The Benchmade Knives Bailout Pocketknife: A Quick Shabazz Review

Today, we'll take a look at a knife that's got great heritage, but doesn't make much sense in practice: The Benchmade Bailout.

[@NickShabazz]

Interestingly, Benchmade has recently announced a new version of this knife, in M4 steel. Hopefully they're doing it more justice. www.benchmade.com/537gy-1-bailout.html

[@souldude13]

I asked benchmade since they upped the hrc on the bailout's 3V to 60-62, if they'll replace the softer blades of original owners. they haven't responded to me

[@se7enspac3s]

Also aluminum handles.

[@void1984]

Higher durability aluminum handles are there, but with the better steel the price is almost doubled.

[@robojimtv]

And $250 MSRP kek

[@Lazarus745]

@@souldude13 for 30 bucks, lol.

[@GOxHAM]

thumbs up for "tactical tax" lol

[@CSGraves]

Yep. Costs a bundle to add a "skull crusher" pommel to a Bugout.

[@prokskee]

This reminds me of those buff cartoon characters with tiny legs

[@itsaknifestyle8482]

Way too expensive for plastic handles and a poorly heat treated blade IMO

[@jasonjuarez5843]

It's a Knifestyle yup, thats the only thing i hate about my bugout

[@rrf899]

You just summed up benchmade.

[@CamTheKid]

Get the M4 version, it has a better blade steel and aluminum handles.

[@PoetFisherman]

That's pretty freakin' expensive for what's being reported as poorly treated steel.

[@alpine1600s]

It's a larger Bugout. Being I don't like the Bugout, not going to appreciate the Bailout either. Then there's the price...🤣 Remember when Benchmade made balisongs...

[@flytheskymyway]

I’ve many Benchmade Knives, for many years and never had an omega spring break.

[@BrianMiller1973]

Had a spring on my 940 break after just a year or so of owning. Had to send it back for replacement. No breakage since then.

[@april44]

same mini grip 20+ years- same omega springs

[@TripleEEDC]

Benchmade has also announced that the 3V on this version will be 60+ Rockwell going forward rather than the 56 they were running it at before.

[@brianhilligoss]

Also they are heat treating them harder know. They will replace the blades on the softer versions.

[@Iamthedudeman00]

Ok Here we go, this is not a perfect knife and I have agreed with many things you said. The heat treat however MAKES sense to me, because it is designed to be more field maintainable when it gets dull. A LOT OF people use cupboard cutting as a measurement of the edge retention but that is not entirely the same to field use, if you are a out door person or a solider you May not always have your sharpener with you and sharpening something like a higher hardness 3v is not going to be walk in the park without a diamond file or something proper. Besides in the field you won't be cutting just cupboards or ropes, you might run into cutting all kinds of things, like opening a can or cut wires, edge can bend or chip much easier cutting these random things than cupboards, so the extra toughness and ease of sharpening is good. Most people don't think about these aspects and just read some numbers off a datasheet and start to get into an angry rant. Also this is a very thin knife blade the extra bit of toughness helps because typically you can use more material to backup the strength but this knife is aimed to be very light weight so they chose a very tough configuration to compensate for the thin blade. Anyways no one is going to listen to me, if anyone wants to argue with me please checkout my video on this topic, on my channel. Your review is still good though. Thanks for the upload.

[@aerosaaber]

flexible scale thing isn't a problem in my experience. I've carried a bugout daily since I got it more than a year ago. For my EDC use it's never even been a consideration

[@alpine1600s]

Would it be too much to say BM is going through a mid-life crisis?

[@zoltanvonsomogyi7272]

They are going the way of Wal-Mart now. I avoid them completely.

[@JamesStephen710]

Still better than spyderco

[@kknives_switzerland]

LOLZ regarding the Bailout heat treatment. Also, the guys who wrote the email you mentioned also tested the 20CV in the Anthem at 57HRC!! That is very questionable as well.

[@Mridgwell]

Now here's a guy who knows about heat treatment !

