535BK-4 vs. SMKW G-10/M4 version?

Jerickson

Jerickson

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Mar 6, 2021
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Hi all! I am thinking about getting a bugout. I’ve had one before, but wasn’t a huge fan of the plastic scales. I liked the knife overall though. So, I’m thinking I could be happier with one of these versions but can’t seem to pick one. I love the looks of the aluminum, but think the G-10 would feel better. Anyone have experience with these knives to share?
 
G10 is a slight upgrade, still feels cheap to me.
Aluminum feels really good, yet I'm not super fond of the black coated blade.
Get a regular version and put some flytanium titanium scales on it. Completely changes the knife. Makes it amazing.
Or have one custom made in their custom builder shop. Cost is the only concern going that route.
Good luck!
 
Thank you. I have the same concern about the black blade. Looks cool but doesn’t wear well over time. I may look into aftermarket scales.
 
Not a big fan of black blades either but the m390 steel and beautiful aluminium scales pushed me to step up for the 535bk-4
Beautiful knife, no regrets
 
Jerickson said:
Hi all! I am thinking about getting a bugout. I’ve had one before, but wasn’t a huge fan of the plastic scales. I liked the knife overall though. So, I’m thinking I could be happier with one of these versions but can’t seem to pick one. I love the looks of the aluminum, but think the G-10 would feel better. Anyone have experience with these knives to share?
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I bought a 535BK-4 yesterday. I compared it in a store to the carbon, grivory and G-10. I found the aluminum to be my favourite of the bunch but it was cold to the touch at first. In pocket it stays warm and holds your body heat which makes it nice to hold when you retrieve it. The carbon felt OK but definitely not my fav of the bunch. G-10 is what G-10 is so if you have experience with it then it should feel familiar.
 
Orlok said:
I bought a 535BK-4 yesterday. I compared it in a store to the carbon, grivory and G-10. I found the aluminum to be my favourite of the bunch but it was cold to the touch at first. In pocket it stays warm and holds your body heat which makes it nice to hold when you retrieve it. The carbon felt OK but definitely not my fav of the bunch. G-10 is what G-10 is so if you have experience with it then it should feel familiar.
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I wish I had a decent knife shop around here to do that! Thanks for the response.
 
Jerickson said:
I wish I had a decent knife shop around here to do that! Thanks for the response.
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I got lucky. I live in Canada now but lived in MD when I was in the states. I was close to Knifecenter before and now have 2 similar places near me here. I think I move to areas depending on the the knife store options hahaha

Either way, what I’ll say is this. I’ve avoided the Bugout for a long while based on negative feedback from folks online. I tend to go against the grain and do what I want, but with the Bugout I erred on the side of caution. Boy was I misled. I’m super happy with this knife. I will likely buy a few others in different colour combos. The place near me orders a bunch of BM stuff off the custom builder since it’s tougher to get knives in Canada due to border restrictions. (A whole other silly issue.). The knives are 100% legal here, but border services confiscates any that are ordered by individuals, but not from retail shops. Our knife laws are lax here, but CBSA marches to its own drum.

The one shop here allows you to custom build and then they order it for you. And they stock a bunch of versions they come up with too.
 
Orlok said:
I got lucky. I live in Canada now but lived in MD when I was in the states. I was close to Knifecenter before and now have 2 similar places near me here. I think I move to areas depending on the the knife store options hahaha

Either way, what I’ll say is this. I’ve avoided the Bugout for a long while based on negative feedback from folks online. I tend to go against the grain and do what I want, but with the Bugout I erred on the side of caution. Boy was I misled. I’m super happy with this knife. I will likely buy a few others in different colour combos. The place near me orders a bunch of BM stuff off the custom builder since it’s tougher to get knives in Canada due to border restrictions. (A whole other silly issue.). The knives are 100% legal here, but border services confiscates any that are ordered by individuals, but not from retail shops. Our knife laws are lax here, but CBSA marches to its own drum.

The one shop here allows you to custom build and then they order it for you. And they stock a bunch of versions they come up with too.
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Wow, that sounds like a fun shop to visit. I had a Bugout, and liked it. I sold it, though, because the handles are so cheap feeling. They charge premium prices, but the product doesn't feel premium. That being said, it's still a good knife, with an AWESOME blade. I sold mine, but am seriously tempted by the G10 or aluminum models. I think you might have just convinced me to go with alumininum!
 
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Jerickson said:
Wow, that sounds like a fun shop to visit. I had a Bugout, and liked it. I sold it, though, because the handles are so cheap feeling. They charge premium prices, but the product doesn't feel premium. That being said, it's still a good knife, with an AWESOME blade. I sold mine, but am seriously tempted by the G10 or aluminum models. I think you might have just convinced me to go with alumininum!
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I would 100% agree with you. Grivory feels like it belongs on a toy, not a knife. But there is an “elite” version where the handles are reinforced with carbon. It won’t flex the same as the regular version but it still feels light as heck. Just a warning, the CF version feels just as light, although the handle finish is a nice matte or satin texture.

The aluminum is great. It’s basically like the 940 in a costume lol. Ok that’s odd, but if you like the 940 handles, you’ll love the Bugout.

