Benchmade Taggedout Folding Knife - Overview and Review

[@metal_complex]

My Amazon page! The gear I use here on the channel! - www.amazon.com/shop/metalcomplex Thanks so much for watching! You can support my channel on Patreon here - www.patreon.com/metalcomplex MC stickers! - www.redbubble.com/people/metal-complex/shop?asc=u

[@DrDrewdude]

Shouts out to the viewer that sent this in 🤙

[@JenkyPetey]

Starting to love your rants and anecdotes even more than the knife info. Whatever the vids about I'm here for it.

[@MrBowser2012]

My favorites are when he argues with that hypothetical, imaginary internet troll. He really needs to give this person a name😂

[@metal_complex]

His name is Bill. He is a spaghetti wizard. Level 100

[@Kenman_DanKenman]

Ive had my Taggedout a couple months now, and the longer I have it, the more I'm loving it. I really like the handle feel, but it could be heavier to feel perfect. I now love the hole over thumb studs. Size is great for bigger hands. Thanks again for the great content, MC!

[@airadaimagery692]

As a hunter and a field laborer, I truly believe that benchmade was trying to do something for a specific class of people. Being Lightweight is definitely one of the forefront of qualities., but I could totally skin out an elk with this knife, and it probably do a great job, and I wouldn’t care that I’m getting blood all over it. The blade shape is perfect for so many field/work related tasks. The bugout in my opinion is the perfect knife for EDC, this one is just a little bit better and longer for doing more work related things, and they kept it lightweight!

[@SnoopyReads]

It feels flimsy, and it is being made of plastic, should definitely be around $100

[@JK-dn9yp]

Ultra lightweight knives for backcountry hunting is a fast and upcoming trend. To me, this screams field dressing knife. Use, abuse, clean, sharpen, and prep for the next animal.

[@jeffreyliu2289]

@@SnoopyReads Cut the FUDD, polymers are the future. Your knife scales don't need to be stainless steel or titanium with an axis lock since they aren't load bearing parts. I do agree that the knife is overpriced though.

[@SnoopyReads]

@@jeffreyliu2289 I still didn't care for the feel of the knife, I'll stick with my aluminum USA Leek in orange 🧡

[@acid6urns]

@@jeffreyliu2289ehhh scales are important. they absolutely bear the pressure of being attached to the lock, as well as bear the force of your hand when using hard.

[@alexp974]

I like this blade shape over the bugout and bailout, I agree almost $200 just seems ridiculous for injection molded handles and cpm-154.

[@holdernewtshesrearin5471]

I like it but I'm no longer paying the butterfly tax unfortunately. If it came with aluminum scales at that price I'd be all over it.

[@ericyoast]

I folded to the price (it is a little steep) and now that's in the past. Love my Taggedout, for all the reasons you mentioned. Its my go to for the backcountry. I do believe a set of aluminum or titanium scales will only make it better, so thats in the cards. thanks again for a honest review.

[@Stafo85]

I do agree with everything you said. One note, this is really a folding hunting knife. That’s their target audience which is why they probably chose the plastic and orange color

[@ExtraCrispy357]

Hi Metal Complex, I'm a big knife collector/user - it's one of my main hobbies, so I read a lot online and watch A LOT of KZbin videos about knives. I have several KZbin channels I enjoy, such as: Nick Shabazz, Apostle P, Cedric & Ada, Gideon's Tactical, Kevin Cleary, Survival on Purpose, etc. - these guys are all excellent (and there are other great ones). What I wanted to tell you is YOU ARE MY ALL TIME TOP FAVORITE KNIFE REVIEWER - THE BEST OF THE BEST! You're funny, very experienced and knowledgeable, educational, entertaining, balanced in your opinions, and I trust your judgement! 😎👍 Thanks for all of your videos and may God Abundantly Bless You!

[@blacklisted4885]

I never had a massive problem with the plastic so long as its not the really cheap brittle kind. Its lighter than G10, doesn't scuff like alu. On a lightweight folding knife its quite practical. Obviously depends on the price point. I actually like this over the Bug Out

[@davidjewell3932]

Ben using knives over 40 years on tasty critters from field to table, that is what the Tagged out is for, freezing cold and bloody fingers prefer a non metal handle, FRN scales work for these , filthy skills 🤩🤘

[@ALtheSciencePal]

Sweatpants person here. I can confirm that the ratios for this knife are perfect. They become especially apparent when opening hot pockets and/or Doritos.

[@ALtheSciencePal]

Edit: can* not can't

[@jasonsanchez0]

Team sweatpants checking in!

