Benchmade Bugout CF-Elite Review

Benchmade has toyed around with upgraded (and expensive!) handle materials such as carbon fiber or aluminum, but the 'standard' Bugout has long featured Grivory, a fiberglass composite, for the handle. We tested the Bugout with the new CF-Elite handle (model #535BK-2).

Blade Quality

The S30V stainless steel alloy is a top-notch knife steel, designed by and for knife makers, and has been used extensively for decades. Benchmade decided to make their new CF-Elite Bugout a 'blackout' colorway, and the blade features a matching black oxide coating, which improves upon the already great corrosion resistance

The factory grind is immaculate, and the Bugout performed exceedingly well in our tests, slicing through everything from paper to cardboard to wood with ease. This classic blade shape – known as a 'drop point' – and the 'plain' cutting edge are good for most tasks and are much easier to sharpen than a serrated edge (though serrations tend to help cutting through fibrous materials like rope).

Ease of Use

The Bugout is designed to open easily by flicking your thumb against a stud mounted in the blade. The stud is well placed and pivot friction is low, so the blade snaps open reliably. This is a manually opening knife, so there are no hidden springs to help assist the opening action.

The crossbar-style lock is one of Benchmade's calling cards, located in the handle itself as a sliding stud. It engages automatically when the blade clicks into place and pulls back to release smoothly. It's designed to be operated equally well with either hand and, with some practice, is easy enough to use one-handed.

Carrying Comfort

This is simply one of the best EDC (everyday carry) knives around. Styling isn't particularly aggressive, which makes it just as appropriate at the office as on the trail. The Bugout was designed from the ground up to be a full-sized knife that's as lightweight – and oftentimes, lighter than – a mini knife.

It's so thin it practically disappears in your pocket. Thanks to a deep-carry pocket clip, the knife doesn't stick out of your pocket at all (though it is still a bit too long for a shallower 5th pocket). The clip is strong enough to hold the knife securely to a pocket edge, but not so strong that you'll have a tough time pulling it out. The handle shape is rounded, and the material doesn't feel particularly rough, so the Bugout can easily share a pocket with a phone or wallet without scratching things up.

Grip

The Bugout handle is 'full-sized', so it comfortably fits all four fingers of an average adult hand. However, it's also exceptionally thin, so it won't fill out your grip like other full-sized knives. We love the handle texture – it feels grippy without being rough or uncomfortable, yet lightweight enough to easily slide into your pocket without catching on fabric.

The CF-Elite material choice is the main story on the upgraded Bugout. It's a carbon fiber-reinforced nylon polymer, and Benchmade claims CF-Elite is 17% lighter and 50% stiffer than their popular fiberglass-reinforced Grivory material. After testing (and measuring) both versions side by side, we agree the CF-Elite handle is superior.

To save weight, the Bugout also forgoes the metal skeleton 'liner' you find on nearly all pocket knives. Even though the CF-Elite upgrade is noticeably stiffer than previous models, there's still more flex in the handle than the average knife.

Sharpening & Cleaning

The blade on the Bugout is easier than average to sharpen, thanks to its gentle sloping blade shape and S30V steel alloy, which holds an edge well without being too hard to sharpen. After intentionally dulling and resharpening the Bugout, the knife performed just as well as it did out of the box, proving you can easily maintain it at home.

If your Bugout lands in mud or oil, the fully open handle design is also fairly easy to clean out. The crossbar-style lock is a bit more complex than the 'frame lock' found on simpler knives, but it's still easy enough to clean out with a small brush.

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Should You Buy the Bugout CF-Elite?

The Bugout CF-Elite is a rare combination of a full-sized knife that's as comfortable to carry as a mini. Despite the upgraded handle, we still don't recommend this knife for tradespeople, and we don't suggest using it for any jobs that require twisting, prying, or leverage. Buy it for your backpacking trip when every ounce counts, or as a luxury, everyday carry pocket knife that will largely go unnoticed until you need it.

What Other Pocket Knives Should You Consider?