Bugout or Spyderco Native 5 s110v lightwieght

cnm123

cnm123

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Sep 7, 2015
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Just wondering how these 2 compare. Anyone have both?
I have considered the Bugout since it came out but wanted to try it in person, just haven't gotten over to GPKnives yet.
I just came across the Native.
I'm more of a BM fan than Spyderco but have gotten a couple spydies lately and like them.
I have a Manix 2 (g-10/s30v) and a orange delica.
Is the Native significantly lighter than the Manix?
Is s110v that much better steel than s30v?
 
I don’t know much about the Native, but the bugout is among my favorite knives I own. I can’t put it down.
 
cnm123 said:
Just wondering how these 2 compare. Anyone have both?
I have considered the Bugout since it came out but wanted to try it in person, just haven't gotten over to GPKnives yet.
I just came across the Native.
I'm more of a BM fan than Spyderco but have gotten a couple spydies lately and like them.
I have a Manix 2 (g-10/s30v) and a orange delica.
Is the Native significantly lighter than the Manix?
Is s110v that much better steel than s30v?
Click to expand...

I've owned the Native before but no longer do. I do have a Bugout and the LW S110V Manix. I consider the two of them to be the best two ultralight folders you can currently own. I imagine the Native would be similarly compelling weight and steel-wise, but I always found it's cutting edge to be a bit too short and I don't care for the backlock.

So anyways, yeah for me you couldn't go wrong with the S110V Manix/Native or the Bugout. The S110V steel definitely is superior in terms of edge holding, however it is harder to sharpen for most people and can chip if it strikes hard materials like staples. However, it's definitely one of my favorite harder use, working steels.

Now, the Bugout has S30V which it is currently fashionable to turn ones nose up at in disgust as if it's terrible. But in reality S30V is a great steel and Benchmade has the absolute best heat treatment on their S30V, IMO. It will take an amazing edge, hold it a long time, and be easier to sharpen than S110V by a lot for most folks. It can also chip but I've never had Benchmade's S30V do so. It appears to do very well in terms of toughness, so it may have an edge on the S110V in that department.

I think the question really comes down to what you want most. Do you want a 1.85 oz knife with an overall great steel or a 2.85 oz knife with great steel that is better at edge holding? Really the difference in weight and steel is the question. Both knives have great ergos, carry well, have great cutting geometry. The Native comes in in the middle at 2.5 oz, but I think loses out in terms of cutting edge when compared with the other two.

For me, I'd take the Bugout over the Native easily, just due to the smaller cutting edge of the Native. But on the question of the LW Manix versus the Bugout that's a much tougher choice. The Manix has an advantage in terms of the steel, but it's also an ounce heavier. The Manix is a bit more of a pocket hog, but has better ergonomics. It's really, really close and they both cost basically the exact same price new.

If I had to pick, I'd probably go Manix, but it'd be a hard call. Two really great knives, the best lightweight/backpacking folders out there, IMO,

At this point I'm repeating myself, lol. Good luck with your search!
 
From hg s discussion, it seems as though a summary would be as follows.

The Bugout and Manix2 with s110v cost the same. So would you rather have a bigger knife with better steel and better ergonomics or a smaller knife that is still pretty nice for the same money? With a 1 oz difference in weight, the heavier being less than 3 ounces?

Take your time.
 
I am more partial to Benchmade than Spyderco. That said one of the 2 Spyderco's that I currently own is a Native 5 lt wt. the other being a PM2. My go to knife is a minigrip g10 with cpm20cv blade. My second choice is usually the Native 5, and I have numerous choices. I do not own but have handled the bugout. When I first saw it I thought I had to have it. That is until I actually had it in hand. It's a great size, style, and shape with a very good steel but the handle feels very flimsy. Just not sturdy enough and quite frankly in my opinion at least $30 over priced for what you get. I really wanted to love it and own one and may yet someday but between the 2 (and it pains me to say it) the Native is a better knife and a better value.
 
I had the Bugout as a preorder...cancelled it. It's too darned light for me.
I have the Native 5 in S90V, NIB, and I consider it a gem...the Spyderco Forum knife in 2005.
The S90V and the S110V cannot be looked at in the same light as the S30V.
The S90V is outstanding; the S110V is darned good; the S30V is a good steel which suits most folks just fine.
Note that I'm talking about edge-holding, primarily.
Like I said, I do NOT like light knives...at all.
 
MMS375 said:
I am more partial to Benchmade than Spyderco. That said one of the 2 Spyderco's that I currently own is a Native 5 lt wt. the other being a PM2. My go to knife is a minigrip g10 with cpm20cv blade. My second choice is usually the Native 5, and I have numerous choices. I do not own but have handled the bugout. When I first saw it I thought I had to have it. That is until I actually had it in hand. It's a great size, style, and shape with a very good steel but the handle feels very flimsy. Just not sturdy enough and quite frankly in my opinion at least $30 over priced for what you get. I really wanted to love it and own one and may yet someday but between the 2 (and it pains me to say it) the Native is a better knife and a better value.
Click to expand...

I’m a Spyderco FANBOY and I love that BM minigrip in 20CV. I had the Bugout for a couple days and it was just toooo light for me. I own two Natives, one a LW in Maxamet and I would go with the Native over the Bugout. I would agree with Halden though that the Manix LW should be considered....or the minigrip.
 
Don't know if this will help or not, but here are some quick pics of a Native 5 Lightweight and a Benchmade 535 for size comparison. Not the best pics in the world, but you'll get an idea....

i-QK8jcW8-XL.jpg


i-GphW5L9-XL.jpg


i-RCcZZn6-XL.jpg
 
You can't go wrong with either. Both steels will last a life time but a lot will depend on how you intend to use the tool and for me it is all about feel and sometimes you need to use one for a while to see what you think.

