Benchmade Benchmade Bugout advice

J

Jejerusik

Joined
Apr 7, 2022
Messages
148
Ok, I know people are probably sick about talking about the benchmade bugout. I had 2 versions. One was in the 20cv blade hq version. Didn't care for the 20cv, and didn't care for the g10 handles. I sold it because I was in a anti 20cv phase. But still didn't like the g10. The other version I had was the s30v Blu plastic handles. I liked that knife alot. Easy to carry, use, and sharpen. But I found if I actually put any bit of pressure on the actually blade centering would actually move. I'm not a grivory hater. I cut through some heavy stuff with no issue. But if the centering of the blade can change that easy I got rid of it before realizing how many companies made better scales. So I want to get another bugout.

I'm not sure what version to get. I was thinking of getting the m390 version with the aluminum handles. Mostly for the aluminum stability. Or go for the s90v with the carbon fiber handles. The s90v peeks my interest more, but the carbon fiber makes me nervous if I'd have the same issues as the grivory, or the g10. I know I could buy any version and get after market scales, but to get a bugout is basically 150, and the scales with everything is like 130 ish. So im easly paying more going that route than the m390 or s90v versions.
 
Oka few things here. Yes the grivory does flex, however blade centering is only an issue if the blade is touching the liners. I believe your problem was most likely from the body screws not being tight enough.

That said metal versions of the bugout are amazing and much different, however they are heavier than the original version making it feel and work like a completely different knife. Titanium or aluminum make a difference in the feeling to the extent that I have one grivory and one Titanium version each and don't feel they are duplicates if that makes sense.

ihYbHIj.jpg


I do not have a carbon fiber version, I only have a 940 - 1 with the carbon fiber, however it's pretty strong stuff man and definitely adds a ton of rigidity.
 
In medium to smaller knives such as the bugout imo, I generally prioritize edge retention over anything else as I'm not prying or doing any real abusive tasks, therefore I would take S90V over M390 in this application.

I have a bugout with flytanium scales. I also have the mini freek in S90V and carbon fiber. In my opinion the CF mini freek feel just as solid and "non-flexible" as my bugout, maybe even more so. I think you would be perfectly happy with the carbon fiber. I've actually been eyeing that that S90V bugout as well, and I really never liked the bugout to begin with 😆

20220705_003330.jpg
 
I've got the 535-3 in carbon fiber and S90V, and I really like it. It's solid and stiff, but extremely light. I don't know your sharpening setup/equipment/skill level, but keep in mind that S90V is extremely hard and wear resistant with big-ol' vanadium carbides, so it takes time and diamond abrasive to sharpen. Anything less and you risk pulling the carbides out rather than wearing them down (aka sharpening), plus even with diamonds it takes a while. When sharp though it holds an edge for a long time.

FYI, interesting and fascinating things "pique" your interest, not "peak" nor "peek". Sorry, have to get that off my chest.
 
Yo Mama said:
Oka few things here. Yes the grivory does flex, however blade centering is only an issue if the blade is touching the liners. I believe your problem was most likely from the body screws not being tight enough.

That said metal versions of the bugout are amazing and much different, however they are heavier than the original version making it feel and work like a completely different knife. Titanium or aluminum make a difference in the feeling to the extent that I have one grivory and one Titanium version each and don't feel they are duplicates if that makes sense.

ihYbHIj.jpg


I do not have a carbon fiber version, I only have a 940 - 1 with the carbon fiber, however it's pretty strong stuff man and definitely adds a ton of rigidity.
Click to expand...
I have no issue with the flex. Actually didn't really bother me. It was the blade would actually touch the side of the scales. And I could without loosening any screws move the blade right back to the center. I'm not a grivory hater, just really wasn't sure if it would eventually crack and not be good after awhile.
 
Corton93 said:
In medium to smaller knives such as the bugout imo, I generally prioritize edge retention over anything else as I'm not prying or doing any real abusive tasks, therefore I would take S90V over M390 in this application.

I have a bugout with flytanium scales. I also have the mini freek in S90V and carbon fiber. In my opinion the CF mini freek feel just as solid and "non-flexible" as my bugout, maybe even more so. I think you would be perfectly happy with the carbon fiber. I've actually been eyeing that that S90V bugout as well, and I really never liked the bugout to begin with 😆

View attachment 1862265
Click to expand...
Ya I don't do any prying. My EDC knife is my slicey knife. When I'm home, I use my 6 inch fixed blade, in 3v, for anything hard use. That knife I beat the crap out of and still like new. Ya the carbonfiber version seems really nice.
 