[@ninjahamster29]

Hey dude, just got this knife and am super happy with it. Blade HQ is selling them with the Flytanium pre installed for 180 right now. Total steal. Thanks for the review to convince me.

[@kevinlavery6194]

Mini crooked river is one of my all time favorite knives. I'd buy that over the tagged out all day.

[@thaknobodi]

I have a mini crooked river and while its kind of boring i find its the most well rounded knife i have and their S30V is just plain excellent

[@ExtraCrispy357]

EXCELLENT POINT ABOUT THE HANDLE MATERIAL! Grivory, FRN, injection molded, etc. is an AUTOMATIC "NO" for me! They feel like children's toys! I don't care if it saves a slight amount of weight or cost. You are so correct that this knife would be AWESOME if it had some aluminum or G10 or Micarta scales, or even the stabilized wood! So TRUE!

[@XFS540]

I always called this the baby that the Crooked River had with the Bugout, aka the Crookout, or the Riverbug.

[@Zero_8347]

My s90v carbon fiber bugout must have been the one booger that got through quality control. The action is super gritty and will not drop shut at all, even with the lock bar completely open. I got it brand new in a sealed box

[@whiskey6350]

I’ve had a few like that and I just send them in for repair. But I’ve also just did a complete clean and lube and that fixes it as well.

[@Below-Average_Joe]

I would have bought when they first came out, but it was beyond my budget at the time. Personally, I love the super light and super thin FRN.

[@holdernewtshesrearin5471]

How much cheaper could it be if they used aluminum scales and didn't have to pay someone to install those 27 screws?

[@theoldoneiscoming8242]

Love the thumb hole instead of the thumb studs. I never got the point of them on a Benchmade since I was just going to flick it open with the lock bar anyway

[@G-Man01]

Agree it would be improved if it just went straight for the aluminum scales. But then with what steel? Because then it has 'lesser' steel than a bugout and you're paying a bit for it.

[@molonlabe3083]

Love the content as always brother! With that said, I just cannot justify Benchmade prices. It’s absolutely ridiculous what the are charging for the cheap materials they use. I’d take a QSP or Kizer over a Benchmade any day of the week! No excuse for the insane inflated prices when too many other companies are putting out knives with better materials for a fraction of the price.

[@lucasgolden2115]

You just mentioned two Chinese companies, their labor costs are no where near what an American company like Benchmade’s are, regardless of material. It’s your right a consumer to buy or not buy whatever you want but you are comparing apples to oranges.

[@r6201sk]

Sure but if it doesn't translate to better quality why bother (considering you are not American supporting American business).

[@lucasgolden2115]

And that’s where your choice as a consumer comes in. The beauty of choice. Im just saying you can’t hold up Chinese company pricing against American company pricing when you factor in labor costs is all.

[@MrSabram07]

I agree Benchmade their overpriced they really are worth it their great-great knives

[@acid6urns]

@@lucasgolden2115that’s a terrible argument, spyderco manages to make knives w similar steels, better builds, better materials, etc in america and charge literally almost $100 less than some comparable benchmades. ex. a bugout costs 180 new whereas a para 3 lw (which is available in similar steel w the spy27 and sprint runs in s90v and more like 4v) is 125 for the base model and 140 for the spy27 model.

[@hificat101]

I have one Benchmade knife. Its a Bugout. It would have been disappointing if it cost half as much. It arrived with an off center blade, and the blade is still off center with its brass Meton Boss scales installed. Action was nowhere near drop shut when new, and still isnt even though I carefully polished the washers with Simichrome, then cleaned them with alcohol, then lubed them with KPL. Wasnt even particularly sharp out of the box. At least it no longer has plastic scales that flex, and now it weighs more than a quarter ounce. Its so disappointing in fact, that I cant imagine myself ever buying another Benchmade knife as long as Spyderco exists.

[@anthonyberardi8904]

Blade HQ does have a G10/S45VN version for $270 & a CF/Magnacut one for like $335. The G10 looks great especially since it has thumbstuds, so the blade is actually deployable!!!! Win win

[@holdernewtshesrearin5471]

I'm with you on CPM-154 and even 154-CM for that matter.

[@jasonsanchez0]

Benchmade has some really popular knives and they market pretty heavily. Definitely more than spiderco. Are they overpriced? Probably. But that extra money definitely goes into marketing. Every single company does this. Personally, I love my bugout. This would be something i could see myself carrying as well. I do plan on customizing my bugout in the future with some scales and other work but i still love it as is. I knew the complaints going into it. Thanks to you and other channels for letting us know of the issues though. But lets get controversial here for a minute and talk about the bud light marketing department. Without their marketing and sales departments, you would be paying 62% less for your drink. Also, as benchmade is so popular, the complaints about quality are going to be much more in number as more people are getting them. The average unhappy customer will tell 15 friends of their complaint. Further, the 80-20 rule says 80% of a companies revenue comes from 20% of their customers. By my judgement, benchmade is doing well and they are leaning into it hard because its working. Personally, i am ok with it. If i got something from them that with a bad edge, send it back and have em fix it. If it was made poorly, have em replace it. Thanks for the review MC but dont judge too harshly on the price or their niche. Nobody else is doing what they are doing and succeeding as well as them.

