The Bugout is the knife that made ultralight everyday carry mainstream. In its lightest form it sits under two ounces and genuinely disappears in a pocket, and Benchmade's ambidextrous AXIS lock opens and closes it one-handed from either side. It has become a default carry for hunters, anglers, tradespeople and anyone who wants a real cutting tool they will not notice all day.
Every version shares the same 3.24" drop-point blade and the same frame. What changes between them is the steel, the handle material and the weight — and that is what you are choosing between below.
Choosing your Bugout
Grivory and CF-Elite run CPM-S30V, the steel that built the Bugout's reputation. It takes a keen edge, holds it through months of ordinary use, and comes back on a stone without a fight. These are the lightest versions in the range, and CF-Elite is the stiffer of the two.
Milled aluminum, carbon fiber and Richlite step up to CPM-S90V or Bohler M390 — powder stainless steels that go considerably longer between sharpenings, in handles that will not flex under any grip you can apply. They carry a little heavier, and they reward someone who already knows they want the edge retention. Fair warning on M390 and S90V: they hold an edge beautifully and they are stubborn to bring back. Budget for a diamond stone, or send it in on LifeSharp.
Compare the versions
| Version | Model | Blade Steel | Handle | Blade Finish | Weight |
| Blue Grivory | 535 | CPM-S30V (58-60 HRC) | Grivory | Satin | 1.85 oz |
| Crater Blue Grivory | 535FE-05 | CPM-S30V (58-60 HRC) | Grivory | Satin | 1.85 oz |
| Ranger Green Grivory | 535GRY-1 | CPM-S30V (58-60 HRC) | Grivory | Satin | 1.85 oz |
| Storm Gray Grivory | 535BK-08 | CPM-S30V (58-60 HRC) | Grivory | Satin | 1.85 oz |
| Dark Olive Grivory | 535TN-11 | CPM-S30V (58-60 HRC) | Grivory | Desert Verde Cerakote | 1.8 oz |
| CF-Elite | 535BK-2 | CPM-S30V (58-60 HRC) | CF-Elite, Graphite Black | Black | 1.8 oz |
| Carbon Fiber | 535-3 | CPM-S90V (59-61 HRC) | Milled Carbon Fiber | — | 2.02 oz |
| Burnt Brass Aluminum | 535BK-07 | Bohler M390 (58-61 HRC) | 6061-T6 Anodized Aluminum | DLC Battlewash | 2.5 oz |
| Gray Aluminum | 535BK-4 | Bohler M390 (58-61 HRC) | 6061-T6 Anodized Aluminum, sunburst milling | Black | 2.5 oz |
| Crater Blue Aluminum | 535SL-13 | CPM-S90V (59-61 HRC) | 6061-T6 Anodized Aluminum | Cerakote Crushed Silver | 2.52 oz |
| Grey / Redstone Richlite | 535-09 | CPM-S90V (59-61 HRC) | Aluminum bolster with Redstone Richlite onlay | Stonewash Polish | 2.52 oz |
| Taiga Green | 535FE-2602 | CPM-S90V (59-61 HRC) | Anodized Aluminum with brown canvas micarta | FDE PVD Battlewash | 2.52 oz |
Where a cell reads —, Benchmade does not publish that spec. Current pricing is on the selector above.
Shared across every Bugout
| Blade Style | Drop-Point |
| Blade Length | 3.24" |
| Blade Thickness | 0.09" |
| Open Length | 7.46" |
| Closed Length | 4.22" |
| Handle Thickness | 0.41-0.42" |
| Lock Mechanism | AXIS Lock, ambidextrous |
| Clip | Mini Deep Carry, tip-up (Taiga Green runs a tip-down deep carry clip) |
| Lanyard Hole | Yes |
| Made In | Oregon City, Oregon, USA |
Worth knowing before you choose
- Richlite develops a patina. The 535-09 handle is a paper composite that darkens or lightens over time with light and handling. That is the material behaving normally, not a defect. If you want a knife that looks identical in five years, choose one of the aluminum versions.
- The Taiga Green carries differently. It uses a tip-down deep carry clip where the rest of the range runs tip-up. Small thing, but it changes the draw if you already carry a Bugout.
- S90V and M390 are different answers, not better and worse. S90V leans further toward raw edge retention. M390 balances edge holding against corrosion resistance and is a little easier to bring back on a stone.
Backed for Life
Every Benchmade carries a limited lifetime warranty and free LifeSharp service — send it in dull and dirty, get it back razor sharp, for as long as you own it. Ed's Fly Shop is a Benchmade Pro Dealer, so your warranty is valid and we can help you get it handled.
Come handle one at 432 E Main St in downtown Montrose, Colorado, or order online. Free shipping on qualifying U.S. orders.
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