Benchmade Bugout 535 vs Benchmade 940 Osborne (2026)

Head-to-head differences

Weight

Benchmade Bugout 5351.85oz — among the lightest knives with a 3in+ blade

Benchmade 940 Osborne2.90oz — noticeable in a pocket by comparison

Bugout wins, and it is the whole reason the Bugout exists.

Blade geometry

Benchmade Bugout 535Standard drop point, competent at everything

Benchmade 940 OsborneReverse tanto with a thin flat grind — a genuinely superior slicer

940 wins clearly on cutting performance.

Handle

Benchmade Bugout 535Grivory is light and has noticeable flex when squeezed

Benchmade 940 OsborneAnodized aluminium is rigid and feels considerably more solid

940 wins on rigidity; Bugout wins on weight.

Steel

Benchmade Bugout 535CPM-S30V — good edge retention, needs diamond stones

Benchmade 940 OsborneCPM-S30V — identical

Tie. The steel is not the differentiator here.

Choose the Benchmade Bugout 535 if:

→You carry a knife daily and notice weight in a pocket
→Backpacking, where 1oz differences accumulate
→You want a knife you will genuinely always have on you

Choose the Benchmade 940 Osborne if:

→You cut things frequently and want the better blade geometry
→You dislike handle flex and want a rigid feel
→You want a knife that looks and feels like an heirloom object

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Common Questions

Is the Bugout's handle flex a problem?

For normal cutting, no — it is noticeable when you squeeze hard and does not affect the lock. Aftermarket aluminium and carbon fibre scales are widely available if it bothers you.

What is a reverse tanto good for?

The thin belly slices well while the strong, unsupported-looking tip is actually quite robust. It is a good all-purpose shape that happens to look unusual.

Do both use the same AXIS lock?

Yes, and it is one of the best folding locks made — ambidextrous, strong, and operable without putting fingers in the blade path.