Recommendation? Bugout 535BK-2 Should I Mod It or Not?

[RocketFoot]

Hi guys...I have a Bugout 535BK-2 coming in the mail soon but I am not sure if I want to mod it or leave it as is? I have heard that it is light weight as hell! 1.8 oz! That sounds insane to me and it's what is making me nervous. If I were to mod it, I would want to add some scales and maybe a back spacer that would add some weight. I can't say that I don't like lightweight knives because I don't really have any! I feel like I prefer heavier, beefier knives, so I am looking for a little insight on the weight. Also, if I do decide to mod it, what do you guys suggest for some top quality scales and back spacers that will be strong, look cool and not break the bank? I'm also going to through a poll in here to Mod it or Not. Feel free to post some of your own modded or factory fresh Bugouts if you like! I need inspiration while I wait for the shipping notice!

 

[RocketFoot]

Well, the Bugout arrived yesterday and I like the size and design of it but the weight and feel...no so much! It feels like a toy! No disrespect to Benchmade, I'm sure many people want a super light weight knife but I am more comfortable with a heavier piece! I ordered up a set of AWT Shadow Chrome scales that are going to be a knockout! If that doesn't bring up the weight enough, maybe I'll add a back spacer.

On a separate note, does anyone know the outside diameter of the pivot barrel?

 

[Daniel]

I have had a Bugout in the box for a long time without ever carrying it or using it for mostly the same reasons! The biggest reason is the flex on the stock scales.

I also just ordered the Shadow Chrome scales from them. I was supposed to receive them today along with wider washers, but like usual, the USPS is sitting on it in their distribution center.

Well, the Bugout arrived yesterday and I like the size and design of it but the weight and feel...no so much! It feels like a toy! No disrespect to Benchmade, I'm sure many people want a super light weight knife but I am more comfortable with a heavier piece! I ordered up a set of AWT Shadow Chrome scales that are going to be a knockout! If that doesn't bring up the weight enough, maybe I'll add a back spacer.

On a separate note, does anyone know the outside diameter of the pivot barrel?


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[Billabong01]

If I were you I wouldn't bother modifying it, just sell it on, then get yourself a Mini Pesidio.
Similar size, thicker blade, full liners, much nicer weight and a lot cheaper than the Bugout.

 

[RocketFoot]

I have had a Bugout in the box for a long time without ever carrying it or using it for mostly the same reasons! The biggest reason is the flex on the stock scales.

I also just ordered the Shadow Chrome scales from them. I was supposed to receive them today along with wider washers, but like usual, the USPS is sitting on it in their distribution center.

You probably ordered right before I did...When I grabbed mine, the site said only 1 set left so I stretched my credit card a little further that I would have liked to snatch them, LOL! Mine just finally were accepted in Amarillo and now scheduled for delivery Tuesday. Hopefully USPS will get some work done over the weekend and deliver on Monday!

Are you going to use a pivot tool for the swap or do you do like me and use a plain old Allen Wrench?

If I were you I wouldn't bother modifying it, just sell it on, then get yourself a Mini Pesidio.
Similar size, thicker blade, full liners, much nicer weight and a lot cheaper than the Bugout.

Yeah, probably a good idea but I do enjoy working on knives too. Good opportunity to get a super cool set of AWT's and a good reason to buy ANOTHER new knife, LOL! Thanks for the recommendation on the Presidio...I had never really given it a though. I also want to pick up a Griptilian someday...hopefully BM doesn't quit making them anytime soon!

 

[Daniel]

You probably ordered right before I did...When I grabbed mine, the site said only 1 set left so I stretched my credit card a little further that I would have liked to snatch them, LOL! Mine just finally were accepted in Amarillo and now scheduled for delivery Tuesday. Hopefully USPS will get some work done over the weekend and deliver on Monday!

Are you going to use a pivot tool for the swap or do you do like me and use a plain old Allen Wrench?

Mine are in my mailbox, but haven’t fished them out yet.

I just use any screwdriver that fits in the hole to line up the pivot. Usually, I use a Torx driver with a long shaft which fits perfectly.

 

[gadgetgeek]

All I would suggest is that if you have weight as a sign of quality in your head, use this to break that connection. Now is the bugout the best lightweight knife ever? Likely not, the world is big. Are you likely to damage it without trying? no.
You are free to play with your toys as you feel is fitting, I'm not judging at all, but keep in mind that in many sports the idea that "light=quality" is a real thing, and so it can be useful to break from simplistic 1:1 comparisons for factors that might not matter at all.
Now I say that as someone who 9 times out of 10 has to consider weight in what I'm doing, and so I need to make sure I'm not just stacking on mass for no reason. For example, I teach a basic working at heights course, and I'm getting back into the rope access and vert rescue world. I could use all steel biners they are on average about twice as strong, but well more than twice the weight, so do I run my rig with mostly aluminum biners and only keep a couple steel for when wear resistance will be major (high loads on steel cable) or do I go with "quality" and triple the weight of my rig? They are "better" but also the market doesn't use a lot of steel, so shapes are limited, as well as gate/lock configurations, so that means I have fewer choices if I go all steel. I hope that shows my point. Get a super light knife for days you want a super light knife, and get used to it, and then carry the beef when it's needed. I don't EDC my bugout, but I do like having it as an option.

