Bugout 535-4 First Impressions
This one has been on my "got to have one list" since the 2021 Catalog first came out. A Bugout in Bohler M390 and a 6061-T6 Aluminum Handle! Really? It was a done deal. No matter what, I was going to get at least one. I couldn't wait. Then my anxiety became overwhelming when I found out that it had been delayed. Of course. What's new? Everything else in life seemed to be delayed due to Covid. So, I just packed away the thoughts of what I anticipated would be one of the best Bugouts ever away in the back of my ole noggin. And now, finally, the day hath arrived!
The new Bugout 535-4 holds most of the same specs as other previously offered Bugout versions. Blade Length, Blade Thickness, Open and Closed Lengths are all the same. The blade grind remains the same as does the edge bevel. The 535-4 weighs in at 2.50oz. A decent amount over the original 535's 1.85oz and almost a half ounce heavier that the 535-3's 2.02oz. Still 2.50oz is pretty damn light. Handle thickness is 0.41", the same as the 535-3 compared to the standard 535's 0.42". That .01 I can only guess is due to the molding of Grivory Scales.
The blade being M390 is one of the biggest reasons that I am attracted to the 535-4. It is one of my favorite knife steels as it is for many here in the forum. So I ended up buying two. I just had to. I broke the seal on the first 535-4 with care and pulled the knife from it's resting spot in the foam, pulled it out of the microfiber bag and was completely stoked! I couldn't wait to run the blade across my forearm and watch as it left a bald spot in its wake. Pass number one. Nothing! Hmmm I must have it at a bad angle I thought. Pass two at a slightly higher angle. Nada. Not a single hair was cut let alone drug out. So out came the newspaper. First pass ripped a jagged edge without cutting in the least. Second pass on a new piece, same same. I honestly have sharper spoons in my kitchen! Out of the box comes number two 535-4. And to my utter disappointment I ended up with the exact same results. I will state that the edges are symmetrical the entire length of the blade from choil to tip. They don't grab my fingernail at all when I run it down the edge of the blade. As a matter of fact, they feel sharp. They're just not. I'm like WTH? So, I decided they were going back to my local Benchmade Dealer and getting a edge deserving of Bohler M390. I'll be dropping them off later today and will report back once they're up to par. The black coating was originally supposed to be DLC but recent changes occurred and it was released in a Black Cerakote. At least that's the news that came out recently. Honestly these look like DLC and not Cerakote. Maybe the First Productions made it to build before the change was made. While Cerakote is a great protector for steels that don't have the absolute best corrosion resistance built into the steel it doesn't fair as well under heavy use as DLC at least in my experience. Not a deal breaker for most but I and many others would have liked to have seen them come in DLC for the entire release. I will admit that it does look great for a black blade. As with the latest Benchmade first production knives this blade only sports a "First Production" laser marking without FP numbers on the steel side.
Now when it comes to the handle, I have to say WOW! I really did have to pinch myself; I wasn't dreaming! The milling in the 6061-T6 Aluminum Handle radiating out from the pivot is just awesome. When holding the 535-4 and tilting it the pattern literally spins. A real eye grabber. Angled flats on the top and bottom add a nice termination to the sunburst milling pattern and give the 535-4 the consistent look of a Bugout. The pattern also makes for a good non slip grip. Looking at the scales they appear to be milled and then given a stone wash tumble. The aluminum is a gray with a just an ever so slight blue tint and an almost semi-gloss sheen to it. The scales cover a set of black oxide coated liners that only peek out on top near the blade to allow their jimping to be exposed. They are the same 1/3rd liners used in all the Bugouts. All hardware, Axis Bar, Stop Pin, Screws, Mini Deep Carry Clip, Pivot and Screw are all black oxide coated. A look that really sets off the scales. I think satin would not have been a better choice here. Two Red Aluminum Barrel Spacers and a Red Thumb Stud adorn the 535-4. I know a number of folks don't care for red but these really do set off the overall look of the 535-4. I venture that since the 535-3 came with a Blue Thumb Stud and Backspacer Benchmade wanted to change it up some. Thus the red.
QC wise both 535-4s are great. Perfect blade centering with absolutely no blade play up and down or side to side. The action was a little tight for my preferences but a slight turn of the pivot screw remedied that. My only complaint is obviously the sharpness of the blade. Since the 535-3 has been my favorite Bugout and considering I will be parting ways with my 535-4's for at least a few days before being able to EDC them I'll leave things the way they are. The 535-4 has a great feel to it and obviously it will need some carry time and some use before it could surpass my current favorite. A couple have mentioned doing a blade swap between a 3 and a 4 and I will give it a go once I get the 4's blades back. Considering the different complete Bugout Ti colored hardware sets that are available I expect to see some cool personalization changes to the 535-4 over time. It's definitely deserving of modding.
