BM 535 Bugout is Awesome - but I think the name is wrong. What should it have been named?

Steelhog

Steelhog

Joined
Jul 2, 2009
Messages
1,176
Hey all. Recently I picked up BM 535 Bugout and I am beyond impressed with it. It hits all the marks for me where the 940 really fell short for me. Obviously this is a polarizing knife but I think part of that is the name is so strange and a bit misleading. Probably not the right knife for bugout but a fantastic hiker, edc or general purpose knife.

I though I would start a fun thread on what people think the knife should have been named. My first thoughts were something like the hiker, feather weight, 1.8 or ultra light. I think they should have marketed the weight more. SO - chime in on what you think the name should have been.

Also just for fun a link for my favorite youtube review so far (not me - just like the video).
 
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I normally find myself just referring it to as the BUG. Even just calling it the BUG is better in my opinion than bugout.....
 
Been eyeballing one of the OD ones for awhile but not being able to pick one out myself to avoid an off-center one means I probably will never have one. I was shocked to see the gold class one for like $500. Seemed odd to me as I thought the point of this one was it was a budget every dayer.

As for your naming game, I think your on the right track focusing on the weight.
 
Mrgauth said:
Been eyeballing one of the OD ones for awhile but not being able to pick one out myself to avoid an off-center one means I probably will never have one. I was shocked to see the gold class one for like $500. Seemed odd to me as I thought the point of this one was it was a budget every dayer.
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IF you are close to an REI they carry both models that you can inspect. 500 seems too much for a gold class version especially when you can slap on a set of aftermarket ti scales for like $100. I think the gold version should have just be carbon fiber and m390 and priced way less
 
Pilot makes a pen called the "Better Retractable" and that's exactly what it is, a better retractable pen. This should be the "Better Folding Knife".
 
If they release one with the satin blade in grey G-10, I'm in. I don't mind the name, but maybe being lightweight, they should have called it the "Pilot", as weight is always a consideration in an airplane. :)

I don't think I'm ready to give up my 940-2 yet, but this would be a nice alternative. Can't have too many Benchmades.
 
Pilot1 said:
If they release one with the satin blade in grey G-10, I'm in. I don't mind the name, but maybe being lightweight, they should have called it the "Pilot", as weight is always a consideration in an airplane. :)

I don't think I'm ready to give up my 940-2 yet, but this would be a nice alternative. Can't have too many Benchmades.
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Coming from an aviation background I like that name, but the advertising market for pilots would small. Perhaps they could have called it the altitude folder and marketed it with the altitude fixed blade. Hit anyone that is concerned about weight.
 
T.L.E. Sharp said:
Pilot makes a pen called the "Better Retractable" and that's exactly what it is, a better retractable pen. This should be the "Better Folding Knife".
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The Better Knife Company is proud to present its inaugural product to the public. It is the Better Bet Folding Knife. Followed by the Better Yet. And the Better Getter. The Better Feather. The Better Half. A Better Setter. And, for a salt water use, completely rust proof construction, the Better Wetter.
 
I agree 100% on the name being misleading. I picked up a Bugout 535GRY-1 for its color scheme and lightness factor but it's the absolute last blade I would pick in a bug out situation. It's looks, Ergo's, lightness, and blade steel are all hits with me but the lack of steel liners have it sitting at home more than in my pocket. Don't get me wrong it's a beautiful knife that disappears in my pocket while carrying but for my EDC needs ( medium/Heavy use) I feel it just won't last so it's my Go to barbeque or go out to dinner knife unless i'm planning on eating steak, I pick my ZT 0462 for that. I think something like THE BUG1.8 or the BM Ultra Light would be a given name for it.
QfaoM9d.jpg
 
marchone said:
The Better Knife Company is proud to present its inaugural product to the public. It is the Better Bet Folding Knife. Followed by the Better Yet. And the Better Getter. The Better Feather. The Better Half. A Better Setter. And, for a salt water use, completely rust proof construction, the Better Wetter.
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I like it. Sort of like Brian Tighe's line of pun knives.
 
Night Rider said:
I agree 100% on the name being misleading. I picked up a Bugout 535GRY-1 for its color scheme and lightness factor but it's the absolute last blade I would pick in a bug out situation. It's looks, Ergo's, lightness, and blade steel are all hits with me but the lack of steel liners have it sitting at home more than in my pocket. Don't get me wrong it's a beautiful knife that disappears in my pocket while carrying but for my EDC needs ( medium/Heavy use) I feel it just won't last so it's my Go to barbeque or go out to dinner knife unless i'm planning on eating steak, I pick my ZT 0462 for that. I think something like THE BUG1.8 or the BM Ultra Light would be a given name for it.
QfaoM9d.jpg
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In your mind what exactly is it that you'd expect steel liners to do?

These statements have always confused me. It has a steel liner for the pivot and lock. I just can't fathom what sort of reasonable stress that this knife would better withstand if the liners were simply longer. The only thing I can think of is some fantasy scenario where it's been through a fire and the FRN melted away, but the steel liners remained and the knife as still semi-functional.
 
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If we’re going w something hiking related then maybe:
Blaze
Switchback
The LNT (leave no trace)
Cache
Base Camp

Others:
Zephyr
Cloud breaker
 
I think the name was picked to give the idea that the knife was meant for your bugout. a full-size knife (full featured) that you can throw in your bugout bag and forget about it as its so light.

or maybe not your bag. but as you are putting stuff in your pockets to Bugout you can take your knife also as it's so light it won't weigh you down.
 
T.L.E. Sharp said:
In your mind what exactly is it that you'd expect steel liners to do?

These statements have always confused me. It has a steel liner for the pivot and lock. I just can't fathom what sort of reasonable stress that this knife would better withstand if the liners were simply longer. The only thing I cant think of is some fantasy scenario where it's been through a fire and the FRN melted away, but the steel liners remained and the knife as still semi-functional.
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I use use the crap out of my EDC work knives Sharp. A normal day for my EDC consists of stripping yards of Electric cable such as 500 MCM which is thick as a garden hose and has a thick thermoplastic coating. cutting through dozens of tie wraps on bundled cables in which I have to use a prying action for (Yah I know) and it has to withstand occasional drops from from 12 foot ladders onto concrete. I also work in cold conditions were (I) don't feel confident in a Thin composite fully skeletonized handle is going to hold up. I have seen the Thermoplastic insulation on the 500 MCM cable snap and crack coming off the spool and I'm not confident that the Bugout scales would fair much better. In those conditions I grab my Kershaw Blur or my new favorite work knife the SOG AEGIS. Again don't get me wrong Sharp because I love the knife and the way it carries but the name "Bugout" and what it refers to are just not accurate and cold be deceiving to people ordering one online. Maybe it should be called the BenchMade Petite. I hope that explains my thoughts and opinions. No BenchMade hate here:cool::thumbsup:. Almost forgot to answer one of your questions, I expect Steel liners to give it More torsional strength.
 
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