Benchmade Bugout Vapyr

[5249matt]

Did Benchmade say the quiet part out loud? If you look at the description, it says "33% thinner and longer cycle life than a standard bugout" - are they admitting their standard axis lock design has a low life span based on the weak omega spring design? It's just crazy to me that this knife is that expensive and apparently the "lesser cycle life" bugout is worse in quality but not really cheaper unless you guy a plastic handle model (still $200 though and with a relatively lower life span...). I can buy two new USA made Spydercos for this price and I realistically don't even have to worry about using their lifetime warranty. Was looking at possibly purchasing a 535BK-4 or a Vapyr but am frustrated with the price so thought I'd just vent here.

​

 

[rdg]

I've never had an omega spring break...knock on wood. I just don't see how this new Bugout rates the price though.
Bob

 

[5249matt]

I had my 940 springs break several years ago. I haven't carried it much since I got it fixed but I still love the knife and most benchmade designs for that matter. The prices have become insane for what we are getting at this point though. This isn't much lower than standard Sebenzas and nobody can deny the build quality differential between Benchmade and Chris Reeve.

 

[MrMoose]

Bugouts at retail are expensive to be sure. Good news is Bugs occasionally come up for sale at good prices here on the forum. If you like the BK-4, I suggest you acquire one. That -4 model is “peak Bugout” in my opinion. I own multiple because they really are that good. There are places online to buy Bugs at attractive prices, especially if you are Military or First Responder.

I accept your point about “…quiet part out loud.” However, I’m not sure I will ever use a Bugout enough to test its life cycle limit. If I ever do, nice to know it has a lifetime warranty. I have also never handled a regular Bugout and thought “I wish this were 33% thinner.” The Bugout is an iconic design. Aluminum & carbon fiber versions make great even better. I find Tiaga Green aluminum & Richlite seasonal colorway very tempting. Don’t own a Vapyr yet however, I’m sure Vapyr offers some nice improvements. Definitely on my radar for a future buying opportunity when I find one priced right.

If you don’t plan on reselling it and instead want to keep, use & enjoy it, then the up front cost only stings for a little while. Hard to go wrong with a Bugout. I admit slight bias favoring Benchmade 535 /533 models. I especially enjoy the Bugs I had fun modifying.

Good luck on your Bugout journey and please post some pictures. Have fun!

A few from my collection:

 

[Alberta Ed]

I have a bunch of Benchmades, like and appreciate them for quality and design, but haven't bought any for the last several years after their prices skyrocketed.

 

[Maximumbob54]

My 940's springs both broke a while back. I decided I'd rather fix it myself than shipping another knife for the shipper to lose for me. I can't swear to it but I feel like the rough finish on the backside of the scales may have been what caused the springs to fail. I carry my 940-2 far more often and those springs are just fine. Or it could be something else entirely. Poor HT on some runs of springs? And I fully confess to opening and closing the 940 way too often. It just feels so good to pop those things open and closed again. Even the little 945 models. Just satisfying. Even more then my mini grips.

I'd be curious to see what the springs inside the Vapyr look like. Unless they are thicker or some other upgrade I don't see how they would last any better. Maybe Lightly pocket out for zero contact against anything else?

 

[Giygas]

I'd be curious to see what the springs inside the Vapyr look like. Unless they are thicker or some other upgrade I don't see how they would last any better. Maybe Lightly pocket out for zero contact against anything else?

Terrible pictures, but they should be good enough to show the difference:

 

[ricklikesknives]

I think all they're insinuating in the marketing language is that the new design is superior (which it probably is.. sounds mostly like a marketing tactic to me though, an attempt at justifying the exorbitant upcharge), but to frame this as "admitting their standard axis lock design has a low life span based on the weak omega spring design" sounds like a healthy case of mental gymnastics to me.. I'm not doubting people have had issues, but I think the existing axis lock design has generally proven itself as sufficiently "good enough" over now decades of service. And BM's willingness to take care of customer issues is one of the few things they do right, imo..

I share the OP and others' sentiments on pricing; BM pricing has gotten out of hand. The Bugout is a fine knife, but US competitors offer comparable designs in the same or better steels at fractions of the price. Hogue Deka/Mysto, Kershaw Bel-Air immediately jump to mind..

 

[Maximumbob54]

I'm even more confused now. That's a whole new design to my eyes.

 

[Giygas]

Correct. It's a coil spring, with a tab that rests against the bar.

 

[MrMoose]

Local gun store is a Benchmade dealer. They had a Benchmade weekend a while back. Came away with a ziplock bag containing four sets of spare omega springs and an assortment of pocket clips. Have never needed to replace a spring however, it is good piece-of-mind to have spare parts in stock. The Flytanium pivot tool that makes scale swaps convenient would also be helpful if and when a spring breaks.

