The Everyday Man’s Sebenza, The Bailout

fishface5 said:
Can't say it competes with Sebenza, but I have had a couple and sold them - then I got an M4 Bailout a couple years ago, modified the blade to a drop point, and . . . haven't bought another EDC since. !!!
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How about a picture?
 
I have a carbon fiber bugout that compares very well with my Inkosi. And a Farid K2 that i like better than the CRK.
 
Nice photos ! Did finish reading early though, had to stop here:

Gilbert G said:
.... Most pocket knife lovers pretty much agree the Sebenza could be thee yardstick which others are measured by. ....
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I’d consider a Sebenza if it had a >= 3.7” blade, either Spydiehole or flipper, and a tough steel, say Cruwear, M4 or similar.

Admire your enthusiasm though :D
 
Honestly props to you for such a thought out and comprehensive analysis, but I’ll just agree to disagree with the conclusion. In terms of build quality, I have yet to come across a benchmade that is anywhere near a CRK, and I've owned several of each, including a bailout. Like you stated there are many factors into what makes a good knife for the user, but one of them that I think people may sometimes overlook is their own comfort with using a knife regardless of how well built it is. I know there are times I feel much more confident pocketing my Hogue Deka if I don't want to worry about having a nice knife on me, or about banging it up a bit. I'd wonder if the new found affinity you have for the bailout is similar due to it checking all the boxes, but feeling a little more secure putting it to hard use over the nice sebenza? Personally my small sebenza's are my favorite knives because for me, they check off all the boxes for a perfect knife. But in situations where I want something slightly lighter or don't want to worry about banging it up the Deka is my choice. The two make a perfect combo IMO.
 
Gilbert G said:
Now that a winner has been pretty much all been declared in head-two-head in blade category, what about the coating? Not everyone is a huge fan of blade coatings. For those, I’d urge to take a slightly different perspective. Are you getting a grey titanium nitride coating by one of the longest running, and biggest USA made companies or are you getting M4 damascus? Eyeing in person the stainless damascus of the Sebenza and the color tones of the Bailout grey, one really wonders, is the difference only that of pattern? It is a very handsome, very attractive multi-tone almost metallic grey that pretty darn near matches the damascus to the naked eye. Even the Benchmade logo is a perfect match to the whites in the Sebenza’s. Not only will the titanium nitride coating protect the M4 steel but any marks that may develop from hard use will lend itself to its own unique damascus-like pattern and confirm that maybe it really is M4 Damascus. In the end, you are getting M4 steel!…in a tanto-tip blade!

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This brings to the next point and that is strength. Everyone knows and touts frame locks as being the “strongest” but are they really? There are more than a few cases of frame locks and Chris Reeve integral locks failing on occasion (most likely from hard use). It isn’t unheard of. Thus no lock is really break proof and by now, Benchmade has perfected the axis lock. So much so that it is amazing how this knife, the Bailout, can be both super strong like a fixed blade when locked up, and yet still swing closed and flick open with unadulterated ease. The refinements and tighter tolerances of this knife alone made me rethink Benchmade after years of absolute disconsideration. When it comes to strength, yes the stop pin on the Sebenza may be thicker, but really it is unnecessarily thick and borders on the likes of overbuilt knives such as the Stitch or the Gerber 06. This is a folding knife after all and the Bailout has a plenty thick, thicker than normal stop pin. The lockup is so perfect and even if one axis spring spring (for example) were to break, the tolerances seem such that the knife wouldn’t fail and still has the other spring as a back up. Pressure tests done on the axis locks are widely documented by now in regards to their reliability and strength. The other benefit of the axis lock is no need to put the fingers in the way while closing the blade such as with the Sebenza frame lock. Looking close at the pivot screws on both the Bailout and the Sebenza one can see they are the exact same size! This is quite telling as Benchmade has put a lot of thought into what this knife was design for.

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When considering strength, one has to take into account materials and yes, titanium is stronger than aluminum. However, there is no flex at all in the Bailout aluminum handles. In fact many an auto knife is made from aluminum handle construction. These knives have to be able to withstand the force and reverberations of a side or front opening knife powered by coil or flat spring. Some examples include the AFO II, the Launch 1, the Protech SNG, and the Stimulus to name a few. In fact the majority of high quality production autos are made of aluminum. Aluminum is no slouch especially when done right and the contoured handles give the scales just that extra bit of strength down the middle. Not only this but much like the Slysz Bowie, they beat out the Sebenza in this regard. Another beef for another time, another qualm with Chris Reeves why they have yet to produce the Sebenza with contoured handles. Consequently, the Bailout offers greater comfort in stability because a knife that conforms more to your hands stays in your hands. In addition to the side to side and top to bottom gripping of the curves, there is the diamond like texturing which adds even more grip. Perhaps the answer to the texturing issue would be the Wilson Combat version of the Sebenza but these are few and far between.

