Benchmade Mini Bugout | Overview & Mods

[@LordChunkyRuss]

I bought my mini bugout in person. I wanted a small EDC and I fell in love with the size. I have an iPhone12 mini so I prefer smaller items despite the fact I have far larger than average hands

[@Motor-City_Ben-Diesel]

They should be $80 tops for that size

[@liamroarke7991]

It's smaller than you think it is, but it's also a LOT sharper than you'd think it is. Like for a light EDC type knife, that thing has a blade geometry to cut a good ways outside of its weight class.

[@ericmack8021]

The blade on the mini bugout is the same size and the mini griptilian. I think the mini bugout is a great size blade. The handle may be to small and thin for some people. I love the mini grip and mini bugout.

[@Acceptable_Fella]

Agree with you on the "smaller than I thought it would be" comment. Dyed my white scales black, looks amazing 👌

[@nicolasveal]

How'd you dye it?

[@schedvi]

My mini just arrived from REI. With my 20% member discount, paired with my annual dividend check, it only cost me $48 bucks. Stoked!

[@GearedTowardGear1]

Sweeeet!! That’s a hell of a deal!

[@supaassa]

Benchmade please make these exact color, look so good.

[@stoutdog56]

Wow, the Rit dye is a cool solution to modifying the scales. I'm fine with the stock scales. I swapped the hardware between my orange mini and blue Bugout for nice contrasting look. The mini is small and occasionally hard to hold on closure but if it were any larger, it would be too close to the Bugout.

[@rodneypearson6986]

Can't wait for summer the mini is gonna be great in my swimming trunks. Wish they had priced them a little cheaper but diggn the Rouge Blade works CF combo for left and right pocket carry. I've gotta try that dye I've got the white scales as a blank canvas . I'm diggn the color selections you choose ✌️

[@GearedTowardGear1]

Thanks Rodney! It would make a great summertime swim shorts carry for sure!

[@BigRedEDC]

Just as nice as the full size for sure!! Like the dye job as well!!!

[@GearedTowardGear1]

Thanks JB!!

[@tygrzybowski]

the thing for me is, when I got my 535, or the full size bugout. it was smaller than I thought it was going to be. which I got used to quickly

[@WhoobieD]

got a mini and added Titanium scales, bought it for my Hitch and Timber Duz-all (edc wallet) it's perfect!! Typically carry a mini griptilian in pocket!

[@cself55]

I love the full size Bugout! I have 3 so far but I need more to mod! 👍

[@harryhoudini66]

Thank you for the video. Kind of off topic but I am going to try dyeing some orange Glock magazine followers to red. Figured if it worked for the scales, it should work with the follower too.

[@antoinedoinell]

Alright, How many bugouts you got? Come on spill the beans hahaha

[@GearedTowardGear1]

Lol. A couple dozen at least.

[@stoneblue1795]

It's a church knife. And that's ok. Drop it inside a sport coat or vest pocket. It would do just fine with no pocket clip but perhaps a short bit of lanyard.

[@jeremyspaulding7735]

Definitely cool but I agree the pricing is out of hand I would pull the trigger on this at the $90 price tag but not for the same as full size

[@GearedTowardGear1]

Hey Jeremy! Yeah, I really wish they’d brought these to market at a lower price tag. Problem is they didn’t, they’re selling, and there’s probably no hope for a price drop.

[@stoutdog56]

That will probably never happen. Get one, it's worth it and you deserve it. I got a full size from Duluth trading with free shipping and 10% off during their Christmas promo. They run promos like that occasionally.

[@MascaratumBLF]

I am jealous, I confess 🤐 Those are so good looking!!! 😌 Congrats Sean, great collection !!!

[@GearedTowardGear1]

Thanks! And thanks for watching!

[@erhon5]

I’m ok with the size it’s like my two favorite benchmades (bugout and sequel) had a baby. I don’t really like the color options they came in though. I’m probably going to be dyeing my white scales to blue the way they should have been :)

[@GearedTowardGear1]

Yes!! Blue scales on the black blade will look so good! Thanks for watching Erin!

[@natetarr6234]

almost first ): one day boys. just got a new honey badger last week and i love it, first addition in awhile

[@GearedTowardGear1]

Nice!! The honey badger is such a great knife for the money. I love those things!

