Bugout or Bailout ??

[King of the Cheese]

That's a spelling mistake, not grammar 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.

I think the expression is: “You can catch more flies with honey instead of vinegar”.

I wouldn’t prefer aluminum over plastic because that would add to the weight, which this knife is designed to reduce... while also scratching more easily... but that’s just me.

 

[majen]

I had both but prefer the M4 bailout

 

[craytab]

I think the expression is: “You can catch more flies with honey instead of vinegar”.

I wouldn’t prefer aluminum over plastic because that would add to the weight, which this knife is designed to reduce... while also scratching more easily... but that’s just me.

Hey, thanks for the correction

And that is why the OP is asking for opinions between the two knives, rather than just what we think of one or the other. I think the bailout is designed to be a bit more robust than the bugout, thus the addition of aluminium scales which adds weight. Some want a more robust feeling handle, bigger knife, and a tougher/better edge holding steel. If that is the case, the bailout is the option to choose IMO. The OP mentions adding scales to the bugout but there is no need if he gets the bailout. I think that is a major consideration, but that's just me

 

[onionsninja]

I like the blade shape of the Bugout. My only wish for the Bugout is to have it in all black graphite hardware including the clip, a satin blade or stonewashed blade. Not a fan of coating and all the not so discreet handles.

 

[Whitedog]

Of all the Benchmades I have or had the Mini Bugout is my favorite. Lite weight, thinner blade stock, great for slicing. Somewhat reminds me of a Sodbuster type knife.

 

[abbazaba]

Bugout for sure. Better ergos, better blade shape, one of the most practical knives out there IMO.

 

[kobold]

I would get the bailout and join the edges (get rid of the second tip). Since I don't like tantos, but I like M4, it would be a win-win.

 

[BillZee]

I own a Bailout with aluminum scales. I really like it.
I would buy a Bug Out if Benchmade put steel liners or aluminum scales on it. Benchmade's concern about weight.....just feels cheap.
Not buying after market scales.
Never understood the name.......not a knife I would want in a bug out.

 

[kingston73]

I would get the bailout and join the edges (get rid of the second tip). Since I don't like tantos, but I like M4, it would be a win-win.

I actually saw one like that for sale on ebay. How tough do you think that would be to do at home?

 

[Alberta Ed]

The Bugout handle is made from Grivory, a fiberglass-reinforced nylon or thermoplastic. While some object to its plastic-y look and feeling, it's actually very tough and resistant to just about any chemical. If auto bodies were all made from the same stuff a lot of body shops would go out of business.

 

[DMG]

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.

everything I have read and personal experience tells me that M4 holds an edge much longer than S30v. Could you link me to the steel test you mentioned? I tried to find it.


OP, I have a Bugout and find it to be a great lightweight knife. The blade to weight ratio is splendid. I want a Bailout too.

 

[kobold]

I actually saw one like that for sale on ebay. How tough do you think that would be to do at home?

Using diamond plates, cant be too tough.

 

[Knives&Lint]

I quite enjoy my Bugout. I mostly carry it as my lightweight around the house/yard knife and it has served me well as such. I threw on some micarta scales immediately upon receiving it, stonewashesd the blade, and replaced the clip that everyone else seems to slob on (personal preference). I'm rather glad that I picked it up, and for me even with the added cost of scales it was certainly worth it.

As for my thoughts on the Bailout, which I don't own. I actually dig it. There's something about the design that just speaks to me. However, at the price I've just never been pushed over the edge to pick one up. It's not necessarily that it's too expensive, it's just that it's in a price range where there are always less expensive knives that I dig equally/more, or I find myself in a situation where those funds would be better spent towards more expensive knives that I want more. I have a feeling I'll own one one day, and I'm really interested to see how those aluminum scales look well worn (potentially very cool IMO).

 

[JonesE]

My vote is for the Bugout. The tanto on the Bailout is OK, but I find the drop point on the Bugout more handy for day to day chores. The bailout gives you more purchase area so if you have larger hands the Bailout may work better for you. On both the Bugout and Bailout I disliked the grivory scales so I swapped out for titanium. They weren’t bad, they just made the knife feel hollow. The titanium added weight and the action improved for me. I also found the pommel on the Bailout gimmicky. I changed that out for a geared backspacer. I carry both, but the Bugout gets more pocket time.