Bugout Alternative

There really isn't anything out there that does what the bugout does. That's why Benchmade has gotten away with charging as much as they do for it and why it's so popular.

It really is one of the best lightweight EDC knives. The amount of Utility vs carry-ability is fantastic. Just buy some cheap aftermarket g10 scales and you'll be happy.
 
The Alliance Designs/Laconico Jasmine is not exactly an alternative to the Bugout, but it's got that distinctive Laconic look, which might be appealing.

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I like the looks of the Bugout but it seems like no one is happy with the scales and they do seem kinda cheap. The last Benchmade I purchased was an AFCK (small) I bought new in 1996. It cost $80 and probably the best purchase I ever made. It’s been beat up but still works and looks great after. 25 years!
 
Random Dan said:
There's a factory bugout coming out at some point with auminum scales. There's also a bladehq exclusive with gray G10.
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I never really liked aluminum scales. With titanium becoming both more common and more affordable, aluminum starts to seem questionable at Bugout prices.


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 bought a few of these on sale a few years back. Under $20, the AUS-8 version makes a great beater that you can throw in the glove box and forget about. My wife has given the one in our "junk drawer" some questionably hard use over the last few years. It has broken in enough that I can effectively flick it open with the thumb stud. (They are pretty stiff when new.)

I always thought the Skyline was overrated. I think it is discontinued now anyway.

Obviously, these are much less expensive knives. My favorite "cheap" thumb stud knife is the Tangram Santa Fe from Kizer. It uses Acuto 440, which is better than AUS-8 and similar to 9Cr18Mov. It has reasonably thin blade stock but a different blade shape. It's worth looking through thumb stud knives from both Civivi and Kizer's Vanguard line (links below). They tend to offer the best bang for the buck.

CIVIVI Knives - Quality Pocket Knives | Blade HQ

CIVIVI specializes in budget EDC knives that don't skimp on quality. They offer a wide range of knives that will stand up to your toughest jobs.
www.bladehq.com

Kizer Knives - Shop Over 300 Knives | Blade HQ

Shop the best prices on Kizer Knives at Blade HQ. We offer a huge selection of Kizer knives with free shipping on all orders over $99.
www.bladehq.com

For a more premium alternative with thin blade stock, the TRM Atom might be a good fit.
 
Dadpool said:
Both CF Elite and G10 flex less than Grivory, and there are factory Bugouts available in those materials.

Alternately, try the Benchmade Mini Presido II.
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^^^^^This. I have the Bugout CF because I wanted to retain the lightweight but have a stiffer handle with no flex. The G10 also works with marginal additional weight.
 
Not sure why they just dont *only* use Wolff springs and be done with sort of bad optics. Sample size of 1 but still, this is inexcusable from such a price point. Anyway, ill second the Hogue / Ritter.

 
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sadmin said:
Not sure why they just dont *only* use Wolff springs and be done with sort of bad optics. Sample size of 1 but still, this is inexcusable from such a price point. Anyway, ill second the Hogue / Ritter.

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I also broke a spring within the first year of owning the bugout. I have broken both springs on my mini grip twice. The two full size grips have never had an issue and neither has the fullsize super freek. Not sure if it is a size issue where the smaller more compact knives are getting undue stress on the springs? Either way I have taken to making my own out of memory wire since sending the knives back to benchmade can be a pain in the ass.
 
Ranger 77 said:
I like the Elementum - I just wish it had thumb studs.
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A bit less "droppy" of a drop point but with thumbstuds in their lineup is the brazen. I have the black G10 version in 14C28N which like I said earlier is a favorite for knife steel. Really is a great balance of stain resistance and edge retention for the price.
 
sadmin said:
Not sure why they just dont *only* use Wolff springs and be done with sort of bad optics. Sample size of 1 but still, this is inexcusable from such a price point. Anyway, ill second the Hogue / Ritter.

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This happened to my mini grip as well.

I just cannot trust the axis lock anymore, sorry BM but I'm swearing by Spydercos backlock these days.
 
353 said:
This happened to my mini grip as well.

I just cannot trust the axis lock anymore, sorry BM but I'm swearing by Spydercos backlock these days.
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I have had issues with the axis lock as I detailed but its not worth swearing off of it. I make my own springs out of memory wire to avoid sending it back in and so far none of those have broken on me. Early on back locks had issues with spine strikes, the spyderco ball bearing lock had an issue with spine strikes, the compression lock is decidedly not left handed nor glove friendly, all locks have their pluses and minuses. If you are getting into axis locks especially in a damp climate I would recommend picking up some extra springs from etsy or make a few of your own.

Its really not that hard to do especially for people like us on these forums that will spend hundreds of dollars on sharpening equipment to keep their knife working as it should, all it takes is $5 worth of memory wire and 15-20 min of your time to have several replacement sets on hand.
 
The Grendels said:
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.

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But the Bugout design doesn't have a bail and the Bailout's does...

Dadpool said:
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. :)
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I think only the name is actually proprietary. CF Elite is carbon fiber reinforced polymer/nylon, which isn't a novel material. It's FRN with the fiberglass subbed for chopped carbon fiber. It's been used in auto manufacturing for a while.
 
c7m2p3 said:
I have had issues with the axis lock as I detailed but its not worth swearing off of it. I make my own springs out of memory wire to avoid sending it back in and so far none of those have broken on me. Early on back locks had issues with spine strikes, the spyderco ball bearing lock had an issue with spine strikes, the compression lock is decidedly not left handed nor glove friendly, all locks have their pluses and minuses. If you are getting into axis locks especially in a damp climate I would recommend picking up some extra springs from etsy or make a few of your own.

Its really not that hard to do especially for people like us on these forums that will spend hundreds of dollars on sharpening equipment to keep their knife working as it should, all it takes is $5 worth of memory wire and 15-20 min of your time to have several replacement sets on hand.
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I made a set of memory wire and have them installed now, been great so far. But I read at least one time on here of guys having their memory wire springs break as well.

I might come back to BM and the axis lock some day, but for now I am very happy with my Spydercos and I feel I can put a lot more trust in the back lock of theirs.
 
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I have mentioned in some other threads, but there's a seller on Etsy that makes omega springs... they are much better then benchamde's - they are stiffer (improve detent) and I haven't had one break... all my BMs now wear them... plus then I have omega spares laying around. Don't let the springs turn you off on a good knife :-)
 
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