[@jakel77]

Perfect video, thank you for what you do. What is the recipe for that racing red color you got, as in what is the reduction you refer to?

[@MrHomolka]

I certainly was not expecting that price!

[@jesseb8769]

Love the mini! Great job as always👌🏼

[@GearedTowardGear1]

It’s mini AF! It goes hard for a mini though. 🤙🏻

[@Mrtojo]

I wanted a bugout after looking at all your videos. I wanted a mini one till some one said it was very small for big hands. So I got 2 normal bugout's just as they came I sent them out to get custom work done on them. So now the wait starts to get them back and see how they turns out.

[@GearedTowardGear1]

Awesome! What are you having done to them!?

[@Mrtojo]

@@GearedTowardGear1 some ano, laser engraving and para cord

[@susanjavier2008]

Agree with you on the mini"s price , maybe $80 would be reasonable and the size seems to little and more of a novelty to me, I own 2 of the reg. size which to me is a good med. size and not to big. Thanks for the video and your perspective

[@GearedTowardGear1]

Thanks Susan!

[@stoutdog56]

Benchmade probably will never lower the price but regardless, it's worth the money. The prce over the life of it is negligible.

[@kevink.2719]

Man I need a bugout 👍

[@GearedTowardGear1]

Yes you do!

[@stoutdog56]

You won't regret it. I resisted for almost 2 years and finally broke down and gave myself one for Christmas. It's my favorite behind my 943.

[@NigelThornbery]

You think 6 inches in small? But my girlfriend told me it was the perfect size.

[@stoneblue1795]

DOES SHE HAVE A SISTER?

[@BasedRedpilledMasterJ]

I really thought I'd love to get the orange mini bugout with titanium flytanium scales but like you said the price bugs me because you get less for the price of a regular bugout. "I think it would be cool if it were just under $100"

[@qazwsxjoe]

It helps that they are now.

[@johnruiz6743]

I love the smaller size of the mini-Bugout! I am not a fan if the regular Bugout. Too big for my needs.

[@drewdurbin4968]

I would love to see à dark red or cherry version

[@grizzlycountry1030]

Original bugout blade is 3.4". Mini bugout blade should have only been reduced to 3".

[@jeffcon123]

I love a tiny knife, I have a mcbee and many tiny knives, with some titanium scales I love it! Standard one is fuckin perfect

[@ScottBondradioflier]

Nice work with the dye jobs Sean! Not a fan of either of the stock colors. For the price, I would buy the full size instead. I love the full size and have several of them. Modding Bugouts is a thing for me and I definitely will be adding more of the full size mods to my arsenal. Thanks for the honest review as always!

[@GearedTowardGear1]

You and me both brother! I’ll be sticking with the full size for sure! 👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻

[@Trolldaddy5]

The mini bugout is literally the perfect size. The blade is the same length as my para 3 yet the whole knife is way smaller. I dont understand how people say knives like the para 3 is small. Its not. Its large and bulky and theres nothing it can do that the mini bugout cant. Or the benchmade 940 for that matter. In fact, a lot of times i have to reach down inside a hole on a weird angle or down in a engine bay or something and the 940 and para 3 just wont fit in there bc the blades to fat or to long.

[@wwjj64]

I like the mini for edc. After you use everyday and then go back the regular bugout you’ll say the opposite.

[@randyf.9188]

Well said, I couldn't agree more. I will stick with the original and the mini Freek with the Rouge scales.

[@GearedTowardGear1]

Amen!!

[@FD_Boss]

Bought one by accident because I wasn’t paying attention to the model number…waaaaay smaller than I thought. Guess I’ll do a purple mod and give it to my wife, lol.

[@nothinghour]

Yup... totally is smaller. Even when we look at someone else holding it, or compared to the full size... completely different in hand. I was surprised. Witchcraft man...

[@GearedTowardGear1]

Right!? Haha. It’s some kind of sorcery. 👊🏻👊🏻🍻🍻

[@hilltopknivesandgear8103]

Sweet little knives. Definitely look better after the mods!!

[@GearedTowardGear1]

Right on, thanks BJ!

[@bryanrupple7441]

I agree. I opened the box and that it was tiny, but I like it.

[@GearedTowardGear1]

Right on! They’re so small aren’t they? They’re still fun though. Thanks for watching Bryan!

