Features:
Description:
In 2017, Benchmade shook the knife world with the release of the Bugout. It was the knife people didn't know they were searching for. It was simple, utilitarian, ergonomic, lightweight, had an ambidextrous lock and opener, and was made with quality materials. In the years since, the Bugout has become one of the best-selling knives in history. Benchmade truly made the Bugout a knife for everyone, and no collection is complete without one.
The Benchmade Bugout comes in two sizes and a multitude of colors, and has great aftermarket customization options as well.
Griptillian has been in my pocket everyday for 12yrs. Moving it over to my hiking pack since I know I can count on it. Picked this up last week and love it as an everyday knife. I can flip the Griptillian open/closed one handed by pinching the axis lock with finger/thumb but the Bugout is too thin and light for this. Considering how much smaller/lighter is in my pocket I'll take it. I can now reach in my pocket without brushing against the handle at all. Also a lot less noticeable you have a knife if you travel places that matters.
This knife was amazing right out of the box. It went to a whole new stratosphere with new scales and hardware. The small trade off for a miniscule amount of weight for far sturdier, stylish grips. This knife went from run of the mill to out of this world! 10/10 would recommend!
My son bought me this knife for Christmas. This is my first Benchmade knife and my first knife with S30 V steel. It is a great EDC knife. The blade length is perfect and it came razor shape and holds its edge well. It feels good in my hand and I love the axis lock. It is very lightweight. Not that is is cheap or that it is not durable but it is surprisingly light. I am not sure if that is good or bad. And the handle is plastic. It is durable and it looks good but for $162 it seems to me the handle could be a little nicer and the knife could be a little more substantial. But maybe I am nitpicking.
Picked up this fantastic knife for $144 today at Field& Stream what a steal! This knife is so light it feels cheap, but it’s very tough with great steel awesome edc blade
Very light and comfortable to use. Good one as EDC.
The high flat-ground, drop point blade and thin stock make for an excellent slicer. Ergos are very good for such a slim handle. The mini deep carry clip is excellent, offering good retention while keeping the knife discreetly tucked away in the pocket. But the Bugout's most impressive trait is its lightness--1.8 ounces that just disappear in the pocket. The FRN scales offer good traction without being too aggressive. Fit and finish on this knife was very good. Centering was great. The only issue being a slightly uneven bevel toward the tip, but nothing too serious. For a utilitarian ultralight everyday carry, it's an excellent choice.
This is by far my fav knife for any type of carry, it is unbelievably light and surprisingly durable. This tools 5 stars cannot be overtold. Def a recommendable knife.
I have always heard great things about the bugout so I finally ponied up and got one. I was not disappointed. It's a little lighter than I expected but works well in just about anything I wear. It's sharp right out of the box and the axis lock is great.
Got this knife and put G-10 scales on it; absolute love it now. The original FN scales were not bad but having the more sturdy G-10 scales on it has made it feel more sturdy in my hand. With the FN scales on it , I found it actually too light which was more of a preference of mine and I knew this going into it. If you are looking for disappear weight in the pocket the FN scales are for you. Has great action, centered well out of the box, and cuts like a dream. Have used it regularly for nylon cord and boxes with great edge retention. Would highly recommend.
Had to wash it, use cleaner, lube, and adjust the pivot to get my drop shotty action. This knife is overall amazing. Mine is pretty damn centered and is razor sharp. Ignore the idiots who think the plastic is cheap. There is barely any flex and you have to try to get it to flex (plus its an open design so give it some slack). It's super lightweight and a great EDC. I'm adding it to my collection with my 940 and mini-griptilian.
This knife is great. It is light and slim has a good size blade and has a great deep carry clip. It goes in well in my shorts, pants and whatever pocket I choose to put my knife into.
la uso todos los dias super liviana y excelente calidad
I bought this for biking/hiking because it is so light, but it could clearly be my everyday knife. Great action, great quality, and came wicked sharp. To be fair, I did fidget with this thing enough that I burnt through my first set of omega springs already. I mailed it to Benchmade and they got it back to me with a tuned up edge in about a week at no charge. Cheers!
Great size. Great blade-shape. Excellent weight and good balance. The scales do flex when you really press down on them but hopefully you're not batoning through firewood with a pocket knife. For my tasks, I'm never worried about the integrity of the knife. It's also made in the USA and extremely comfortable. This is the knife I recommend to EVERYONE (average Joes/Judys as well as knife nuts). Get it. You won't be sorry.
this is my new favorite knife the axis lock is smooth and fun to play with and the handle feels good with a nice blue color too it. I will definitely recommend the benchmade bugout to anyone looking for a great knife.
I was looking for a new high quality knife so I did a lot of research. I ended up selecting the Benchmade Bugout based on the type of steel and the positive reviews. When it came, I was very impressed with the quality. So much so that I ordered a second one and had it sent to my son so he could enjoy one as well. In full disclosure though, I also bought a Griptillian and to be honest, I think I like it even more but they are both awesome knives.
It's an impressive light knife for this newcomer to the EDC world. I like the solid feel of the Axis system as well as the lasting edge of the blade. Highly recommended.
