The Benchmade Bugout is a folding knife that has quickly become a favourite among outdoor enthusiasts, backpackers, hikers, and everyday carry (EDC) users. This knife has gained a reputation for its lightweight design, durability, and versatility, making it an excellent choice for a wide range of tasks. In this blog, we will take a closer look at the features of the Benchmade Bugout and what makes it such a popular knife.
History and Design
The Benchmade Bugout was first introduced in 2017 and was designed by Benchmade’s senior product line manager, Hans Albing. The knife was intended to be a lightweight and durable folding knife that was suitable for outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and backpacking. Albing wanted the knife to be easy to carry and handle, while still being capable of handling a wide range of tasks.
The design of the Bugout is simple and elegant, with a sleek and minimalist appearance that makes it perfect for everyday carry. The knife features a drop-point blade, which provides a good balance between strength and sharpness, and is suitable for a wide range of cutting tasks. The blade has a length of 3.24 inches and a thickness of 0.09 inches, which makes it easy to handle and manoeuvre.
One of the standout features of the Bugout is its weight. At only 1.85 ounces, it is one of the lightest folding knives on the market, making it an excellent choice for backpackers and hikers who need to reduce their pack weight. Despite its lightweight design, the Bugout is still incredibly durable thanks to its high-quality materials and construction.
Blade and Handle
The blade of the Benchmade Bugout is made from premium CPM-S30V stainless steel, which is known for its excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance. This steel is a popular choice among knife makers and is prized for its ability to hold a sharp edge even after heavy use. The blade has a Rockwell hardness of 58-60, which makes it tough enough to handle even the toughest cutting tasks.
The blade also features a satin finish, which gives it a sleek and professional look. The satin finish also helps to reduce glare and prevent the blade from reflecting light, which can be useful when using the knife in bright sunlight.
The handle of the Benchmade Bugout is made from high-strength Grivory, a thermoplastic polymer that is known for its durability and resistance to impact and temperature changes. Grivory is also lightweight, which helps to keep the overall weight of the knife down.
The handle has a textured surface that provides a comfortable and secure grip, even in wet conditions. The texture is not too aggressive, so it won’t tear up your pockets or hands. The handle is also available in a range of different colours, including black, blue, green, and orange, so you can choose the one that best suits your personal preferences.
One of the standout features of the handle is the Axis Lock mechanism, which makes it easy to open and close the blade with one hand. The Axis Lock is a patented design that provides a secure and reliable lockup, while also being easy to use. The lockup is also ambidextrous, which means that both left- and right-handed users can use the knife comfortably.
Accessories
The Benchmade Bugout is also highly customisable, with a range of accessories available to help you get the most out of your knife. One of the most popular accessories is the pocket clip, which makes it easy to carry the knife in your pocket or on your belt. The pocket clip is also reversible, which means that you can switch it to either side of the handle, depending on your preference.
Another popular accessory is the lanyard hole, which makes it easy to attach a lanyard to the knife for added security and convenience. This can be particularly useful when using the knife in outdoor settings, where it may be more likely to slip out of your hand or get lost.
Additionally, the Benchmade Bugout is also available with a range of different blade shapes and edge configurations, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. For example, the knife is available with a serrated edge for cutting through tough materials like rope and fabric, or with a plain edge for more precise cutting tasks.
Conclusion
The Benchmade Bugout is an excellent folding knife that is perfect for a wide range of outdoor activities and everyday carry use. Its lightweight design, durable construction, and versatile blade make it an excellent choice for hikers, backpackers, and outdoor enthusiasts. The knife is also highly customisable, with a range of accessories and blade configurations available, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
Overall, if you’re looking for a high-quality folding knife that is lightweight, durable, and easy to use, the Benchmade Bugout is definitely worth considering. With its premium materials, excellent craftsmanship, and innovative design, it is sure to become a reliable and trusted tool for all your cutting needs.
For more information on Benchmade, visit the official website.