Benchmade Just Made One of Its Coolest, Most Tactical EDC Knives Even More Appealing

Diehard fans of one of Benchmade’s most underrated knives can now turn their favorite folder into a personalized keepsake.

Close-up of a textured black knife handle with visible screws and a partially visible tan blade with a red thumb stud.

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By Hayley Helms

Published November 3, 2025

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Updated November 3, 2025

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There’s no question that the Bugout is Benchmade’s most popular knife, but if you’re anything like me, it’s the underrated alternative to the well-known that tends to strike your fancy.

The Bailout was originally intended for soldiers and first responders, thanks to its tactical and durable construction, but recent redesigns focused on EDC-friendliness have increased its popularity among everyday knife enthusiasts.

Black textured folding knife handle with a tan tanto-style blade and a black pocket clip. — Designed for hard use yet slim enough for daily carry, the Custom Bailout just became even more appealing.

If that weren’t enough to convince you of the Bailout’s value, maybe this news will: Benchmade just added the Bailout to its customization program, which means you can put your personal spin on one of the coolest knives around.

Have it your way

The Bailout is already available in nine unique configurations on Benchmade’s website, but there’s a lot to be desired if you’re interested in carrying a knife that displays your unique aesthetic.

For example, there’s no stock version of the Bailout that comes with green or pink hardware. If either of those are your favorite color, up until now you’ve had to do without.

Close-up of a folding knife with a textured black handle and a partially visible tan blade with a red thumb stud. — The Bailout was always good-looking, but now you can make it more your own than ever.

Similarly, if you’re really into tonal looks, you were SOL when it came to the Bailout up till now.

If your dream Bailout is a blue-and-black-hued folder, for instance, the closest you could come would have been the Crater Blue Aluminum Bailout ($300,) which comes with a 6061-T6 anodized aluminum handle and M4 High Speed Steel blade.

Folding knife with a black tanto blade and a crater blue textured handle with black hardware. — My Custom Bailout was a blue and black dream, completely tonal from tip to tail.

With the customization option, you could swap that handle for blue grivory (or keep the blue aluminum), then add a black CPM-S30V blade and a blue thumb stud and clip and black axis, screws and backspacer.

It’s not just looks that are affected, either — the price can come down if you swap out aluminum for grivory, as in the example above, or go for a more affordable steel option. My knife came out to $245, and it’s exactly the look I wanted.

Folded black textured handle pocket knife with partially visible silver blade and red thumb stud. — Although the handle and blade options are more varied than ever, this 8.12-inch, 2.18-ounce folder’s DNA remains unchanged.

With customization, it’s possible to create a knife that truly represents you while maintaining all of the attributes that make the Bailout such a standout knife to begin with.

Availability and pricing

The Custom Bailout is available now on Benchmade’s official website, with default selections that make the price $385.

However, by swapping key materials, you can drop that number significantly.

Folding knife with tan tanto blade and textured black handle with red thumb stud.

Benchmade Custom Bailout

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About the Author: Hayley Helms is an associate editor at Gear Patrol specializing in outdoor gear. Once upon a time, she wrote for Men’s Journal, Gearjunkie and Shape. Whether it’s testing a new rain shell or putting a pair of hiking boots through its paces, she leaves no stone unturned (however, she always Leaves No Trace).

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