Only my first day carrying the 535 and I am immediately in love. Actually some good fit and finish, almost centered blade, grind is perfect actually, action was stiff out of box but a quick pivot adjustment and some KPL and it is broken in already. S30v was lightsaber sharp out of the box. Does not at all feel "cheap" as some people have said. It is Grivory (FRN) feels just as solid as anyone else's FRN, with the partial liners and a weight of 1.8 oz with a 3.24 inch blade. Impressive stuff benchmade, very impressed. Mini deep carry clip is incredible as well. I may actually like this knife more then my 555-1/mini grip-1 and that knife has G10, full liners, and 20cv steel... so thats really saying something about the 535 Bugout. Thanks again BladeHQ!
it is just an amazing knife. this knife features an awesome manual opening that i just love as well as a deep carry pocket clip to conceal the knife in your pocket that makes you forget that its even there.
I picked up the Bugout recently and it has become my daily carry. Super light, it disappears in my pocket and the action is great. I've already pre-ordered the Bugout Mini.
Decided to see what all the buzz was about in the oh so popular Bugout and was definitely pleasantly surprised. Great knife for EDC constantly forget its even in my pocket its so light. Will definitely buy another once the flytanium scales come back in stock.
After carrying this in my rotation for a year, I must say I have come to really love this knife. It's an excellent knife for what it's trying to be and the category it's in. The weight, steel, mini deep pocket clip, and made in the USA are the biggest pros for me. As a Texan I wear shorts 95% of the year and I love how I can slip this the pocket of my basketball or khaki shorts, and forget that it's there. This knife definitely exceeded my expectations.
I am a huge Benchmade fan and when I received this knife as a Birthday gift. I was overly ecstatic! Light weight and great build!
I love this knife, it cuts through boxes with easy and is super light. The blue handle helps keep it from getting misplaced like some of my other knives.
I honestly can't feel a difference when I put this knife in my pocket, its that light. I take it hiking or as a backup folder when im camping, it also finds its way into the EDC rotation quite often. I can't say enough good about it.
This is my second "bugout".. had to checkout this beautiful "blue" one... love these knives! Actually washed it a couple times, being so dang lite I don't notice it in my pocket. Opens like silk after a little breaking in, good S30V steel, holds an edge, easy to sharpen, what else can I say? Oh yah.. excellent fidget factor too! I'll sit on my porch and just flick this thing for hours, it opens and closes so easily!! I punish this knife, its at the top of my EDC list, a definite must have!!
Like the title says this is my first benchmade. So far i love it. Blade came razor sharp and the blade centering was perfect. I love the axis lock and havent been able to stop messing with this. I have carried it every day since i got it. Its definitely my favorite EDC right now. Size is perfect and i barely notice it in my pocket. Thanks Benchmade and Blade HQ.
Light weight, good steel, affordable and great action
It's been a hot summer and I bought this knife specifically as an EDC for casual and workout shorts. It's extremely light and operates very well (#Axis). I was never really into Benchmade knives but I love my little Bugout. And it's Ben Blue, cmon (if you know, you know). Had it about 6 months and definitely need to keep it cleaner to keep the operation smooth. Still very sharp (only touched up once).
Possibly one of the best edc's I have ever handled. IT is lightweight and ergonomic and I love the pocket clip. Also, it looks beautiful in that ben blue. Give it a shot!
My first Benchmade and I am not disappointed. For the size, it's really light and easily slides into my pocket with my keys.
Lightweight, came sharp right out of the box. Very easy to carry and conceal if necessary. Strong handle, textured scales for good grip. Blue, bright blue, easy to find if you drop it or if it is in luggage. Easy to deploy, satin stainless steel blade. A lot of stuff done to save weight, and it takes nothing away from the knife's usefulness. Good buy.
This knife reminded me of one of my Benchmade Pardue knife which is why I was instantly attracted to it. It is lightweight, slim, and a workhorse. It has become my EDC. If you are going to have just one knife, I would make it this one.
Very light knife, strong blade and sharp out of the box, will definitely be buying another one!
Thin, Light, Perfect for EDC. A Bugout has been in my pocket everyday since I got 'em (I got one blue and one green)
S30V, fun to play with, eye catching, and AN AXIS LOCK!!!!! What else can I say? I'm in love. I use this knife as much as Kurt from knife banter uses it to cut food- which is all the time and it is holding up great since I impulse bought it a month ago. PS: Don't try to take it apart unless you have patience though- it gets a little tricky if you try it at 3am.
I have nothing bad to say about this knife. I love the color, shape, weight and size! Like most, I was worried that it would feel cheap because of the flimsy handle material. But this thing it a work of art. Comes sharp, holds an edge very well, and sharpens nicely. It's also a fidget spinner replacement. (Axis lock is Highly Addictive )
This knife has no flaws for an EDC knife. From the steel, to the weight, to the price. It checks off all boxes and is one of my favorites in my collection. Another upside is that there is a huge aftermarket to truly make it your own!
I am consistently forgetting that I have this knife in my pocket, until I actually need it. The Benchmade Bugout is my #1 snack slicer. It is perfect for most EDC situations. I can't wait to get my Blackout Bugout this Friday!
