Benchmade Taggedout OD Green G10 + S45VN Review | The Bugout meets Crooked River

Optimized for everyday carry, Specialized for the hunt.

It’s hard to imagine what the EDC world would look like today without the people at Benchmade and their iconic knife designs. They have pioneered many of the most ground-breaking pocket knife innovations for decades, like the Bugout, which defined what a lightweight modern pocket knife should be.

And the Crooked River, which is still a perennial best-seller, and has been touted as one of, if not the best folding hunting knife available on the market today.

Fuse these two iconic designs together and you get the all-new Benchmade Taggedout, which combines the best features of both of these two incredible knives into one lightweight, rugged package.

The purpose of this review is to highlight the all-new Benchmade Taggedout. This is a new variation of the Taggedout which was originally released in 2022. This new variant improves upon a very promising design, which turned a lot of heads last year.

Let’s talk about it:

Benchmade Taggedout Pocket Knife Specs:

• Blade Length: 3.5"

• Blade Thickness: 0.09"

• Blade Style: Clip-Point

• Blade Finish: Satin

• Edge Angle: 17 Degrees per side (34 inclusive)

• Overall Length: 7.46"

• Open Length: 8.13”

• Closed Length: 4.63"

• Handle Thickness: 0.49”

• Mini Deep Carry Pocket Clip

• Opener: Thumb-stud

Materials:

• Blade: CPM-S45VN stainless steel

• Handle Scales: Contoured OD Green G10

• Orange Anodized Aluminum Back-spacer and thumb-stud

• Black Oxide coated steel pocket clip

  Design and Build Quality

  Benchmade is known for the incredible build quality and attention to detail that they put into their products. They have set the standard in the knife industry for what it means to make a high-quality, premium pocket knife.

  The Taggedout is no exception, the build quality on this knife is really good. The sample that I got had perfect centering out of the box, and a crazy hair-popping sharp edge. What more could you ask for right?

  This new variation features all-new blade steel which is a tremendous upgrade to what the original CPM 154 Taggedout launched with.

  The improved steel is a very welcomed change on this year's update because the new S45VN steel better matches what the Taggedout was intended for.

  S45VN steel offers much higher edge retention than CPM 154, greater amounts of toughness, and better corrosion resistance. All of which lend themselves well to skinning, gutting animals, and de-boning meat.

  The improved toughness of the steel is what I really appreciate about this upgrade, because of how fine the point is on this knife, it is very prone to breaking with hard use.

  And just because the Taggedout is part of Benchmade’s Hunting product line, don’t assume it has no cross-over to the everyday carry world.

  This knife perfectly blends the cutting performance of the Crooked River, with the carry-ability of the Bugout.

  The Taggedout is a dream come true if you always wanted a slightly bigger Bugout with a better blade-steel.

  Also new to this year's release is the switch from using a thumb-hole opener to a classic Benchmade thumb stud. This is an update that many of us were asking for when the original Taggedout launched.

  Don’t get me wrong, a thumb hole can be really useful, and fun to use. But the addition of the new thumb stud makes this knife so much better in my opinion.

  Another update from the original Taggedout is the change from using barrel spacers, to a larger more utilitarian aluminum back spacer. This not only looks better aesthetically but also integrates a lanyard hole for those of us who like to use lanyards on our knives.

The Benchmade Taggedout is a knife that is exceptional in terms of cutting performance. Its thin blade and sharp point are designed for precise cutting, allowing for a seamless experience.

The blade's 17-degree cutting edge angle is perfect for maintaining sharpness and durability, even under prolonged use. This makes it a great choice for everyday carry, hunting, and other outdoor activities.

The Taggedout's ergonomic design is an improvement over the Bugout model. The knife is better suited for larger hands, making it easier to grip and use, which is important for anyone using a knife for extended periods of time.

For everyday carry, the Taggedout is an excellent choice due to its lightweight design and deep carry pocket clip. It can be easily carried around wherever you go without weighing you down, making it a reliable and versatile knife to have with you at all times.

When it comes to hunting, the Taggedout performs exceptionally well due to its optimized blade design. It is perfect for skinning, gutting, and deboning meat, making it a must-have for avid hunters.

Overall, the Benchmade Taggedout is a knife that delivers exceptional cutting performance. Its thin blade with a sharp point, 17-degree cutting edge angle, and ergonomic design make it a joy to use, whether you're using it for everyday carry or for hunting. The Taggedout is a worthwhile investment for anyone in need of a reliable and versatile knife.

Conclusion

• The Benchmade Taggedout is a high-quality, premium pocket knife optimized for everyday carry and specialized for hunting.

• The knife features all-new blade steel, which offers higher edge retention, greater amounts of toughness, and better corrosion resistance.

• The Taggedout's ergonomic design is an improvement over the Bugout model, making it easier to grip and use for extended periods of time.

• The knife's specialized blade design is perfect for skinning and gutting animals, and deboning meat, making it a must-have for serious Sportsmen.

• Overall, the Benchmade Taggedout is a reliable and versatile knife that delivers exceptional cutting performance. It is a worthwhile investment for anyone in need of a durable and long-lasting knife.

If you're in the market for a high-quality, premium pocket knife that's optimized for everyday carry and specialized for hunting, then look no further than the Benchmade Taggedout. This knife delivers exceptional cutting performance and is built to last.

If you've already had the chance to use the Benchmade Taggedout, we'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. And if you're interested in purchasing the Taggedout for yourself, be sure to use this link: https://www.benchmade.com/products/15536.

Thanks for reading!

Ultem: A High-Performance Knife Handle Material

is ultem just a trend?

