Bailout
The Benchmade Bailout 537FE-2601 in Taiga Green is the tactical companion to the Seasonal Bugout — the same FDE Battlewash PVD finish, Taiga Green aluminum, and Burnt Copper hardware palette, but on Benchmade's Bailout platform: a 3.40" tanto blade with a puncturing tip and a flat grind that covers both piercing capability and efficient slicing in a lightweight aluminum folder that won't quit. At 2.70 oz on the AXIS Lock, it is the Bailout doing what the Bailout was built for — in a seasonal colorway that makes it worth owning twice.
The blade is ground from CPM-S90V — Crucible's particle metallurgy stainless steel engineered for maximum wear resistance and edge retention through a high vanadium content that creates exceptionally hard carbides resistant to edge wear. At 59-61 HRC with a flat grind at 0.090" thin, this is a blade that holds a working edge longer than virtually every other production stainless available. The tanto profile combines a primary edge optimized for general cutting with a secondary edge and reinforced tip for penetration tasks — the puncturing tip the Bailout is known for, backed by enough belly on the primary edge for genuine slicing utility. The FDE Battlewash PVD finish is a physical vapor deposition coating in a warm Flat Dark Earth tone with a Battlewash worn treatment that gives the blade a field-worn surface character consistent with the seasonal palette.
The Taiga Green aluminum handle is textured — not smooth like the Bugout's bolsters — providing a more aggressive grip surface at 0.39" thin and 4.69" long. Dual thumb studs with a bronze washer pivot provide ambidextrous opening; Burnt Copper hardware accents the pivot, screws, and hardware details throughout. A lanyard loop at the butt end provides retention options. The AXIS Lock deploys and closes ambidextrously. The reversible Mini Deep Carry clip mounts tip-up for left or right carry. Made in the USA.
- Steel: CPM-S90V particle metallurgy stainless steel — Crucible engineering for maximum wear resistance and edge retention; flat grind at 0.090" thin optimized for both tanto tip strength and primary edge slicing
- Blade: 3.40" tanto profile, flat grind, FDE Battlewash PVD finish, plain edge — 3.13" cutting edge, 1.00" wide, 0.090" thin; reinforced tanto tip; warm FDE Battlewash worn finish
- Handle: Textured Taiga Green aluminum — aggressive grip surface; Burnt Copper hardware accents; bronze washer pivot; lanyard loop; 4.69" handle length, 0.39" thin
- Lock: AXIS Lock — Benchmade's proprietary ambidextrous crossbar mechanism; deploys and closes from either side without thumb crossing blade path; dual thumb studs with bronze washer pivot
- Carry: 2.70 oz; reversible Mini Deep Carry tip-up clip, left/right carry; seasonal limited release
- Service: LifeSharp factory service included — complimentary cleaning, adjustment, and sharpening as an authorized Benchmade dealer
- Pairing: Seasonal companion to Benchmade Bugout 535FE-2602 — same Taiga Green / FDE / Burnt Copper palette
- Origin: Made in USA — Benchmade domestic production
Tactical folder buyers who want the Bailout in the seasonal Taiga Green configuration — the FDE Battlewash tanto, textured Taiga Green aluminum, and Burnt Copper hardware won't appear in the standard Bailout lineup. CPM-S90V tanto users who want maximum edge retention on a tanto platform with the AXIS Lock. Buyers who want to pair the Bailout with the seasonal Bugout 535FE-2602 as a companion carry set.