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Benchmade bugout or mini freek

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2019 3:27 am
by Daveho
Of the two they strike me as much the same save for the handle material.
Any of you lot have both and can recommend one over the other?
I’m looking at the mini freek as a preference currently

Re: Benchmade bugout or mini freek

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2019 8:26 am
by knivesandbooks
Is the mini freek the new one with red and black g10 with m4 steel? Or is it just a smaller version of the freek that came out first?

If it is just a smaller version, I'll say 2 things. 1) That contoured and soft handle is very very comfortable. 2) it is a literal nightmare getting in and out of the pocket. I gave it to a coworker. I liked using it but omg that rubber stuff does not slide well.

I'd get the bugout in the green, personally.

Re: Benchmade bugout or mini freek

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2019 8:54 am
by TomAiello
I still want to try the Bugout. It's the only benchmade that's tempted me since they stopped making the Doug Ritter knives.

Re: Benchmade bugout or mini freek

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2019 10:41 am
by Extra330SC
Daveho wrote:
Tue Feb 12, 2019 3:27 am
Of the two they strike me as much the same save for the handle material.
Any of you lot have both and can recommend one over the other?
I’m looking at the mini freek as a preference currently
I bought both , And like Knivesandbooks, gifted the MF away pretty quick. The Bugout is a great all around package that is ultra light, super functional, with a reasonable price point. There's also a big aftermarket for upgrading /modifying the Bugout to your liking! I added Rouge Blade Works carbon scales and Blades We Love anodized screws to the blue satin version! I plan on customizing the green Bugout with Rockscale design titanium scales. ..love the look.

James

Re: Benchmade bugout or mini freek

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2019 10:55 am
by knivesandbooks
I will say, the freek with the red and black g10 and m4 steel is tempting. Wish it was $50 less though.

Re: Benchmade bugout or mini freek

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2019 12:38 pm
by rossco599
Bugout. It's incredibly light.

Re: Benchmade bugout or mini freek

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2019 1:50 pm
by Daveho
To be fair the freek isn’t exactly heavy-
Currently the bugout is $25 more locally

Re: Benchmade bugout or mini freek

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2019 2:12 pm
by abbazaba
Bugout. I owned a freek and mini freek for a very brief period of time, still own two Bugouts. Just a better all around design IMHO, and one of the most practical knives I own.

Re: Benchmade bugout or mini freek

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2019 3:25 pm
by Daveho
TomAiello wrote:
Tue Feb 12, 2019 8:54 am
I still want to try the Bugout. It's the only benchmade that's tempted me since they stopped making the Doug Ritter knives.
This is exactly how I got here- that Ritter grip blade is very much like the freek.



So far the preferred option seems to be the bug out due to weight and being customisable with the freek being harder to pocket.

Re: Benchmade bugout or mini freek

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2019 3:29 pm
by TomAiello
Daveho wrote:
Tue Feb 12, 2019 3:25 pm
TomAiello wrote:
Tue Feb 12, 2019 8:54 am
I still want to try the Bugout. It's the only benchmade that's tempted me since they stopped making the Doug Ritter knives.
This is exactly how I got here- that Ritter grip blade is very much like the freek.
Did you look at the new Ritter that's made by Hogue?

Re: Benchmade bugout or mini freek

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2019 3:39 pm
by Extra330SC
TomAiello wrote:
Tue Feb 12, 2019 3:29 pm
Daveho wrote:
Tue Feb 12, 2019 3:25 pm
TomAiello wrote:
Tue Feb 12, 2019 8:54 am
I still want to try the Bugout. It's the only benchmade that's tempted me since they stopped making the Doug Ritter knives.
This is exactly how I got here- that Ritter grip blade is very much like the freek.
Did you look at the new Ritter that's made by Hogue?
The new RSK Knifeworks exclusive is an awesome knife (according to the people that got one) with premium materials for a great price ($152.00). The problem is your not going to see the knife for a while. I've been on the pre order list for 2 months and some guys from Oct/Nov 2018 are still waiting. Hogue is making small batches and it seems the demand is high! Just a FYI ..

James

Re: Benchmade bugout or mini freek

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2019 3:51 pm
by Daveho
It’s a beautiful package-
Bring an international customer the shipping cost and god awful exchange rate will likely kill it for me however that being said it is certainly the more appealing option over the M4 as even with shipping it would be about $60 aud cheaper.
The thing I note with the mini freek is that the big gripe people have with the knife is the grip however ergos are highly regarded-
I didn’t like the mini grip as much due to the random texturing in some uncomfortable areas for long term cutting.

Re: Benchmade bugout or mini freek

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2019 7:34 pm
by Extra330SC
Daveho wrote:
Tue Feb 12, 2019 3:51 pm
It’s a beautiful package-
Bring an international customer the shipping cost and god awful exchange rate will likely kill it for me however that being said it is certainly the more appealing option over the M4 as even with shipping it would be about $60 aud cheaper.
The thing I note with the mini freek is that the big gripe people have with the knife is the grip however ergos are highly regarded-
I didn’t like the mini grip as much due to the random texturing in some uncomfortable areas for long term cutting.
The new M4 "Super Freek" is a great looking knife with quality materials. ..I can see it in my future :D

I'm sure people have offered before....if you ever need any help getting a blade stateside. ..hit me up via PM!

James

Re: Benchmade bugout or mini freek

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2019 8:42 pm
by Daveho
I hear that. I’m hoping for a mini super freek as redundant as that sounds-
I will take u up on that however the Aussie dollar being 70c currently sucks!

Re: Benchmade bugout or mini freek

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2019 11:26 pm
by Halfneck
Another vote for the Bugout.

Re: Benchmade bugout or mini freek

Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2019 12:48 am
by Daveho
So I bought a mini freek, local guy did me a deal.
But by the sounds I’ll have to get a bugout too.

Re: Benchmade bugout or mini freek

Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2019 2:00 am
by Extra330SC
Daveho wrote:
Wed Feb 13, 2019 12:48 am
So I bought a mini freek, local guy did me a deal.
But by the sounds I’ll have to get a bugout too.
Congrats. .hope you enjoy it.


James

Re: Benchmade bugout or mini freek

Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2019 2:49 am
by Daveho
Extra330SC wrote:
Wed Feb 13, 2019 2:00 am
Daveho wrote:
Wed Feb 13, 2019 12:48 am
So I bought a mini freek, local guy did me a deal.
But by the sounds I’ll have to get a bugout too.
Congrats. .hope you enjoy it.


James
Thanks, I think I will like it a lot

Re: Benchmade bugout or mini freek

Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2019 4:59 pm
by Daveho
This is a fantastic knife!
Ergos are as good as any spydie in the same price point- grinds are even and it slices like a champ!

Re: Benchmade bugout or mini freek

Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2019 5:27 pm
by cycleguy
Bugout for me and only Benchmade folder I currently own. I held both at the store and the Bugout made it home. Now have it in blue plain edge and blue partially serrated. Looking to add the coated blade model w/ plain edge and that will be the last of the Bugouts for me. Still prefer the Spyderco thumb hole to a thumb stud.

CG