Bugout or Bailout ??

B

BillZee

Joined
Apr 30, 2020
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If the length of blade isn't a factor. Which do you prefer.......the Benchmade Bugout or Bailout ?
I am more interested in the Bailout, it seems better made and a better value for the money.
I know guys have bought the Bugout and put metal scales. But then your spending over $200.
I think I would just buy a $200 knife
 
I'm not into folders so i suggest drop the folders and carry a Ontario SP10 Marine Raider, way cooler.
 
Right now I use a 531 and considered both the Bugout and the Bailout. If I had my choice, I think I would purchase the Bailout. I carried a Bugout for a week and decided to just keep my 531.
 
The 535-2 is very worthy of a serious look. I own one and it's become my daily carry. The original Bugout I bought was returned and replaced with the second version. The tanto blade shape of the Bailout holds zero appeal to me. I don't do metal scales and the CF Elite scales of the Bugout do not need to be replaced. But as they say, horses for courses...

However, if you want something a bit heavier duty that's a rock solid build and blade, you might also consider the Mini-Presidio II 575-1. I bought one of those as an alternative to the, as yet, non existent Medium size Griptilian. An amazingly good knife with the CF Elite scales and full liners.
 
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It really comes down to blade shape - if the tanto is worth the extra $$ it's hard to argue with M4
 
I don't like plastic nor that funky CF Elite on the Bugout. If I got one I would surely upgrade to solid CF or titanium scales, and as someone already pointed out, that would really jack up the price.

I don't particularly care for the tanto blade shape on the Bailout. However, I do like the aluminum scales, the finish and the color. If I got one I would first see if I could live with the tanto point, and if not, I would grind away the tango and turn it into a conventional belly. Some users have already done so and it looks GREAT.

Something to think about.
 
bugout! 100% anyone saying they need the extra strenght from m4 in this flimzy lil folder is a mall ninja or a liar.
 
I have both, and I think it really comes down to personal preference. Similar ultraweight idea, but different steel, blade and handle shapes.

QrRNMuc.jpg


Personally, I probably wouldn't want the upgrade to scales to Ti, these two knives have perfect balance right around the pivot, and introducing much heavier scales will probably defeat their original purposes as ultralight knives, YMMV.
 
comis said:
I have both, and I think it really comes down to personal preference. Similar ultraweight idea, but different steel, blade and handle shapes.

QrRNMuc.jpg


Personally, I probably wouldn't want the upgrade to scales to Ti, these two knives have perfect balance right around the pivot, and introducing much heavier scales will probably defeat their original purposes as ultralight knives, YMMV.
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I’ve handled a Bailout with upgraded scales. I love the way it feels.
 
JamesofArc said:
I'm not into folders so i suggest drop the folders and carry a Ontario SP10 Marine Raider, way cooler.
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Why stop there. Just get an M1 Abrams and be done with it :D

dimiw1337 said:
bugout! 100% anyone saying they need the extra strenght from m4 in this flimzy lil folder is a mall ninja or a liar.
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Ha ha! This gave me a good laugh, thanks. And when you are saying something 100% inaccurate, you might want to spell it right. :eek::D

Neither knife is my cup of tea because of size, thickness in the handle, and blade shape (on the bailout) but if I had to chose between the two I'd go bailout. I didn't like the thin & flimsy feeling handle on the bugout. I like a bigger knife so the bailout is a natural choice. I'd get the M4 steel version.
 
I look at these two options as end-use separated.
The bailout has a tactical oriented blade shape (tanto for strength in piercing) and the pommel portion of the knife (butt of the handle) would be good for blunt strikes or breaking things.
The Bugout seems like a good EDC all around user, with a nice belly on the blade.

For me, I would go with the bugout. If I wanted a tactical knife with a tanto shape that could take a licking I’d be looking at cold steel anyway. The bailout seems like a contradiction to me given the tanto shape and pommel strength contrasted against trying to reduce weight as much as possible. If I buy a tanto, there needs to be an assurance of strength like you would get from the TI slabs of a CRK tanto, or the thick slabs of G10 in a Cold Steel.
Having a lock or pivot fail when you’re putting a lot of strength in to a reverse grip stab is not going to be pretty... and I wouldn’t trust a bailout for that.
 
craytab said:
Why stop there. Just get an M1 Abrams and be done with it :D


Ha ha! This gave me a good laugh, thanks. And when you are saying something 100% inaccurate, you might want to spell it right. :eek::D

Neither knife is my cup of tea because of size, thickness in the handle, and blade shape (on the bailout) but if I had to chose between the two I'd go bailout. I didn't like the thin & flimsy feeling handle on the bugout. I like a bigger knife so the bailout is a natural choice. I'd get the M4 steel version.
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Ok mr grammar police english isnt my language. Maybe if you checked the knifesteelnerd test you would see s30v ( specially benchmade s30v )will keep an edge aslong as m4 in production hrc. So again.. tanto is useless, toughness is useless in this size and the thing will rust 100x faster. Also if you are breaking the plastic handles of a lil folding knife then you are using the wrong tool for sure.
 
dimiw1337 said:
Ok mr grammar police english isnt my language. Maybe if you checked the knifesteelnerd test you would see s30v ( specially benchmade s30v )will keep an edge aslong as m4 in production hrc. So again.. tanto is useless, toughness is useless in this size and the thing will rust 100x faster. Also if you are breaking the plastic handles of a lil folding knife then you are using the wrong tool for sure.
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That's a spelling mistake, not grammar :D Might I suggest you'll get less push back on your mistakes if you are generally less abrasive in your responses. More bees with honey ya know?

I would take M4 over s30v any day and all day. In my experience, M4 as worked better for my needs in a folding knife. I do agree about the handle breaking but that isn't why I would rather have the aluminium over the plastic. The bugout just didn't feel as good to me, like too light and a bit too much flex to it.
 
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