[@kiltymacbagpipe]

I don’t understand the price of Benchmade knives. They are three times more expensive than they should be in my opinion.

[@Pharto_Stinkus]

A lot of people don't take into account Benchmade's Lifesharp service when talking about the price of their knives. Are you paying more? Yes, BUT remember, their warranty if for LIFE, and is pretty damn good. I had them replace a broken blade once, on a knife that i TOLD them I broke while prying. They still replaced it, no questions asked, at no cost to me. In addition, you can send your benchmade in for sharpening and not only will they sharpen it, but they will maintain it as well, cleaning, oiling, sharpening, replacing worn or broken parts, all at NO COST to you. You're not just paying for the knife, you're paying for the service, and I personally, think it's worth it.

[@jasong2269]

“bail on this one”. bazinga.

[@ricktemmen6272]

That flex handle is scary, so is the price given the materials. Thanks for a honest and straightforward review Nick. Thank you. 😎👍

[@Iamthedudeman00]

Also I ASKED for this knife. I wanted a bugout, but they only came with s30v, but then finally I got the bailout, I still love it! I don't pry with my knives, I haven't found any reasons to, and many people who pry with their knives are just looking for something to do with their knives or Trying to do a KZbin video. I don't know if anyone saved their own lives by prying something with a pocket knife, even if you can pry with a knife, it takes a long time to pry open anything serious. IT is not a construction worker's knife so I don't think prying is relevant.

[@KnifeHandleSupply]

I'm glad you touched on the heat treatment. 56hrc for 3v is just ridiculous. They said they went with a low hrc for maximum toughness since the blade is thin... But that makes no sense to me. Why would they go with Grivory scales and an aluminum pommel if they were going for tough? Why not use a steel like 5160 if they wanted tough? etc.

[@jonathanrogers9961]

scales should have been g10...... that plastic is not enough

[@mountainmanwatchreviews8081]

I like the look but there's no way this is more than a $99 knife.

[@Skywalker96214]

IMO this is the ugliest BM so far😂 3V and pummel on a piece of soft plastic? If people want hard use knife just go for Puukko 200

[@laserbrain7774]

I will never pay more than $99.99 for any knife. those $30 counterfeits are starting to look pretty good.

[@honestdave]

New drinking game. Take a shot every time he opens and closes the knife.

[@northernninety7]

Dead

[@Iammightymeaty]

Oof

[@JohnSmith-so6to]

Please hide knives, guns, and car keys first.

[@honestdave]

@@JohnSmith-so6to good idea.

[@noahkaplan6327]

Old drinking game, overused joke.

[@drewpfeif5028]

I really like CPM3V. I've been hoping to see production knife companies use 3V more. Finally Benchmade comes along and they miss the dunk with a crap heat treatment. SMH

[@drewpfeif5028]

@Tom Smith I personally love it. It's super tough, great edge holding, but not impossible to resharpen, takes a wicked edge, and just enough corrosion resistance to prevent a patina. I think it's good balance. But you're right, there's always a better steel.

[@chademmons5641]

@@drewpfeif5028 I agree,I love mine,and have been carrying it on an off for a year,,I haven't used it as a bushcraft or survival knife,but as a EDC normal task,,it's been great,my biggest positive is it's so light an thin,I've been able to keep a hair shaving edge on it,,only complaint is the price,I do think it's a $100 knife at Best.

[@zoltanvonsomogyi7272]

The Benchmade Puukko is made of the same soft 3v that won't keep an edge. Along with the injection molded rubber handle, it's a complete ripoff. Benchmade no longer deserves to be mentioned as a quality product. Most modern Chinese knife companies turn out a superior product at a FAR better price.

[@alisuperhornet]

3V in anything other than a fixed blade (or a strider folder?) doesn't seem like a good idea to me...

[@robreadinger5340]

Not production at least

[@robertm8401]

Would bringing it to 58-60 really sacrifice much of the toughness of the steel? I thought it was tough enough at that HT level to begin with, even with that thin blade stock. Disappointing to say the least, as I've been waiting to get this for quite some time.

