533-3 Mini Bugout
So after 60+ years of carrying a variety of small folding knives I finally purchased a Benchmade, the 533-3 Mini Bugout. Wow…this is hands down the best EDC knife I’ve ever owned. From fit to finish, materials to manufacturing I think this will be my forever EDC. Good job Benchmade!
-
The -3 models are my favorite Bugouts. I know the lanyard holes of the others are perfectly strong enough, but that design still irks me.
1 -
/|\ just ordered my 2nd. Hands down, my favorite Bugout. Quality materials & smooth as silk opening.
I suggested one change to Jason French ( the designer) - I think the CF is too slippery & wish it had same texture as the CF on the 940-1.I was always on looking for sub-3” lightweight knives as I worked in suit & tie & big heavy folders would print & draw unwanted attention.
The 533-3 is in my top five of small sub-3” lightweights.My list
1) Benchmade 945 with Flytitanium CF handles & aftermarket Ti backspacers & thumbstuds. I look forward to Benchmade giving the 945 the same treatment in materials as on the 533-3. In meantime I can live with the S30v blade.
2) Bob Terzuola custom model 3b with orange peel CF handles & blue anodized Ti fittings.
3) Chris Reeve Mnandi, very small but built like a tank
4) Benchmade 533-3
5) CRKT M16-00, the little bull dog.
Obviously the Benchmade’s are new to my list. In addition to Sub-3”
lightweights, I also have a collection of Sub-3” heavy duty knives I use to replace my 3.4” to 3.9” main carry EDC in cities & states that restricted blades over 3”. My favorites in this category are:
1) Emerson CQC7 Krambite
2) Benchmade mini- Freek with CF
3) Emerson mini CQC7
Again Benchmade is new to this category as well.
1 -
[@mention:703613113945236722] posted:So after 60+ years of carrying a variety of small folding knives I finally purchased a Benchmade, the 533-3 Mini Bugout. Wow…this is hands down the best EDC knife I’ve ever owned. From fit to finish, materials to manufacturing I think this will be my forever EDC. Good job Benchmade!
Welcome to the forum Alaska Mike!
Fit and finish is without a doubt usually very good on all Benchmade knives.
We hope to see you posting more as you become addicted!
0 -
I bought the mini Bugout knowing there would be a time for it, but so far I've stuck with Bugouts, Pardue 530/531, Mini Freek size carry. But in the same 3" size as the Mini Bugout, I also really like the Valet. It sounds like you may value the thinness and weight of the mini bugout, so you may not like the Valet, but it's worth a look.
1 -
I like the Valet as do a number of other forum members. I have all the released variants and an unreleased prototype with Stainless Steel scales. I believe it's one of a kind. I've customized a few of the standard 485s for family by dying the factory scales and/or DLCing the hardware. I think they're a great gentlemen's carry and don't imprint mush in the breast pocket of a sport coat.
0 -
/|\ I highly anticipated getting the Valet- compact size & M390👍🏻.
Mine had both vertical & horizontal blade play. Benchmade CS fixed the vertical blade play & reduced the horizontal to what they called “ except-able level, but not to me. So it sits it a draw.
I believe it is because of the reduced size axis lock. I’m glad Benchmade went with standard size axis lock on both the 533 & 945’s. Both great sub-3”.
0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
6 comments