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!