Good steel and a good amount of blade. Very compact and lightweight while remaining fairly sturdy. Solid knife for price.
Beautiful blade. Didn't like the balance of the knife with the heavy blade and the light handle, so I got some Flytanium copper scales and now it's perfect and looks even more amazing. Do it, you won't regret it.
one of the best lightweight backpacking and EDC knife I own. s30v is perfect for an edc blade with its good edge retention without being difficult to sharpen. the ergos could be better but for 99% of the tasks you would use this knife for it is not an issue. the deep carry clip is great and I love the blade shape.
Lite, sharp,great EDC, I LOVE IT!!!!!
Bought this knife to replace my former EDC knife, and so far it has performed better in every way I can think of. I love this knife and I would recommend it to anyone. Some notable features are that it is incredibly light, comes very sharp, and is as beautiful as it is durable. However, the clip is short and stiff, so I removed it, and the blade is very thin so if for whatever reason you try to pry something open it will most likely snap the blade, but you shouldn't be doing that anyway. All in all my favorite EDC so far!
Not a bad edc piece at all. Super light and I forget I have it sometimes. the pocket clip is the best. great lock up on it. I had to return it to benchmade because the lock got gritty and wouldn't unlock...not sure why. Haven't gotten it back yet but I'm waiting to see how it comes back to me. I cant wait to get it and carry it again. Wish it came with a blue handle and black blade though.
This was the first dive into the proper pocket knife collection for me and it was a great way to start. It holds a great edge and performs well especially the lock style. Thumb studs are not the strongest material and if your rough on things expect them to get rounded down and lose anodization.
I love the 535 bugout. It just disappears in my pocket. I was worried that the blade wouldn’t be centered so I added in the notes area to see if they would make sure it was and sure enough it came center and smooth as butter. I will be making more purchases for blade hq best customer service and great prices
Superb weight, S30V blade and balanced to perfection...what more could you want in an EDC? Another hidden gem in this knife people may not know is that the AXIS lock is coated titanium. BladeHQ did a YouTube video with Benchmade about this knife and the Benchmade rep quoted the axis lock was indeed coated titanium.
It’s a great knife disappears in your pocket and the blade is amazing!! I recommend this knife to everyone!
If any random person asked me what knife to buy if they wanted something to carry everyday, this would be where I would send them. The Bugout has a great action, simple but good look to it, and s30v is an all around good to go steel. While some might not be a fan of the feel of the plastic handles, they are made well and are more tough than people might think, and they keep the knife super lightweight. AND this is one knife I can say that Benchmade’s pricing isn’t way too high for. Overall, great choice for edc.
I won’t lie, I hated this knife at first. The scales made it feel so cheap in my mind, but after giving it a chance it is one of my favorite knives. And now I want the green one too! Lightweight, great size for EDC, and love the axis lock.
This a great knife for edc its light weight and has good ergos
Great EDC knife. Very light and thin in the pocket, but it has a solid feel in hand, great lock up, good blade design and steel. Beautiful color and overall design. I don't know what else to say honestly, just buy it already.
I love this knife, it’s fantastic for edc
I gave this knife to my gf for Christmas, it seemed like the perfect gift. It is extremely light, but has a sturdy s30v blade. It definitely isn’t a hard use knife (you can squeeze the scales together) but that wasn’t the intended use of the gift
Great EDC knife. I wouldn't do to much heavy work with but it's still a vary nice knife.
i love this knife for edc.
This knife is very light, at least half the weight of the para 3, which I understand can make it feel cheap. This lightweight comes from the hollowed out plastic that makes the handle. Many don’t like the plastic as it deals cheap, but it’s a Benchmade, it’s not a cheap knife. The blade is amazing and the axis lock is even better. The pocket clip is deep carry and very discreet. I might be ordering new scales in the future but the scales on this knife get the job done.
Perfect lightweight EDC knife! The blue is a very nice color also
This is a great little EDC knife that is insanely light. I understand why alot of people complain about the handle material (if you compare it to a delica or native their frn feels much more durable then the bugouts "plastic"). Been almost 10 months with the bugout and no issues. Blade came super sharp and centered. So far I've never had a omega spring break on any of my benchmades ( grip, 940, 940-2 and this bugout).
I carried a Delica 4 for years and continue to carry my trusted orange friend, but in my other pocket is a new knife. The Benchmade Bugout. It's a delight to carry such a slim and lite pocket knife. Pure one handed operation. Deep carry clip, open frame design, S30V steel and Axis lock make this knife "The Total Package".
I bought one after long research. Its amazing how much blade is in this low profile, lightweight folder. I’ve cut clothes off of trauma patients with it. I cut up my kids apples with it, butter bread. I field dressed, skinned, processed a small buck with it. Cracked the pelvis by hitting it with a rock in my glove. Also a decent letter opener and occasional toothpick. I bought one for my brother, he said its too pretty to use. But his blade will be breaking a sweat in no time.
This has become my edc, love my other knives, but this one rules
This is just an amazing knife. This is the knife that made me stop looking for other knives. It's light. It's a good size. The steel holds an edge. The axis lock is fantastic. The pocket clip is subtle and amazing. I don't know what else to say other than you will not regret this knife for edc, work or even camping. Benchmade hit it out of the park with this one.
