Funny timing on this one. Just this morning, our Evergreen EDC guide resurfaced the gripe that’s shadowed the Bugout since 2017. And that’s no matter how good the knife is, some folks will never make peace with Grivory scales at a $200 price point.
Turns out Benchmade was already sitting on the answer. The brand has re-upped its Taiga Green colorway on a new Bugout that trades the polymer for anodized aluminum and canvas micarta, and throws in a serious steel bump for good measure.
Round Two, New Wardrobe
When the first Taiga Green Bugout dropped earlier this year, the deep pine shade covered the entire Grivory handle. This version flips the script entirely.
Here, the Taiga Green lives in 6061-T6 aluminum bolsters anchoring each end of the handle, while brown canvas micarta takes over the real estate in between. The burnt copper hardware returns from the first run, tying the thumb studs and backspacer into the whole woodsy palette.
It’s a legitimately handsome combination. And unlike Grivory, micarta actually gets better with use, developing character as your hands work oils into the canvas weave.
The Steel Got a Promotion Too
The 3.24-inch drop point is now ground from Crucible’s CPM S90V, a wear-resistant super steel running 59 to 61 HRC. That’s a step up from the standard Bugout’s S30V, and arguably even from the ELMAX Benchmade used on January’s Taiga run.
The blade wears a Flat Dark Earth Battlewash PVD finish, which gives it a broken-in, field-worn look straight out of the box. Benchmade’s signature ambidextrous AXIS lock and a reversible deep carry clip round out the familiar formula.
Now, the trade-off. All that aluminum and micarta brings the weight to 2.52 ounces, up from the standard model’s barely-there 1.85. Hell, that’s still lighter than most folders’ pocket clips feel, so we’re not exactly losing sleep over it.
Spec Sheet
Brand: Benchmade
Model: Bugout Taiga Green (535FE-2602)
Overall Length: 7.46″
Blade Length: 3.24″
Blade Thickness: 0.09″
Blade Steel: CPM S90V (59-61 HRC)
Blade Finish: Flat Dark Earth Battlewash PVD
Handle Material: Taiga Green 6061-T6 Aluminum with Brown Canvas Micarta
Locking Mechanism: AXIS Lock
Weight: 2.52 oz
Manufacturing Origin: USA
MSRP: $400
Pricing & Availability
Available now directly from the brand, the new Taiga Green Bugout is priced at $400, exactly double what January’s Grivory version asked. Head over to Benchmade’s website to snag one before this seasonal run inevitably dries up.
Recap
Benchmade Bugout Taiga Green 535FE-2602
Benchmade reworks its Taiga Green Bugout with aluminum bolsters, canvas micarta, and S90V super steel, finally handing plastic-averse fans the premium build they’ve been demanding.
