Did I buy a used Bugout?

A

Alba

Joined
Feb 18, 2005
Messages
21
With a 20% coupon at REI, I ordered my first Benchmade earlier this week, the 535 Bugout. Yesterday evening it arrived!

I like nearly everything. The blade is centered, and it locks securely. There were only two issues. First, I couldn't open and close it smoothly. Second, I didn't like the look or feel of the blue grivory.

So tonight I put on my reading glasses and got out my Torx driver to see what I could do. I easily solved the first issue by loosening the pivot -- it only needed a tiny adjustment. I was then going to see whether I could remove the scales myself, because I was thinking about ordering some carbon fiber replacements. That's when I took a close look at the hardware on the knife, and saw that one of the black buttons for the Axis lock was worn down to the metal.

Now I've had this knife for only 24 hours, carrying it in my shirt pocket today. I've opened and closed it a few dozen times. I haven't even used the blade to cut anything (!), because I wanted to see if I liked the other aspects of a Benchmade.

Did I get a used knife? Maybe so -- REI does have a generous return policy. Or is this an example of so-so quality control from Benchmade? Maybe I should just count my blessings because pretty much everything else about this knife is satisfying. What do you think?
 
A picture would help. Are you saying that some of the black finish is wore off an axis lock button?
 
jpm2 said:
A picture would help. Are you saying that some of the black finish is wore off an axis lock button?
Click to expand...
Yes, the black finish is missing from the top of the Axis lock button on one side. Let's see if I can get this photo-sharing thing to work:

IYRKEpW

https://imgur.com/IYRKEpW
 
No idea. It could be that Rei got a return and put it back on the shelf. Or maybe it was a counter model used for folks to try when they come into the store. But it's possible that it's just poor qc. They are known for qc issues more than any other USA made knife brand. Either way I think you'll be covered. Just goto Rei for an exchange.

Though the coating or ano might wear off with time anyways.
 
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That's interesting. REI (we have a store right down the street) gets good reviews and high ratings for their customer service. Their return policy is good, and they likely have a number of Bugout replacements in stock. So I agree with Mo2, bring it in for an exchange.
 
Thanks for the advice, Mo2 and jkarp_53. I'm heading to REI later this week for a store pick-up, so I'll see about exchanging the Bugout when I'm there. I'm really liking this knife -- and just two months after I thought I'd settled on a carbon fiber Leek for my every shirt-pocket carry.
 
Seems like the wear from use would be on the front side of the button, but it might have rotated around. Seems the other side button should also be wore if it's from use.
I suspect there's some other reason.
 
jpm2 said:
Seems like the wear from use would be on the front side of the button, but it might have rotated around. Seems the other side button should also be wore if it's from use.
I suspect there's some other reason.
Click to expand...

That's an astute observation -- yes, it does appear that it can't be caused from usual wear. Now I'm suspecting poor QC.
 
Is that button steel or aluminum? It looks like case hardened steel. Weird that it would show wear and the blade stud wouldn't if it was used.

Maybe just a poor coating slipped through the check?
 
Danke42 said:
Is that button steel or aluminum? It looks like case hardened steel. Weird that it would show wear and the blade stud wouldn't if it was used.

Maybe just a poor coating slipped through the check?
Click to expand...
Might be titanium?
 
The lockstud is titanium and then DLC coated. Should be a pretty tough coating. That lockstud looks pretty worn to me.
 
Follow-up: because my local REI doesn't have replacement Bugouts in stock, I ordered two more online from REI.com. I figured one of them would work out. Plus I trust REI, where I've been a member for over three decades, to accept returns.

Both of the new knives have completely black lockstuds. However, both of them have a stray scratch. (If anyone is curious, they look like https://imgur.com/yvTfaRw and https://imgur.com/OF3hCTU -- the first one is longer, but visible from fewer angles.)

I don't have a big collection, so maybe scratches are common on new blades and I've just been lucky with my Victorinox, Opinel, CRKT, Kershaw, and Spyderco knives. Or maybe there's an easy way for a noob like me to buff them out?

I'm definitely keeping a Bugout -- I already ordered carbon fiber scales from Rogue Benchworks. But since it's going to be a while until the new scales arrive, I have time to think about what to do next with these knives. I suppose I could order yet another one (or two) from REI.com until I'm satisfied, but dang...

Any advice would be appreciated!
 
darth_cholo said:
I recently ordered one online at REI. Came dull and seemed used. Out if principle I returned to REI. When they asked my why I was returning I told them it was used and dull. They put it right back on shelf to re-sell. I told them they shouldn't but they instited.

Posted my experience here.

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/introducing-the-535-bugout.1509000/page-23#post-18001910
Click to expand...

That is a disturbing story -- especially the video.

I did return two of the three Bugouts that I bought at REI. None of them were in that kind of condition -- more cosmetic, I think, than anything else, but I wanted things to be just right because that's the most I've spent on any blade. (So far.)

Just this afternoon I noticed some wear on a blue thumbstud. But I own it now. Besides, I'm waiting for thumbstuds and a pocket clip in plain metal to arrive from Benchmade -- I'm a big fan of unadorned metal, and I also think they'll look better than the blue ones after I install the carbon fiber scales (which haven't been shipped yet, but I'm patient).
 
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