Have been carrying my bugout since February, the rumors of it being maybe to flimsy are greatly exaggerated... Stands up to any task you would use a knife this size for, overall great EDC knife!
This knife is a featherweight, with great steel (S30v), smooth opening & closing and a fantastic blade shape & cutting edge. It’s a pretty cool knife that looks like it is made to cut and light enough you might forget you have it! I really like the blue color (also looks non-threatening)!
The weightlessness and classic utilitarian blade shape makes the 535 a formidable lightweight tool. It has surpassed all other knives in my rotation as well as my collection and is officially my go-to pocket knife. Also, the blue color really seems to disarm people that aren't comfortable around knives...It doesn't look "murdery", it looks like a tool to people that are foreign to knives. Words really can't express how much I like this knife. The edge has held extremely well, some simple stropping has kept the blade shaving sharp. The stock on the 535 is very thin, making it a great slicer. The Axis lock is extremely smooth and makes the 535 a great fidgeting device, I'm actually catching myself flipping and closing it at my desk during work. In my mind, the name is a little unfitting for this knife as it excels as an edc knife but in a bugout scenario any tool is your friend. Highly recommend this knife to both the knife enthusiast as well as the knife novice, and everyone in between.
This knife is fantastic for EDC. The grind on the blade is fantastic for slicing and is still thick enough to get just about any EDC done. Obviously I would not use it for super hard use; but, it has become the knife I carry the most due to it disappearing in the pocket.
Absolutely love this knife. Great design on the handle and blade, super-sharp slicer and looks great too. The grivory is ultra-lightweight and surprisingly rigid. Even after heavy use a few passes on the strop and it's back to like-new sharpness. The black blade/Ranger green handle is a good look but I still favor the original blue (non-serrated, of course).
What a great knife S30v very light great EDC at a great value
This needed a bit of a break in period like most knives do, but now it has one of the smoothest actions of any knife I own. Super light weight and easily sturdy enough for its intended use. A bit of a toothy factory grind, but it’s reasonably sharp. Overall I’m super happy with the knife and it’s fit and finish.
You can't go wrong with this EDC! Lightweight, deep carry, great steel, sweet big blade, titanium axis lock... Just buy it now thanks blade HQ
Great knife supper light in the pocket, takes up little space one of my favorites for edc. The s30v steel holds its edge great and last a long time with use.
This knife is the child of the 940 Osborne, and the 551 Griptilian. Super light weight, but still really strong. It is good steel, s30v, that gets and keeps an edge. It has the axis lock which is smoother than other knife I have used in this price range. It is one of my favorite knifes I own, or have used. And for the price, you can't beat it.
This has quickly become my favorite EDC blade. It’s so light and thin that it disappears in the pocket (especially with the deep carry clip) and it slices like a scalpel thanks to the thin stock and flat grind. If you are looking for a lightweight knife that’s a decent size and cuts like a dream, the Bugout should be one of your top choices!
Seriously one of my favorite EDCs. Perfect for hikes where you don't want the weight of a larger knife pulling down your short pants. Quick, smooth action, fantastic blade. If I had to find a flaw, it would be the scales, and the name, and I would only deduct 0.5 stars (maybe, I am just being a knife snob). Would be nice to have G10, but I get it, price, weight goes up. Also, I would have named it the "Trail Ninja" or "Wolf Tooth."
This knife has superseded my expectations. I carry it everyday at work as a state trooper and use it often. I feel it is far superior to the 940 and every other Benchmade I own.
What’s not to love about this knife. Under 2oz, S30V, and the color is perfect. Also, benchmades service is second to none. Pocket clip was a little short for my liking, called and they sent me 4 different full length clips to try at no charge!
This knife is brilliantly executed down to the minutest detail, with a focus on weight reduction, and that focus is well held to. At 1.85 ounces, this blade makes my lightweight Spydercos feel heavy, and, unexpectedly, it feels fairly sturdy in hand. Sure, the scales flex a bit, but I don't get the impression of impending doom when using it. The steel is fantastic for a knife right around $100. Absolutely no complaints here; S30V takes and holds a scary sharp edge. The blue motif may come on a bit strong for some, but I'm a fan of it, especially in the ano on the thumb stud and barrel standoffs. The short deep carry clip is interesting too; very low profile for under-the-radar carry, both for yourself and for everyone around you. The blade on mine is nigh on flawless; the plunge is quick and the sharpening choil extends just past as it should. The stock itself is very thin and leads to a monster of a slicer. The secondary bevel on mine is a tad uneven, this being my only niggle with this knife. It's still within operable condition, and is easily fixable. Overall, this is a fantastic knife if you like light knives but want a decent blade length, this is the perfect knife for you.
They got it right with this one. It feels much sturdier tan I had expected, and is very thin and designed for slicing. It disappears in the pocket but is always ready when you need it.