[@davidh0159]

You might want to check your prices. The original size Bugouts are now about $8 more than last year. So, technically, the mini Bugouts are "cheaper" than the full size - they are just going for what the full size sold for last year.

[@GearedTowardGear1]

True, at most major retailers. I saw the originals for $111 and $128 today on Amazon.

[@aptknifethrowerguy8342]

what i like that its light weight in your pocket...also the blade length is 2.82 here in las vegas you can conceal carry....in your pocket...without commiting a crime. 3 inches or more concealed can get you prison time if they want

[@GearedTowardGear1]

Right on! Yeah it’s definitely a good option where there are legal constraints.

[@olajohnny]

Yes it's so tiny but still like it 😊

[@Steve-Goff]

Too expensive plus you have to change a lot to make them look good. Your scales look great. Will those barrel spacers rust without the paint

[@GearedTowardGear1]

They shouldn’t rust, they’re stainless (of some variety) and I don’t expose my knives to humidity too often so they should be ok. And yes, they’re priced too high for sure.

[@stoutdog56]

I'm not sure if they're aluminum or stainless but I don't think they will rust.

[@codylutes9655]

As someone who doesn’t like stuff in my pockets & wears dress pants to work, would you still recommend the full size over the mini??? I would mostly just use it for cutting open boxes.

[@GearedTowardGear1]

For light duty use while wearing dress pants I think the mini would be more than adequate. The only consideration would be hand size. If you have average sized hands they’ll both work great. If you happened to have massive hands you may find the mini too small.

[@codylutes9655]

@@GearedTowardGear1 I have average hands. I went with the mini. I may still get the full size. But I think the mini will work great for what I need it for.

[@Patrick156843478]

Was NOT smaller than I though it would be I thought it would be smaller turns out its the same size as the mini grip

[@bill64gr]

Can you compare this to the Valet on hand?We have similar hands ,I own 3 bugouts and the Valet and I want to be relatively sure before purchase as here in Europe it will cost me 145euros on my door.The price is dissapointing.The weight must be the big hit with this knife.Also is the hardware titanium? I can non make my big bugouts to work sweetly as the bar scratches at closing.Thank you!

[@GearedTowardGear1]

Hey there! Unfortunately I don’t own a Valet to compare it to. The hardware on the Mini Bugout is aluminum.

[@AhmadRiyal]

where you get the mini bugout in satin blade and black thumbstud. I cant find that anywhere

[@GearedTowardGear1]

Watch the video man! I explain it in detail. Lol.

[@bushna2007]

Does the dyeing process weaken the handle material?

[@GearedTowardGear1]

Hey Owen, thanks for watching! No, it doesn’t weaken it at all. The temperature of the water when dyeing (a light simmer) isn’t hot enough to structurally damage or weaken these strong polymer materials. They don’t warp and they go back together perfectly. 👍🏻

[@federico4331]

These 16.48 cm are shorter than 16.48 cm you would expect.

[@Shahzad-Khan]

Did you use liquid Rit Dye?

[@barrylevitt1170]

Hi Sean, Thanks for the informative review.

[@GearedTowardGear1]

You bet Barry. Thanks so much for watching!

[@builderone2469]

How does the die job hold up to day to day use? Does it fade or wear off?

[@GearedTowardGear1]

Holds up great. It completely impregnates the material. It’s very much permanent.

[@joekasperek1086]

Nice little guy, awesome knife. Hey Sean, is it smaller than I think it is.....lolol

[@GearedTowardGear1]

Haha, yeah man - it’s smaller than you think it is. Lol.

[@benquinn8753]

Do you think if I got one I could dye the handle scales dark Navy blue?

[@GearedTowardGear1]

It’s hard to do blue on top of orange, but it might work. You’d probably be better off getting the white handled version, that thing you could dye any color.

[@benquinn8753]

Ok, thanks!

[@ded.86.gaming30]

What are those carbon fiber scales on your bugout?

[@GearedTowardGear1]

Those are from Rogue Blade Works. 🤙🏻

[@johnbarker4539]

Reaching a bit, but s’all good.

[@ryanzimmerman2375]

Did u do a review on the mini freek?

[@GearedTowardGear1]

Nope - not yet!

