Pros: Weight, Ease of Opening, Handle Material, Pocket Clip, Blade Material, Overall Quality, Blade Sharpness
Cons: None
Right out of the box is super sharp, well tuned,
I have a plethora of Benchmade knives, and usually gravitate to my numerous different versions of the Griptilian and Mini Griptilian knives (different steels, blade shapes, and scale colors). Not too long ago I picked up a mini Freek in carbon fiber and S90V and thought, maybe I should finally look for a special version of the Bugout, as I've avoided the standard version with grivory scales like the plague. I didn't want something almost exactly like my mini Freek, and this Aluminum scale version with M390 blade DOES NOT DISAPPOINT! Handling it right next to a carbon fiber griptilian and mini Freek after I got this has made it clear how much of a delight the textured aluminum scales are - it's especially fidgety now and fun to run my fingers along the scales. I like the short deep carry pocket clip, and that the clip does not interfere with the lanyard hole at all, so deep carry is not compromised by the lanyard hole.The Red thumbs studs and spacers add a nice touch, and contrast well with the black blade. I wear a large or XL glove, and can just get a 4 finger grip on the handle, and the pocket clip does not dig into my palm. The shape or contour of the handle, and the jimping on the back of the handle, don't allow my hand to slide too far forward when wet. But, there is no way to really choke up on the knife. The knife only allows tip up carry (fine) but it DOES allow for left handed carry by swapping the pocket clip, and it's an ambidextrous locking mechanism so great for everyone. The edge is deceptively sharp, and I've already been bitten once doing something that would normally be safe with several of my other Benchmades, that is wiping the blade clean with bare fingers. Pinching the blade while wiping it off from pivot towards tip allows your finger tips to wrap around the very thin blade and it's edge to get nicked. Fit and finish is excellent, and QC has done their job with this one. It's perfectly centered, and the action is light and smooth, allowing for reverse flick or thumb flick opening, or to hold back the axis lock bar and snap it open and closed with a wrist flick. I tried to flick out the blade hard to deploy without pulling back on the axis lock, and by the time I had managed to shake my hand hard enough to dislodge the blade past the detent I felt like I had sprained my wrist! So, it's possible, but not without hurting yourself. It wont pop open in a pocket, but this means it might pop open if you drop it a good distance onto the ground. Rapping the spine of the blade hard against a block of wood does not cause the lock to fail. My only complaint - the tinny or metallic sound that it makes when you flick the blade back into the handle while holding back the axis lock. The scale resonates kind of like the sound of a knife being pulled out of a sheath in the movies.
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