 

[RocketFoot]

All I would suggest is that if you have weight as a sign of quality in your head, use this to break that connection. Now is the bugout the best lightweight knife ever? Likely not, the world is big. Are you likely to damage it without trying? no.
You are free to play with your toys as you feel is fitting, I'm not judging at all, but keep in mind that in many sports the idea that "light=quality" is a real thing, and so it can be useful to break from simplistic 1:1 comparisons for factors that might not matter at all.
Now I say that as someone who 9 times out of 10 has to consider weight in what I'm doing, and so I need to make sure I'm not just stacking on mass for no reason. For example, I teach a basic working at heights course, and I'm getting back into the rope access and vert rescue world. I could use all steel biners they are on average about twice as strong, but well more than twice the weight, so do I run my rig with mostly aluminum biners and only keep a couple steel for when wear resistance will be major (high loads on steel cable) or do I go with "quality" and triple the weight of my rig? They are "better" but also the market doesn't use a lot of steel, so shapes are limited, as well as gate/lock configurations, so that means I have fewer choices if I go all steel. I hope that shows my point. Get a super light knife for days you want a super light knife, and get used to it, and then carry the beef when it's needed. I don't EDC my bugout, but I do like having it as an option.

Hmmm…that is definitely something to think about! Thanks for the new perspective!

 

[Herzav]

Just my two cents but when I tried to add titanium to my bugout, it still didn't right, with the stock scales, the point of balance should be tipping towards the front/blade but with the scales it was towards the back. Probably just a stupid nitpick but it was a odd feeling,like two different knives but I didn't like either stock or modded presentation so away it went.

 

[garddogg56]

Well, the Bugout arrived yesterday and I like the size and design of it but the weight and feel...no so much! It feels like a toy! No disrespect to Benchmade, I'm sure many people want a super light weight knife but I am more comfortable with a heavier piece! I ordered up a set of AWT Shadow Chrome scales that are going to be a knockout! If that doesn't bring up the weight enough, maybe I'll add a back spacer.

On a separate note, does anyone know the outside diameter of the pivot barrel?

I have to ask if it going to be a user did you try one first or at least go to a store and handle one?? I personally won't buy til I try that's just me,

 

[RocketFoot]

I have to ask if it going to be a user did you try one first or at least go to a store and handle one?? I personally won't buy til I try that's just me,

Mostly a collection piece…I did not handle one first but the Bugout is one of BM’s most popular models plus I have knives of all sizes and weights…there really is no going wrong buy purchasing one. Don’t get me wrong, I do like it and it does feel better the more I handle it. Every knife has its own personality!

 

[Gizler00]

When the bugout first hit the market….. I hated it. I held one at a local store. It felt flimsy, cheap, and like it would break the moment I used it……

Fast forward a few years……. I picked up a ranger green one and stuck it on my pocket. After a week of carrying and extensive use….. I couldn’t believe how good it was and I also couldn’t believe that I waited so long. I have tried aftermarket scales many times over, but I keep going back to the stock grivory scales. It just works and works flawlessly in the stock form.

It disappears in your pocket, but cuts so big that there’s really not anything it cannot do in your daily life.

But…….and this is a big but…… keep in mind it’s intended use…… are you going to pry a car door open with it, no……. Are you going to chop a tree down with it, no………. Are you going to chop bricks in half with it, no………

It’s intended to be the lightest, strongest, most functional for actual edc purposes.

On a daily basis, I cut up boxes, zip ties, hoses, open food bags, cut said food, open mail, break down cardboard, and much more realistic edc uses.

I used to be in the mindset of…..what if I have to pry a door open, what if I have to baton wood, what if…….. but those really aren’t realities for an edc in my pocket. I have a bag I carry with me in my vehicles that has everything to do those tasks that the bugout isn’t intended for.

I feel like if you just stick it in your pocket for a week and use it for daily tasks, you will more than likely be pleasantly surprised how well it works in the stock form.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[vjb.knife]

I guess I do not understand the idea of modding a knife like the Bugout to make it heavier. There is very little that makes this knife unique in any way, so if you prefer a heavier knife then why didn't you just buy a heavier knife that is similar to the Bugout in the first place? Sometimes a mod makes sense like if you have owned the knife a long time and something new in mods comes up and you would like to try it on that knife. Or if the knife is relatively unique and you want to change something to improve or make it more personalized and nothing already out there scratches that itch. Hey, bottom line is you own it go for it. It's no real big deal. I put Titanium scales on some Victorinox SAK's, which I thought was a cool improvement and I know they will last longer than the cheesy plastic ones that come on them.