FIRST LOOK ~ BENCHMADE 535-09 (Aluminum & Richlite)

[@TopDog8762]

Oh man, that Richlite goes so well on that bugout.

[@PocketRazors]

Very cool new Bugout option, thank you for sharing this!

[@Ken_Faulkner]

I really like the look of this one. I was holding my breath that the price was something I would be willing to pay. I know this will sell very well. With all the drama on Benchmade pricing at the end of the day, the market value will set the pricing. I'm not going to complain about it, I will personally just need to go somewhere else since it's not a knife I am willing to spend this much for. No hard feelings from me.

[@Salamando3D]

Man, I am really digging the look of this one. I'm not super into the maroon/orange combo, but I'm sure it'd be easy to either swap the colored hardware (or anodize yourself) or maybe dye that Richlite (if it is porous like G10/micarta is, I'm not sure). Very cool handle setup with the bolster and the interesting milled out triangular details. This one is a win for me, but I'd love to see it with a battle wash blade finish and some different color combos that are more complementary. Awesome stuff, thanks for the look Zach! 😎👍

[@opinionatedhobbyist]

Thought ship date for that guy was March. Early early. I like the Richlite and that’s a cool new pivot. How many more Bugouts do I really need though?

[@bigjim55able]

Swap the orange for red or satin, and you'll have the best-looking factory Bugout ever.

[@ilovemusicsg]

I love the new design! I have been using a 535 and for me overall Design and feel was an instant Classic!

[@diverson63]

I actually do like that one. Hopefully it is alittle bit heavier than the original.

[@ck158]

Nice looking reminds me of the Crooked River

[@BigRedEDC]

Cool refresh of the Bugout! I like the Richlite. Thanks for the look Zach!

[@J_DuB27]

@@BigRedEDC and it's red

[@BigRedEDC]

@J_DuB27 💯💯💯 doesn't hurt!!

[@joekasperek1086]

Really digging the new look thx Zach

[@MichaelChavez-h1s]

Great six minute video. Always nice get your feedback on a better way to build a Benchmade better

[@rob10ring]

Looks great! Priced to not be everyone’s Bugout. I have the original aluminium version and may stick with that.

[@mikejurnak0324]

I love the design. I hope they have different options to choose from, and I do have an extra kidney I was going to sell.

[@justinmcvay5560]

Nice looking knife. AiresEDC glow material for the on-lay would be nice i bet

[@J_DuB27]

Wow. 👌 as much a I like the Richlite, I look forward to seeing what folks like Dragonfly come up with. ETA?

[@toddkingery9951]

Interesting Zach. What’s up with the new pivot screw design? I like it. 👍

[@kathleensmith370]

dont really care for the color combo- but would love to get my first benchmade

[@danegavrilovski]

That is one realy nice bugout.

[@rodneypearson6986]

Needs a black back spacer and thumb studs

[@napsterninja]

I like it's new design. Can't wait until the aftermarket companies come out with different color and materials for the back spacers and inlays. Color combinations can be endless. The Griptilian line needs this kind of refresh or a premium upgrade. The price.😥

[@WaylonGodfrey]

Man that is beautiful.

[@ImYourHuckleberry-98]

It’s a nice looking knife but $400 for a Bugout is ridiculous

[@blasturd]

Most screws in a knife award!

[@_MiMo_]

Ontario Rat 1🏆 15 screws.

[@zachstuff]

15??!!

[@pattrass7692]

Microtech MSI has like 11 or something like that it’s ridiculous

[@Didier090765]

I'd probably say this about 95% of Benchmades but WANT 😂! Thanks for sharing Zach

[@mikranger1078]

This is VERY nice , I am not sure I like the Burgundy with the Orange , it kinda clashes (IMO) it would be VERY cool if they sold the inserts to change the color up (Sum 80's Carbon would look SIK) & if they could keep them at a reasonable cost that would be even better . Maybe 1 day I will $$$pring for a Benchmade & I am not gonna even complain about the PRICE because I know the are TOP Notch Quality & I believe in paying for Quality & I also know they have good customer service & warranty so it makes buying 1 worth it (IMO) Thanks for the review !

[@chrisinmaine2139]

I agree that the colors clash. Not good. I do like the bolster look.

[@PluckyPackrat]

Richlite always looks so tasty somehow...

[@PittRules55]

I think Benchmade has raised their prices a bit too high across the board especially for models with polymer handles. They still have some QC issues mainly their sharpening job that should be an issue on a $200+ knife. I look at Protech, Spyderco and Hogue who also product US knives and they have nice price gouged their products in the same way. All that to say I still prefer more of Benchmade’s designs compared to some of the US competition. This is a cool design but I can agree I don’t love the orange, save that for the Hunt line. Hopefully they offer more color ways in the future. I wouldn’t mind seeing a canvas Micarta version.

[@marshalllaw123]

I like it, but I’m gonna need a black blade & hardware, and that price is silly.

[@davidgartrell90]

Im not against spending $400 on a knife but it wouldn’t ever be a bugout.

[@BFVgnr]

Whoa.

[@rustyknifelover4463]

Looks okay, but busy.

[@martymcfly9350]

I love Benchmade but their prices are ridiculous

[@ImYourHuckleberry-98]

Agreed. $400 for a Bugout is out of pocket

[@jj9936]

How much for this one ? I guess 600$ from Benchmade 🙄

[@MPerry-ox9qb]

Retail $400

[@elde667]

Nice design. I like it. But, of course, Benchmade’s ridiculous pricing puts it out of my reach. Always wonder: what demographic is their customer base. Certainly no one I know in the knife community.

[@michaell397]

I can tell you exactly where their demographic is. their Military and Government contracts. They don't give a dayum about we the average user. They are making millions on high dollar Government contract's. We are just a little icing on the cake. We are disposable to them. KnifeMaker

[@dualsportoutdoors]

Nothing Bugout about that. It should be its own model. The whole point of the Bugout is to be a crazy light utility type knife. This is more of a gent's carry in my eyes

[@user-no2ei6dp2q]

Whatever!😂

[@MPerry-ox9qb]

Get rid of the orange and leave it silver. Tired of all the flashy colors.

[@Sleepy_spartan717]

Not a fan of the look at all. They did way too much in this bugout. I’m also curious of how soft the heat treat is on their s90. Their magnacut was terrible in my testing so i imagine this isn’t any better given history.

[@michaell397]

Actually, I have both the 940 and 535 in s90v and even though I have not has a Hrc test done on it, it is quite hard on the CBN Stone. Much harder than any but the hardest m390 blades I have here. You can readily feel the hardness on a stone when you sharpen a LOT of different knives. KnifeMaker/Retired after over 47+ Years in the Craft and in association with the Original R.W. (Bob) Loveless/Jim Merritt Knife Shop

[@cjanderson1992]

Color combo is not cool. The orange does not look good with the maroon scales at all. Naw.

[@rorycalhoun8011]

Luv this knife design; but their color coordination with the thumb studs and backspacer is idiotic!!

[@hanseroni7267]

400. Lol. Been using and collecting Benchmade for 25 years. 2024 is the year they lost me. And they raised prices again after that...all without innovation or compelling new models. Just new colors. Based on the slick marketing emails they spam me with, they really have crossed from a user/enthusiast brand to an influencer/poser brand.

[@jarrettm3728]

Hahah they copied flytanium

[@MPerry-ox9qb]

It doesn’t look like flytanium. That a huge stretch.