[@hificat101]

We're literally in the Golden Age of pocket knives, and its so weird how hard so many Benchmade knives suck, especially considering their laughable prices. Maybe if they left California they could make knives cheaper. That or start letting QSP or Reate start making their knives, because they both seem much better at making great knives, that are also great values.

[@zacharynadeau6324]

Can’t wait to see the new tagged out in carbon fiber and magnacut🤙

[@TheWhiskyExplorer]

Thanks MC! Why so many body screws?! I also really don’t like the plastic scales.

[@rhinosaur.]

I do think Benchmade hurt this knife's momentum at rollout with the $180 price tag. S45VN/G10 and Magnacut/carbon fiber are coming. I'll pick up the G10. I love the design.

[@danieltucker1681]

What about the taggedout coming in magna with carbon scales? I’m really liking that idea….

[@zachaliles]

I recently bought a 940 Osborne and when it came in it was perfect. Well, I had to tweak the pivot screw a little so it flicked out and shut how I want it. But you can't blame Benchmade for not knowing what kind of tension I wanted.

[@MrBowser2012]

I bought a new Taggedout on the secondary market for a decent price. I like it but it’s not my favorite. The blade was a scalpel! BM did a fantastic job on the edge. I would enjoy it more with some beefier scales.

[@airadaimagery692]

Where do you shop secondary?

[@geomardomingo1672]

Benchmade doesn’t have quality control issues: they have “ The fuck is wrong with your pricing” issues.

[@just9911]

I think I need to start a channel centered around ultralight FRN/FRCP folders. Though I’m not sure if it would get much traction as most people think I spend too much time on weight to blade length ratios.

[@R4NDLL]

Are you excited for the new Hogue Ritter auto?

[@meltingmarker2753]

But MC, what do I do when I'm fighting Mr Penguin and he's using his magnet ray that he designed to specifically target aluminium scales ?!?!?

[@andyhayward1261]

I love the design but agree on the scales, I only loved my bugout once I got the Ti cross fade scales on it and I’m sure this will be much the same

[@MrSabram07]

Looks like a great knife, perfect size and I would love to have it I just don't have the money right now

[@stephencoll776]

Looks like / reminds me of the Benchmade Crooked River with a thumb hole instead of a thumb stud.

[@thegreatoutdoore]

I couldn't stand the og scales so i got some Votix Scales in brown micarta. So far its in my pocket way more that my para3 now

[@ergezinger]

And yes, absolutely the aluminum immunity style scales is what this should have.

[@RespawnsALott]

definitely saving up for a set of flytanium scales for this.. want to get an stonewashed look sorta like the all steel pyrite

[@timfowler4901]

I just picked one up on clearance $107 brand new in box.

[@jeffhamilton4587]

Hey! When are you going to do the list of the 10 most expensive knives you hate? Just an idea.

[@mynamesjeff347]

Thinking about this with the titanium scales for it

[@Gyllbonus]

The price is very unfortunate... Well hopefully there's aftermarket scales that make the price justifiable. I would rock this over the Bugout.

[@septimthief]

what about the carbon fiber version?

[@piratetobin6968]

I bought a Bugout last year and immediately had to buy some ti scales for it. I hate how the grivory feels. It's the tactile equivalent of nails on a chalkboard for me. The longer I held it, the more I wanted to just drop it. Every time I put it down, I had to rub my hands to get that feeling to go away. No way those scales cost Benchmade more than $0.50 to make and then they smack a $200 price tag on it. It's insane and I can't believe people keep buying them and letting BM get away with it. edit: now that I've watched the whole video, I just want to add, I don't think they'd sell this knife with aluminum handle for less than $300. Especially since they want $522 for the Narrows bc they're insane

[@metal_complex]

The Narrows is in titanium but yes, the price seems high

[@ItsReeff]

been looking for my first benchmade and im thinking this might be the one.

[@CharlesBlank]

it would be nice if they made it at least out of g10 instead. I have the benchmade 531 and I absolutely love it.

[@chrishinkle5982]

I agree thanks for sharing bud!

