My Favorite Benchmade Knife Just Got a Major Blade Steel Upgrade

Outside of hardcore heavy metal fans, Geezer Butler is a name unknown to most people.

Yet as the bassist and primary lyricist for Black Sabbath, he is arguably just as vital to the legendary band’s success as Ozzy Osbourne (RIP) or Tony Iommi.

Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

On a somewhat similar note, Benchmade’s Bailout is not nearly as famous as the Bugout. 

But with its sleek handle, tactical flair and fantastic tanto blade, it’s the brand’s secret superstar — and my personal favorite. 

Perhaps with the latest edition of the knife boasting the highest-quality blade steel, I won’t be alone.

Blade stunner

Let’s not bury the lead too deeply here. The big news is that the Bailout joins a growing slate of Benchmade knives outfitted with CPM-MagnaCut. 

Like legendary Damascus a millennium or two ago, MagnaCut is very much the super steel of the moment, thanks to its unbeatable blend of edge retention, corrosion resistance and toughness.

Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

Here it appears with the Bailout’s traditional tanto shape, measuring a generous 3.38 inches and treated with Cerakote in a DLC Battlewash finish for additional corrosion resistance. 

The blade treatment mirrors how Benchmade upgraded another standby, the Osborne, last summer — and it’s not the only echoing note.

Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

Unlike the Osborne, this new knife actually comes in a couple variations, distinguished by a blade tweak: the 537BK-07 is a classic tanto while the 537SBK-07 is partially serrated for a bit of sawing capability.

With both blades, ambidextrous thumbstuds make deployment as quick and reliable as you’ll ever find on a manual knife.

Style points

As you might expect from the pros at Benchmade, the rest of the knife is festooned with features befitting such high-quality steel. 

Here’s where the other Osborne-inspired element comes in, as the handle scales are made of anodized aluminum with a Burnt Copper finish and black oxide hardware.

Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

The handle is no clone, though. While the Osborne’s is contoured, this one retains the Bailout’s streamlined shape. 

A pleasing aesthetic and functional touch should not be missed: the handle’s unique diamond texture enhances grip. 

Rounding out the features are a number of tried-and-true Bailout elements, including the patented AXIS lock, mini deep carry pocket clip and lanyard slot.

Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

One notable difference from the ultralight Grivory-handled Bailout the brand introduced last spring is that this one is a little heftier: 2.7 ounces.

Considering how great this knife looks and performs — and the fact that is still pretty dang light — I’m inclined to give it a pass.

The two new Benchmade Bailouts — 537BK-07 and 537SBK-07 — are available now for $450 each.

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