I didn't think i would like this knife when it released. the handles looked a little cheap but i loved the blade shape. I ended up buying one for Christmas and i loved it so much i purchased 3 more for friends and family. An all around great knife. lightweight, high end steel, and amazing feel in the hand. Do yourself a favor and get you one. Only thing i wish benchmade would do is offer it in black as well.
This has instantly become one of my favorites! I love the slim lightweight frame. Perfect blade design. Fit and finish excellent.
I have now owned this knife for a few months and still find myself grabbing it for my EDC over fancier or more expensive knives. Over course it is slim and light but that's not all. It comes razor sharp and holds that edge. Opens nice with no blade play and locks tight. I really like the deep carry clip. The only thing I have done to mine since purchasing is take just a slight bit of tension off the pivot screw so that it opens faster.
This was my first Benchmade, and it may have started a little addiction. As a girl my pocket space is very limited so the thin profile and unobtrusiveness of this knife make it just disappear in a way no other knife has. The colors are beautiful and it works perfectly. If I ever loose it I will be back to buy another one.
Love the light weight of this knife. Dont even know its in my pocket.
The benchmade 535 bugout is one of my favorite benchmades I currently own it’s light weight,feels good in hand,and smooth!
I just picked this Benchmade bugout at my local knife dealer and OMG! This thing is super freaking light, i literally forgot about my lost 940-2. I will be making this my edc for now. I’d really recommend this to Anybody looking for a new Benchmade. Well worth it!
The blade shape, steel used, thinness, lightness, and (of course) the axis lock, make for an EDC that gets a lot of pocket time.
Razor sharp out of the box and extremely light weight. When I first got this knife in the mail I thought to myself that this thing is not what I just spent. This observation was based on nothing but the weight. After deployment and 3 weeks of carrying it, the knife has become my favorite EDC over my othere three Benchmades. I would recommend this knife!
Great job Benchmade, You really made a winner. I can't really complain about anything besides it doesn't fill the hand well. But that comes with the whole concept. Was a bummer I didn't get a first production, but it just means I get to use it more.
Got this a Christmas gift.. thought the box was empty it’s so lightweight. Perfect size and fit. Highly recommend.
This was one of my first $100+ knives and I have been really impressed. This is probably my most carried knife in my collection. Great all around useful knife.
I love the weight, blade shape, aesthetics, and edge retention of this knife. If price is a concern it beats out the benchmade 940 Osborne, my all time favourite folder. The mini deep carry clip is an added bonus as well.
I am a handyman by trade and like good quality knives. I did alot of" YouTube research" on this kinfe. I am not a big knife kinda guy. I wasn't sure if I would like this benchmade as much as my 940-1. but I am constantly grabbing this one more because of pocket space. Super thin and still strong enough to get the job done. It's like it's not there until you need it. I can't say it enough, I love this knife.(the benchmade bugout)
I've had BMs in the past, Osbornes, Grips, the Sequel to name some favorites. Each, with their own gripes.. Then the Bugout came, with it's vast high grind clip point variation, glimmering s30v blade steel and a footprint that will have ultralights shaking in their Lowas. That being said, I was not disappointed when I received mine. I heard of several people getting 535s off center but mine was very good, maybe favoring the left a hair. The blade hasn't seen much use yet, with Benchmade's heat treatment process I doubt that's a concern. The handle really seems quite durable, despite some reviews I've read. I did however order some carbon fiber scales from a third party. I cant wait to see what new classes of the Bugout they come out with, there's definite potential there for a new legacy. Awesome knife, buy it when it comes in stock or preorder it. I wasn't paid to write this add, but I did just take a lot of preworkout. Oh, and how about that pocket clip!?
Feels surprisingly rigid given how light it is. I am a big fan of the edge retention of SV30. Finally a knife slim enough that I can use the pocket clip and still get my hand in the pocket!
Love the blade/grind. Handle is awesome. EDC masterpiece. Benchmade knocked it out of the park with the Bugout and the Freek. You need both!
It really is amazing that this knife weighs less than 2 ounces. The lightweight manix has been replaced by this knife as my go to backpacking blade. I wouldn't expect this blade to stand up to a ton of abuse but for moderate cutting tasks, I think it is completely adequate.
I arrived at Camp Pendleton for IMC training and needed a pocket knife. I saw that they stocked Benchmade at the MCX and applied our military discount. I decided to see what the hype was all about, and sure enough, this knife surprised me. For how thin it is, the ergonomics make for a fairly solid feel in the hand, blade geometry is superb for daily tasks, and the bright blue color is actually practical for field use (easily found if dropped). Still, for the materials used, I still feel that this knife is a bit overpriced even at a discount.No knife is easier to carry while providing this much usable blade at the same time. It’s a “do-it-all” choice and is available in many more options.
My first knife purchase that broke $100. By now, you've read and heard a lot about the Bugout. What's great about it? It's very light, it's easy to stash or stow because it's very slim, it offers a great blade, it's available in many handle colors and materials, it almost single-handedly redefines EDC. What's not so great about it? Well, it offers just enough handle, not all that much more, unless you have small hands. For some, the grivory will feel cheap. It can be slick if you're sweaty. There isn't a whole lot of guard between your hand and the blade. It's not meant for heavy tasks. The original handle does offer some flex. It took me a little while to work my axis lock in but now it is easy to just pull the bar and have the blade swing down toward its closed position. The Bugout is a great knife overall, but sometimes, I wish it was just a bit heavier, a bit more stout, had just a bit more heft to it. I have few complaints really. I do like the option to either use the thumb stud or the axis lock and wrist flick to open the knife. And I also dig the blue touches they added to the hardware. I think the handle is stronger than many folks give it credit for, but in the end, I think the PM3 beats it out for "perfect" EDC.