[@Cid_1]

I just lost all interest in Benchmade lately. Might be because all the knives I bought from them over the last year had issues and 1 looked like it's been dragged behind a truck for 5 blocks. Also getting a fair few in for sharpening straight from dealers, that's been messed up. Maybe Benchmade just ships all their screwups outside the US in hopes people won't bother with the warranty. But that's just my experience, and to me, it seems like their QC has gone down and not improved. Would also be nice to see more interesting steels like Cruwear on more stuff. I'm super happy that they decided to make new Mini Freeks and Super Freeks, so now people got the option to get both the small and large ones in CPM M4 or S90V (should be hitting more dealers soon). A bit pricey but the quality seems better on the Freeks and for the cost, one would certainly hope so.

[@marcnangelu]

Lol I carry my knife in my cargo sweats. Haha no lies. Love the content here. I’m not an experienced knife guy. But i do have an interest in various different forms of blades

[@ergezinger]

I have had my eye on this knife since it came out. My first thought was: 'Wow that looks great!' My second thought was: 'Wait,... where is the NOT orange one?' Then years later: 'Oh,... now they came out with overpriced variations with less orange,... ...i guess Benchmade must get alot of kickbacks from the big orange dye companies.'

[@matthuck378]

I think Benchmade should make their lightweights with aluminum scales, but not charge more. The plastic 'ultra-lights' should cost less.

[@r6201sk]

I think they should do lightweight alu and charge less ;) and even less for budget plastic version

[@ninjarabbi1]

If I didn't already know about it and I saw this knife with no logo I'd probably think, "oh huh, I guess Buck made an axis lock Bantam"

[@hificat101]

MC is 100% on point with the weight thing. I dont get why people are obsessed with 2 oz and less knives.

[@steveswanson5890]

I agree. The "hyper pocket-ability" obsession with some knives just ruins them. Scales so thin you could sharpen them and have another edge and so light the knife will blow away in the wind lmao.

[@whiskey6350]

I’m not “obsessed” with the weight , but I do require a knife be under 2.5 oz in the summer. I ware lightweight clothing and anything over 2.5 oz is too heavy, this includes the aluminum and Ti Bugouts. I’m also interested in a larger blade so blade to weight ratio is important. So far the Bugout in Grivory, G10 or CF have been my go to knifes. But with two recent additions in Benchmade’s lineup I have additional knives that I can carry. Both the Taggedout and the Narrows come in under 2.5 oz and have a larger blade than the Bugout. To be honest, my favorite and what think is the perfect EDC knife is the Narrows. During cooler months weight is less important so my aluminum and Ti Bugouts get paired with a 940. Overall if I could only have one EDC knife it would be the Narrows.

[@hificat101]

@@whiskey6350 no comment, and I'm glad our knife community is made up of all kinds of people with all kinds of different needs, because it apparently produces zillions of really cool folding knives. Fist bump.

[@steveswanson5890]

@@whiskey6350 I wear light clothes in the summer too, what on gods green earth are you wearing that requires a knife to be 2.5oz? A loincloth??

[@whiskey6350]

@@steveswanson5890 nylon cargo shorts

[@megacab]

I really like the blade shape, but i bought the Ace Jutland instead. To me it's better.

[@No1ANTAGON1ST]

The Benchmade BK20.5

[@kurts4867]

it'd be cooler if they made the scales/handle in aluminum like the Osborne...

[@s30vguy8]

I just bought a Hogue Deka magnacut with ultem scales for the same money.This knife shouldnt be over $140.

[@Ward_918]

Would love carbon fiber scales on this one

[@MobileIndifference]

I love for M4. Please!!

[@mchlgayheart]

Mighty Ducks goalie mask pocket clip? How would that even work? 😂

[@stevesweeney7892]

How about size compared to Bailout?

[@metal_complex]

Don't have one

[@Zaque-TV]

Why they need 15 t6 screws for their tiny plastic knife

[@GigiFenomen]

cjrb prado just ate this Benchmade for breakfast :)

[@Baaddu]

All of the new Benchmade 2023 knives are very expensive.

[@TXchadTX]

The weight thing is stupid. The only hunting that requires lightweight is elk hunting. But you need a FIXED BLADE for elk hunting

[@ForgedInKaos]

Lmao your rant yet again about the glove size. I have worked with a man with truly big hands. He was not the biggest of men, but was a mechanic/wrecker operator for some 80 years. Dudes paw was literally the size of my head. Simply could not wear gloves they were all too small in one way or another. His palm was just over 6.5 inches wide. Pocket knives were not a thing. Hell he couldnt even use the pockets in his jeans

[@karabinas]

I want to call it the “TagOut” for some reason…BugOut…TagOut?