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Second to lastly, the Bailout knocks it out the ball park with its overall thinner profile made possible by thinner blade stock, tighter tolerances, and contoured handles but kills the competition in the weight department. Coming in at 2.7 ounces, this is incredible for a knife this size and nearly half that of the Sebenza! This is especially nice when coupled with the slim form factor and the deep carry pocket clip.

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Finally, when compared head-two-head with the Sebenza, you are getting the knife which the Ti-lock was supposed to be - a middle ground Sebenza which boasts a size between the Small and Large Sebenza in length. The Bailout meets this but takes it another level with a blade stronger than the Large Sebenza yet lighter overall than the Small Sebenza while still being fast and quicker than both.

It’s no secret Chris Reeve Knives takes care of their customers, but so does Benchmade as well. The difference is, if you need work done or need a replacement blade, you could be looking at up to a year or more for service for your Sebenza. While Benchmade usually has your knife done in a month’s time or a few weeks. Benchmade has known to ship single replacement parts like screws and such for no charge while Chris Reeve requires the knife sent in. Both companies are pleasant to deal with but one cuts the time frame for work done/needed by quite a lot.

To re-cap: Head 2 head with the Sebenza, the Bailout is much lighter, carries in the pocket easier and better, feels better in hand due to not only handle contours but handle lines as well as textures. The Bailout is priced less by over $150, has faster support/customer service, is slightly smaller in overall and blade length but still can handle everything of the Large Sebenza, boasts M4 Super Steel vs. S35VN or S45VN, comes with a damascus like blade, strong tanto tip and styling that acts like a Sebenza Drop point but with more advantages, is easier to manipulate the blade close and open one-handed, faster, and comes with glass breaker/pulverizer.



Conclusion: If you want a Sebenza and don’t have the funds or have the funds and simply want something better, a “new era” creation that excels in every area, the “Every Man’s” Bailout is worth looking into.
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Enjoyed reading your good write up. However, the coating on the M4 Bailout should be Cerakote instead of Titanium Nitride, unless it’s also available in TiNi option now.
 
My M4 Mini-Griptilian has a Cerrakote treatment on it...
 

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Bob Denman said:
I'm glad to see that you like it!
But if you didn't look at the actual construction of the knives: you really just turned the discussion into a Beauty Contest...
(For the record: I own 11 Benchmade knives...)
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Great review, Gilbert! That slicey M4 has been on my list for a while now.

It's a small, sharp, and pointy world. I also own 11 Benchmade knives, Bob. I've been taking a short break from the brand to focus on acquisitions from other companies, but number 12 is likely either going to be the Bailout or the Adamas, unless something new comes along to usurp them from the want list.
 
I’d agree with you but for one major thing: Benchmade does a terrible job with the Axis Lock. I’ve yet to own a Benchmade with an Axis Lock that hasn’t developed vertical play with extremely minimal usage.
 
A bailout in M4 isn’t really an “everyday” man’s knife, as it’s $221 before any cerakote mods (and I’m guessing no one cerakote’s for free). Surely Kizer has something similar for under $100… perhaps a Begleiter or something.
 
Nice write up.
The GB2 is a good contender for Sebenza like EDC carry at one third the price.
Not a frame lock though.
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Did BM figure out their HT issue on M4? I remember the first run of Bailouts were woefully soft.
 
Oklahoma Outlaw said:
I believe Dcdavis Dcdavis might have something to say. 🤣
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I won’t say a CRK has the strongest lockup of all knives, mainly bc I truly have no clue, but I do know they’re very secure and feel it when they lockup. I don’t get that feeling with a Benchmade. When a compression lock locks up I get a good feeling as well.

I won’t say CRKs are the best knives out there nor are they perfect. Everything is subjective and everyone has their own preference/opinions. Just for me personally the build quality of a Crk blows a Benchmade away. A Large Inkosi feels like a tank in your hand when it is locked up and ready to work.

I’ve never had any bad experiences with BM other than a 20CV grip that had a terrible chipping problem from the factory. Off center blades, sending the knife to get fixed for certain issues and it comes back the exact same way, never been a fan of plastic/nylon handles, I think they’re a little overpriced. Lots of people think CRKs are overpriced as well. Just for me personally I think CRKs are built to be worked and worked hard. They can handle it. They’re beyond easy to maintain as well. People will be arguing about CRKs for years and years
 
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