I almost always carry more than one folder and usually have a fixed blade nearby. I don’t mind taking an Axis Lock knife apart for maintenance - I actually enjoy it. For my uses, convenience and strength of the ambidextrous bar lock design outweighs any concern I have about potential spring failure. However, I fully accept that some folks prefer a more foolproof package and don’t want to tinker. Aren’t we fortunate to have so many great folding knife lock options available.

Have fun!

 

[Maximumbob54]

Correct. It's a coil spring, with a tab that rests against the bar.

Does that also make it assisted opening? I've never opened my Barrage but I've looked up the spring and it's a coil that looks sort of similar. No, that makes no sense, it would have to be around the pivot. I'm not grasping why it would have coils. To spread the load over more area instead of the single half moon bend? Is that even how that would work? So weird. Seems like just using a heavier wire for the spring would work better.

 

[Maximumbob54]

The Flytanium pivot tool that makes scale swaps convenient would also be helpful if and when a spring breaks.

YES IT MAKES IT SO MUCH EASIER...

I tried one time to not use one and what a pain to line everything up just right for the pivot pin to go back through. Even with the tool it's not easy, just easier.

 

[MrMoose]

Just watched a Nick Shabazz video where he takes apart and reassembles the Mini Narrows model. I believe torsion spring lock bar mechanism is the same in Vapyr. Looks interesting! I’ll guess I should try one. Wonder if all Bugouts will transition to this torsion spring in the future? Schwartz Knives recently introduced a bar lock with yet another interesting new crossbar spring design.

This validates the OP’s initial premise. Whether real or perceived, omega springs either are or, enough potential buyers believe they are a weak link. This is validated by all the innovation going into improving crossbar spring design.

 

[Giygas]

Does that also make it assisted opening? I've never opened my Barrage but I've looked up the spring and it's a coil that looks sort of similar. No, that makes no sense, it would have to be around the pivot. I'm not grasping why it would have coils. To spread the load over more area instead of the single half moon bend? Is that even how that would work? So weird. Seems like just using a heavier wire for the spring would work better.

That has the be their logic, but it seems like it would be just as likely to break at one of the "arms" that rests against each liner as regular omega springs are.

I have had omega springs break, but my biggest issue with crossbar locks is the lack of detent. I handled a Vapyr at my local BPS and it was a little better, but still not nearly as good as the CBBL on the Manix, or even the Anthem.

The way they did it on the Anthem was great. I don't understand why they didn't just use that method here.

The way Olive Knives does it on the Lenta is my favorite. They use a compression spring in each liner:



I can't see that ever breaking.

 

[SharpBits]

The new spring and associated hyperbole is to differentiate their new models from the absolute torrent of axis-lock clones that appeared when the patent expired. Now they can point fingers and say that everyone else is using old tech which isn't as good as their new tech.

 

[Maximumbob54]

They use a compression spring in each liner

I've wondered before why they can't have a small part of the liner bend inward with a detent. I don't have a SOG Slimjim so I may be wrong on this but if you look at the clip side it looks like a part of the liner is doing exactly what I'm trying to describe. Seems like it would be very easy to add to anything in need of a proper detent.

The new spring and associated hyperbole is to differentiate their new models from the absolute torrent of axis-lock clones that appeared when the patent expired. Now they can point fingers and say that everyone else is using old tech which isn't as good as their new tech.

Which makes me curious if we're about to see a whole new lineup from BM coming soon...?

 

[Maximumbob54]

Whether real or perceived, omega springs either are or, enough potential buyers believe they are a weak link.

I remember parroting "I've never broken and omega spring" but as soon as it happened and it was the both of them it did change my opinion a bit.

 

[Alberta Ed]

I think all they're insinuating in the marketing language is that the new design is superior (which it probably is.. sounds mostly like a marketing tactic to me though, an attempt at justifying the exorbitant upcharge), but to frame this as "admitting their standard axis lock design has a low life span based on the weak omega spring design" sounds like a healthy case of mental gymnastics to me.. I'm not doubting people have had issues, but I think the existing axis lock design has generally proven itself as sufficiently "good enough" over now decades of service. And BM's willingness to take care of customer issues is one of the few things they do right, imo..

I share the OP and others' sentiments on pricing; BM pricing has gotten out of hand. The Bugout is a fine knife, but US competitors offer comparable designs in the same or better steels at fractions of the price. Hogue Deka/Mysto, Kershaw Bel-Air immediately jump to mind..

Buck's Range series, too.

 

[Whitedog]

Never had a broken spring in any of my Benchmades. I dont flick all day long like I suspect some do. Back up springs are easy to come by,.As fr a price of the new BMs I wont be buying any.