Buggy About the Bugout
I'm kinda buggy over the Bugout. Buggy as in nuts...as in I really like it alot. Why so crazy about THIS little knife? Well, I guess I'm a little crazy about knives in general, so I tend to start out crazy about a knife. Then, as I find things out that I don't like about the knife, the craziness gets diminished somewhat. There is virtually nothing about the Bugout to diminish my craziness. Actually, there was one thing I didn't like a lot, the blue plastic handle, so I cheated a bit, and had my Bugout delivered to the Keymaster, who quickly and effortlessly made the great, perfect before sending it on to me.
I like good design. By good I mean, ergonomics (handle has got to be comfortable and stable), efficiency (good blade to handle length ratio, efficient cutting edge geometry), and looks (a classic profile with clean, symetrical grinds). The Bugout got all dat.
First, what is this thing. I think the best description of it is a 530/531 optimized for utility use. It is essentially the same size as a 531 with a wider blade and more belly in the edge profile. The handle design is also optimized for standard cutting and slicing, less tactically oriented than the boot dagger layout of the 530/1. Basic construction is very similar, but the liners on the 535 look slightly thicker - perhaps to compensate for being slightly shorter - and the stop pin looks larger. Blade stock thickness looks identical to the 530/1.
What the preceding should tell you, if you are familiar with the 531, is that the 535 Bugout is a thin, lightweight knife that cuts like a razor. It will be plenty strong for medium utility. You would eventually find the strength limit of this knife if you treat it like a 570 Presidio II, or something. No prying. Full body weight cutting force might be testing its limits...depending on how full your body weight is. But thin, razor sharp blades cut with less force. The bottom line on the Bugout is a whole hell of a lot of performance from a slim pocket knife that weighs next to nothing at all.
The handle is a simple, classic design, just big enough for a full hammer grip, with excellent stability and comfort. The absence of the flare on the top of the butt on the 530/1 gives the hand just a little more room to spread out on the 535. I'm sure the Grivory production handle is quite rigid and strong enough. I like Grivory, and I like blue, just the combination of Grivory and blue gave me an image of...well, you know, the image that a lot of people complained about with the Griptilian handle when it first came out. I'm quite comfortable with the glass reinforced plastic handles on the Griptilian, knowing them as I do, and I'm sure I would have developed the same respect for the factory Bugout handle. When I decided on peel ply G-10 for the scales, I originally asked for blue, but peel ply isn't available in blue. The Keyman G-10 scales are just slightly thicker than the production scales. Gives the knife that hint of custom flavor, that big difference that little things make (mentally). The black handle makes the blue accents on the thumb stud and spacers that much more tasty as well. I'm sure Benchmade will be coming out with multiple color options for the Bugout, just as they eventually did for the Griptilian.
The blade grind is sweet. Very much 525 Mini Presidio-like, nearly weehawk. Lovely MDP profile, with a sexy little swedge. Love it.
Comparing the 535 quickly to a couple other lightweight models, I prefer the Bugout handle a bit over the 94X handle, and it is slightly smaller and much slimmer than the Griptilian. It may be a matter of my individual anatomy, but the wider (or taller) shape of the Bugout handle makes it feel more stable in my hand, less likely to twist, less grip tightness required. I did not notice a big difference in cutting efficiency between by 943, and the 535. The Bugout is a lot slimmer than the Griptilian, of course, and lighter. I think there will be a lot of overlap between the Bugout and the Griptilian, but I don't see one replacing the other. If one is looking for ultimate light weight and ease of carry, the Bugout would win, if a little harder work and strength are needed, the Grip would be the pick. While I was first working with the Bugout, as it always happens, I found myself thinking this is the ideal way to make a "tactical" folding knife, Benchmade should make one bigger with the same G-10 partial liner construction. Then I remembered, oh yeah, they already do, the 551-1.
So what is this Bugout thing? It is the ultimate lightweight medium utility folding knife. Outstanding, ergonomic handle, thin super efficient and beautiful blade, made from premium stainless steel. It cuts better, is more comfortable, and lighter than anything else. I'm crazy about it. It is the perfect cutting tool companion for human powered outdoor activity. Every fanny pack, backpack, bugout bag should contain a Bugout. There may be times when I pick a Griptilian for more strength on a longer ultra-light hike, but for every one of those times, the Bugout will be picked over every other EDC in my collection, just because it is so good.
The Bugout has more blade, less weight than my 525-1101, and it's a little prettier:
Hope this was useful.
I like good design. By good I mean, ergonomics (handle has got to be comfortable and stable), efficiency (good blade to handle length ratio, efficient cutting edge geometry), and looks (a classic profile with clean, symetrical grinds). The Bugout got all dat.