I need a bit more ruggedness out of my edc. This knife is super sharp but the handles are just not that impressive. I get that you can "customize" but for the price, I expected more to the knife. The lock is also a bit gritty on the close but has gotten better with time. Overall, a solid 4 stars. A good option when wearing shorts or slacks.
The bugout is light, thin, and disappears in the pocket yet still has a blade capable of what 99% of users will throw at it.
First of all let me say that I love my 535. I haven't had any issues with the Axis lock springs that I've read about in other reviews. That said, I am not all that crazy about s30v. For what it is I think this knife should be in the $75-$90 price range but I suppose you pay for the name.
Great knife. Love the color and finish. This is my first Benchmade so fingers ached getting used to the axis lock at first, but man is it worth it for that quick open close (you will end up playing with it all the time). Weight is dare I say too light, I expect this to go through the washing machine at some point. Would like to see a 535 built more closely to the 940
Great balde and great carry, the bushings are a bit stiff for my taste though.
Handles suck but this knife is well worth the cash. Just invest in come handles.
Overall I really like this knife. This is my second BM purchase and I'm satisfied. This is a great summer carry option for lightweight shorts. The Axis lock is fantastic. Was sharp out of the box and as always, was a pleasure dealing with BHQ.
This knife seems to polarize the knife world. Some people are nuts about it and some people think it’s the cheapest crappiest thing in the world. Personally I like it but I’m not in love. As a knife made to be ultra light weight and dependable it succeeds. It’s crazy light. Blade steel is great. The scales are cheap feeling but I’m whatever about it. I haven’t heard of anyone breaking theirs and if I break mine Benchmade has a great warranty. It’s also a surprisingly large knife. My biggest gripe with this knife is just how it sounds. It makes there’s weird cheap sounding noises when you fling it open and around. I love the sound of a knife with great action and smoothness. This knife has a weird clicky clack sound. I’m being nit picky but it bothers me. I’ll get over it as the price and quality of this knife are great.
I really like this knife. The lightweight aspect, the blade shape, the steel, the fact that (as all of you know) it just disappears into the pocket; all great things. I carry this most often of all my knives cause it rides low and is so handy. I have used this thing a ton but I do have one complaint. I am a bit of a "lock rock" snob in that I hate when i can feel blade play on my knives. Mind you, this may just be my particular knife, but I feel as though for paying 120 bucks for simple Grivory and S30V the tolerances could be a little better. However, a knife is meant to cut and be safe in the process. The minor wiggle I have on my blade I live with cause its a solid EDC that will do all you need it to. Just be willing to have some blade play if you think this will be your "drop shut" axis-lock. (I have 2 friends with the bugout and their drop-shut bugouts have a lot of play. I keep mine able to flip closed but tight enough to feel more solid.) Cheers.
This knife is one that can be used daily for 90% of people out there. I never feel like I'm missing something when I'm carrying this. It isn't the most exciting, but it just does the job & does it w/out weighing you down or being unwieldy.
I liked this knife right away nice size super light, deep pocket clip. Here is the issue I had right out of the box. The Axis lock was sticking and the knife would not flip open and closed. I have a Bone collector from Benchmade that is buttery smooth. Out of the box I had to use the thumb stud to open the knife. I took it apart cleaned it oiled it and tried again after working it in for a few hours it got a little better. Took it apart and polished the metal liners put it together again and not it works great. but I should have to tune up a new knife. Got scales from Flytanium and am sending them off to Bladeswelove for custom anodizing. Will let you know how it turns out.
The lack of the metal liner reduces a lot of weight, but makes it feel cheap. Won't be able to handle a lot of stress, but works fine for daily light duty stuff. Nice knife, good addition to most EDC collections.
It’s even lighter than you’d think. Functions great as a pocket knife because it’s one of the only knives that will sit in your pocket with the clip keeping it out of sight and you don’t notice it’s in there at all because of how thin and light it is. No complaints
I love so much about this knife, and it was my EDC for quite some time. Everything feels great, the design is elegant, the blade holds a sharp edge, and it's super fun to snap open. But the centering and lateral blade play are simply embarrassing (unless you're willing to crank down on the pivot). Seriously Benchmade, I'd buy these for family and friends if you'd fix this issue.
If you’re thinking about it, just get one- you won’t be disappointed. I end up carrying this knife more than any other knives in my collection. The action is super satisfying and it’s obviously very light. The only reason it’s not a 5-star knife is that the blade is not even close to being centered. Doesn’t seem to affect anything, but you’d think at this price that wouldn’t be a problem.
