Reviews and Ratings for Benchmade 537GY Bailout AXIS Folding Knife 3.38" CPM-3V Gray Cerakote Plain Tanto Blade, Black Grivory Handles

Name: Benchmade 537GY Bailout AXIS Folding Knife 3.38" CPM-3V Gray Cerakote Plain Tanto Blade, Black Grivory Handles
Brand: Benchmade Knives
SKU: BM537GY
Price: 149.95 USD
Availability: BackOrder
Rating: 4.6 (15 reviews)

(15 reviews)

4.6 out of 5 stars

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Benchmade 537GY Bailout AXIS Folding Knife 3.38 inch CPM-3V Gray Cerakote Plain Tanto Blade, Black Grivory Handles

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Chris C
New Jersey

Aug 21, 2025

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Pocket Clip, Weight

Cons: Handle Material

Great knife

Great knife and love the size. Extremely sharp. Only true drawback is the strength of handle , a little flexible, but still durable. . Overall excellent edc.

J. Patrick
Chesterfield, MO

Aug 21, 2025

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Pocket Clip, Weight

Cons: None

Had To Get It

I already own one just like it - on sale at an excellent price, too good of a deal to pass up - just had to get it. One of my all-time Benchmade favorites, with a super-tough, slicey 3V blade. Topped-off by another excellent purchase and delivery experience through Knife Center.

Snowman
UT

Jun 26, 2025

Pros: None

Cons: None

light

just everday carry, very light compared to my last knife

Sargedakilla
Minnesota

Aug 05, 2025

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Weight

Cons: Pocket Clip, Sheath

Beside my 417 fact i carry this knife.

Its is nice to have around to open boxes and letters. I use it like a utility knife. I like the feel of grip the look of the finish.

Rob
Texas

Aug 21, 2025

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Pocket Clip, Sheath, Weight

Cons: None

Toughness in a Lightweight Package

The Black Grivory Bailout with 3V steel is an outstanding ultralight EDC that blends strength, utility, and carry comfort. The Grivory handle keeps the knife feather-light, making it disappear in the pocket, while still offering solid grip and ergonomics. The drop-point blade in CPM-3V is where this knife really shines—3V is known for its incredible toughness and edge retention, giving you confidence that it can take hard use without chipping or rolling. The blacked-out finish pairs perfectly with the minimalist design, giving it a sleek, tactical look. The deep-carry clip is discreet and holds well, making it ideal for everyday or professional carry. Some may find the handle a little slim, but for those who like a lightweight, streamlined knife, it’s a major plus. Overall, this Bailout strikes an excellent balance between durability, performance, and carry ability, making it one of the best options in the lightweight hard-use category.

Jack
NYC

Sep 30, 2023

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Pocket Clip, Weight

Cons: None

Super Lightweight Knife

I've always been a great fan of Benchmade Knives. This one is like a Bugout but feels and looks like a more substantial knife. But with about .2 ounces more than the Bugout, the Bailout is a truly impressive yet thin knife with 3v steel and a tanto blade. I have much more expensive knives that are great. But this Bailout is always with me.

Wayneg
Louisiana

Aug 21, 2025

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Pocket Clip, Weight

Cons: Sheath

Benchmade Bailout Review

Great pocket EDC, Nice and thin and lightweight, very sharp out the box, didn't drop down open/close with AXIS Lock, needs adjustment

Rob
Round Rock, Tx

Jul 01, 2025

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Pocket Clip, Sheath, Weight

Cons: None

Lightweight, Tactical, and Daily Carry Ready

Just received my Black 537GY Bailout from KnifeCenter, and I’m impressed. This is one of the best slimline, hard-use EDC folders Benchmade offers. Out of the box, it was sharp, well-centered, and the action broke in quickly after a few flicks. What I like most is how lightweight and compact it feels in pocket—perfect for shorts, jeans, or hiking gear. The tanto blade is built for piercing and tougher tasks, but still slices well thanks to the thin grind. The Grivory handles keep it light without feeling cheap, and the gray CPM-3V steel is a workhorse. I already own a few other Bailout variants and this model fits perfectly in my rotation. If you're looking for something slim, lightweight, and tougher than your typical Bugout, this is it. Tactical look, rugged steel, and built like it’s ready for real use. Highly recommend for anyone who wants a serious but pocketable folder.

