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Head to head

Benchmade Bugout 535 vs Benchmade Bailout 537GY-03

Benchmade Bugout 535 runs a 3.24″ drop point blade in CPM-S30V; Benchmade Bailout 537GY-03 runs 3.38″ of tanto in CPM-M4. The Benchmade Bugout 535 is the lighter of the two by 0.85 oz.

01234567 in
  • Benchmade Bugout 535 · Drop Point
    3.24″ blade · 0.09″ spine · 1.85 oz · ~0.95″ tall
  • Benchmade Bailout 537GY-03 · Tanto
    3.38″ blade · 0.09″ spine · 2.7 oz · ~0.99″ tall
Spine thickness, same scale
0.09″
0.09″
Length and spine thickness drawn to true scale from published specs. Outline traced from the maker's side-profile photo.
SpecBenchmadeBenchmade Bugout 535Check priceBenchmadeBenchmade Bailout 537GY-03Check price
Blade length3.24″3.38″
Spine thickness0.09″0.09″
Overall length7.46″8.07″
Closed length4.22″4.71″
Weight1.85 oz2.7 oz
Blade shapeDrop PointTanto
SteelCPM-S30VCPM-M4
GrindFlatFlat
LockAXISAXIS
Handle materialGrivory6061-T6 Aluminum
Country of originUSAUSA
Price bandPremiumPremium

Tinted rows are where these two differ.

The steel difference

CPM-S30V

The long-time American benchmark. Holds an edge far longer than 420HC and still sharpens on ordinary stones. Chippy if you pry with it.

CPM-M4

A high-speed tool steel run very hard. Edge retention is near the top of anything used in knives and it is tougher than most steels that cut as long, but the low chromium means it WILL rust if you put it away wet. Benchmade uses it on the Bailout where cutting performance matters more than corrosion.