I've had my 535 Bugout for a while. It's been circulating through my EDC lineup. it took some getting used to for the weight, because it practically disappears in the pocket. and the S30V blade keeps its edge for quite a lot of cutting time. And after i got used to the weight and feel of the handle, it's become one of my favorites. And of course, there's the fidget aspect. The AXIS Lock is an awesome and super tough lockup, and it's addicting to flip and close over and over. For the price, this is a solid deal and I would say that after getting used to this blade, you'll love it.
The 535 is my first Benchmade. I was on the fence about buying it because I see (1) many complaints about Omega springs breaking, and (2) much skepticism about Benchmade QC. The praise for the 535 won me over, by a hair. I don't plan on any "hard use" for this or any of my knives. My 535 came out of the box with perfect centering. And, it completely disappears in my pocket. (Which was my primary reason for getting it.) Slim and light. The Axis lock sticks on the ramp of the blade - it can be difficult to pull closed if the knife is opened with some oomph. I expect the surfaces will wear together evenly, with time, and I am not going to ascribe this observation to a QC issue. The only QC issue/complaint I have about it is that the height of the edge bevel is not uniform from tip to choil. I expect better than that from a +$100 knife, from a reputable company. That's why I'm knocking a star off. Overall, practical utility outweighs a cosmetic fault, by a long shot. I look forward to years of forgetting that this knife is in my pocket.
I want to start this review by saying Benchmade is in my top 3 favorite manufacturers of all time. Love their work, but this knife just falls a bit short for me. I feel like Benchmade tried to make a knife that was geared more towards "affordability". Allow me to explain, since anything over 100 bucks isn't necessarily considered affordable by many people. They used a premium blade steel and paired it with a cheap scale material, grivory. The blade stock on this knife is very thin, and the liner is super short. the pivot is put together with 2 copper washers. The carry clip is great but a bit short for my tastes, it's essentially a shortened Benchmade deep carry clip. I feel like this knife is literally at the bottom of the pile in terms of what Benchmade can produce. I would rather see it take more traits from the 940 family. For example, a thicker blade stock coupled with a longer internal liner would be great, and to go a step further I would love to see stock G10 or at least aluminum scales. I guess I feel like the blade could have been made so much better with a few things, and maybe a 150 dollar price tag instead of the 115? For my money, the griptillian is head and shoulders above this model. Full liner, G10 options, and cheaper. What? Cheaper? Yep. Don't get me wrong, I love this knife for what is is, so much that I did in fact put custom G10 scales on mine. In my opinion, this is definitely not Benchmade's best option, even at this price point.
I'm an auto knife guy, and this is my first non auto "good" knife, and my first Benchmade. I love it. It's light and carries deep in the pocket. So light in fact, that I often find myself checking my pocket just to make sure it there. Razor sharp out of the box and I love the Axis lock. My only complaint is the blade is not centered on mine. It kicks off to the right and is almost touching the scales. I don't know if this is a big issue or not, maybe just nit picking, but it doesn't seem to affect the performance at all. I can still flip it open and closed with no problems. I love it
Love this knife, 110% worth the money. I know everyone talks about how light it is, but seriously, it's freaky light. Only 2 complaints: 1. The pocket clip is a little to stiff ( which most Benchmades have ), causing it to tear up my pockets a bit more than usual, but no big deal. 2. For some reason the Axis lock on mine has a very rough, grainy action, having blasted it with air and used blue lube attempting to correct it, it's still very crunchy. Not sure why, but a very small issue. Either way, 100% happy with my purchase, and I absolutely will be pre-ordering the Tan one. Also, keep in mind this knife does not have full metal frames, which is what shaves the weight, so no wood splitting or prying with this guy if you can help it! S30V steel, Great Handle, solid lanyard hole, crazy slim in pocket, weightless design, and US made, just a Killer piece of steel. Thanks Benchmade!!
The great looks of this knife along with its light weight and great blade steel make this knife perfect for edc.
I've purchased 3 new Benchmade knives in the past 6 months (940-1, MiniGrip, Bugout) and this Bugout is much more refined in fit and finish than either of the other examples. Blade grind and sharpening specifically were very impressive. This Bugout sports the sharpest factory edge I've seen on a production knife with even bevels side to side and a plunge grind which doesn't fall inconveniently midway up the choil. I have no concerns about the light-duty nature of the construction on this knife. I bought it for its light build and slim in the pocket nature. It hits those marks perfectly and makes for an amazing EDC knife for me. I've removed 1 star for value. The market is flooded with amazing value in this price range and sometimes Benchmade seems to forget that. In my opinion this knife would be appropriately priced from $80-$90. Look at the competition. Unless you need the absolute lightest knife of this size you can almost certainly find a better value, even if only slightly.
I read a lot, and I do mean A LOT of reviews before I bought this knife. Having made knives for a few years myself, it's the little details that matter. The blade was centered perfectly, the action is smooth with the exception of the axis lock feeling a little gritty, and a little up and down play in the blade. The finish on the spine of the knife, and the edge itself right out of the box are what bothers me the most about this knife. The spine looks like it was drug across a 36 grit grinding belt and that's where they left it. In contrast to the very nicely stonewashed blade, it stands out. The edge is about the same condition. It looks like it was hit with an 80 grit belt and left that way. Very toothy. Maybe I got one that slipped through the cracks, but I definitely expected a better fit and finish at the price point, and certainly from Benchmade. Considering my old CRKT fossil had what seems like much higher quality control for less than half the price.