[@just_T4U]

Only my Benchmade is fake from china 17$ 940, its sweet knife

[@Xerber85]

I was very skeptical with the Bugout, but gave it chance because of the positive reviews. It ultimately became one of my favourite and most carried EDC knives. In the case of the Bailout I’m skeptical as well, but after seeing your review it seems I won’t be buying this now or in the future. Thanks for your take on this, Nick. And get well soon.🙂

[@sander9488]

Still happy about it ? I´m looking at pm3 and bugout...

[@charliedoyle118]

I had a Benchmade knife once.........once.

[@tecnotrog1]

Nick: Benchmade shouldn't have priced it more than the bug out.. Benchmade: we hear you nick ! Ok guys raise the price on the bug out!..

[@BrentonCarr]

Omega springs absolutely do not have a "tendency" to break. Can they? yes, but saying tendency intonates that they do do frequently when it's actually very rare.

[@mnjcosby]

Every Benchmade axis lock I've ever owned, which is somewhere around 15 since 2003, has had at least one of its springs break within a few months of purchase. Even after giving up on fidgeting with them from fear of breaking a spring they still fail at some point, I know it's not a large sample size but it still happens

[@mnjcosby]

@David Martin Portmann a weak detent is no fun with the axis, I didnt comment to badmouth benchmade, obviously I have no problem buying models I like even knowing the inherent issues of the omega springs. Ever axis lock I've owned over the last 17yrs has had this issue but I would still buy all of them again, it's a somewhat small price for a great lock

[@dm3639]

Hate to tell you, but the detent on the axis lock IS the spring. There's no detent ball like a liner, frame or comp lock. If the detent was getting weak, the spring was wearing out or one of the two springs was cracked. My bugout worked fine when one of the Omega springs went, it just felt like a weak detent. Good news is that is just costs a couple bucks in shipping to send it in for repair.

[@mnjcosby]

@@dm3639 exactly, a weak detent on the axis is still considered a failure due to an issue with the omega spring, doesn't mean the knives don't kick ass, they just need regular maintenance, like others have said, a set of spares in the package is the least they could do

[@chademmons5641]

I personally like the Bailout,it's light,thin an carries well. I do agree if I was going out into a situation I knew I'd depend on a knife alot,I would take my bug out or para 3,but as a gym shorts running errands and just normal used,,it's been perfect,

[@jgross1991]

I will never play rage shadow legends

[@The4cp]

I like the bailout way better than the bugout. I think the bugout is EXTREMELY over hyped. It's plastic and a blade. I'll wait for the M4 version for sure. This also needs liners so it won't feel like a toy

[@honestdave]

Think I'll skip this knife.

[@matthewhill1689]

I like my Bailout. I don't like it as much as I WANT to like it, mind you, but I like it. A Version 2.0 with a different steel and an adjustment on the ergonomics would be most welcome. You're absolutely correct on the edge retention, by the way...a half dozen boxes and other light tasks, and it's back to the honing stones and strops. Still, I do like the knife overall, but honestly, if Benchmade had just offered the Bugout in a tanto iteration, this would be superfluous.

[@jonsonnenschein1253]

Hey, I know...let's cheapen our handles by using paper thin plastic, then charge more because all that lightweight material is so innovative. And we sell our knives based on name anyway, regardless of quality. And let's not worry about the handle flex, it's made to do that so it doesn't break. IMO, all those thin plastic, cheap feeling Benchmade knives are good as letter openers and nothing more. The handle has to be able to support the blade.

[@wolffztalksknives7814]

Also the blade stock is so thin the strength/toughness of the steal is negligible and unnecessary. I’m happy that they’re using M4 but S30v and 154cm would’ve been just fine with that stock. M4 is okay, it’s competitive with M390 in edge use so at least there’s a bonus to getting the upgraded version, the basic with 3v isn’t worth it and they bumped the HRC numbers but still no real benefit to the M4 in comparison.