First, what is this thing. I think the best description of it is a 530/531 optimized for utility use. It is essentially the same size as a 531 with a wider blade and more belly in the edge profile. The handle design is also optimized for standard cutting and slicing, less tactically oriented than the boot dagger layout of the 530/1. Basic construction is very similar, but the liners on the 535 look slightly thicker - perhaps to compensate for being slightly shorter - and the stop pin looks larger. Blade stock thickness looks identical to the 530/1.
What the preceding should tell you, if you are familiar with the 531, is that the 535 Bugout is a thin, lightweight knife that cuts like a razor. It will be plenty strong for medium utility. You would eventually find the strength limit of this knife if you treat it like a 570 Presidio II, or something. No prying. Full body weight cutting force might be testing its limits...depending on how full your body weight is. But thin, razor sharp blades cut with less force. The bottom line on the Bugout is a whole hell of a lot of performance from a slim pocket knife that weighs next to nothing at all.
The handle is a simple, classic design, just big enough for a full hammer grip, with excellent stability and comfort. The absence of the flare on the top of the butt on the 530/1 gives the hand just a little more room to spread out on the 535. I'm sure the Grivory production handle is quite rigid and strong enough. I like Grivory, and I like blue, just the combination of Grivory and blue gave me an image of...well, you know, the image that a lot of people complained about with the Griptilian handle when it first came out. I'm quite comfortable with the glass reinforced plastic handles on the Griptilian, knowing them as I do, and I'm sure I would have developed the same respect for the factory Bugout handle. When I decided on peel ply G-10 for the scales, I originally asked for blue, but peel ply isn't available in blue. The Keyman G-10 scales are just slightly thicker than the production scales. Gives the knife that hint of custom flavor, that big difference that little things make (mentally). The black handle makes the blue accents on the thumb stud and spacers that much more tasty as well. I'm sure Benchmade will be coming out with multiple color options for the Bugout, just as they eventually did for the Griptilian.
The blade grind is sweet. Very much 525 Mini Presidio-like, nearly weehawk. Lovely MDP profile, with a sexy little swedge. Love it.
Comparing the 535 quickly to a couple other lightweight models, I prefer the Bugout handle a bit over the 94X handle, and it is slightly smaller and much slimmer than the Griptilian. It may be a matter of my individual anatomy, but the wider (or taller) shape of the Bugout handle makes it feel more stable in my hand, less likely to twist, less grip tightness required. I did not notice a big difference in cutting efficiency between by 943, and the 535. The Bugout is a lot slimmer than the Griptilian, of course, and lighter. I think there will be a lot of overlap between the Bugout and the Griptilian, but I don't see one replacing the other. If one is looking for ultimate light weight and ease of carry, the Bugout would win, if a little harder work and strength are needed, the Grip would be the pick. While I was first working with the Bugout, as it always happens, I found myself thinking this is the ideal way to make a "tactical" folding knife, Benchmade should make one bigger with the same G-10 partial liner construction. Then I remembered, oh yeah, they already do, the 551-1.
So what is this Bugout thing? It is the ultimate lightweight medium utility folding knife. Outstanding, ergonomic handle, thin super efficient and beautiful blade, made from premium stainless steel. It cuts better, is more comfortable, and lighter than anything else. I'm crazy about it. It is the perfect cutting tool companion for human powered outdoor activity. Every fanny pack, backpack, bugout bag should contain a Bugout. There may be times when I pick a Griptilian for more strength on a longer ultra-light hike, but for every one of those times, the Bugout will be picked over every other EDC in my collection, just because it is so good.
The Bugout has more blade, less weight than my 525-1101, and it's a little prettier:
Hope this was useful.
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/|\ PO, I too am enthusiastic fan of the Bugout. I too bough aftermarket handles ( natural G10)
I like the aftermarket handles look but like the lighter weight of the original grivory because they weigh less. I liked the 530 but like the 535 more ( handle & thumb studs both more comfortable). With aftermarket g10 weight seems close to the 940-1. Now the Bugout is not a 940-1. The 940-1 handles are way more comfortable, better steel & longer blade are a 10 out of 10 for me, the Bugout an 8.5 to 9. Bring in cost of both knives & I’d bump the Bugout to a 9.5.
For a little over $100 it’s is a true winner.0 -
Excellent post PO 
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Whoever designed the 535 must have been a genius.
Very awesome review, Po, as per usual.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Po:
Full body weight cutting force might be testing its limits...depending on how full your body weight is.
Hahaha. Classic. Coffee was sprayed onto my computer screen reading this review this morning.
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About medium-full, in my case. A test for any folding knife. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by BMK Jason:
Whoever designed the 535 must have been a genius.
Very awesome review, Po, as per usual.
/|\ Maddie, can you please go over & pat Jason on the back for us, as his arm must be getting fatigued from doing it himself.0 -
I could do this all day, Bill. Don't you worry yourself. 0 -
I too am buggy about the Bugout.
