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 →

Which should you buy?

Get the Benchmade Bugout 535 if
  • ✓EDC carriers wanting an ultralight knife that disappears in-pocket
  • ✓Everyday cutting, food prep and hiking use
  • ✓Slicing-focused users who value the thin, sharp grind
  • ✓Those wanting a non-intimidating knife around non-knife people
Skip it if
  • Buyers expecting premium, solid-feeling scales at this price
  • Owners unwilling to clean a gritty axis lock periodically
Get the CRKT Pilar if
  • ✓EDC carriers wanting a cheap, replaceable beater
  • ✓Tradespeople and factory workers needing a tough cutter
  • ✓Fans of the ergonomic Voxnaes design and comfy grip
  • ✓Smaller hands wanting a compact pocket knife
Skip it if
  • Anyone wanting a thin slicer, the blade runs thick
  • Buyers expecting flawless fit, finish and QC

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

Benchmade Bugout 535 vs CRKT Pilar: frequently asked questions

Is the Benchmade Bugout 535 or the CRKT Pilar better?

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

Who should get the Benchmade Bugout 535?

Owners point the Benchmade Bugout 535 at eDC carriers wanting an ultralight knife that disappears in-pocket, and everyday cutting, food prep and hiking use.

Who should get the CRKT Pilar?

Owners point the CRKT Pilar at eDC carriers wanting a cheap, replaceable beater, and tradespeople and factory workers needing a tough cutter.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Benchmade Bugout 535 is pricey and feels cheap/plastic for the cost. For the CRKT Pilar, it's qC issues and low-end materials (Teflon washers, 8Cr steel).