Flytanium vs Rockscale Design - Benchmade Bugout Aftermarket Scale Review

A review of aftermarket scales for the Benchmade Bugout.

[@RJIVHALO]

I agree. Main reasons to go with rock scale design is quality of the product. The fact that they are made in the US and also Matt, the dude that makes them is a cool guy. Always willing to answer my questions. No problem with flytanium though. Some of their newer scales for the bugout are pretty nice. But they are made overseas

[@chinastar1177]

Are used to be the biggest sneaker head. And I also got into collecting lives a couple years ago. Built a quite a collection. Nice to see somebody else doing the same thing.

[@gomezx6056]

Solid scales! I've never looked back since installing them a couple years back. I went with the s20v in black and all deep goldish almost copper hardware including the stop pin and pivot. Holy googly moogly this thing is beautiful.

[@opinionatedhobbyist]

20cv is one of my favourite steels!

[@ekirenrut]

Just found your channel. I,too, am an opinionated hobbyist. Have the 20CV with Flytanium crossfade scales and the M390 with milled aluminum. Looking for Ti standoffs to replace the green ones on the BHQ 20CV model. Not having any luck. Anyway, appreciate the thoughtful commentary and dig the flannel samurai vibe. Guess I'll be deep diving your channel now to see what else you got opinions on. 👍

[@charlesscotch4199]

Great review. While I agree with most of what you said, the price difference for Rockscale scales over Flytanium scales is considerably more expensive. It also looks like those Flytanium scales are from their older run of products. Their new Crossfade scales give Rockscale (and most other makers) a run for their money, and honestly look, perform, and install much better. Try picking up a set of Titanium Crossfade scales then do another review.

[@frogturtle]

I ran RSD critter scales on my first Bugout. They are definitely nice but I later ended up swapping to Flytanium micarta and then later went back to the original FRN. This was a very personal choice but I felt like I’d just strayed too far away from Benchmade’s original design. I have the M390 version coming in the mail. Better scales, better steel, looks amazing and it’s just as Benchmade designed it. Love your bugouts though, that green backspacer is awesome. Cheers.

[@chrisw8852]

I haven’t tried rock scale yet but I’ve tried the normal and crossfade flytanium scales and the cross fades are amazing. I liked the normal flat titanium handles but they don’t nearly feel as good as the crossfade in hand

[@opinionatedhobbyist]

The Crossfades are a great option! I have some and enjoy them a lot

[@kengarling4353]

I watched this before ordering these same exact scales and thought “how could the scales affect the action?” After the swap out the Flytanium Bugout couldn’t be adjusted to have no blade play AND be drop shut. Meanwhile the Rockscale model was PERFECT.

[@johnathan.jerusik]

Great video! I been getting into the bugout myself. So my question is where did you get the 20cv? I know benchmade has the custom shop, and I was thinking of doing that route. But I know blade hq has an exclusive with the g10 for 170 right now. Then I was thinking of upgrading the scales from there

[@opinionatedhobbyist]

I live in Canada and we have a really large knife retailer online that seems to have a deal with Benchmade to create custom shop orders that they then sell on their site. The G10 is actually great in of itself. Much much better than the grivory.

[@rayr268]

Wow, just discovered these scales. sick.

[@jshintoth]

This was exactly the comparison I was looking for bro. Haha Thanks man. Just starting my first custom. Curious if you have come across MetonBoss scales as well. Was liking what I was seeing from them too. But the Rockscale Critter scales I think have won my purchase.

[@opinionatedhobbyist]

The Critter scales are very cool.

[@turing2376]

Was helpful and interesting hearing about the differences in the ti scales. Glad you decided to post. Just curious, what exactly don't you like about the regular ones, just not premium looking/feeling enough?

[@opinionatedhobbyist]

The Rockscale Design scales are just much more refined and detailed. From how the scales are shaped, milled, and finished, to the available options and accessories, it’s evident that a bit more thought went into the Rockscale products. However Flytanium has ungraded their Bugout game quite a bit with the Crossfade scales. And the original Flytanium scales are still a viable option especially if beefing up your Bugout is your goal.