I haven't been this enamoured with a new knife since the HK AXIS was introduced.
I got CF scales for mine, and it has yet to leave my pocket.0 -
Iam gonna go to my local dealer and see if he has one .......I havent bought a knife in a long time , but this talk has got me thinkin on checking it out. 0 -
This made me laugh several times. And also has me really considering the order of my to-buy list.
Dang it Po. Another great review that makes me keen to buy.
If BKC paid commissions on sales based on forum posts, we'd all owe you at least some change.0 -
quote:Originally posted by agony:
I too am buggy about the Bugout.
I haven't been this enamoured with a new knife since the HK AXIS was introduced.
I got CF scales for mine, and it has yet to leave my pocket.
Whoever designed the HK Axis was also a genius, Bill.
All day, err'y day.0 -
/|\ I’m not sure it necessarily takes a genius, but a really sharp businessman would certainly manufacture the following:
1) 943-1
2) fixed blade Bedlam
3) Bedlam LE with CF. Handle & M390 blade
4) 4.5 “ AFCK with CF handles0 -
Hahaha that's a very niche list of knives, my friend.
Some of them sound vaguely familiar... like they've been mentioned on this forum before or something.0 -
quote:Originally posted by BMK Jason:
Hahaha that's a very niche list of knives, my friend.
Some of them sound vaguely familiar... like they've been mentioned on this forum before or something.
/|\ YES! Give the people what they’ll buy!0 -
Don't forget the mini Bedlam 0 -
quote:Originally posted by 1DaveN:
Don't forget the mini Bedlam
/|\ Ha, that would be like breeding a pocket elephant, no panache, somethings just better BIG & BIGGER!0 -
First, we need the FIXED BEDLAM. We should all remember that the correct answer to any question is MORE FIXED BEDLAM, so I find it a bit disconcerting that Benchmade is making all these other knives.
I am happy for Dave to get his mini-Bedlam one day, but here in the bugout thread we should try to stay on topic, and that topic is the FIXED BEDLAM.
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quote:Originally posted by Chip:
First, we need the FIXED BEDLAM. We should all remember that the correct answer to any question is MORE FIXED BEDLAM, so I find it a bit disconcerting that Benchmade is making all these other knives.
I am happy for Dave to get his mini-Bedlam one day, but here in the bugout thread we should try to stay on topic, and that topic is the FIXED BEDLAM.
I'm already on record as a fixed Bedlam buyer. I want both!0 -
Why talk about the Fixed Bedlam when the FOLDING BUGOUT is clearly superior? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by 1DaveN:
I'm already on record as a fixed Bedlam buyer. I want both!
Good to see the fever still burns strong in Upstate New York! I am sure Jason will do the right thing (despite his lack of fever) and not leave you without treatment.0 -
quote:Originally posted by BMK Jason:
Why talk about the Fixed Bedlam when the FOLDING BUGOUT is clearly superior?
Poor Jason, delirious from lack of FIXED BEDLAM fever. Sad.
While I like the FOLDING BUGOUT and have handled one many times and recognize it as a great knife, superior? Come on, where is the skull crusher? Persian blade? 4 inch blade? Which is the knife of Kings and literally a King’s special forces and guards? Oh, poor Jason. Again, sad.0 -
quote:Originally posted by BMK Jason:
Why talk about the Fixed Bedlam when the FOLDING BUGOUT is clearly superior?
Whaaaaaaaaaaaat...?
It makes as much sense to say, why talk of Travertine when dog is a donut.
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/|\ Don’t think there a comparison to be made like comparing a VW bug to an 18 wheeler. Each has its uses 0 -
What about a holiday package: Bedlam, Mini-Bedlam, Fixed Bedlam, and Bugout? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by 1DaveN:
What about a holiday package: Bedlam, Mini-Bedlam, Fixed Bedlam, and Bugout?
I am in and in the spirit of Po's test to destruction reviews, I will hack my bugout and FIXED BEDLAM against each other until one or the other is destroyed.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Po:quote:Originally posted by BMK Jason:
Why talk about the Fixed Bedlam when the FOLDING BUGOUT is clearly superior?
Whaaaaaaaaaaaat...?
It makes as much sense to say, why talk of Travertine when dog is a donut.
This is a FOLDING BUGOUT thread... I'll not have the Fixed Bedlam infringing.0 -
quote:Originally posted by BMK Jason:
This is a FOLDING BUGOUT thread...
And what a superb cutting tool the Bugout is...
Is your emphasis on FOLDING Bugout a hint to a FIXED Bugout in the future?
Oh, what a fantastic neck knife a fixed Bugout would make...partial tang, molded handle...something kinda like this Sibert Neutrino:
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That actually would be cool.. What knife is that? 0 -
Sibert Neutrino...found a better pic. 0 -
THIS is the Sibert we all seek: 0
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