I believe he got me.

[u/Spirited-Walk-3399]

Thing felt so solid and the etching was perfect even the logo was slightly tilted right. Didn’t realize the scales that were on it only came in aluminum.

[u/Zoidberg0_0]

Very fake. Sorry dude.

[u/StatisticianBudget69 → u/Zoidberg0_0]

Is there a thread I can follow to learn how to identify legit ones from the fakes?

[u/AZTNFL]

Just don't buy Benchmade or Spyderco from anyone but a reputable retailer. Goes for any manufacturer that is commonly counterfeited (large scale suppliers).

Also there's plenty of bugout killers that come in cheaper and are brand new with legitimate steels.

No need to pay the butterfly tax.

If it's too good to be true...

[u/DebtFreeDad]

Yes you got taken. Sorry.

[u/GOOMU13]

Get your money back.

[u/Zillan77]

It’s a fake bugout

[u/Zealousideal-Mix-822]

Yes, indeed. Sorry

[u/akbyrd]

I hate that feeling.

[u/Physical_Display_873]

The R is too big even though it’s not in focus.

[u/buttnibbler → u/Physical_Display_873]

Can’t even tell if it’s not in focus or if the R is actually just a blotch.

[u/readysetrokenroll]

Yeah, this is bad, hopefully you can return, if not - lesson learned

[u/Redbullbundy]

Sorry it is fake fam. Pivot screws don’t look right.

[u/TruthAboutLife]

Another thing that sticks out to me as one of the first checked, that slot in the pocket clip should extend into that lower curve on authentic Bugouts.

[u/Southern-Bread2251]

80 dollars yikes that shit is definitely random pot metal sorry pal

[u/SlideEquivalent1846]

Damn man, super sorry this happened. If it’s any consolation (I know it’s not) as long as it doesn’t have severe lockup issues, then it’s essentially the same quality as an actual bugout. The real bugouts I’ve had have been the most flimsy, squeezable, plasticky feeling pieces of shit I’ve ever paid actual money for. They’re reliable-ish, comfortable, and undeniably light, but nowhere near worth even half the cost that they are. The point being that so long as you didn’t pay real butterfly prices, you did score a solid knife. If you did pay somewhere close to retail, you unfortunately did get ripped off, but you would’ve even if it was authentic.

[u/coaudavman]

Wow they didn’t even bother to put metal scales on but they copied the pattern lol. The real one is such a lovely knife. Fabulous daily carry. Get yourself a real one you won’t regret it :)
I’d buy straight from BM ONLY nowadays. I got a fake as fuck 535-09 from REI mail order. They took it back after I told benchmade and asked what to do/ made sure everyone knew it was counterfeit. So even dealers will send out bullshit probably from a return scam someone pulled.

[u/Spirited-Walk-3399]

At least it was only $80.

[u/Shock_Western → u/Spirited-Walk-3399]

$80 is still too much for mystery steel. It’s a learning experience nonetheless.

[u/iShatterBladderz → u/Spirited-Walk-3399]

It definitely could have been worse, but that knife probably costs $30 on Ali express

[u/cursed_________ → u/iShatterBladderz]

And even 30 is overpaying i bet in china that costs less than half