Benchmade - Mini Bugout 533 Folding Knife with Black Carbon Fiber Elite Handle (533BK-2)

The media could not be loaded. This knife is as light in the hand and easy to carry in the pocket as advertised. The blade was shaving sharp and the action was drop shut smooth with solid lock up right out of the box.I find flicking the knife open with my thumb to be very natural and needed zero break-in.The grivory (plastic) handle scales do have some flex. To me on a knife with a sub three inch blade that's not a big deal because the smaller size limits how much it flexes and because this isn't supposed to be a hard use knife.The handle is very slim but still comfortable with enough texture for a secure hold without being abrasive. It's just big enough for me to get a four finger grip. I wear a men's size large gloves, so those with big hands may find their pinky hanging off the end.The small pocket clip is my favorite style that Benchmade has and is very easy to get in and out of the pocket. Because the knife sits so deep in the pocket with this clip you get security knowing the knife won't come out and also a discrete appearance.I love buying American made products and am very happy to support Benchmade with all their knives made in Oregon.From a price standpoint Benchmade charges a premium even among American knife makers, so I can't call it a amazing value, but the price tag isn't so high that it's unreasonable.For a quality sub 3 inch bladed, lightweight, American made knife in my opinion this is the top of the heap.

Benchmade has done it again. I hate to sound like a fanboy, but they keep hitting it out of the park. Again.The original Bugout was pretty darn great. But perhaps a little too much of a knife for some one hiking, or backpacking. Although the colors were great, and the steel and materials choice was awesome.Now the mini is somehow even better, because of the reverse. You get SO MUCH knife, out of such a little package (hope that makes sense).I have thick medium size hands, and it feels just right. Not too small that I can't safely use it. But not too large that I feel I am carrying something that is overkill for my needs on the outdoors.Best of all, the color choice makes it so easy to see anywhere you put it or drop it. It is so much easy to fid inside my pack, pocket, tent, etc. No need to colorful lanyards anymore.Let's be honest, most of us who simply hike and backpack, don't need a massive survival knife. This one is plenty for our needs. Is even better than the mini Griptillian. And I will recommend it to anyone. I will actually be gifting a few to, my wife, family and friends.Now if only they made them in more subdue colors so I can carry it every day at work and around town. Or a few more color choices so I can tell my knife apart from the one I am giving my wife and others.A rainbow of mini Bugout colors will be AWESOME.

Benchmade is fantastic. In recent times they’ve been having a tad bit of trouble and their prices are high, but their knives are still great. This one is very lightweight, small and easy to carry, but still keeps the benchmade durability

I’ve been a knife nerd since childhood, and I think this little pocket knife is my all time favorite. For me it’s the perfect size, disappearing in my pocket but with enough blade length to slice an apple or tomato. It’s light, yet has enough heft to inspire confidence in its construction. It handles a three finger comfortably, the clip completely unobtrusive, the texture perfect for gripping. The blade shape is suitable for almost any task and looks great.My knife came quite sharp, with a toothy edge that would probably satisfy most folks. I refined it on my Wicked Edge, going to 17 degree polished edge, and finishing with a .25 diamond spray. It took an incredible edge.I’ve had my eye on this guy since Benchmade announced it, and I’m thrilled to finally own it. It’s an absolutely fantastic EDC pocket knife.

It’s a small, but serious knife.Required a bit of work to make it perfect.There’s very-tiny bit of blade play (normal for benchmades) and blade was off-center folded.Proper alignment of the blade fixed both play and misalignment when folded. Just unscrew scale screws while putting pressure on the blade and screw back, don't touch axis bolt.Also required a bit of fidgeting/breaking in to get action smoother.Will probably install a back-spacer to get it a bit more rigid.Was not very sharp OOB, but took a wicked hair popping edge just fine.A bit overpriced, but still ok. It’s a US made, pretty knife that can be perfect if you put a bit of time into it.

It's benchmade ... so go figure! Very sturdy, also expensive and I cannot honestly say it is with the price they sell it out

This is another quality Benchmade knife made of upmost quality. I really like the color as well. It's a light orange color

Great EDC knife! I have the full size bugout as well and while I like both of them the mini just feels better in my hand, smaller to carry, and opening/closing it just seems smoother to me. The small blade made of SV30 steel comes quite sharp from the factory and after moderate use it has held an edge and looks/feels just as it did when it was brand new.My first impression was that it felt “Cheap” due to the scales being a hard plastic but it is meant to be light weight and it still feels good to hold. But comparing it to the feel of a para 2 with G10 scales it feels like a much cheaper knife, but performs excellent and that’s what really matters. I love my para 2s also but I prefer this mini bugout over the para 3.