[@turing2376]

@@opinionatedhobbyist 👍

[@mstuehler]

Great video - really useful and helpful - much appreciated! Good luck with the new focus.

[@JC-bg5dd]

does the rock scale design rough on the pocket?

[@theknifeconnection9571]

I have blasted scales for my bug out. I want those heavy stonewashed one that you have

[@theknifeconnection9571]

Mine looks like your rock scale but mine had all black hardware

[@dustinwhitt5297]

If you're still a fan of the bugout, check out the AWT scales. The archon ones are my favorite, got them for my M4 smkw version and it makes the knife so much more durable.

[@opinionatedhobbyist]

I definitely think the Bugout is great but last summer I blew 3 omega springs across 2 Bugouts within a month. Haven’t purchased any Benchmades since. As great and fidgety and fun as the Axis lock is, and as fantastic as their designs aesthetically, the omega springs just make them unreliable to me. Tend to roll with Spyderco and WE a lot these days.

[@dustinwhitt5297]

@@opinionatedhobbyist you've had terrible luck then, bud. I've owned many, many bugouts and only once had issues with the omega springs.

[@opinionatedhobbyist]

@@dustinwhitt5297 There are a lot of easily findable vids right here on the tube where people have had extensive omega spring problems. ‘Knives In Our Lives’ 535-4 vid is a great, well explained vid. No need for me to go on about it. But a lock’s reliability shouldn’t be up to a person’s luck. I currently have over 25 different Benchmade models from big old Adamas’s to tiny Valets. 6 Bugouts in total. The only lock that has ever failed on me. That incident was still enough for me to move on. I’ll take a compression lock any day. 🤙🏼

[@dustinwhitt5297]

@@opinionatedhobbyist ouuuch. You try the s45vn Para 3 yet?

[@opinionatedhobbyist]

@@dustinwhitt5297 No I don’t, but I’ve got the s45vn PM 2 and I literally cooked a meal with it like 10 min ago. I know a lot of collectors consider it a bit passé and old news but I think it’s a fantastic knife. I use it for a lot of random stuff. As for the steel the edge retention is quite good which I guess is what they were aiming for, better corrosion resistance than S30V and better edge retention than S35VN. I enjoy both steels quite a bit and tend to buy a lot of S30V due to the affordability and that edge retention but really value strong stainless steels. So in all I’d say S45VN is pretty great and it still doesn’t break the bank.

[@normal1972]

I had this experience with the PM2. I went cheaper with the Flytanium to start, but the fit was not good. The titanium also seemed off as well. I ended up getting the Rockscale Designs and they are perfect. The fit and finish are so good I now have them for 2 other knives. My Bugout already has factory aluminum scales that I like so they are staying.

[@opinionatedhobbyist]

I’ve been thinking of building a PM2 with Rockscale!

[@kikkerbekenkampschool4994]

Do you know if the parts for both companies are compatible? I like the Crossfade scales from Flytanium, but prefer the backspacers from Rockscale..

[@normal1972]

@@kikkerbekenkampschool4994 I have not used the RSD backspacer so I am not sure.

[@rag3knight66]

Try the bailout with the RSD scales

[@PLBW81]

Rockscales are very nice.

[@everardobalandran6079]

I’ll take Rockscale Designs scales over Flytanium. I’ve got Flytanium scales on my Benchmade Osborne and Spyderco Para3, they are junk!!! Blade play galore. Rockscale has zero blade play. Best ergonomics and balance, yet very attractive.

[@johnbarron4843]

Sub for the knifes!

[@edsaban572]

I don’t like that stonewash look. The cross fade look better.

[@rong.2457]

I bought some flytanium scales for my Bugout. I’m very dissatisfied. Half the holes on one of the scales wasn’t counter sunk drilled for the screws to properly seat. I had to pull my drill out and do some fabricating. I’ll never buy anything flytanium again.

[@opinionatedhobbyist]

My experience wasn’t as bad as yours. But I definitely like the Rockscale much much more. If you ever have the opportunity to check them out I highly recommend it, I think you’ll be satisfied with the quality.