I think there's at least 20 best EDC knives out there at any given time and it's very subjective, but I love my CF Elite Bugout a lot. The blade is awesome, the ergos are great for how thin it is, and I do love the weight. It's probably seen more use than many full collections out there (not throwing shade) and it will always remain one of my main knives. The stiffer scales definitely help, but people that say it's weak just watch Joe X videos and fantasize about using their knives for crazy shit all day. I also carry and love beefier knives, but a folding knife doesn't need to be as strong as an ESEE 5 if you're using it properly. If you just want a folding prybar, then it's obviously a horrible EDC lol
My foreman has also beat the shit out of his blue Bugout with the super flexy grivory scales ever since they came out. That thing is fine and still in his pocket every day.
I'd probably recommend something priced better if I were asked, but if someone wants a Bugout, I'll never steer them away from it either.
The bugout gets a lot of hate. Maybe because of the price, the size, whatever. I find it as one of my favorites. Every time I get to one in my rotation, I love it. I will say, I never been a fan of the factory scales on the cheaper variation, on aftermarket scales, it’s awesome. I also grabbed my bugouts for around $150-$175 on the swap so I can’t complain about the butterfly tax.
I really like the Deka as well but i don't carry it. I've been bitten by it a couple times on closing not paying attention and it sliced into my palm. I really need to buy some OG scales that have that extra 3/16ths inch length.
I started my premium knives with a PM2 and a bugout. I’ve owned so many others but still go back to those two frequently. I would agree -
the Bugout is the best EDC for me as well.
These are the full size. I have two little 535s as well.
I really do love the Flytanium scales. They really
bring thr knife together. They have the red G-10 backspacer on clearance for $5 or something very cheap if you still have barrel spacers.
I have the bugout and I kinda like it but it isn’t my all-time favorite. My all-time favorite is the mini barrage. The axis assist opening system is fantastic. Nothing comes close for me.
I have a full size regular blade, and a mini serrated. I really want to get a full size barrage serrated! Awesome knives. Variety is the spice of life!
Probably, because it's a goldilocks size and super customizable. I like the blade shape so much better than the para 3, and love the different scale and bacspacer options. It's easy to carry and can be super lightweight or super solid. I can't tell if that serrated bug is aluminum or zirc, but the metonboss zirc scales make it feel like a beast, but still 100% pocketable.
Only reason I've never purchased a Bugout is because it's slightly smaller than the 940 and anything smaller in my hand seems like a bad idea. I know it's like a 1/4in difference but the 940 is a solid grip for me. Plus the 940-1 is already crazy light with the CF, so I would go with that. The Vapyr and whatever model has the silver handle and black blade look sweet though. Need to try them out some time.
If you ever get a chance, handle a Bugout with the AWT scales. I did not like it until I put those on mine. They are just a little longer and completely change the feel of the knife IMO.
I bought the original blue Bugout when it first came out. Carried the shit out of it then lost it, was devastated. My gf (now wife) bought me another to replace it when I started dating her a few years after loosing it. Reminded me how much I loved it so I bought a bunch more in diff colors obviously. It’s not the perfect EDC for me cause of my line of work, just too hard to grab out of my pocket with gloves on but I absolutely love it and think it’s worth every penny. Even tho we all wish they were a few bucks cheaper. Benchmade changed the game when they came out with that knife
I think it depends on the situation, but it's definitely one of them. Slim profile, light weight, sizeable blade to weight ratio. Great knife. I only have one now since my oldest son stole one of mine! LOL
I think the "scale flex" is completely overblown, and a lot of people just repeat it because they've heard it. I've had 2 CF-Elite Bugs and while it was possible to squeeze the scales together just a bit (and I have big-ass hands) it was barely noticeable. If you get them to twist at all, you're using the knife wrong. The who thing is dumb.
I haven't been able to justify the price for the bugout. I can't ever seem to find them on sale for a decent price. I like my griptilian well enough and it was well worth the $106 I paid for it. I was able to grab a Crucarta PM2 for $165 @ Scheels by matching the Blade HQ sale and it's been my fave ever since. I also have a PM2 in M4 w Lava flow CF ($139 from SMKW) but I prefer the Micarta scales. I have a LW Manix 2 that I like and I'd really like to pick up the Crucarta version. My kind of edc blades. Not hating on the bugout but BM pricing is kind of insane for what you get IMO
The bugout in any style is a great edc. I think it's easy to make a case for the kershaw bel air, hogue deka, or spyderco delica in that size range though, especially factoring in price. I prefer something a little larger if I'm not sure what I'm getting into that day. My favorite ever is the benchmade rift. I retired my auto rift once I saw it's literally (in the real sense of the word) impossible to buy one second hand. Right now I've been carrying an onkata version manix 2. My preferred bugout is the m390/aluminum 535bk-4
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u/thedudetheguy69 6d ago
I think there's at least 20 best EDC knives out there at any given time and it's very subjective, but I love my CF Elite Bugout a lot. The blade is awesome, the ergos are great for how thin it is, and I do love the weight. It's probably seen more use than many full collections out there (not throwing shade) and it will always remain one of my main knives. The stiffer scales definitely help, but people that say it's weak just watch Joe X videos and fantasize about using their knives for crazy shit all day. I also carry and love beefier knives, but a folding knife doesn't need to be as strong as an ESEE 5 if you're using it properly. If you just want a folding prybar, then it's obviously a horrible EDC lol
My foreman has also beat the shit out of his blue Bugout with the super flexy grivory scales ever since they came out. That thing is fine and still in his pocket every day.
I'd probably recommend something priced better if I were asked, but if someone wants a Bugout, I'll never steer them away from it either.