Pocket knives · owner-verdict comparison

Benchmade Bugout 535 vs CRKT Pilar: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Benchmade Bugout 535: 78% of 74 owners recommend it, vs 69% of 84 for the CRKT Pilar.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Benchmade Bugout 535

78%of 74 owners recommend
78% recommend · 6% neutral · 16% don't
Owners praise
  • Favorite EDC that owners love and would rebuy
  • Ultralight and slim, disappears in the pocket
  • Excellent slicer with a sharp, well-ground blade
Owners complain about
  • Pricey and feels cheap/plastic for the cost
Full owner report →

CRKT Pilar

69%of 84 owners recommend
69% recommend · 17% neutral · 14% don't
Owners praise
  • Outstanding value, a tough workhorse for the low price
  • Comfortable, ergonomic grip that fills the hand
  • Beloved Voxnaes design and blade shape
Owners complain about
  • QC issues and low-end materials (Teflon washers, 8Cr steel)
  • Blade ground too thick behind the edge
Full owner report →

What Benchmade Bugout 535 owners say

“My favorite is the bugout much to my fathers chagrin.”
— @LittleWranglerStar on YouTube
“Seems like bagging on a knife designed to be light weight for not being heavy duty enough is like complaining that your corvette isn't any good for rock crawling.”
— @starshiplazyboy475 on YouTube
“Who knew a plastic handle would sound like plastic, and feel lighter than aluminum? Absolutely astonished.”
— @nickdonaldz on YouTube

What CRKT Pilar owners say

“CRKT Pilar is my fave but mine has strong detente and isn’t that fidgety if you care about that. And it comes in copper which is nice.”
— reesa447 on Reddit
“Since I bought it, it has been my dominant/ primary EDC knife … honestly my #1 knife I’ve ever owned!!”
— OG-BigPapa-KJ on Reddit
“My Pilar broke.”
— @VinnyS9143101982 on YouTube