Benchmade Bugout
The Benchmade Bugout is in stock at KnifeArt and ships the same business day. The Benchmade Bugout 535 is the lightest full-size folder Benchmade has ever made at 1.85 oz., and it remains our single most-recommended knife for buyers who want a capable everyday carry that disappears in the pocket. KnifeArt has been an authorized Benchmade dealer for over 20 years. We knew designer Mel Pardue through his custom knife work before Benchmade produced any of his designs, and we carry the full current Benchmade Bugout lineup in every configuration. Free US shipping on all orders over $150.
Benchmade Bugout 535 Specs
The Benchmade Bugout specs start with a 3.24-inch flat-ground drop point blade. Blade thickness is 0.090 inches. Overall open length is 7.46 inches, closed length is 4.22 inches, handle thickness is 0.42 inches, and Benchmade Bugout weight is 1.85 oz. The Benchmade AXIS lock is the patented ambidextrous crossbar mechanism that engages the blade tang and holds it with zero play until deliberately released. The pocket clip is a reversible Mini Deep-Carry in black oxide. Dual titanium thumb studs allow one-handed opening from either hand. Every Benchmade 535 is made in Oregon City, Oregon.
Why the Benchmade Bugout
When Benchmade introduced the Bugout knife in 2017, it changed what buyers expected from a full-size everyday carry folder. The engineering insight was simple and correct: most EDC folders are heavier than they need to be. The Bugout proved you could put a 3.24-inch CPM-S30V blade on a 1.85 oz. platform without sacrificing lock strength, blade quality, or ergonomics. The flat grind on the drop point blade gives you more usable cutting edge than most blades of its size, and the handle geometry is narrow enough to disappear in a front pocket while still filling the hand during use.
Benchmade Bugout Configurations
Benchmade Bugout Handle Colors
The standard Benchmade Bugout is available in multiple Grivory handle colors, including blue, black, ranger green, tan, and crater blue. The blue Grivory configuration with blue anodized thumb studs and barrel spacers is the original and most recognized. Ranger green is the most popular with outdoor users. All Grivory configurations weigh 1.85 oz. and carry the same CPM-S30V blade in satin or stonewash finish, depending on the variant.
Benchmade Bugout CF Elite and Premium Configurations
The Benchmade Bugout CF Elite handle replaces the Grivory with a carbon fiber composite that is lighter, stiffer, and more visually refined. The 535-3 and 535BK-2 configurations run CF Elite handles with upgraded blade steel options, including premium CPM-S90V for buyers who want the best available edge retention on the Bugout platform. Aluminum handle configurations, including the 535BK-4 in M390 steel, represent the premium tier of the Bugout lineup.
Why Buy the Benchmade Bugout from KnifeArt
We have been an authorized Benchmade dealer for over 20 years. Our founder carried and sold Mel Pardue custom knives before Benchmade scaled his designs into production. The Griptilian, the Mini Griptilian, and the Bugout platform all carry Pardue's influence. That history means we know these knives from their design origin, not just their spec sheets. Every Benchmade Bugout we ship is backed by the full Benchmade lifetime warranty and eligible for the Benchmade LifeSharp sharpening service program. We carry the full lineup in stock and ship the same business day. Give us a call if you want to talk through which configuration is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Benchmade Bugout
Is the Benchmade Bugout worth the price?
For a Benchmade Bugout review summary from 20 years of selling them: yes. At 1.85 oz. with a 3.24-inch CPM-S30V blade, AXIS lock, and American manufacturing, there is no competing knife that delivers the same combination of performance, quality, and carry weight at the price. The LifeSharp coverage means the knife can be maintained for free for as long as you own it.
What steel does the Benchmade Bugout use?
The standard Benchmade Bugout S30V configuration uses CPM-S30V at 58-60 HRC. Premium CF Elite configurations use CPM-S90V for significantly improved edge retention. Some aluminum handle configurations use M390. All are premium particle metallurgy alloys.
What is the difference between the Bugout and Mini Bugout?
Size. The Benchmade Bugout 535 has a 3.24-inch blade, 7.46 inches overall, and weighs 1.85 oz. The Benchmade Mini Bugout 533 has a 2.82-inch blade, 6.46 inches overall, and weighs roughly 1.5 oz. Both use the Benchmade AXIS lock and the same flat-ground drop point geometry.
