Benchmade Bugout Black DLC 535BK-2 pocket knife

The Benchmade Bugout Black DLC 535BK-2 is a light-weight and affordable pocket knife, made in the United States. The 535BK-2 Bugout was designed for hikers who pay attention to every gram. With 51 grams and a 8.2 cm blade Benchmade was very successful. The Bugout is great when preparing food, making feathersticks to start a fire, and when opening packages.

This improved version of the Bugout looks amazing. Instead of the matt, grey-black coating we saw on the Bugout 535GRY-1 Benchmade used a smoother black DLC coating. The type of steel remained the same: S30V steel with a hardness of 58-60 HRC. With a very thin edge. Perfectly sharpened for peeling an apple. CPM S30V is very stainless and retains its sharpness very well. It is also easy to sharpen.

The handle is made from CF-Elite, instead of grivory. A new handle material comprised of polymer enhanced with carbon fibre. A rock-solid material that was originally used in the car and aviation industry. CF-Elite is no less than 50% stronger than grivory and even lighter. Yes, you read it right. Even lighter! What more could you possibly ask for?

For the firmness around the lock, Benchmade has fitted steel liners at the front of the handle. Normally, the Axis lock is equipped with a steel catch. To save weight, Benchmade has fitted the Bugout with a titanium variant. Even lighter.

The Benchmade 535BK-2 Bugout is enhanced with a slightly shorter deep-carry pocket clip. Less steel means less weight: another detail Benchmade thought carefully about. You are, of course, able to place the clip on both sides to make it the perfect knife for both left and right-handed use.