All those that pick up this latest Bugout post back here and let your forum brethren know how your unboxing, testing and use case experiences go.
-
/|\ LMAO!
Very entertaining review.
I know many guys carry a dedicated steak knife, but you’ve surpassed them Tim with 2 dedicated butter knives.😂
With all the knife testing you do Tim, I was surprised you’ve any hair left on your arms for the “shave test” & could tell these weren’t factory sharp ( or maybe this is Benchmade’s new standard factory edge for coated blades as all the 945bk-1 suffered same problem where as the uncoated 945’s were sharp right out of the box).
I love the uncoated M390 on my 810-1401 but can’t recall another uncoated M390 since. I bought several Benchmade’s with coated M390 blades, so enough for me. As good as this might be ( once Tim sharpens it) easy for me to pass on this one. Agree with Tim that customization with aftermarket Ti screws will be fun to personalize these.
1 -
Bill I wish they were as sharp as my butter knives! And I'm glad it was entertaining for ya!
I've got pretty hairy forearms and the hair grows back fast. And I don't completely have them when testing. A 2" path normally is enough to know "Is it sharp and if so how sharp".
Like you I honestly prefer M390 in satin. I have a large number of older models using it and love them. Although I wouldn't turn down a model with a coated M390 blade just cause it was coated.
I did decide to so the 535-3 - 535-4 blade swap. The S90V in the 535-4 is surgically sharp. And yes it is begging to have its hardware replaced. Now to just think of something that will look cool and be somewhat unique!
1 -
I almost pull the trigger on this one but the blade is coated.
0 -
Thanks for sharing Tim.
These look very nice !
And after some sharpening they will probably also cut.
1 -
Tim, great review. The blade (lack of) sharpness is pretty disappointing. You can see in the pix that the edge is going to be dull because hardly any coating was removed during the alleged sharpening.
1 -
Oh I'm absolutely positive that they will!
0 -
Thanks Conrad! I'll add an update to the original post once I have them back in my grubby paws!
0 -
So I got the 535-4s back yesterday evening. They're both extremely sharp now and test out to 196 on the Sharp Tester. Basically the same as a Razor Knife and pretty close to a scalpel. I've been carrying one today but damn if I've had a use for it as yet!
1 -
[@mention:589880809437764246] posted:
So I got the 535-4s back yesterday evening. They're both extremely sharp now and test out to 196 on the Sharp Tester. Basically the same as a Razor Knife and pretty close to a scalpel. I've been carrying one today but damn if I've had a use for it as yet!
/|\ Tim, be a good neighbor. I’m sure if you knock on a few doors on the block, knife in hand, & offer to cut up things you’ll have a few appreciative neighbors & others very scared ( win some lose some)
3 -
Maybe just a sign in the front yard..
Discount surgery!!!
0 -
Tim, I got mine yesterday and almost held off on getting it because of Cerakote instead of DLC like they originally said. Overall, I really like the knife especially because of the aluminum scales with that incredible sunburst pattern that feels really good to the touch. I will say the action and centering was perfect right out of the box which was nice. In fact the factory edge was perfectly symmetrical to the eye and very sharp as well.
One thing I am not that happy with is on the scale screws, one in the middle pokes too far into the interior space of the knife (like on a 940-1 or the mini freek. The opposite side does not so I’m thinking maybe they just overnighted it but it’s not causing a problem so I plan on just leaving it be. Curious if yours has this issue too.
So overall, I give the knife a big thumbs up save for those two gripes: Cerakote not DLC and that dang screw.
0 -
Mike G is yours a First Production?
The sunburst patterns is one of the things that drew me to the 535-4 when I saw it in the 2021 Catalog. Take yours to a well lighted area and simply tilt the knife. The pattern gives the illusion of the area spinning. That and that it would be using M390 Steel are the reasons I decided I need 2.
Both of my 535-4s had normal sized scale screws that are barely visible when looking between the liners. Since its a scale screw you could contact Benchmade CS and ask that they send you out a screw kit for the 535-4.
0 -
I picked mine up last night. Like Tim this was a "must have" after seeing the catalog pics.
I love the red accents and especially the black AXIS bar (?) What?
My two Mini-Freek special editions have all black hardware EXCEPT for the AXIS bar which is silver. Drives me crazy! (yep OCD).
The edge is sharp but very "toothy". Good for everyday cutting, but I put about 10 passes on a field sharpener to smooth it out. I'll set up the EdgePro tomorrow.
A beautiful knife worth the wait and a tribute to Jason's design genius!
1 -
I have to admit that as much as I like the 535-4 I'm liking it more and more everyday. Especially after getting a surgical edge on it. It's been tagging along with me as my backup carry and I keep reaching for it more than my primary of the day.