Planterz said:
I've got the 535-3 in carbon fiber and S90V, and I really like it. It's solid and stiff, but extremely light. I don't know your sharpening setup/equipment/skill level, but keep in mind that S90V is extremely hard and wear resistant with big-ol' vanadium carbides, so it takes time and diamond abrasive to sharpen. Anything less and you risk pulling the carbides out rather than wearing them down (aka sharpening), plus even with diamonds it takes a while. When sharp though it holds an edge for a long time.

FYI, interesting and fascinating things "pique" your interest, not "peak" nor "peek". Sorry, have to get that off my chest.
Click to expand...
I have the KME sharpening system with the 50 grit diamonds. So I don't mind the sharpening aspect. I know alot of people say a similar thing. That's why I also don't mind s30v because it held an edge great for me, and with a simple strop it's back to razor sharp. That's kinda why I don't always love 20cv and other harder steels. When they start getting dull your kinda forced to do a full sharpening job. I almost feel like the s90v would almost be worth it because it would need alot long to get to that point.
 
Jejerusik said:
I have no issue with the flex. Actually didn't really bother me. It was the blade would actually touch the side of the scales. And I could without loosening any screws move the blade right back to the center. I'm not a grivory hater, just really wasn't sure if it would eventually crack and not be good after awhile.
Click to expand...
Right, making me think even more ot was a screw loose on the scales. There are ways of adjusting, this here is the way I've used on many a knife:


Now if after this it still reverted back then it's a different problem.
 
Yo Mama said:
Right, making me think even more ot was a screw loose on the scales. There are ways of adjusting, this here is the way I've used on many a knife:


Now if after this it still reverted back then it's a different problem.
Click to expand...
Ya unfortunately I don't have it anymore. I got rid of it awhile ago. But im at the point where I want to get another one. I'm just stuck between what to do. I feel like when you spend 150 on the knife I just don't want to have to worry about the same issue. Then if I get the knife and then have to spend another 100 or whatever to get better scales. That's why I'm leaning towards the m390 version or the s90v versions. To me it just seems to make more sense
 
Smithhammer said:
Check out the CF-Elite version. Very rigid and very lightweight. S30V blade.
Click to expand...
Ok that helps alot!!!! I have been wondering. I haven't had a clear answer on the cf elite version vs the regular bugout. The c f elite scales are that much better??
 
Jejerusik said:
The c f elite scales are that much better??
Click to expand...
I think so. I've tried to get mine to flex (short of doing something stupid), and have been really impressed with how rigid the CF-Elite material is - definitely much more so than the Grivory versions. Nice grippy texture as well. I think it's the best of both worlds, in terms of rigidity and lightweight.
 
Smithhammer said:
I think so. I've tried to get mine to flex (short of doing something stupid), and have been really impressed with how rigid the CF-Elite material is - definitely much more so than the Grivory versions. Nice grippy texture as well. I think it's the best of both worlds, in terms of rigidity and lightweight.
Click to expand...
I'm also a big fan of s30v. I have had knives with "better" edge retention and then you just run into sharpening issues. The s30v always has had amazing edge retention for me.
 
I have the 535-3 and I still ended up getting titanium scales for it. I really just don't enjoy carbon fiber. The titanium and aluminum scales leave the knife still light but just give you a different feel. If I did it again I would get the aluminum version.
 
ktataragasi said:
I have the 535-3 and I still ended up getting titanium scales for it. I really just don't enjoy carbon fiber. The titanium and aluminum scales leave the knife still light but just give you a different feel. If I did it again I would get the aluminum version.
Click to expand...
Thats actually something I kinda always thought. I have knives with titanium handles and I tend to lean toward those more. But with the 535-3 at least you get the s90v
 
I actually have the 20cv BladeHQ version in the mail right now. I went with G10 for the possible stiffness over grivory, and I'm looking forward to the 20CV.
I personally dislike metal scales, preferring the "softer/warmer" non-metallic materials, especially in the colder months.
 
irsh said:
I actually have the 20cv BladeHQ version in the mail right now. I went with G10 for the possible stiffness over grivory, and I'm looking forward to the 20CV.
I personally dislike metal scales, preferring the "softer/warmer" non-metallic materials, especially in the colder months.
Click to expand...
I do feel stupid for getting rid of mine. But the only complaint I had was the g10 seemed kinda too smooth. Plus I didn't understand how to sharpen at all when I had mine, and I didn't understand how to sharpen 20cv. Now that I understand I wish I had that bug out still.
 
irsh said:
I actually have the 20cv BladeHQ version in the mail right now. I went with G10 for the possible stiffness over grivory, and I'm looking forward to the 20CV.
I personally dislike metal scales, preferring the "softer/warmer" non-metallic materials, especially in the colder months.
Click to expand...
I have had one of the Blade HQ versions for about 5 months now. Love it! It is definitely my most carried EDC knife when I am in the civilized world.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top