[@alangillette4699]

wonder if you can put the Bugout blade into the bailout handle

[@Dexter00000]

Alan Gillette, you can't. It'll hit the inner barrel.

[@i6am6the6thorn]

I agree. I love my Bugouts but have 0 interest in this Bailout, even the new one. I think you hit the nail on the head

[@BibleLovingLutheran]

That M4 I guarantee will change your mind if you get your hands on it

[@jamesbuttitta]

Nick, you just not a fan of Banchmade

[@Apex_grind562]

Great honest review!! Nobody does this style of reviewing anymore.

[@kerryrwac]

I think everyone should Bailout on this BM and buy the Hogue Knives Deka instead .

[@jakegay5753]

^100%

[@caraddict8692]

Thank you for this I’m relatively new to all these knife brands and new to the community. I’ve been looking for another knife that is not benchmade garbage. Definitely thinking about getting the deka.

[@jakegay5753]

@@caraddict8692 I can assure you, you will not regret it! That's a knife that's going to last for a longgggggg time. The wolf omega springs they use are far superior to the ones Benchmade uses.

[@clintonlewis1663]

yeah , should be like 50 bucks cheaper ! , i,ll pass !

[@jglitch0]

Its funny because I fuck with my knives every hour and ive never had a single omega spring snap on me nor have I met someone in person who said they snapped a spring lol I've heard people tell me they snapped the blade stop but not that spring.

[@ScentitarFragrance]

I completely feel you on this one. Poor design, conflicted features, and bad heat treatment

[@casonwoody]

I love the look of the bugout and bailout but I just can't trust the Omega springs. The only Benchmade I've owned is the grizzly ridge, which is a great looking knife, and I've broken 3 oem Omega springs. I am a fidgeter so keep that in mind, but I just can't trust them.

[@drameday]

Plastic pocket pecker...that’s a first I think. I love my ranger green Bugout, but this thing stinks. Btw the Bugout is a lot tougher than you’d think. I have not been gentle on mine and it’s still like new. Even the coating on the blade is still flawless when I clean it up.

[@mickkeim4142]

I agree Nick ...the Bugout is a pretty darn good knife...

[@davidmarshall7752]

"That didn't sound good".

[@ferrumiumcanis5211]

Ahhh, Bailout... like M14 in Vietnam.

[@3wheelmannc860]

I viewed some info recently on the 2020 update for the Bailout... I really like the updates like the M4 steel...but for $200+ there is no way...Pass... old and new.

[@londiniumarmoury7037]

I noticed the M4 version comes with solid textured Aluminium handles, I wonder why they went with tough 3V but flimsy handle scales. The M4 version seems way more solid.

[@Pharto_Stinkus]

Uh, maybe the increased price is for the steel? How is this even a question? Softness questions aside, ANY knife company will charge more for 3v than for s30.

[@BadP0tat0]

Sorry to say, but this knife is total crap! I love my Bugouts, I hate my Bailout. And it is nice to hear that you pointed out same issues: - quickly becoming dull as hell - that guard just not allows me to grip that guy comfortably, - why 3V for knife for lighter use? Give me 30V or even 154CM

[@laserbrain7774]

Benchmades are too expensive. I understand why they are counterfeited so often. A $30 counterfeit is actually probably less of a rip off than an authentic.

[@dalecarpenter8828]

The bugout is crap and neither one of them should be more than $50.00 ! People rant about clones but the clones expose the greed ! The clone of this knivmfe is $35.00 ! Sois the clone bugout ! Gagin the bugout is crap because of the steel and the crap rubber scales !

[@TheMasonator777]

A bendy knife handle is a bad knife handle imo. At an price.

[@jakegay5753]

When's the deka review coming??

