Bugout Alternative

[Ranger 77]

Hello folks,

I am looking for a little input from the forum. Let me preface my thread by stating that I tried doing a search on this but I did not find what I was looking for.

I very much like the blade shape of the Benchmade Bugout. I think Benchmade knocked that part out of the park. However, after handling one of these knives, I am willing to trade the lightweight properties of the Bugout for a model with a more substantial handle and more overall durability.

Is there a knife out there with the same blade profile / shape / size that has a more robust handle and perhaps increased overall durability? I am OK with a different locking mechanism as long as the blade profile / shape is there.

Now I do realize that I could purchase a Bugout and then buy some aftermarket scales. However, buying a knife that I know needs to be modified doesn't seem like the best course of action - especially considering the price of the base model Bugout - if there are alternatives available that fit the bill.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

 

[Oklahoma Outlaw]

Hogue Deka.

 

[Ranger 77]

Hogue Deka.

Thanks for that. I am really hoping for something with a blade profile as close to the Bugout as possible.

 

[Fonedork]

There are aftermarket scales for the bugout. Here’s one with titanium scales, next to a utx85, which is almost exactly the same size as a bugout.

 

[Alberta Ed]

The Bugout is as tough as they come. Its light weight belies its durability.

 

[Ranger 77]

The Bugout is as tough as they come. Its light weight belies its durability.

I am not a fan of how flexible the scales are. A more durable handle material and/or steel liners to stiffen the handle up would be an improvement in my opinion.

 

[Dadpool]

I am not a fan of how flexible the scales are. A more durable handle material and/or steel liners to stiffen the handle up would be an improvement in my opinion.

Both CF Elite and G10 flex less than Grivory, and there are factory Bugouts available in those materials.

Alternately, try the Benchmade Mini Presido II.

 

[Dergyll]

Deka, WE Kitefin (which recently came into stock at several dealers), Civivi elementum, Asher Nomad, WE banter, Artisan Cutlery Centauri, Arion, Scoria...

The spear point will limit you. If you dont mind a framelock flipper, I'd highly recommend the kitefin; makes the bugout look like cheap booze.

 

[rexromic]

Never liked Bugout as a package.Blade shape is decent but factory scales are terrible.My 940 is a Benchmade to go all day,every day.

 

[FL23833]

Some Bugouts come with G10 that shouldn't flex did you try one of those? Me...I'd stick with the blade shape you like and change handle material if needed.

 

[Random Dan]

There's a factory bugout coming out at some point with auminum scales. There's also a bladehq exclusive with gray G10.

 

[c7m2p3]

1. As others have said you can simply get some aftermarket scales for a bugout. Thats what I did. I have some Gray Aluminum scales from AWT that turn it into a whole different beast without sacrificing the famous lightweight status of the bugout. That might be your best bet.

2. If you don't want to do that take a look at the newer, larger, button lock Elementum from Civivi. That is going to feel less hollow in hand and the blade shapes are very close.

3. Staying within the Civivi lineup another thin drop point that I have been enjoying is the Civivi Riffle in micarta. It is ground incredibly thin behind the edge and like Larrin, I find myself gravitating more and more to 14C28N as a go to user budget steel over D2, 9Cr, 1095, 8cr, or any AUS variant.

 

[Velitrius]

Really depends on how much you are willing to spend.

For $132 you get the Grivory handled model. It works great for me, I see zero issue with the "terrible flexy" scales that some folks do. Mine's tough as it comes.

But if you want more substantial feel, $17 more gets you the CF Elite scaled version which is very solid stuff. Probably best bang for buck at $149 in my book.

If you still don't trust that stuff and have to have a known standard like G10, then you're spending $161 to add Flytanium scales or $200 for the BHQ model.

And if G10 doesn't float your boat, there's copper, aluminum, titanium and carbon fiber out there, and you're into the piece for + or - $200 total with the aftermarket scales.

Or you can grab the premium factory version with carbon fiber scales and S90V blade for $255 and have the coolest knife on your block.

But I'm still gonna say that the original Grivory scales are as robust as any material I would ever need on this piece.

 

[simple6]

Any choice that is not BM, is the right answer. Their politics aside, BMs QC and warranty service has gone to shit.
I sent three different Bugout's back for the same issue, no resolution.
Bought a Knifeworks exclusive BM and the scale screws poked through the liners almost touching the blade.

