Wow, that made me laugh out loud. I know they (Benchmade) have run SOME of their steels "soft", but their S30V? I have not ever heard that, nor have I experienced it with the few (yes, bugouts) Benchmade knives I own. In fact, I've experienced quite the opposite with Benchmade's S30V; that being either same hardness or slightly harder. For the knives I've had with that steel, Spyderco and Benchmades, I prefer Benchmades S30V. In my hand, my use, my sharpening, with the two examples of each I've had/have - the S30V on the Benchmades works/seems better.
That said, I like Spyderco knives more because of that thumb hole, but not their S30V steel in the two knives I've had in that steel (Ikutchi and Sage 5). I was.... underwhelmed by the S30V in those two that I had.
Worth stating here, I intend / mean no disrespect. Simply answering to your post with my own in hand experience. Benchmade S30V steel run soft? No, at least not in my experience, or any of the folks I know either.
I will be getting one of the orange mini bugouts - though I do wish it had a thumb hole. I've made a few posts inquiring about Spyderco making a "Hyker" model... A few folks have replied in agreements. Perhaps in time...
Seems it's about a two year turn around from idea and commit to for sale, so...
u.w.