[@prtypeninja]

Hello peeps!

[@NothingPicksLocks]

At least it won't pull down your sweatpants.😊

[@jerrymuns]

I don’t like plastic either, it started out as basically just a bi-product, and now our whole world is filled with it. Knife companies that use plastic should pay you for proper disposal, or recycling their basically free bi-product….lol 😊

[@wattsmichaele]

Says knife perfectly centered then shows a close up….and its not…their quality control was bad 20 years ago, 10 years ago and still hit or miss today. Buyer beware. There are dozens of knife manufacturers, US mad and offshore who crush it with the same or better blade steel and cost a lot less.

[@Mandoslicer]

I had a thumb stud, s45vn, g-10 version in my hand just before tying this. It’s perfect. FYI.

[@r6201sk]

Looks like Sanrenmu 9201 ... just worse value I guess

[@megacab]

Yeah they look identical. Wonder which one came first? And one is under $30.

[@G-Man01]

Or the GiantMouse Jutland

[@r6201sk]

@@megacab I think Sanrenmu was first .. Stassa23 had it as best budget blade of 2020 .. BM was 2022 I think (on shotshow 2022 it was upcomming knife).

[@pastubbs]

@@megacab The Sanrenmu came out in 2017

[@kid5Media]

Pricetaggedout is more like it.

[@DB.KOOPER]

Yeah NO, F@#% Benchmade. Some of _the_ most overpriced knives in the industry. I'm an Oregon native who's worked with several local (major brand) knife companies including Benchmade testing product and giving R/D data from use as a paramedic, a Wilderness-EMT/SAR professional and an avid white-water rafter/backcountry bow-hunter. After the shit Benchmade pulled here a couple years ago I won't buy a single product from them... Esee and Tops make vastly better fixed blades for much more reasonable prices and there's so many folders out there that are every bit as good as anything Benchmade makes it's laughable how they price their crap. it's clearly for the guy who shops art Cabellas and doesn't know anything but a brand name he wants to own.

[@metal_complex]

Relax dude. Life is much easier when you just pass and move on

[@mikereese15]

Its a benchmade

[@nathanial41]

2nd lol been looking at this

[@kodiaktangent-Wallzbnice2024]

Great review....but Benchmade.....

[@landontreinen3062]

Benchmade has completely lost the plot. Their pricing is insane, and in the words of Dave from KNP, they need to take that axis lock and 360 windmill slam dunk that crap straight into the trash. Omega springs are absolute garbage.

[@landontreinen3062]

Also, the Narrows winning knife of the year at blade 😂 it looks like an unfinished knife dude come on 🤣

[@ruthlesssavage351]

First 🥇

[@paullmight42]

0/10 logo slap

[@The_VietnAmerican]

Never owned a benchmade and never will.

[@brian1674]

This knife would have been total knock out if they used micarta scales!

[@trashbagboy8913]

Am I the only person who genuinely hates super light knives like this? They feel so cheap and brittle! For example, I can snap a bugout in half with ease, and I doubt I could snap a Spyderco even if I tried with all my might! I don’t see how anybody prefers a light ‘basically linerless’ cheap feeling FRN (fancy name for plastic) knife over a very sturdy, strong, and quality feeling knife that is only a couple ounces heavier!?? Like what is a couple ounces, it makes absolutely no difference in basically any situation so might as well just pick the strong and quality one…. A $40 Chinese made Spyderco Tenacious will take 100x the beating and use than a $200 American made Benchmade Bugout…. AND you get the same blade steel plus far more superior materials all around on a $60 Kizer than you will with this $200 piece of junk… Somebody please make it make sense!

[@theillitistpro]

Getting caught up. Pointless? Binge-watching, in my future, I see.

[@danpennella]

This is still why I have not bought a Benchmade. I respect their quality and warranty and I even respect they definitely hit the target demographic of hunters and outdoorsman and the like; but what bothers me is they are still trying to sell to the masses yet keeping prices high on their “newer” products and designs coughNARROWScough! I love buying and supporting American made stuff but we have to draw the line somewhere because Benchmade, like MC said, is offering knives with the same materials for less money so it doesn’t make sense. If this knife was 140 to 150 I’d give it a shot; Chinese companies with great quality would do this knife for 90 to 100 bucks so I feel like a 50 to 60 dollar increase is justifiable for American manufacturing costs (or at least somewhere around that range). But aside from that I love the design and it seems like it would be a great knife to have in the collection!

[@acid6urns]

exactly. if i want a knife that does the same job as this knife i’ll just buy a hogue deka. for 40-60 dollars less with better steels in magnacut and 20cv