Bugout Alternatives

Another vote here for the Benchmade 531 Pardue. Unfortunately discontinued but still can be found on the secondary market. See if you can get the beautiful version in S90V blade steel :


BM531-1901_512x512.jpg
 
Chronovore said:
The Elementum is under 3oz. and a little more comapct than the Bugout. BladeHQ has a special edition Elementum in S35VN for around $80. Besides the better steel, it's also a tiny bit thinner and has a slightly thinner blade. Right now, they only have the jade/natural G-10 version in stock, but you could always throw some Flytanium scales on that. Of course, there is also the titanium frame-lock version with 20CV in the WE line.

It might also be worth looking at the Gemini. Kizer makes a bunch of different variations. I have a Micarta liner-lock version in N690 and a titanium frame-lock version in S35VN. Both are fantastic.

If you want the same type of lock, consider those recommendations for the Hogue Deka. I tend to agree with @RousingRabbles 's assessment that it's "an exceptionally better knife".
Click to expand...
Also another set of knives I was originally looking at. I put it on the backburner because I am drawn towards the thumb studs. I really do love what We has to offer. I don’t know if it’s the pictures they put up but everything they produce looks so good. Also thought about the Banter.
 
Skahn21 said:
Hello All!!!

I'm sure there are a few people who have started threads that are the same as this one, but here it goes:

Can you recommend a good Benchmade Bugout alternative?

The bugout is probably my favorite knife. I love the dimensions - blade size (3.24 inch), handle thickness (.42 inch), and closed length (4.22 inch).

Where my request might differ from the other - I am looking for something that is higher quality (nicer, better blade steel, better build, better materials.)

I saw that the Hogue Deka and some other ones but I am not sure what else is out there.

Thanks so much in advance,

Spencer
Click to expand...

This is a hard one...

If all you want is sth similar in overall size then yes there are quite a few to choose from, as suggested by above posts.

However, if you're looking for something w/ similar weight-to-blade ratio (1.85 oz) and similar blade-to-handle ratio (4.22 inch), I couldn't really think of anything. Which I guess is why Bugout is so popular in the first place.

Bugout does come in S90V, M390, 20CV, and (if you're OK with Bailout) M4. You can get aftermarket Carbon Fiber or other material scales for it. The overall build quality for me is more than good enough as a practical EDC tool. If you wanna step-up in fit and finish you'll inevitably deal with much higher weight and thickness.
 
sv4 said:
Another vote here for the Benchmade 531 Pardue. Unfortunately discontinued but still can be found on the secondary market. See if you can get the beautiful version in S90V blade steel :


BM531-1901_512x512.jpg
Click to expand...
You just HAD to do it...
You made me go looking for one...
And I found 2 of them!
Sigh... I never really planned on retiring anyway...Place to Starve.jpg
 
Last edited:
Skahn21 said:
garbage.
Click to expand...
Really ? Strong word .

What model was that and how was it "garbage" ?

There are tons of counterfeit Cold Steel . Are you sure it was genuine ?

Just curious . What you prefer to buy is none of my business or concern . :)
 
Here's a comparison pic of the Bugout to some of the knives that have been mentioned, and another that I recommend (WE Esprit):

Bugout and Co..jpg
As you can see, the Bugout is a fair bit longer than the Drift and shorter than the Atom. The Esprit is almost exactly the same in terms of length, although it's a bit wider. It's heavier, at 3.6 oz, but I consider that a plus as I always thought the Bugout felt TOO light. Even with the Flytanium Ti scales the Bugout is just 2.8 oz. The Esprit has a CPM 20cv blade and mine's full Ti. Also comes in marbled CF. All excellent knives, in my opinion. They're all great slicers.
 
Skahn21 said:
Also another set of knives I was originally looking at. I put it on the backburner because I am drawn towards the thumb studs. I really do love what We has to offer. I don’t know if it’s the pictures they put up but everything they produce looks so good. Also thought about the Banter.
Click to expand...

3D Anvil said:
... and another that I recommend (WE Esprit) ... The Esprit is almost exactly the same in terms of length, although it's a bit wider. It's heavier, at 3.6 oz, but I consider that a plus as I always thought the Bugout felt TOO light. Even with the Flytanium Ti scales the Bugout is just 2.8 oz. The Esprit has a CPM 20cv blade and mine's full Ti. Also comes in marbled CF. All excellent knives, in my opinion. They're all great slicers.
Click to expand...

I was very interested in the Esprit but preferring flipper tabs, some other recent releases jumped ahead of it and ate my budget. 😓

The orange-peel texture on the titanium looks great. I just noticed that the Esprit is a Laconico design. MBK just did a run of his Sea Otter in MagnaCut but they were like $400. Kizer recently released a Micarta version of his Yorkie in M390. It's on the smaller end of what's being discussed here but it might be worth a look.

The last thumb-stud knife I picked up was a Micarta version of their Mini Begleiter. I've been a fan of that knife since before they upgraded to bearings and now the thumb-flicking action is even better. It's smaller and thinner than the other knives being discussed here but there are times when I want that. There are a bunch of versions of the Mini Begleiter including new ones with their "frag pattern" in either N690 with G-10 or M390 with titanium.
 
The Esprit is also a front flipper, but IMO it's not very good in that regard. The jimping is too smooth and the top of the flipper isn't high enough above the pivot to get good leverage. OTOH, I'm not great at front flippers and I've seen some other folks don't have a problem with it, so maybe it's just me.
 
This thread got me thinking about the Hogue Deka again, which in turn lead to my discovery that SMKW has a red white and blue exclusive, on sale for $112 to boot... Two on the way, dad should like his birthday present this year, lol.
 
Gtscotty said:
This thread got me thinking about the Hogue Deka again, which in turn lead to my discovery that SMKW has a red white and blue exclusive, on sale for $112 to boot... Two on the way, dad should like his birthday present this year, lol.
Click to expand...
Soooooooo…laying in bed last night I bought the exact knide you are talking about 😊😊

For 112$ I had to do it. It’s not the only knife I buy that has been recommended here. But for $112 that deal is like a sore di*k… you can’t beat it!
 
Skahn21 said:
Soooooooo…laying in bed last night I bought the exact knide you are talking about 😊😊

For 112$ I had to do it. It’s not the only knife I buy that has been recommended here. But for $112 that deal is like a sore di*k… you can’t beat it!
Click to expand...

Yeah, everybody seemed to like the Deka for $140.... at $112 with red, white and blue scales, I just couldn't pass it up.
 
This one might have to become another one of my very few "Safe Queens"...
It's listed as "New": not "New condition".
 
Gtscotty said:
Yeah, everybody seemed to like the Deka for $140.... at $112 with red, white and blue scales, I just couldn't pass it up.
Click to expand...
One of my shootin' buddies bought that model: they are GORGEOUS!
(I wish I had waited...)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top