Benchmade Bugout
Elegant Rogue
The Benchmade 535BK-4, with its upscale materials and attractive design accents, is an upscale send-up of their popular Bugout EDC.
Most successful cutlery manufacturers have models in their stable that catch fire from day one. Knives with this “It factor” have the potential to ensconce themselves in the lineup for years — and even decades — with many iterations of the original varying in changes such as blade styles, steels and handle materials. Benchmade Knives is a master at this strategy and their latest hot dog, the Bugout, is well on its way to being the next mainstay in the company’s corral.
The Bugout 535BK-4 is the most upscale version of this crowd pleaser to date. The attraction of the original Bugout design has been its clean, competent good looks. The 535BK-4 adds spice to the equation beginning with 6061-T6 aluminum frame slabs sporting a machined sunburst emanating from the blade pivot outward. The blade is a 3.24″ Drop Point of stainless Bohler M390 super steel, known for its toughness and superb edge retention. The blade has a matte black Cerakote finish with ambidextrous, eye-popping red anodized thumb studs. This appealing use of spot color appears again on the frame spacers. The blade opens and stays rock solid in place by Benchmade’s patented AXIS Lock. On the backside you’ll find a deep carry, stainless steel pocket clip.
The 535BK-4 takes the Benchmade Bugout’s tough, proven AXIS Lock platform and elevates it to a higher level of distinction.
Why You’ll Like It
Benchmade fans have come to expect upscale versions of their favorite models and this version of the popular Bugout is sure to delight. The upgrades on the 535BK-4 are tastefully done with just enough pizzazz to wet the whistle without being tacky. Underneath the eye appeal lurks the very sound, extremely tough Bugout design that put this knife on the map for so many Benchmade users. The sizzle on this steak is spot on. MSRP for the Bugout 535BK-4 is $275.
