Bugout Alternative

Ranger 77 said:
Does anyone have any experience with the KaBar Dozier? It seems similar. Same question for the Kershaw Skyline.
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The KaBar Dozier Folding Hunter is one of the best deals in the knife market nowadays, in my humble opinion.

For around $20 you get a pile of choices of color combinations, and if you aren't a fan of AUS-8, you can toss in another $10 and get a D2 flavored unit.

I like their AUS-8 for this piece because it is very easy to sharpen to a very sharp edge, and it's not a knife you'll use to saw rocks or anything so it holds up just fine.

I have given away the last 3 of these I purchased... not because I didn't like them, but because somebody else thought they were neat so they were gifted.

The Boys' grandfather got the last one, and I don't think you could buy it off him for a C-Note he likes it so much.
 
simple6 said:
Any choice that is not BM, is the right answer. Their politics aside, BMs QC and warranty service has gone to shit.
I sent three different Bugout's back for the same issue, no resolution.
Bought a Knifeworks exclusive BM and the scale screws poked through the liners almost touching the blade.
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I concur.

However, as others have said, finding that exact blade shape is a limiting factor.

The Hour Deka and Ritter series are good alternatives imo.
 
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Maybe you can try a freek or a griptilian

IMO the lightweight is the key benefit from the bugout. The scales have some flex but you have a good blade

the griptilian may be my pick. Either large or small versions feel more substantial than the Bugout

the Hogue doug Ritter version of the griptilian will even have a more utilitarian blade shape
 
Ranger 77 said:
Does anyone have any experience with the KaBar Dozier? It seems similar. Same question for the Kershaw Skyline.
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I'm waiting on the Ka-Bar Dozier, with D2 steel, to come in at my local knife store. It's one I'd really like to get at some point.
 
The biggest problem with the Bugout is its name. The Bugout and Bailout should really swap out names, because the Bugout really isn't the kind of knife you would include in a bugout bag unless you're counting ounces or grams when it comes to your knife, instead of function. The Bugout is an ultralight EDC and once you start adding heavier scales it kind of loses its point. I probably wouldn't like to use those plastic flexing scales in -20 Celsius weather, but then I don't know what cold tolerance they're rated for either so that's just conjecture on my part.

Zach's Stuff did a brutal destruction video on the Bugout that not only showed just how durable the Bugout actually is, but made me never want to lend Zach a knife anytime soon. :) It pretty much ends any debate on the Bugout being a flimsy knife. It's still not going to replace a heavier bushcraft knife though, because that's just not what it's for.

 
Therom said:
Maybe you can try a freek or a griptilian

IMO the lightweight is the key benefit from the bugout. The scales have some flex but you have a good blade

the griptilian may be my pick. Either large or small versions feel more substantial than the Bugout

the Hogue doug Ritter version of the griptilian will even have a more utilitarian blade shape
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I have a bunch of Benchmade knives and I'm always circling back to my Griptilion 550 for hard use EDC work. It's my favourite knife to actually use and maybe it's that Spyderco style hole opener, but that also has a lot to do with the size of my hands. I can just barely pick up a basketball off the floor with an overhand grip, so I prefer a chunkier handle than a lot of people would. Once you've settled on your steel, handle ergonomics are a very personal choice and you should get what fits you best.
 
Ranger 77 said:
Does anyone have any experience with the KaBar Dozier? It seems similar. Same question for the Kershaw Skyline.
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I never realized it until you asked about the Dozier, but they are very similar to the Bugout. About the same size/weight and the blade shape is very close.

The problem is that the Doziers handle is equally as flexible as the Bugout. So, either way, you won't be getting a knife with a handle you are likely to be happy with. Maybe this would be acceptable to you because of the lower price? I would recommend buying a Dozier to see if the scale flex bothers you in actual use. They are cheap and they make a great beater even if you don't like it as an EDC.

I doubt I would have noticed the flex on the bugout if it wasn't pointed out to me, but it doesn't really bother me anyway.
 
Get one of the g10 models. Or wait until the m390 aluminum comes out. Having said that, the new scales from Flytanium are really great.
I heat colored mine but they're very nice, light but slightly thicker than the g10 originals.

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The Quietcarry Waypoint has almost the exact same dimensions as a Bugout. They are available with G10 or titanium scales and are almost rustproof. It has a Vanax Superclean blade and LC200N liner lock with titanium hardware. They are quite a bit more expensive than a Bugout, but definitely feel more solid though.
 
Ranger 77 said:
Same question for the Kershaw Skyline.
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I believe the Skyline's blade is shorter than Bugout. Skyline is little over 3" blade, Bugout is listed as 3.24". Not much of a difference but still...
Also I'd go with S30V before I go with Skyline's Sandvic but this could be just me... :cool:
 
The Kabar is a pretty good knife from everything I have heard. I don't have personal experience with them though. The Spyderco PM2 is frequently compared to the bugout, but it looks quite a bit different.
 
Ranger 77 said:
Thanks for the suggestions on the aftermarket scales. I do appreciate that there are scales available but I find it mentally difficult to get around having to buy scales for a brand new knife that comes with scales I do not like.


I did see the carbon fiber but my experience with this material is that is is somewhat "slippery". The G10 is a possibility. The Presidio looks interesting. Thanks for the suggestions.


I do like the spear point. I should have stated I prefer the thumb stud over a flipper but thanks for the list. Some of those are interesting and I will look into a few of those for sure.


The scales are definitely my holdup on a Bugout.
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You bet! Small point, CF Elite is not carbon fiber, although it contains carbon fiber. It's a Benchmade proprietary material. Not slippery at all, feels great and has kind of a unique look to it. :)
 
The Cold Steel Air Lite has been talked about as an alternative to the Bugout.

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If you really feel like spending money, and don't mind the liner lock, try an Emerson CQC-7 spear point.

Is the AXIS lock a must-have for you?
 
Also, in before somebody suggests the Spyderco Native. Blade shape is.... similar... but that's about where it stops.
 
I own a Bugout, Hogue Deka and TRM Atom.
Bugout - good blade shape, available in 20cv a personal favorite. I did not like the factory scales either and ended up putting Aim Front aluminum scales on. The wife loved it after trying it out and it is hers now and used daily, have had to replace the omega springs once already after both of them broke.
Deka - better action IMO, springs are made by Wolff and feel better than the Benchmade ones it's subjective but I have more confidence in the Deka springs. 20cv blade for 25% less than the Bugout 20cv cost. Excellent blade shape that I like more than the Bugout. My only issue with the Deka is the texturing on the scales, great for grip but just not quite right.
Atom - super thin overall. Great blade shape with 20cv steel that comes amazingly sharp. lots of scale options. The Atom is becoming a favorite due to the handle being a better fit for my larger hands. Full ti liners give it a more solid feeling than the Bugout for a little added weight.

Hard to pick a winner but if the Bugout isn't for you give the Atom or Deka a try both will be easy to resell if you don't take to them.
 
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