 

[Velitrius]

1. As others have said you can simply get some aftermarket scales for a bugout. Thats what I did. I have some Gray Aluminum scales from AWT that turn it into a whole different beast without sacrificing the famous lightweight status of the bugout. That might be your best bet.

I have a Mini Grip with AWT aluminum scales and you are absolutely right... it's a whole different beast. Just a fantastic upgrade.

Something else you might consider is the Benchmade Mini Boost. It's got a real similar blade shape, and the liners really make a solid handled piece.

It's got the Axis Assist mechanism, so if you are not a fan of assisted opening knives, you'll not find this one appealing.

But the knife has the deep carry clip like the Bugout, and the skeletonized liners keep the weight down to 3-ish ounces, so this might be an alternative to check out.

 

[rileybassman1]

Titanium scales are nice on the bugout.

TRM atom is actually decently similar. Spear point, sturdier in handle, good steel. It fills the bugout niche in my collection. Spyderco Kapara also fills a similar niche.

 

[Ranger 77]

Now I do realize that I could purchase a Bugout and then buy some aftermarket scales. However, buying a knife that I know needs to be modified doesn't seem like the best course of action - especially considering the price of the base model Bugout - if there are alternatives available that fit the bill.

Thanks for the suggestions on the aftermarket scales. I do appreciate that there are scales available but I find it mentally difficult to get around having to buy scales for a brand new knife that comes with scales I do not like.

Both CF Elite and G10 flex less than Grivory, and there are factory Bugouts available in those materials.

Alternately, try the Benchmade Mini Presido II.

I did see the carbon fiber but my experience with this material is that is is somewhat "slippery". The G10 is a possibility. The Presidio looks interesting. Thanks for the suggestions.

Deka, WE Kitefin (which recently came into stock at several dealers), Civivi elementum, Asher Nomad, WE banter, Artisan Cutlery Centauri, Arion, Scoria...

The spear point will limit you. If you dont mind a framelock flipper, I'd highly recommend the kitefin; makes the bugout look like cheap booze.

I do like the spear point. I should have stated I prefer the thumb stud over a flipper but thanks for the list. Some of those are interesting and I will look into a few of those for sure.

Never liked Bugout as a package.Blade shape is decent but factory scales are terrible.My 940 is a Benchmade to go all day,every day.

The scales are definitely my holdup on a Bugout.

 

[Ranger 77]

There's a factory bugout coming out at some point with auminum scales. There's also a bladehq exclusive with gray G10.

Good to know!

1. As others have said you can simply get some aftermarket scales for a bugout. Thats what I did. I have some Gray Aluminum scales from AWT that turn it into a whole different beast without sacrificing the famous lightweight status of the bugout. That might be your best bet.

2. If you don't want to do that take a look at the newer, larger, button lock Elementum from Civivi. That is going to feel less hollow in hand and the blade shapes are very close.

3. Staying within the Civivi lineup another thin drop point that I have been enjoying is the Civivi Riffle in micarta. It is ground incredibly thin behind the edge and like Larrin, I find myself gravitating more and more to 14C28N as a go to user budget steel over D2, 9Cr, 1095, 8cr, or any AUS variant.

I like the Elementum - I just wish it had thumb studs.

Really depends on how much you are willing to spend.

...

But I'm still gonna say that the original Grivory scales are as robust as any material I would ever need on this piece.

The scales are too flexible for my tastes. I very much dislike the idea of spending $200 on a Bugout to get it to where I would want it.

Any choice that is not BM, is the right answer. Their politics aside, BMs QC and warranty service has gone to shit.
I sent three different Bugout's back for the same issue, no resolution.
Bought a Knifeworks exclusive BM and the scale screws poked through the liners almost touching the blade.

The QC complaints seem to be more common these days. I had thought that had been addressed recently.

 

[Whitedog]

My one and only Bugout had the Grivory scales. It's not all that flexible. Just recently put some aluminum scales on it. Makes a difference, no flex.
You can flex almost anything if you try hard enough. Then too realize there are quite a few Benchmade haters on this site.

 

[Ranger 77]

My one and only Bugout had the Grivory scales. It's not all that flexible. Just recently put some aluminum scales on it. Makes a difference, no flex.
You can flex almost anything if you try hard enough. Then too realize there are quite a few Benchmade haters on this site.

I have only handled the one Bugout so I wouldn't consider myself a Benchmade hater. I just do not like the scales.