I will also add, that I think a lot of folks kinda forget what the Bugout is designed as. It’s not a “tacti-cool” folder. It was initially designed for ultralight hiking/camping and EDC. You can put one clipped inside your running shorts in summer and forget it’s there. Try that with an Adamas or an XM-18. And then all the tactical colourways came out and the wrong end-users bought them and complained once they didn’t perform like a HEST or a ZT. If you use it to cut and that’s it, it’ll serve you for the long term.

I’ll also say, unless it’s life or death, I’ll never baton with a folder. If you see me slamming the spine of a Bugout with a rock or branch, I’m in deep sh!t and my folder surviving is least of my worry. And I’ll likely do it with the knife unlocked to protect the lock.
 
Having owned all three version (I stuck with the BHQ white G10 one due to buyers remorse) I will tell you the G10 is VERY smooth, the diamond patterns do very little to give it grip.

Edit: just realized I'm in the BM forum so edited my post. Apologies in advance :)

The CF elite one would be my pick because grivory for $100+ can go eat potatoes

Bugout is an EDC knife, not for harder tasks so I think a smoother scale might be okay. If you're not a steel snob (and want M4 or M390 or 20CV), get the CF-Elite one for best practicality and dollar-cried.

Seriously, 100+ grivory can go eat potatoes

Also, go try a Deka.
 
Dergyll said:
Having owned all three version (I stuck with the BHQ white G10 one due to buyers remorse) I will tell you the G10 is VERY smooth, the diamond patterns do very little to give it grip.

Edit: just realized I'm in the BM forum so edited my post. Apologies in advance :)

The CF elite one would be my pick because grivory for $100+ can go eat potatoes

Bugout is an EDC knife, not for harder tasks so I think a smoother scale might be okay. If you're not a steel snob (and want M4 or M390 or 20CV), get the CF-Elite one for best practicality and dollar-cried.

Seriously, 100+ grivory can go eat potatoes

Also, go try a Deka.
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I agree with all of this. The CF Elite is still Grivory though with CF as a reinforcement. I know you know this, just for folks who are reading this that don’t.

Did you watch Dutch Bushcrafters torture testing the 535BK-4? Lol funny and holy cow I cringed a few times. These guys destroyed an Adamas recently lol

 
Ever consider the 535-3? It’s in the same price bracket as the 535-4 but IMO is the nicest looking of them all. I was lucky enough to score one at a good price here on the exchange and it feels amazing in the hand. I have the OD green one with grivory scales to compare it to, and while the grivory never bothered me, the carbon fiber makes a big difference. Also has the s90v blade. Just something else to consider if you haven’t already
 
stevejams said:
Ever consider the 535-3? It’s in the same price bracket as the 535-4 but IMO is the nicest looking of them all. I was lucky enough to score one at a good price here on the exchange and it feels amazing in the hand. I have the OD green one with grivory scales to compare it to, and while the grivory never bothered me, the carbon fiber makes a big difference. Also has the s90v blade. Just something else to consider if you haven’t already
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I dunno if that was for me or someone else. I held both in hand. The -3 is super nice, but for my work and lifestyle I don’t trust the durability of the carbon fibre. I personally would trust the Grivory over the carbon. Again, the carbon is gorgeous and makes for a light and stiff handle, and the S90 is awesome, but for me it doesn’t work with carbon, except for the elite version which is a Grivory/carbon mix. If I had an office job maybe. I chose the -4 based on my experience with the 940 many years ago. A few good drops and I feel the CF would chip or fray a bit. I’d rather get dents in the aluminum or scratches in the Grivory.
 
stevejams said:
Ever consider the 535-3? It’s in the same price bracket as the 535-4 but IMO is the nicest looking of them all. I was lucky enough to score one at a good price here on the exchange and it feels amazing in the hand. I have the OD green one with grivory scales to compare it to, and while the grivory never bothered me, the carbon fiber makes a big difference. Also has the s90v blade. Just something else to consider if you haven’t already
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Thanks for the reply. I actually did have the carbon fiber one but returned it. The blade was AMAZING, but I just didn’t like the grips. I think I prefer more solid feeling grips.
 
Orlok said:
I dunno if that was for me or someone else. I held both in hand. The -3 is super nice, but for my work and lifestyle I don’t trust the durability of the carbon fibre. I personally would trust the Grivory over the carbon. Again, the carbon is gorgeous and makes for a light and stiff handle, and the S90 is awesome, but for me it doesn’t work with carbon, except for the elite version which is a Grivory/carbon mix. If I had an office job maybe. I chose the -4 based on my experience with the 940 many years ago. A few good drops and I feel the CF would chip or fray a bit. I’d rather get dents in the aluminum or scratches in the Grivory.
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That’s actually a good point/good to know. I’ve only recently started getting into some carbon fiber knives, so I don’t have much experience with them. While I absolutely love and use some, I definitely wouldn’t put them to hard use. I save that for my grivory/g10 scaled knives
 
stevejams said:
That’s actually a good point/good to know. I’ve only recently started getting into some carbon fiber knives, so I don’t have much experience with them. While I absolutely love and use some, I definitely wouldn’t put them to hard use. I save that for my grivory/g10 scaled knives
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Don’t get me wrong. CF is very strong. I don’t doubt it’s strength as far as structural integrity. But I do question it’s durability to abrasion and impact. For my purposes, it’s just not a material I’d rely on. I have one Lion Steel knife with CF scales over titanium liners. It’s a “gentleman” carry only for me. Suit and tie stuff.
 
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