[@ryanzimmerman2375]

Geared Toward Gear will you do one... I am interested to see if the scales add or subtract weight

[@rickkerans8485]

The mods you did make them look very good. I thought the bugout was a small knife to begin with instead of mini would have preferred seeing an XL Bugout add not 1 but 2 inches to it. I do like the stormtrooper also but this is one that won't be in my collection. Great video fun seeing and hearing you speak to the size. Have a great rest of your day.

[@GearedTowardGear1]

Thanks Rick!! I guess people were asking for a mini and they definitely got a MINI! lol. I think an XL would be awesome. I like the standard size, but an XL would definitely sell!

[@rustyknifelover4463]

Sweet dye jobs.

[@GearedTowardGear1]

Thanks man!

[@FLZach]

The mods to yours look great! But they are definitely small enough that I personally don't plan to purchase one. The slender profile of the bugout in general is what I think makes them seem so tiny I think. We know you have a drool-worthy collection of bugouts though. I often look at them on your Instagram as reference points to which mods I want to do to mine lol. Beautiful knives for sure!

[@GearedTowardGear1]

Hey thanks for watching Zach!! Maybe I’ll do a family photo of the Bugouts one of these days and post it up on IG. 👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻🍻🍻🍻

[@JJ-lu6mg]

Who’s waiting for the 565-1 Mini Freak....

[@williamlenderman387]

Forget the different video, where'd you get the aftermarket mini Freek scales!?!?

[@williamlenderman387]

Please pardon me. Didn't mean to ruffle any feathers. It's just that I've been looking for mini Freek scales for awhile but to no avail. I was simply excited to learn that scales are apparently available.

[@GearedTowardGear1]

Hey William, thanks for watching! The Mini Freek scales came from Rogue Blade Works. They’re great, a little pricey, but I love them. This link should take you there - I think there’s something like 10 color options. 👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻 rogue-bladeworks.myshopify.com/collections/benchmade-565-mini-freek-g10-scales

[@williamlenderman387]

@@GearedTowardGear1 Thanks for the info.

[@derekatkins8494]

You know when you say a word so many times that it starts to sound foreign and like you're not saying it correctly? Well that happened to me in this video with the word "orange " lol

[@GearedTowardGear1]

Haha. I’ll have to go back and watch it. Hopefully I was saying it right! Lol. Thanks for watching Derek!

[@shaunfarar]

Blade definitely doesnt look to be 0.9 inches thick

[@wwjj64]

Ok we get it. You think it’s small. You’ve spent the first 6 mins of this video telling everyone how small it is.

[@BuffaloNickel9]

Lol it's a very important point no one makes. that way you're not one of those people who gets it in hand and complains about how small it is😂

[@WillEDC]

I want a bugout Max

[@GearedTowardGear1]

Haha. An XL version would be pretty cool!

[@JohnCena-nz8nq]

Where can you get colored thumb studs for $5? On ebay they run for $20+

[@GearedTowardGear1]

From Benchmade. You can get any of their factory thumbstuds or factory pocket clips for $5 each. Just call their customer service number and you can order over the phone.

[@taz4635]

The mini should be under 100 dollar. Like the para 3 LW.

[@GearedTowardGear1]

I agree 100%

[@jm-bn9sy]

If you know who ben petersen is then you know why this knife exists

[@jimcarlson6157]

mug o tomato soup

[@erikramaekers63]

In Belgium i will pay even more i think around 150 euros.A Manly Wasp costs 59 euros in S90V.Sorry Benchmade.

[@GearedTowardGear1]

I love the Manly Wasp. I have 3 of them! Lol. Thanks for watching Erik!

[@mrstarfishh33]

Benchmade is so meh now a days... Thanks for this video

[@wigglewiggle3789]

I have to stop watching your vids Sean. They are making me poor. Finding good quality knives where I have live is hard. And good quality knife shops is nigh on impossible. But I found a great knife shop close to my work. I can just see that they will start referring to me as their retirement fund when they see me walk in. I blame you man, lol. But seriously a sweet little knife. And as always a great vid. Take care brother.

[@GearedTowardGear1]

Haha, right on brother! Thanks for watching, and don’t be jealous - I overpaid! Lol. 👊🏻🍻

[@King.J]

Does the dye wear through to expose the orange after carrying for a while or using?

[@GearedTowardGear1]

Nope, not at all. It’s very permanent and will not wear off.