This knife is okay. No material defects or anything, but I was a little overwhelmed after all the other reviews and all the hype from online stores. For the price, I think Spyderco's Native 5 or Para 3 are better value. They're more robust and still lightweight. Come to think about it, there are a LOT of great knives you can buy for $100-130, which I prefer over the bugout. I consider Benchmade's Griptilian and Presidio to be much better folding pocket knives than this. The one good feature of this knife is that it is very lightweight, but that is because there is not much to it. Skinny blade and skinny handle scales--not exactly robust. This reminds me a lot of a Gerber Ultralight EST lockback knife I bought back as a young teenager. Still selling for about $12 or $15. Maybe the Bugout is made of better materials, but not $100 better.
Update: after a few months, I have already had the stock omega spring break. I did find a aftermarket spring with good reviews and they claim to make a beefier product. I will update once I have it and install it. Wife helped fund this for father's day because I wasn't sure if I wanted it after having the Hogue Deka for so long. While I still think the Hogue is done better, I can see why so many people love the bugout. It is solid, built well, good steel, great warranty and made in USA. I picked up the Jade G10 scales from flytanium and it has completely upgraded this knife to where I find I am carrying it more. Only complaint is trying to get the pivot to balance blade play and sooth action from the axis lock. Takes micro adjustments to find the break even point. Everything else is great.
This is a great knife, but the only weak design aspect of this knife is the Omega springs. I have gone through 4 springs in two years. They always break in the exact same spot due to fatigue right at the bottom of the large U shape. I love the feel of an AXIS lock, but the springs breaking randomly are making me choose reliability over "fidget factor." I hope that Benchmade experiments with different spring shapes and materials to optimize the life of them.
first impressions are that for the price, the steel is decent, phosphor bronze washers are great, but it still feels a little cheap and delicate compared to a spyderco of equivalent price. lockup isnt the most encouraging thing ive ever felt. there is a tiny amount of side to side and vertical play which is kind of upsetting. the blade is centered well which is to be expected for a usa made knife, but the edge grind is not the best. it is very rough overall, uneven tip to heel (thin at the tip, thick at the belly), and not balanced one side to the other (maybe the worst ive seen in a while). when comparing this to a spyderco para 3 it just feels cheap and flimsy. if it was closer to 100$ i think i would feel a little better about it.
this has to be one of the thinnest blades Benchmade has ever done. BUT the Ti lockbar Galls once the black coating has been worn off. gritty action ensues after this brake in period happens. Benchmade needs to replace the Ti lock bar with a Steel lockbar to fix this issue.
I'll be honest, it feels cheep. This is mainly due to the polymer scales that feel like cheap plastic on a kid's toy. I love the design and thats its so light but im going to put some micarta scales on it so it actually feels like a $120 knife.
I owned the Bugout for almost 2 months and after flipping it thousands if times, today it broke. I truly do love this knife and I think it's an outstanding EDC knife but as I was flipping it today, the omega springs broke.
My girlfriend bought me this knife as a gift from blade hq and i loved the knife and it came in great condition but the axis lock broke a week after reciving it, My girlfriend was able to return it though no qustions asked.
I love this knife, or at least I did. This thing is light, thin, and cuts like nobody's business. Only problem is that within six months, both of my Omega springs in the knife snapped and rendered my bugout limper than a wet noodle. Buyer beware, quality control is STILL an issue with Benchmade.
Just received it today! Overall, it is impressive in how light it is. Doesn't have a full-length steel frame under the handles, but that wasn't really a deterrent to not get it. It is actually thinner than my usual carry, a Spyderco Delica. The blade profile seems nice, but I must say it isn't a nicely finished edge. I plan on stropping it. Cuts nicely, but it just isn't super smooth. Overall, happy with it. Decent value for what you get with Benchmade. Wouldn't consider it a "bugout" knife, though.
First benchmade for me. Love the weight, blade shape, and ergos, but after two weeks of carry, one of the omega springs broke. Now, a month later and 15$ to ship for repairs and still no knife. Last benchmade for me. Anyone got a lil native to trade? Knife is back from repairs. Benchmade replaced the broken omega spring, 4 torx bolts (marred during disassembly?) and sharpened the blade while it was there, although it really never had a chance to dull before it broke. Knife is out of my EDC rotation because I have no desire to spend another 15$ the next time another of these little springs snaps. For the price point of this knife you can find more value and reliability.
This was my first Benchmade and all it has been is trouble first off the blade wasn’t very sharp I’ve had many $20 knifes come way sharper than this one second thing the both the omega springs broke while I was just fondling the knife I took apart the knife and used some ganzo springs with had to be tweaked and third I can not get this knife smooth with no blade play I would not Recommend this knife just get a Ferrum forge gent it’s way better
I have bought 3 Benchmades, and the omega springs broke on all of them. It disappoints me that Benchmade has such great knives, but the springs ruin it.
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