Benchmade Bugout 535-09 Overview: | GearJunkie Examined

Each blue moon, you land a chunk of drugs that appears so good that you just hesitate to wish to use it. The chance of dirtying up a murals outweighs the will to place it via its paces. That’s how I felt (and nonetheless really feel, to a point) concerning the Benchmade’s newest folder, the Bugout 535-09.

It is a gentleman’s folder that units itself other than the group with a “maroon and silver” deal with, and boasts brawn sufficient to make it greater than a showpiece in your shelf. The knife is gorgeous, nevertheless it’s additionally prepared to tear. 

The Benchmade Bugout is likely one of the model’s most recognizable knives, capturing the eye of knife nerds all over the place. This new variation of the Bugout has an elegant new look and a number of latest supplies that had me itching to see what the hype is about.

I’ve used the Bugout 535-09 for practically a month as my day by day carry. It has been alongside on a number of hikes in Minnesota, day by day errands across the metropolis, and joined me on an out-of-state work journey. 

In brief: Benchmade upgraded the newest addition to the Bugout household with a phenomenal new design and top-level supplies. A mixed-material deal with of grey anodized aluminum and redstone richlite onlay marks a primary within the Bugout lineup, and to cap all of it off, Benchmade added a “tremendous metal” blade. Light-weight and compact, this knife competes for day by day use with the perfect.

Benchmade Bugout 535-09 Overview

Key First Impressions

The brand new Bugout is attractive — and that’s not simply my opinion. Each time I pull this knife out to point out it off, I hear “ooh’s and aah’s” over the two-tone deal with and pops of coloration. The orange anodized thumb stud and backspacer add an surprising but excellent addition to the look. As a lot as I’ve tried, images don’t do it justice — it’s a must to see it in hand.

The opening and shutting motion felt somewhat stiff out of the field, however with a couple of slight changes, I now have it opening with a “snap” and shutting easily. After making these changes, I discovered the motion considerably therapeutic, like a satisfying fidget spinner (that you just completely shouldn’t use in line at a espresso store).

As for weight, that’s largely subjective, however I used to be struck by how gentle and compact the 535-09 knife felt. It doesn’t look light-weight or skimp on the development, nevertheless it virtually disappeared in my pocket. Regardless of the light-weight construct, it stays balanced and durable — an essential facet for me.

The brand new 535-09 is greater than only a showpiece so as to add to the Bugout lineup, which now boasts 11 editions — not together with the minis and customs. It’s constructed with alternative supplies that should final a lifetime.

Deal with

This begins with the grey anodized 6061-T6 aluminum bolster with a redstone richlite onlay (have I discussed that this knife is a head-turner). Benchmade combined two totally different supplies right into a deal with for first time, giving this mannequin a novel look and setting the muse for future iterations and customizations down the street. An anodized orange thumb stud and backspacer are icing on the cake.

The aluminum within the deal with lends the knife a noticeable rigidity. The knife snaps open with no play within the blade in any respect. Every part feels tight and predictable, a significant sign of high quality in my thoughts. I like the best way this knife feels in hand; the redstone richlite onlay provides a top-shelf really feel, virtually just like the fretboard on a guitar.

Blade, Lock

Dubbed a “tremendous metal,” the blade is constructed from CPM S90V with a stonewash polish. What’s extra, it could seemingly maintain an edge perpetually. It boasts a variety of 59-61 hardness and substantial corrosion resistance to the 440C metal, and has a put on resistance that’s “superior to anything within the Benchmade lineup,” in line with Benchmade.

Principally, Benchmade positions this knife as a “set it and neglect it” blade by way of the work it could deal with and the upkeep (or lack thereof) it requires.

The 535-09 stays true to the Bugout lineup with an Axis-Lock, a typically {smooth} and reliable locking system that’s 100% manually opened by the person. The mini deep-carry clip is delicate and doesn’t take away from the aesthetic of the knife, and it may be moved to both aspect for proper/left-hand carry.

Made in USA, Sharp for Life

Lastly, the Bugout 535-09 is made in Benchmade’s manufacturing facility in Oregon Metropolis, Ore. Each knife blade is floor, beveled, and completed in that facility, with handles milled and machined underneath the identical roof as nicely.

Benchmade provides a restricted lifetime guarantee that covers defects in supplies and workmanship, with the choice to restore or substitute your knife at Benchmade’s discretion. Higher but, the model additionally affords LifeSharp companies, guaranteeing that Benchmade will resharpen your knife to a manufacturing facility edge totally free, for the lifetime of the knife. This contains cleansing, oiling, changes, and resharpening.

Testing: Slicing Duties

The 535-09 has gone all over the place I’ve gone for weeks now, slicing, slicing, trimming, and pruning. I’ve dipped into my paracord stash, minimize via plastic tubes and packaging, and whittled wooden to see how the knife holds up.

Given the Bugout pedigree, I used to be not stunned the knife dealt with every little thing I threw at it. However I used to be happy to see the Bugout nonetheless seems model new, and the blade stays tack sharp.

I’ve sliced greens, cubed varied meats, minimize via pesky plastic packaging, pruned vegetation, and carved my approach via cardboard. It’s even served as a butter knife, as a result of why not?

The Bugout match into my hand securely, and there have been no standout hotspots — even the carry clip appeared to take a seat in the suitable spot on my hand. There’s a slight ribbing above the Axis Lock that retains the thumb related to the deal with throughout extra critical slicing actions. This small element makes a giant distinction for me, particularly for the reason that blade doesn’t have a choil for a extra ahead grip.

The blade itself can also be very steady, and I’ve but to really feel any play or motion whereas in use. The sting remained dangerously sharp all through, and exhibits no indicators of wear and tear in any respect.

EDC Consolation

All of that’s nicely and good, however what caught my consideration probably the most was how the 535-09 disappeared in my pocket. I can’t inform you the variety of occasions I panicked for a cut up second, reaching right down to really feel for the knife in my pocket, pondering I’d left it behind — it’s that gentle and simple to hold.

At 2.52 ounces, it is rather gentle and is available in at simply 0.42 inches in thickness. The knife is so “wearable” that I really feel snug carrying it in joggers and different light-weight athletic pants.

Issues: Excellent Isn’t Actual

There’s rather a lot to like about this new Bugout, however even the perfect knives have drawbacks. I’ve discovered the AXIS lock feels sticky on the preliminary level of engagement and somewhat “sandy” on the slide.

I oiled up the lock and gave it a correct break-in interval. And whereas the smoothness has improved, it nonetheless catches once you first have interaction the locking mechanism to shut the knife. At a $400 worth level, I’d just like the lock to slip flawlessly practically each time.

And on the word of pricing, this Bugout is dear — actually costly. Knife connoisseurs know that Benchmade makes a high quality product, however all the time at a premium worth, and that is no expectation.

Even within the context of Benchmade, this knife is available in on the excessive aspect of the model’s pricing. Potential patrons should pause and weigh the professionals and cons of including this EDC to their assortment.

Ultimate Ideas

The brand new Bugout 535-09 in Grey Redstone Aluminum and Richlite is a fantastic piece of workmanship with a phenomenal aesthetic to match. It’s a knife that you just wish to place on show as a lot as you wish to put it to work.

It’s light-weight, simple to hold, and constructed with high quality metal and elements. As for sturdiness and longevity, I don’t worry about this newest Bugout carrying down over time. When you’re in a spot the place price range isn’t a priority and also you need a distinctive tackle a fan-favorite from Benchmade, you could have discovered your huckleberry.