[@mikepiazza2000]

Designing a new knife with a few deviations that at worst make the knife slightly worse and at best make the knife slightly better just seems like a weird investment. I dont really understand why this knife wasnt just a tanto bugout. I dont think they are moving many units to people who were desperate for an exterior metal lanyard hole or the tactical extra material at the top or the very slightly different aesthetic. Im pretty sure 99% of buyers get this knife because its almost a tanto bugout, so like.. why isnt it a tanto bugout? And then to price it significantly higher sort of seems like a slap in the face to consumers. I just dont get it

[@robertlilly232]

Would just like to say, I do stupid shit with this knife every day, in and out of water, prying, shes durable, my heat treat is great, never had a problem with edge retention. And yes while the price may be dumb, but this knife can put in work.

[@atravesdelvaso7516]

Review the new black bugout coming out January with cf elite scales

[@Mridgwell]

Man I like this review little late to the party but like the venomous intent. Horrible concept and horrible attempt but they can't all be winners . Nice to see you getting into a little more than just aesthetics. HRC is important and manufacturer's need to be accountable . Excellent

[@urbanarcher3535]

Drop the price and bailout on that tanto blade. Then I might consider it.

[@itsaflyboything]

tbh I've loved this knife the second I first touched it. the heat treat absolutely lets it down, holy cow does it ever. benchmade should straight up offer swaps with properly treated blades.

[@karl-johanlagstrom797]

They have just released an upgraded version of this knife with M4 steel instead. I also think that they updated the HRC on their newer 3v bugouts aswell, not sure if they offer swaps though.

[@CNYKnifeNerd]

@@karl-johanlagstrom797 M4 and 3V is apples to oranges. Neither is an upgrade or a downgrade from the other. They have different uses

[@Youtube-Censorship-Police]

let's put a super tough hard use steel on a folder with a flimsy handle and no liners...smart choice benchmade!

[@joeyates1428]

...it's a no for me

[@troyareyes]

Bugout is like 230 dollars. did it used to be cheaper or something?

[@Lazarus745]

537-GY-1 on the way in M4 as well as stippled aluminum scales.

[@lamborghiniempanada7586]

If it had a blade shape like the bugout and no stupid glass breaker it would be a good choice

[@mus0u]

a knife called "bailout" being unpopular? who would have thought XD

[@alpine1600s]

mus0u not a skaters knife.

[@gamingunion2870]

I Have the thumbstud screwed off so i can Carry IT legaly

[@Herwiggle]

This bailout or the mediator? I currently carry the bugout.

[@rexdoran2051]

The swedge looks as though it would be hard to clamp to a guided sharpening system.

[@robertlilly232]

That would be correct. Should become proficient with stones anyway though, not going to have a guided sharpening system in the field.

[@harrisonfowler4461]

Nick, do you prefer benchmade or spyderco knives?

[@tallica4life81]

Any recommendations to replace my delica 4 work knife that I’ve completely destroyed within 1 year? Anything better I like the size of the delica 4 and the weight and also the price is good. I don’t mind buying another one but I already have one and maybe there’s something different for me to try.

[@robertlilly232]

Give the para 3 a try, the lightweight version is pretty awesome too! Personally I'm a para 2 guy, nice big blade is great at work.

[@soslan1812]

Delica in k390 or kershaw leek cf in cpm154 good choices I think.

[@julianuga]

It's just a bugout with a tanto and metal lanyard hole

[@jeffreyhall838]

I have this knife but i like my Bugout better

[@johnhuey9912]

How about a Super Freek review?

[@pkbaker100]

John Huey yes!!

[@christophermallory2222]

Like the save the ocean Samurai.

[@davidtate166]

Now m4 steel better heat treatment? Carbon steel to😔

[@joshrayburn5534]

Nick just sounds unimpressed

[@profd65]

Look at Nick: trying to suck up to all the gun nuts.

[@CytoplasmicGoo]

What’s wrong with s30v? Are we knife people bored of it already? I say slap on some s30v on that thing, sell it for a buck thirty (still overpriced, but made in America right?) and call it a day. It’s a lightweight, light duty tactical knife. It’ll easily slice through soft tissue or apples if that’s your thing and light enough that you forget it’s there. Putting 3v on it is an oxymoron, super tough steel on an ultra lightweight platform is like putting a Ford F-350 on motorcycle tires.