For me the fun of collecting knives is trying to find one I like more than the one I currently carry. Do I need another one, no but I have some nice knives in my collection to choose from because when faced with a dilemma like yours (nice problem to have) I want to try new things and learn more about options I don't currently use.

I bought the Bugout and I liked it but it is not really used for my EDC. Since it is so light I use it as a backup knife when I go backpacking. I also carried a native (older version) for a few years and it "was" my favorite Spyderco knife until I lost it and actually bought a PM2. The PM2 is my all time favorite EDC. (I have a Manix LW nice knife but I preferred the PM2.) All the knives mentioned by members in this post are great choices and everyone favors one over another due to individual preferences, look, feel, carry style, weight, ergonomics. You almost will need to try both. Buy one, use for a while and if you still feel something missing or it doesn't wow you, buy the other. You can either keep both or sell the one you don't prefer. Better yet you could re-gift it to me. PM me for my address for the re-gifting :)
 
Personally I’d go for the bug out because of the axis lock

But

If you’re going of steel I’d go for s110v I’ve owned a few knives in that steel it’s amazing.
 
I own 2 native 5 lw (s90v and s35vn) and have handled the bugout on 2 occasions. I would not buy the bugout. It's a cool new knife but it's handle felt to flimsy and it did not fit my hand well. I really wanted to like it but it was not for me. The n5lw is barely heavier, feels much more solid and has better ergos.

So obviously my vote is n5lw. But I would recommend saving yourself some money and just get the s35vn version. No its not the newest best thing but is a great steel. Easier to sharpen, tougher and $30 cheaper. Just my opinion, but who am I?.... heck I bought the new CS exclusive n5lw cuz it was orange. Lol

Also, it sounds like your in the stl area cuz you said you haven't made it into gpknives yet. I'm local too, was just in there on Sat. Love gpknives. Great people. But Mid America Arms on Gravois had the bugout for $99 last time I was in there. They have better prices on Benchmade because they don't sell or advertise online. The only bad thing is they have a limited selection and usually only have one of each in stock. Which can be bad as sometimes you need to look at multiple benchmades to find a perfect one. But what do you expect form a gun shop. Their bread and butter is not knives. In June they had their yearly Benchmade sale for Fathersday. 20% off.... I walked out with a new 551-1 for $129 out the door!!!!!

The point of all this rambling is get them in hand and decide from there.
 
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I've found Benchmade's S30V to be superb (Mini-Rukus), and its D2 equally good (Grippie, 710). Its CM154, not so good, though.
 
The bugout is all around great knife. Native is fatter and weighs more. Native has great action and is a awesome slicer. Only down side is traction is not as good as it could be compared to a spyderco FRN handle. I like it more than my 940 its so light youll end up carrying it over most knives its cheap just get one
 
The 535 is a knife that I didn't expect to like or even own. I gave in and I'm glad I did; it's one of my favorites.

The Native is a great pocket knife design. The Axis lock is def. more fun than the back lock and steel choice is a preference. With Benchmade you also get a better warranty/after sell services (blade replacement, free pocket clips, etc.). I love the blade shape and the neutral handle of the 535. I've owned the Native in FRN and G10 and it's a solid knife. Cutting edge is a bit short but not terrible. I'd choose the Bugout myself.

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I love both the Bugout and Native. In my opinion, the Native is a great, hand filling pocket knife that has pretty rugged construction for an FRN handled knife. Unless you are somewhere like Chicago or Cleveland where only tiny pocket knives are legal, the Native is great, especially if you have larger hands because of the hand filling handle and choil.

The Bugout is a killer thin and light knife for someone who can carry a longer (3+”) blade, or as Benchmade markets it, a great blade for a weight conscious backpacker. The handles are thin and flex, but the handle will not break unless it is abused. I like them both, and bought both. I do concur with the other poster to simply buy S35VN unless you just have to have S110V.
 
More of a Spyderco fan due to benchmades low qc standards and near everything is an axis lock. But I have handled a bugout briefly. It's nice. They have an aftermarket carbon fiber scale for the bugout. If I were to ever consider the benchmade I'd get those scales. It makes it, lighter, better looking and less flex than the plastic scales. For some it also fixed centering issues.

S30v is good but I'm a fan of the higher end steels.

here's a recent video of native5 LW (s90v) and bugout and a few others

 
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I chose the Bugout. It's lighter, has an Axis lock and deep carry clip, and I like BM's S30V.

Currently the knife that gets the most carry. I'm impressed.
 
That's a tough one. I own both and enjoy them for very different reasons.

The Native5 LW S110v is the ultimate utility knife to me. Everything about the ergos gives you a feeling of control and power over the entire length of the blade. It is super light weight, but feels robust and fills the hand nicely. I tend to carry the N5 for chores and projects.

The Bugout is a much less robust knife, that screams practicality. It's a great knife with good ergos and plenty of control, but the slim profile and "bendiness" of the handle give it a much less robust/utility feel IMO. I tend to carry this knife to the office and appreciate the stubby deep carry clip. I prefer it over the 940.

Both of these knives will be worlds lighter than your G10/S30v Manix2 with solid liners. If you truly love that knife, I would recommend the LW Manix over the Native5. I often think of the Manix2 LW as the ultimate cutting tool, near perfection for my uses. Not really sure why I need another knife.

Both S30v and S110v are great steels and I don't think that should be the deciding factor over two very different knives. If I had to pick between the two I would focus on the use. If you choose the Native5, buy the color you like :)
 
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