Breakthrough Bugout: Benchmade ‘535-09’ Elevates Hallowed Folding Knife Family

Every blue moon, you land a piece of gear that looks so good that you hesitate to want to use it. The risk of dirtying up a work of art outweighs the desire to put it through its paces. That’s how I felt (and still feel, to some degree) about the Benchmade’s latest folder, the Bugout 535-09.

This is a gentleman’s folder that sets itself apart from the crowd with a “maroon and silver” handle, and boasts brawn enough to make it more than a showpiece for your shelf. The knife is beautiful, but it’s also ready to rip. 

The Benchmade Bugout is one of the brand’s most recognizable knives, capturing the attention of knife nerds everywhere. This new variation of the Bugout has a chic new look and a host of new materials that had me itching to see what the hype is about.

I’ve used the Bugout 535-09 for nearly a month as my daily carry. It has been along on several hikes in Minnesota, daily errands around the city, and joined me on an out-of-state work trip. 

In short: Benchmade upgraded the latest addition to the Bugout family with a beautiful new design and top-level materials. A mixed-material handle of gray anodized aluminum and redstone richlite onlay marks a first in the Bugout lineup, and to cap it all off, Benchmade added a “super steel” blade. Lightweight and compact, this knife competes for daily use with the best.

Don’t forget to check out the full GearJunkie guide to Best Pocket Knives.

Benchmade Bugout 535-09 Review

Key First Impressions

The new Bugout is gorgeous — and that’s not just my opinion. Every time I pull this knife out to show it off, I hear “ooh’s and aah’s” over the two-tone handle and pops of color. The orange anodized thumb stud and backspacer add an unexpected yet perfect addition to the look. As much as I’ve tried, photos don’t do it justice — you have to see it in hand.

The opening and closing action felt a little stiff out of the box, but with a few slight adjustments, I now have it opening with a “snap” and closing smoothly. After making those adjustments, I found the action somewhat therapeutic, like a satisfying fidget spinner (that you absolutely should not use in line at a coffee shop).

As for weight, that’s largely subjective, but I was struck by how light and compact the 535-09 knife felt. It doesn’t look lightweight or skimp on the construction, but it almost disappeared in my pocket. Despite the lightweight build, it remains balanced and sturdy — an important aspect for me.

Beloved Bugout, Extra Premium

The new 535-09 is more than just a showpiece to add to the Bugout lineup, which now boasts 11 editions — not including the minis and customs. It’s built with choice materials that are meant to last a lifetime.

Handle

This begins with the gray anodized 6061-T6 aluminum bolster with a redstone richlite onlay (have I mentioned that this knife is a head-turner). Benchmade mixed two different materials into a handle for first time, giving this model a unique look and setting the foundation for future iterations and customizations down the road. An anodized orange thumb stud and backspacer are icing on the cake.

The aluminum in the handle lends the knife a noticeable rigidity. The knife snaps open with no play in the blade at all. Everything feels tight and predictable, a major signal of quality in my mind. I love the way this knife feels in hand; the redstone richlite onlay adds a top-shelf feel, almost like the fretboard on a guitar.

Blade, Lock

Dubbed a “super steel,” the blade is made from CPM S90V with a stonewash polish. What’s more, it can seemingly hold an edge forever. It boasts a range of 59-61 hardness and substantial corrosion resistance to the 440C steel, and has a wear resistance that is “superior to anything else in the Benchmade lineup,” according to Benchmade.

Basically, Benchmade positions this knife as a “set it and forget it” blade in terms of the work it can tackle and the maintenance (or lack thereof) it requires.

The 535-09 stays true to the Bugout lineup with an Axis-Lock, a generally smooth and dependable locking system that is 100% manually opened by the user. The mini deep-carry clip is subtle and doesn’t take away from the aesthetic of the knife, and it can be moved to either side for right/left-hand carry.

Made in USA, Sharp for Life

Finally, the Bugout 535-09 is made in Benchmade’s factory in Oregon City, Ore. Every knife blade is ground, beveled, and finished in that facility, with handles milled and machined under the same roof as well.

Benchmade adds a limited lifetime warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship, with the option to repair or replace your knife at Benchmade’s discretion. Better yet, the brand also offers LifeSharp services, guaranteeing that Benchmade will resharpen your knife to a factory edge for free, for the life of the knife. This includes cleaning, oiling, adjustments, and resharpening.

Testing: Cutting Tasks

The 535-09 has gone everywhere I’ve gone for weeks now, slicing, cutting, trimming, and pruning. I’ve dipped into my paracord stash, cut through plastic tubes and packaging, and whittled wood to see how the knife holds up.

Given the Bugout pedigree, I was not surprised the knife handled everything I threw at it. But I was pleased to see the Bugout still looks brand new, and the blade remains tack sharp.

I have sliced vegetables, cubed various meats, cut through pesky plastic packaging, pruned plants, and carved my way through cardboard. It’s even served as a butter knife, because why not?

The Bugout fit into my hand securely, and there were no standout hotspots — even the carry clip seemed to sit in the right spot on my hand. There is a slight ribbing above the Axis Lock that keeps the thumb connected to the handle during more serious cutting movements. This small detail makes a big difference for me, especially since the blade doesn’t have a choil for a more forward grip.

The blade itself is also very stable, and I have yet to feel any play or movement while in use. The edge remained dangerously sharp throughout, and shows no signs of wear at all.

EDC Comfort

All of that is well and good, but what caught my attention the most was how the 535-09 disappeared in my pocket. I can’t tell you the number of times I panicked for a split second, reaching down to feel for the knife in my pocket, thinking I’d left it behind — it’s that light and easy to carry.

At 2.52 ounces, it is very light and comes in at just 0.42 inches in thickness. The knife is so “wearable” that I feel comfortable carrying it in joggers and other lightweight athletic pants.

Considerations: Perfect Isn’t Real

There’s a lot to love about this new Bugout, but even the best knives have drawbacks. I’ve found the AXIS lock feels sticky at the initial point of engagement and a little “sandy” on the slide.

I oiled up the lock and gave it a proper break-in period. And while the smoothness has improved, it still catches when you first engage the locking mechanism to close the knife. At a $400 price point, I’d like the lock to slide flawlessly nearly every time.

And on the note of pricing, this Bugout is expensive — really expensive. Knife connoisseurs know that Benchmade makes a quality product, but always at a premium price, and this is no expectation.

Even in the context of Benchmade, this knife comes in on the high side of the brand’s pricing. Potential buyers will have to pause and weigh the pros and cons of adding this EDC to their collection.

Final Thoughts

The new Bugout 535-09 in Gray Redstone Aluminum and Richlite is a fine piece of craftsmanship with a beautiful aesthetic to match. It’s a knife that you want to place on display as much as you want to put it to work.

It’s lightweight, easy to carry, and built with quality steel and components. As for durability and longevity, I do not worry about this latest Bugout wearing down over time. If you’re in a place where budget isn’t a concern and you want a unique take on a fan-favorite from Benchmade, you may have found your huckleberry.