The Bugout is the knife that made ultralight everyday carry mainstream. In its lightest form it sits under two ounces and genuinely disappears in a pocket, and Benchmade's ambidextrous AXIS lock opens and closes it one-handed from either side. It has become a default carry for hunters, anglers, tradespeople and anyone who wants a real cutting tool they will not notice all day.Every version shares the same 3.24" drop-point blade and the same frame. What changes between them is the steel, the handle material and the weight — and that is what you are choosing between below.Choosing your BugoutGrivory and CF-Elite run CPM-S30V, the steel that built the Bugout's reputation. It takes a keen edge, holds it through months of ordinary use, and comes back on a stone without a fight. These are the lightest versions in the range, and CF-Elite is the stiffer of the two.Milled aluminum, carbon fiber and Richlite step up to CPM-S90V or Bohler M390 — powder stainless steels that go considerably longer between sharpenings, in handles that will not flex under any grip you can apply. They carry a little heavier, and they reward someone who already knows they want the edge retention. Fair warning on M390 and S90V: they hold an edge beautifully and they are stubborn to bring back. Budget for a diamond stone, or send it in on LifeSharp.Compare the versions Version Model Blade Steel Handle Blade Finish Weight Blue Grivory 535 CPM-S30V (58-60 HRC) Grivory Satin 1.85 oz Crater Blue Grivory 535FE-05 CPM-S30V (58-60 HRC) Grivory Satin 1.85 oz Ranger Green Grivory 535GRY-1 CPM-S30V (58-60 HRC) Grivory Satin 1.85 oz Storm Gray Grivory 535BK-08 CPM-S30V (58-60 HRC) Grivory Satin 1.85 oz Dark Olive Grivory 535TN-11 CPM-S30V (58-60 HRC) Grivory Desert Verde Cerakote 1.8 oz CF-Elite 535BK-2 CPM-S30V (58-60 HRC) CF-Elite, Graphite Black Black 1.8 oz Carbon Fiber 535-3 CPM-S90V (59-61 HRC) Milled Carbon Fiber — 2.02 oz Burnt Brass Aluminum 535BK-07 Bohler M390 (58-61 HRC) 6061-T6 Anodized Aluminum DLC Battlewash 2.5 oz Gray Aluminum 535BK-4 Bohler M390 (58-61 HRC) 6061-T6 Anodized Aluminum, sunburst milling Black 2.5 oz Crater Blue Aluminum 535SL-13 CPM-S90V (59-61 HRC) 6061-T6 Anodized Aluminum Cerakote Crushed Silver 2.52 oz Grey / Redstone Richlite 535-09 CPM-S90V (59-61 HRC) Aluminum bolster with Redstone Richlite onlay Stonewash Polish 2.52 oz Taiga Green 535FE-2602 CPM-S90V (59-61 HRC) Anodized Aluminum with brown canvas micarta FDE PVD Battlewash 2.52 oz Where a cell reads —, Benchmade does not publish that spec. Current pricing is on the selector above.Shared across every Bugout Blade Style Drop-Point Blade Length 3.24" Blade Thickness 0.09" Open Length 7.46" Closed Length 4.22" Handle Thickness 0.41-0.42" Lock Mechanism AXIS Lock, ambidextrous Clip Mini Deep Carry, tip-up (Taiga Green runs a tip-down deep carry clip) Lanyard Hole Yes Made In Oregon City, Oregon, USA Worth knowing before you choose Richlite develops a patina. The 535-09 handle is a paper composite that darkens or lightens over time with light and handling. That is the material behaving normally, not a defect. If you want a knife that looks identical in five years, choose one of the aluminum versions. The Taiga Green carries differently. It uses a tip-down deep carry clip where the rest of the range runs tip-up. Small thing, but it changes the draw if you already carry a Bugout. S90V and M390 are different answers, not better and worse. S90V leans further toward raw edge retention. M390 balances edge holding against corrosion resistance and is a little easier to bring back on a stone. Backed for LifeEvery Benchmade carries a limited lifetime warranty and free LifeSharp service — send it in dull and dirty, get it back razor sharp, for as long as you own it. Ed's Fly Shop is a Benchmade Pro Dealer, so your warranty is valid and we can help you get it handled.Come handle one at 432 E Main St in downtown Montrose, Colorado, or order online. Free shipping on qualifying U.S. orders.
