New from Benchmade is the Bugout CF-Elite and the Benchmade M4 Bailout. They’re both everything you loved about the originals, but they’ve updated the handle materials on one and the steel on the other.
The new Benchmade Bugout features upgraded the handle materials. This black out edition features a black graphite molded, carbon fiber reinforced polymer handle. If you’ve heard or had complaints about the standard Grivory handles, this new iteration might be the one for you. It’s a bit sturdier and has a touch less flex to it. All without sacrificing the light weight and easy carry for which the Bugout is known.
The Bugout CF Elite still has a 3.24” CPM-S30V with a DLC coating that opens with either thumb studs or the AXIS lock. It’s available with either a plain edge or a partially serrated edge. It has a deep carry, ambidextrous, tip-up pocket clip and lanyard hole. It’s 4.22” closed and weighs about 1.8 ounces.
Benchmade Bugout CF Elite Details
- CPM-S30V, Black DLC Coated
- 3.24” Drop Point
- AXIS Lock
- Ambidextrous Thumb Studs
- Black CF-Elite Handles
- Ambidextrous Mini Deep Carry Tip-Up Pocket Clip
- Lanyard Hole
- 1.8 Ounces
- 4.22” Closed
- 7.46” Overall
- Made in the USA
With the new Benchmade M4 Bailout, Benchmade upgraded the steel from S30V to M4 and changed up the handles from black Grivory to a grippy anodized aluminum. This results in a knife with increased sturdiness and durability.
The Benchmade M4 Bailout features a 3.38” CPM-M4 tanto blade with a Tungsten Grey Cerakote finish. The HRC on this bad boy is between 62-64 and it has a blade thickness of about 0.09”. It opens with either ambidextrous thumb studs or with the celebrated AXIS lock.
The woodland green anodized aluminum handles are textured and finished for a super grippy grip. The handle thickness is less than a half inch and the carry weight of this knife is just 2.7 ounces. It also has a mini deep carry ambidextrous tip-up pocket clip. The aluminum pommel is outfitted with a lanyard slot and a carbid glass breaker.
Benchmade M4 Bailout Details
- CPM-M4, Tungsten Gray Cerakote
- 3.38” Tanto
- 0.09” Blade Thickness
- 62-64HRC
- AXIS Lock
- Ambidextrous Thumb Studs
- Woodland Green Anodized 6061-T6 Aluminum Handle
- 0.41” Handle Thickness
- Ambidextrous Mini Deep Carry Tip-Up Pocket Clip
- Aluminum Pommel with Lanyard Slot and Carbide Glass Breaker
- 2.7 Ounces
- 4.71” Closed
- 8.07” Overall
- Made in the USA
The new Benchmade Bugout CF-Elite and the M4 Bailout feature several upgrades Benchmade fans have been asking for. They are good, USA-made knives that are as sturdy as they are pocket friendly. If you’re interested in these knives, click any link in the article or simply click the button below.
All images courtesy of Smoky Mountain Knife Works – smwk.com
