone hold a knife like a French bread and try to "break" it?

The Bugout offers ALOT of knife for nearly no weight. Corners have to be cut somewhere

My point is: use it as intended, and you'll have no issues.

Ultralight backpacker? You can carry a full size blade now!

Comparison with a 940...
Why?
It's cheaper...
Way lighter...
What's there to compare?
Nothing! No brand ever designed such a lightweight, yet full body knife.

I'm a fan. And everyone who looks at it as a knife, an a wonderful piece of engineering, might become one too

Oh, one more thing.
Anyone who calls a lanyard hole a "hole in the back" immediately loses it's credibility to me. And I'm not even a native speaker.

[pfrsantos]

I know I'm going to get a lot of  for this, but I had a Mini Grip in my hand some time ago, and didn't like the feel of the "plastic" scales. I see lots of people loving these knives, but I find a Spyderco more "reliable".

I might be wrong (I am, most of the time and on most subjects), but the way the knife feels in my hand is what matters for me. I feel I can do heavier tasks with a Spyderco, even a Tenacious or a Persistence.

[ezdog]

I really like mine especially with Ti scales on it,completely changed the feel of the knife for me.
This pic is pretty misleading too as the Grip is huge compared to the Bigout in the hand but seems almost the same in the pic?

The Bugout is a whole lot more knife than it looks like and is so light weight that I have even forgotten that I had it a few times?




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[theonew]

The whole folding knife built like a tank thing has always struck me as a bit silly. Folding knifes are, by their very nature, weak. If I worked in an environment where a sturdy knife was important, I would carry a fixed blade. I have been pocket carrying mine now for several weeks with the clip removed and quite like it, especially having thinned the edge down considerably. One thing I have noticed is that in the pocket of most of my pants the knife, with the pivot side at the bottom, tends to stay vertical, which only adds to its 'ease of carry', which is the primary reason I bought it.

Also, I bet I could break his 940 using just me hands

[cody6268]

The whole folding knife built like a tank thing has always struck me as a bit silly. Folding knifes are, by their very nature, weak. If I worked in an environment where a sturdy knife was important, I would carry a fixed blade. I have been pocket carrying mine now for several weeks with the clip removed and quite like it, especially having thinned the edge down considerably. One thing I have noticed is that in the pocket of most of my pants the knife, with the pivot side at the bottom, tends to stay vertical, which only adds to its 'ease of carry', which is the primary reason I bought it.

Also, I bet I could break his 940 using just me hands

My work knives are mostly fixed blades. The one I carry has about a 5" blade that is a quarter-inch thick. It will take a ton of abuse. Provided, I don't hack, chop, or pry with it. It is blunt tip, with a "seat belt cutter" in the format of a skinning hunter's knife.  If I got back on the horse (which I did a lot as a 10 year old), this would be my "Save my Bacon" knife that I'd use if I got caught up in a stirrup or something.

I need to make a Kydex holster for it. While the maker Antonini contracted, Vega Holsters knows what they're doing (and this definitely feels like a quality nylon sheath; as opposed my typical view of nylon sheaths "better than nothing I suppose"), it's too complicated for quick access and return to the sheath. The knife cut halfway through the lower retention strap, itself. My plans are to use a Tech-Lock with clip, so that it can be clipped to a boot if need be.

[spudley112]

Well, I missed my Bugout enough that I had to pick up another one. 

[theonew]

LOL, had to google for this:



This is the kind of thing that would get bladeforum's members panties in a twist back when I was a member.

[Mechanickal]

Impressive!

[spudley112]

LOL, had to google for this:



This is the kind of thing that would get bladeforum's members panties in a twist back when I was a member.

Oh my. I had to vacate because of the people getting twisted in some other forums. I swear, it got to the point where someone could just say "I like knives" and within the first page there would be someone telling another person what an idiot he was.

[Etherealicer]

Yes, quite impressive. Especially, since non of these is what you should do with a folding knife.

P.S.: it was not the studs on the tires that did the damage to the scales, it was the driveway (the knife was clip up).