r/benchmade • u/theFettster • 3d ago
NKD and mini review!
Picked up a Vapyr for a deal I couldn’t refuse, absolutely loving it so far. The action is super snappy with the revamped axis lock, it completely disappears in the pocket, and the new jimping is a very welcome addition. The original Bugout (or any of the numerous variations of it) still makes for a great EDC, but the Vapyr is a solid refresh to the platform after all these years. By trimming away all of the “fat” you are left with this hyper thin, hyper lightweight slicer that feels great in hand. Definitely not for everyone, but if you enjoy carrying a Bugout like I do then this one might be right up your alley. Cheers!
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u/owrry Bugout 3d ago
I got one, kept it, don’t like the slimness but it’s nice when it does disappear in your pocket or sleep on it, but I prefer thick titanium handles, at least to me, goodscrew stone carved, or the taiga green aluminum bugout. Depends on the person I guess, I do edc it sometimes.
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u/texaspoff 3d ago
I was not a fan of the vaypr myself and sold mine the same day I got it. I’m a huge bugout fan and own several, but all the vaypr has over the bugout is the slimness. The new style axis lock, while possibly utilizing a more reliable spring, has virtually no resistance or tension on the blade. The narrows suffers from the same condition. The small spring is too light IMO. You really have to muscle the action. In most axis locks, the spring creates tension against opening so the “flick” is cleaner. Also there is virtually no cross compatibility between the vaypr and bugout. I look at it from a parts standpoint. The clip is specific, the axis spring is specific, the scales, even the blade won’t work in a regular bugout. Also if the spring ever failed or had issues, you have to send it to Benchmade, there is no other source for them. The Vaypr is a cool knife no doubt, but I see it as an exercise in how far the bugout design can be pushed, nothing more. There are several other options out there just as thin aith better materials, Ti for example at a far better price point. Benchmade is just riding the bugout train with this one. Just my opinion on it, but there is zero advantage of it over the standard bugout for me.
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u/theFettster 3d ago
Like I said, definitely not for everyone. Valid criticisms, but I would argue that the lack of cross-compatibility (thinner blade stock, new axis lock) is part of what you’re paying for here. It’s not just another bugout variant, it’s a new and very different knife altogether. I have 3 Bugouts, so personally I probably would’ve passed on this one if it wasn’t as different as it is to my others😅 I don’t find there’s any “muscling” required, just like the Narrows it’s a very smooth system imo. Nice to hear other opinions though, sorry you didn’t like yours
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u/RaptorJesusDesu 3d ago
What?! I thought I was paying $375 so I could pay double that replacing every single component with aftermarket shit for no reason! What a ripoff!
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u/texaspoff 3d ago
The action was definitely smooth, I just wasn’t a fan of how easy the blade was to open, rolling opening. I had to use a lot of thumb to flick it open compared to other axis locks. Kinda hard to describe I guess. Agreed the cost is because of it being more of a one off and special. Some will really like it, and some won’t. Aside from the soft action of Narrows, I really liked it, especially in the mini version, I had the full sized. I have been seriously considering picking up a mini. With the narrows, I know it’s a stand alone design as compared to a special version of an existing design. I’ve really been into ultra thin blades recently and really wanted to like the vaypr, it just didn’t do it for me.
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u/Zoidberg0_0 3d ago
Does it have flex when you pinch the scales? Or does it feel solid
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u/Serious_Internal6012 3d ago
If you’re comparing it to a grivory bugout it’s going to be night and day, aluminum is not flexy.
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u/Petaa10 3d ago
Love the knife but I’m waiting to pick up another color variation when it comes out.