Home / Outdoors / Knives & Multi-Tools

Benchmade’s EDC Superstar Makes a Case for the Heirloom Shelf

The earthy new treatment of this venerated everyday folder elevates it into collector’s wish list territory.

Close-up of a folding knife handle with green and brown textured grip resting on dark gravel.Benchmade
Add Gear Patrol as a Preferred Source on Google

By Steve Mazzucchi

Published

·

If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

Beholding the latest edition of Benchmade’s iconic Bugout, a surprising name popped into my head: Lady Gaga.

The pop superstar, back in the headlines today after landing an Emmy nomination, may appear to have little in common with a pocket knife. 

Benchmade folding knife with bronze blade, green and brown textured handle on black gravel.
The unique use of the Taiga hue in this Bugout could have collectors and fans alike clamoring for it.
Benchmade

One thing they share, however, is a quality best described as “protean,” seamlessly shifting from one form to another while retaining widespread appeal.

That trait comes to the fore this week for the Bugout thanks to the new Taiga Green treatment, which should win over collectors and heirloom knife seekers alike.

Edge of glory

Benchmade has been embracing Taiga Green since the beginning of the year, bringing the color to handles of the Bugout, Mini Bugout and Shootout in late January.

Three closed folding knives with textured handles in brown, dark green, and gray, lying on black gravel.
Taiga Green comes to a trio: the Bugout, Bailout and Osborne each get their own specific treatment.
Benchmade

This week, the brand doubles down, dropping not only a fresh Bugout but also an Osbourne and a Bailout featuring the earthy tone.

Fun fact: the Russian-derived word references “a biome characterized by coniferous forests consisting mostly of pines, spruces and larches.”

Folding knife handle with green metal and textured brown grip panels, featuring screws and a lanyard hole.
The anodized scales peek out from behind the brown canvas micarta inlays in an intriguing fashion.
Benchmade

Unlike most of the other Benchmade Taiga treatments, this new Bugout treats the shade more like an accent. 

While the anodized aluminum handles take on the hue, they are largely covered by brown canvas micarta inlays.

Close-up of a Benchmade folding knife blade with a copper finish and a green textured handle.
The patented Axis Lock offers a reassuring presence, as it does in so many Benchmade knives.
Benchmade

That leaves the Taiga to merely peek out at the lanyard slot and, in almost bolster-like fashion, around the signature Axis Lock.

Of course, this sort of cameo only causes the color to pop even more, contrasted against not only the inlays but also the burnt copper back spacer and thumb stud, not to mention the cutting edge.

Benchmade folding knife with stonewashed blade and green handle with brown textured grip.
S90V super steel is hard to beat for wear resistance, edge retention and corrosion resistance.
Benchmade

After all, the 3.24-inch S90V super steel drop-point blade appears here in “flat dark earth” with a PVD battlewash finish, perhaps suggesting the very soil from which those glorious conifers emerge.

Then again, I might be overthinking it.

Availability and pricing

The Benchmade Bugout Taiga Green is available now for $400.

About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

Read More

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.

add as a preferred source on google
, , , ,