Looking for advice on a Bugout.

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Midgetje93

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Jul 30, 2023
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I’ll start with I probably “sinned” in a lot of y’all’s eyes. My biggest hobbies are knives and guitars (I played professionally for several years) what is a big thing they have in common? FAKES! As a former professional musician. I can’t stand it. I get spinoffs and different versions. But exact replicas bother me.

Anyway, back to knives. I’m not broke, but I’m not rich either. I pickup knives as I go. Whatever catches my attention. About a year ago I picked up a BM Bugout clone from Amazon. I always liked the looks, not sure about the scales (the flexibility was my biggest concern). So I got one (unbranded, unmarked) and I love it. But still kinda choke when I see BM prices. (I’ve had several in the past. From 555- up to an Infidel in the Navy). And while I love them, I never have seen the justification in cost.

But after about 6 months of using the clone nearly everyday. I want a real one. Between making up for my “sin” of buying a knockoff, as well as giving credit where it’s due. I’m not really concerned about upgraded scales now. I don’t want a $300 bugout. Personally I think that defeats the purpose of a lightweight minimalist design.

It seems everyone and their dog has one or two Bugouts here. And as impressed as I am at the $20-30 Amazon offering. I know I’ll like the real one. But still get sticker shock when BM wants nearly $200 for it.

I guess I’m looking for advise. I know I want one. But what’s yall LONG TERM, EDC experience with them? I’m not looking for the decked out super customized ones. But as a daily grab and go, do you still like it? Or look for a cheaper alternative?

**I do apologize in advance if the clone topic is taboo. I’m not trying to advocate to go buy one. But it did give me an opportunity to “test” the bugout out for a while before I get one.
 
This is why I don’t buy clones or fakes. You either like it then want the real one. Or you don’t like it, and you wonder if you’d like the real one better.

Sorry I don’t know anything specific about bugouts. Life is short get the knife you want and use the heck out of it.
 
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eveled said:
This is why I don’t buy clones or fakes. You either like it then want the real one. Or you don’t like it, and you wonder if you’d like the real one better.

Sorry I don’t know anything specific about bugouts.
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Haha this is true! I’ve often looked at them. I used to work part time at a gun shop that was a BM dealer. I loved the feel. But always noticed the play in the scales. And being a shop. I couldn’t take it out back and play with it. So I was always left wondering if it would be a issue (not that I’d grab it for anything super heavy anyway)

And saw the Amazon reviews of people telling you they bought it to compare to their real bugouts. And while there are some differences. It’s pretty close. So I knew if I could get along with this one. Than the real one would be just fine and I wouldn’t have to worry.
 
Fonedork said:
Based on your caution and the number of steps involved in making this decision, I suspect that if you get a bugout, the cost of it will bother you and you’ll wind up re selling it and keeping the clone.
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I can respect this. I’m actually pretty happy with the clone. I can’t lie. But I also kinda hate using it because it’s a clone. I eyeballed the CRJB Hectare as well. A good step up. But still $50. If I were to go cheap. I’d do that. Very very influenced by the Bugout. But not a fake. I’d be morally content with that. But I do like the bugout. And with military discount. I can customize one and it be more or less the same price as a stock one (assuming I don’t add any up charges.).

I have no issue with BM. I’ve bought used ones and been more than happy, I’ve been given 2 in my time in the Navy. The BM triage, and a BM Infidel. And I have loved them all. But I’ve never bought one new or paid that much.

My current daily carry is a Kershaw USA Dividend. I love the slim profile. So I feel the bugout would very easily share “favorite” status with the Kershaw
 
Fixedwing said:
You would probably do well to buy one here off of the exchange and save some money over retail; I see them posted all the time. :cool:
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I have seen several posted. But sell as soon as they post it seems. And you posted this before my previous response. With military/veteran discount. I can customize one for just about the same price as new. I probably wouldn’t worry about any up charge customization other than the S30V which I think is $10.

The clone I have is all blacked out. And I have a purple paracord lanyard I made for it. I love it. (Idk why, Buddy’s laugh, but I’m a fan of black and purple accents). Kinda want a blacked out one with purple accents on the knife.
 
Bugout is unmatched as a hiking knife that weighs almost nothing. It's not a tank, it will bend but would be very hard to break. I love mine, and value it more than I thought I ever would.

Cost? For an American made knife with quality materials and warranty for life, it's about what it costs to get into the game.
 
Wait for a sale or buy off the exchange here on Bladeforums. You csn have a lot more knives if you are willing to buy used or preowned.
 
I’m not opposed to used. I was bidding on a eBay titanium bugout (not what I wanted.) but $120 is hard to beat. Got snagged last 3 seconds lol
 
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