[@Dexter00000]

Michael Manalang unfortunarely, nowadays "Made in US" doesn't mean a sh*t ☹️. Especially for non-americans.

[@mattconklin4026]

Is this model still in the black class?

[@cavolpert]

No love on this one

[@davidtate166]

M4 carbon steel.bettet than m3.

[@gearsNtools]

another great review! love your personable approch to your series!

[@antoinedoinell]

somebody reads the forums

[@matthewadler1329]

Sadly I have now joined the club of Benchmade owners who have had an omega spring break on them. Its funny, because I own Ganzo knives that use the same locking mechanism, but they have stiffer, thicker springs, and although they arent quite as easy to operate, they are just as smooth, and the springs dont break. Ive had those knives, and played with their locks a ton over a couple years, but in less than one month, the spring on my Bugout broke. Thats very disappointing, and I don't know if Im even gonna keep the knife. I dont wanna have to replace springs every damn month.

[@Mazeingpower]

The one thing I have learned over the years is that your pocket knife isn't a prybar its not a screwdriver. I usta get fixated on things like lock strength and many other matrixes, but I have come to find out my knives only open boxes mail and other packages. My hunting knives prep game and my survival knives are great at wood working. By knowing these facts you can understand that a pocket knife doesn't have to be super beefy or over build to do these task. Now the Flex factor is the only real reason to have ultra premium knives and well lets face it I love a well built knife. My Spyderco Manix 2 with a custom hamon etching on the blade with a after market g10 honey comb scale on one side of the handle and a titanium scale on the other with a after market titanium switch lock upgrade is my EDC most of the time. I also stone washed all the parts for a more rugged look. I do switch it up with my full custom Microtech ultra tech its a great letter opener :). This is just a few of my knives and insight yall have a great day :).

[@44SCB]

The flex scales don't make this a none-hard use knife. The Dutch Bushcrafters tested the Bugout, and it stood up to heavy battoning with no problem. It actually performed similarly to a lot of the Cold Steels they tested. It's a serious use knife, is a relatively small and lightweight package. That's why people love it so much.

[@LorianandLothric]

I can't get over that ridge on the top. When I saw the knife it immediately bothered me. Glad you pointed it out Nick because to me, it ruins what should have been a great, seamless look. What even is the point of that ridge? If anything it makes handling the knife even more uncomfortable since people like to rest their thumb on that spot

[@atoleo5024]

Just now I got this knife in post office. I ordered in FB knife section , because like blade style. At first I was disapointed , because handle feels to weak , but is ok , like city EDC - lightweight , thin , is ok for keeping in pocket , for opening packages , envelopes , but not for heavy duty bushcraft.

[@TheGeekiestGuy]

Woo. High speed, low drag, TACTICAL AF. I'm finally getting around to watching your reviews and I love the commentary. Thanks, Nick. I'll be back for more and catch you later, brother. 🤙🏾

[@mikejohnston5159]

Is that you JFK?

[@MKitson]

Really great review, very content dense which I loved. You also spoke about how all the elements come together (or don't in this case) and offered an opinion, rather than just mentioning all the features. Thank you

[@swcannon80]

The bailout name comes from an inside joke within the Benchmade company instead of getting a government bailout they just sell a bunch of cheap plastic knives at an extreme markup to keep the company afloat.

[@oneohsevenseventhebonerock3262]

Eugene is awesome! If you're in the silicon valley area, you should check out Stevens Creek surplus. Good deals and nice people

[@uke4382]

I love the bugout but I want to buy some aftermarket scales because I want to put it under some stress without being scared of it breaking. I don’t like the bailout though.

[@jasonhearne1174]

Do you think the new version with aluminium scales and the glass breaker fixes the issues you flag with this?

[@edrader]

give me a G-10 bugout is a non-stupid color with a CENTERED blade and i'm there,