When it comes to choosing a knife handle material, there are many factors to consider. Do you want a material that is strong, lightweight, and heat-resistant? What about chemical resistance and electrical insulation properties? If you're looking for a material that checks all these boxes and more, look no further than Ultem.

The History of Ultem

Ultem was first developed by General Electric in the 1980s as a high-performance thermoplastic material. Since then, it has become a popular choice for a variety of industries due to its strength, heat resistance, and chemical resistance. Today, Ultem is used in everything from aerospace components to medical devices and, of course, knife handles.

In conclusion, Ultem is an excellent choice for knife handle scales due to its high strength, heat resistance, and chemical resistance. While it may be more expensive than some other materials, its high-performance properties make it well worth the investment. So if you're looking for a material that can stand up to the toughest conditions and provide a comfortable grip, consider Ultem for your next knife handle.

Ultem vs. G10 and FRN

When it comes to knife handle materials, Ultem has a lot to offer. Compared to G10, Ultem has similar properties in terms of strength, and durability. However, Ultem is generally more expensive than G10 and has a smoother, less textured surface. While G10 is available in a wider range of colors and patterns, Ultem is typically only available in a few colors. Ultimately, the choice between Ultem and G10 for knife handle scales may come down to personal preference, budget, and availability.

Compared to FRN, Ultem is known for its high strength, heat resistance. While FRN is valued for its lightweight, impact resistance, and affordability. FRN has a more textured surface and is available in a wider range of colors and patterns. However, it is generally not as strong as ultem.

Is Ultem actually useful for knife handle scales?

While chemical and electrical resistance are certainly valuable properties for certain applications, they are generally not as important for knife handles. This is because knife handles are not typically exposed to harsh chemicals or electrical currents. Instead, properties such as weight, texture, and durability are more highly valued for knife handles. A lightweight handle can make the knife easier to maneuver and easier to carry over long periods of time. A non-slip texture can provide a comfortable grip and improve safety. And of course, durability is essential for a knife handle that will see regular use in rugged outdoor environments. While it's always good to have a material that can stand up to a variety of conditions, for knife handles, these other properties are often more critical.

Ease of customization

While G10 and FRN have similar properties to Ultem in terms of strength, durability, and resistance to impact, they have an advantage when it comes to customization. G10 and FRN can be easily dyed in a wide range of colors and patterns, allowing for a greater degree of personalization for the user. In contrast, Ultem is typically only available in a few colors and is more difficult to dye due to its high melting point. While some manufacturers have developed processes to dye Ultem in limited colors such as black, blue, and red, the range of options is much more limited than with G10 and FRN.

How to make Ultem knife scales

There are three primary methods for creating Ultem knife handle scales: 3D printing, milling, and injection molding. Each method has its own pros and cons.

3D Printing

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is a type of 3D printing that can be used to create Ultem knife handle scales. FDM involves extruding a thermoplastic material through a nozzle to create a three-dimensional object layer by layer. Ultem is often used in FDM 3D printing due to its high strength, heat resistance, and chemical resistance.

One advantage of 3D printing is that it allows for the creation of complex geometries and shapes that may be difficult or impossible to achieve with other methods. Additionally, 3D printing can be a cost-effective option for small-scale production runs.

However, 3D printing can also result in parts with a lower strength and durability compared to other methods. In addition, the surface finish of 3D-printed parts may not be as smooth as those created with other methods.

Milling

Milling is another method that can be used to create Ultem knife handle scales. However, it can be difficult to mill Ultem with a CNC machine due to its high melting point and low thermal conductivity. The heat generated during the milling process can cause the material to soften and melt, which can lead to issues with the surface finish and dimensional accuracy of the finished part.

To successfully mill Ultem, it is recommended to use a high-quality carbide end mill with a sharp cutting edge and a low helix angle. The cutting speed and feed rate should also be carefully controlled to avoid overheating the material. Additionally, using a coolant or air blast can help to dissipate heat and improve chip evacuation.

One advantage of milling is that it can be used to create parts with high accuracy and surface finish. Additionally, milling can be used to create larger production runs than 3D printing.

However, milling can also be a more expensive and time-consuming option compared to 3D printing or injection molding. It requires specialized equipment and expertise, which can drive up the cost.

Injection Molding

Injection molding is a popular method for creating Ultem knife handle scales. Injection molding involves injecting molten plastic into a mold cavity, allowing it to cool and solidify into the desired shape.

One advantage of injection molding is that it can be used to create large production runs of parts with high accuracy and consistency. Additionally, injection molding can produce parts with a high-quality surface finish.

However, injection molding requires specialized equipment and processes, which can make it a more expensive option for small-scale production runs. Additionally, the initial cost of creating a mold can be high.

Overall, each method has its own strengths and weaknesses. When choosing a method for creating Ultem knife handle scales, it is important to consider factors such as production volume, cost, and desired part properties

Popular Knife Brands Using Ultem

There are several knife companies that use Ultem for their knife handles, including Tactile Knife Co, Blade HQ, Microtech, Vero Engineering, Dauntless MFG, and many others. These companies recognize the value of Ultem's high-performance properties and use it to create some of the toughest and most durable knives on the market.

Ultem has become an increasingly popular material in the everyday carry gear collectors community. Boutique makers have utilized Ultem to create collectible tools, beads, and knife scales. One of the unique aspects of Ultem is its amber color, which is rare in the knife industry. This color, combined with its high durability, has made it a favorite among collectors looking for unique and high-quality materials for their gear. As a result, Ultem has become a sought-after material in the knife community, with many collectors and enthusiasts seeking out knives and accessories made from this high-performance thermoplastic.