0 -
[@mention:589880809437764246] posted:
Mike G is yours a First Production?
The sunburst patterns is one of the things that drew me to the 535-4 when I saw it in the 2021 Catalog. Take yours to a well lighted area and simply tilt the knife. The pattern gives the illusion of the area spinning. That and that it would be using M390 Steel are the reasons I decided I need 2.
Both of my 535-4s had normal sized scale screws that are barely visible when looking between the liners. Since its a scale screw you could contact Benchmade CS and ask that they send you out a screw kit for the 535-4.
No mine is not first production. I appreciate your advice and I will see if Benchmade can send me more screws.
1 -
I received 535-4 number 3 today. And I have to say it's pretty tough to discern the difference between the First Production DLC and the Non-First Production Cerakote.
Which is which?
After a few of you chime in I'll tell you which is which!
0 -
Bottom dlc?
1 -
I don't have a lot of coated. I took a 15085DLC-1801 to compare.
I guess the top DLC.
1 -
Tricky question Tim, quite difficult to judge from this (low res, low light) picture...
I think DLC tends to be slightly darker and a bit smother (and thus a bit more reflective) than Cerakote.Top one is DLC.
2 -
Received my 353-4 earlier this week.
First impression is simply all very good. I can't find any flaw in mine. Smooth action, perfect centering, good looking. The edge is sharp. Looks like a bit coarse grind was used, but result is even on both sides and plenty sharp. Scales look nice and the texture provides a bit extra grip. I think they would have been even better if the lines were continued over the angled sides of the scales. (But that would probably be difficult to do accurately enough). The red thumb stud and spacers provide nice accents that give it more character.
I like it a lot. Good job BM !3 -
[@mention:589880809437764246] posted:
I received 535-4 number 3 today. And I have to say it's pretty tough to discern the difference between the First Production DLC and the Non-First Production Cerakote.
Which is which?
After a few of you chime in I'll tell you which is which!
OK Tim, to have a detailed comparison on the coating and determine how well they perform in reality, your challenge is now to carry both and make each cut twice
.2 -
The bottom is the DLC Coated, the top Cerakote. Aside from the DLC being just a hair lighter in color, the Cerakote looks thicker. I'm going to get the 3rd -4 sharpened and then look at the separation line between the coating and edge under a magnifying glass and will report back.
4 -
OK the DLC is lighter, interesting.
How about texture ? Any noticeable difference ?1 -
The DLC appears to be a smoother finish. But not by much.
2 -
[@mention:589599268366323675] posted:OK the DLC is lighter, interesting.
How about texture ? Any noticeable difference ?The DLC is also a friction reducing coating. As Tim has mentioned it will have a lower surface roughness than Cerakote
3 -
Mine arrived two days ago, and I'm very impressed. This and a 940 I got in the same shipment are my first Benchmades. I'm so happy that the scales are darker than in all of the stock photos. I didn't want a bright or shiny (blingy) knife, but I wanted a Bugout with strength. This arrived perfectly straight and flips open and closed with ease (after a learning curve with the Axis). The grind is a bit rough, but is straight and even. It's as sharp as I'd expect from a factory, but not shaving sharp.
What angles do you guys sharpen yours at? Same as factory?
3 -
I sharpen at the same edge angles as the factory which are usually in the neighborhood of 20° to 25°. To find the angle use a Black Sharpie permanent marker covering both edges. Next make your alignments and when you have completely removed the black with a single pass you should be dead on.
You can usually improve on the factory edge starting with 800 to 1000 Grit stones or blocks and working you way down to a "White Stropping Compound" on a quality Leather Strop or Stropping Block.
You can drop the angle if you so choose but I wouldn't recommend going below 17° which just happens to be the new "Selectedge" angle available of some Benchmades.
Hope this helps!
1 -
If I remember correctly the SelectEdge is possible due to a change in heat treating process which keeps the 17% edge from chipping.
0 -
[@mention:681653751620853177] posted:
Mine arrived two days ago, and I'm very impressed. This and a 940 I got in the same shipment are my first Benchmades. I'm so happy that the scales are darker than in all of the stock photos. I didn't want a bright or shiny (blingy) knife, but I wanted a Bugout with strength. This arrived perfectly straight and flips open and closed with ease (after a learning curve with the Axis). The grind is a bit rough, but is straight and even. It's as sharp as I'd expect from a factory, but not shaving sharp.
What angles do you guys sharpen yours at? Same as factory?
That sounds like Benchmades typical toothy convex grind. They use a belt for sharpening
1 -
[@mention:589599268365916304] posted:
If I remember correctly the SelectEdge is possible due to a change in heat treating process which keeps the 17% edge from chipping.
I remember something like that too Scott but I'll be damned if I can find it anywhere.
0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
41 comments