I bought this knife a couple months ago from Focus camera. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about the mini version of the bugout (I have 4 full size models) but I love it. Small but useful. Feels fine in my medium sized hands. I liked it so much I ended up buying the orange mini for my hiking ditty bag
Quality and the materials it's made of. This one has a carbon fiber handle. I have looked to see what the blade is made out of. Also Benchmade has an excellent warranty. Most importantly it is made in usa
Newbie here: what makes this tiny knife $200+? TIA
S90v steel is very good. It's also a benchmade (a different league than your typical brand like Kershaw and Gerber). If you like the finer things in life, this is for you. If you appreciate quality, this is for you. If you'd rather drive a Lexus than a Toyota, this is for you. This isn't like a Gucci bag, $10 plastic bag for $200. This is a you get what you pay for with maybe a slightly more than it's worth price. I would say this is a good $160+ knife. If you want a Toyota, go with Spyderco, you may find something more friendly for your budget, but also reliable. If you want sexy then pay the extra bucks and get yourself a benchmade. I've had a custom mini grip with aluminum scales for almost a decade and I still prefer it to my para2 which is a solid knife.
Got the full size knife (535-3) for around this price. It's already hard to open/close due to it's thinness. Mini Bugout is more of a toy in my experience due to it's size. Great build, but very small.
Got s90v para2 and highly disappointed in the "super steal" blade. Micro chips so easily and I haven't even cut anything hard. Have 20cv bugout for $155 and think that's great value at that SD price, but will never buy in this price range again after picking up many EXCELLENT alternatives for $35-50.
S90V has better retention and wear resistance than the S35VN. It is not a very touch steel. It's not good for chopping for any kind. It's better for cutting / slicing jobs.
As batpot mentioned, it can be brittle and you may end up with chips on the blade. It is also a bitch to sharpen.
S35VN is a better well rounded blade. It's a Jack of all trades. It won't stay sharp as long but it's easier to sharpen and you probably won't get chipping on your blade
That all said. I own this knife and I love it. I love the axis lock over all other locking mechanisms. I had to loosen it a bit when I received. Easy one hand operation
Also if you are chasing high quality steel. Hogue makes their Deka with CPM magnacut. It is cheaper than the 533-3. It is super light weight but the handle feels cheap to me.
Another vote for the Hogue Deka. But I am absolutely diggin my Kubey Coeus for $25 right now. Tried the Bugout before but it looked prettier than it felt in the hand (profile felt too slim/no confidence in the ergos) and passed it to a friend.
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Edit: thanks to each comment that answered this newb!!! Learned something today!!!
S90v steel is very good. It's also a benchmade (a different league than your typical brand like Kershaw and Gerber). If you like the finer things in life, this is for you. If you appreciate quality, this is for you. If you'd rather drive a Lexus than a Toyota, this is for you. This isn't like a Gucci bag, $10 plastic bag for $200. This is a you get what you pay for with maybe a slightly more than it's worth price. I would say this is a good $160+ knife. If you want a Toyota, go with Spyderco, you may find something more friendly for your budget, but also reliable. If you want sexy then pay the extra bucks and get yourself a benchmade. I've had a custom mini grip with aluminum scales for almost a decade and I still prefer it to my para2 which is a solid knife.
This is a special edition with carbon fiber handles and a more expensive blade steel.
It's a very nice tool made of high quality materials. An excellent every day carry. Very light, thin, and will last forever.
I've been carrying Benchmades for almost 20 years.
Also designed and manufactured in the USA.
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S30v/S35v is way better for a pocket knife.
As batpot mentioned, it can be brittle and you may end up with chips on the blade. It is also a bitch to sharpen.
S35VN is a better well rounded blade. It's a Jack of all trades. It won't stay sharp as long but it's easier to sharpen and you probably won't get chipping on your blade
That all said. I own this knife and I love it. I love the axis lock over all other locking mechanisms. I had to loosen it a bit when I received. Easy one hand operation
Also if you are chasing high quality steel. Hogue makes their Deka with CPM magnacut. It is cheaper than the 533-3. It is super light weight but the handle feels cheap to me.