South Texas Transplant
San Antonio, TX

Aug 21, 2025

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Pocket Clip, Weight

Cons: None

EDC made easy!

The lightest and sharpest knife in my drawer of EDC, so it's the one that goes into the pocket every day. Came sharp out of the box, but with a lot of "tooth" on the edge. (Machining marks.) Five minutes with a leather strop and green stropping compound and it's literally the sharpest edge I've ever owned. A drop of light machine oil on either side of the Axis Lock button, one on the pivot, and now it's a breeze to deploy by pinching back the lock buttons and a flick of the wrist.

J. Patrick
Chesterfield, MO

Mar 24, 2022

Pros: Weight, Ease of Opening, Handle Material, Pocket Clip, Blade Material, Overall Quality, Blade Sharpness

Cons: None

Bugout feel with a 3V Blade

Classic, top-drawer Benchmade fit and feel. Razor sharp. Very lightweight, hardly notice it's in the pocket. Very much like a Bugout but with a tanto 3V blade. A worthy investment and excellent addition to anyone's collection.

Anthony
San Diego

Jul 04, 2025

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Pocket Clip, Sheath, Weight

Cons: None

Great Knife. Light weight & Sharp

Another Benchmade for my EDC. The knife is lightweight and not noticeable in your pocket. Typical of Benchmade it's extremely sharp and quality is excellent. Definitely would recommend ordering.

Dan
California

Jun 25, 2025

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Weight

Cons: Ease of Opening, Lock Ease of Use

Bailout with 3V blade

Great blade steel but would prefer other shapes. The action is a bit stiff. Always in my pocket.

Jim
Alpharetta , Ga

Aug 25, 2025

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Pocket Clip, Weight

Cons: Handle Feel, Handle Material

Awesome tanto blade

The only thing keeping this knife from 5 ⭐ is the grivory scales. Maybe it's just personal preference, but seem a little flimsy. Nothing a more sturdy scale replacement won't fix. With that said, with the low price on this particular knife, you can change to g10 or aluminum scales relatively cheap. I really like it.

Rocket
South Carolina

Jan 02, 2025

Pros: Handle Feel, Lock Type, Pocket Clip, Weight

Cons: Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Material

Not That Great

First... I own many Benchmade knives and have been very happy with all of them to date. However, this one let me down and was surprised that it did. Here are the three things that really turned me off on this knife. Poor action... could not get it to "flick" shut at all. Tried to adjust but couldn't find the "sweet spot". Dull blade... it might be sharp for some other brands but from my previous experience with Benchmade... dull. And finally right out of the box rust in many areas on the edge of the blade! I'll keep it because I like the brand but it will most likely be used as a "beater" around the house.

David
The desert

Aug 23, 2025

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Lock Type

Cons: Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Overall Quality

It's ok.

Nice and light. Thin and narrow in the pocket. I like the thin blue geometry and the tanto blade shape. 3v is a good steel choice for the thin blade stock. That said, I don't like the overall package very much. In comparison to the Bugout which is it's nearest competitive option it's heavier (negligible) and longer, but the blade length isn't longer enough than the Bugout to justify it's existence. As well the lanyard loop on the back is quite uncomfortable when closing the knife and adds even more unnecessary length to the handle. The action on my example is very poorly tuned, opens ok but requires a great deal of wrist to flick closed with the axis lock alone. With the exorbitant prices that Benchmade charges the very least they could do is to tune their action as good as an $80 crossbar lock from Kizer or Kershaw. I have both a Bugout and a Houge Deka and both fill the role this knife is trying to fill better than it does. I don't recommend the bailout. If you really want a butterfly on your blade get a Bugout, if you you'd rather spend significantly less money for a US made knife that does the job of the Bailout better and more comfortability in Magnacut go for the Houge Deka.

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