The Bugout that serious Benchmade buyers have been waiting for — the ultralight AXIS Lock platform with an Elmax blade upgrade, Tan Cerakote finish, Taiga Green Grivory scales, and Burnt Copper hardware in a seasonal release that won't be restocked.

The standard Bugout is already one of the most compelling value propositions in American production knives — 2.50 oz, 3.24" drop point, AXIS Lock, made in Oregon City. The 535TN-2601 takes that platform and replaces the blade steel with Elmax — a third-generation powder metallurgy stainless steel from Böhler that combines high chromium content for outstanding corrosion resistance, vanadium carbides for edge retention that outlasts conventional stainless alloys, and dimensional stability that allows extremely thin geometry without brittleness. At HRC 59–61 on a flat-ground 0.09" blade, this is a cutting instrument optimized for precision — the drop point profile gives it a versatile working tip without sacrificing belly. The McMillan Tan Cerakote finish is not purely aesthetic — Cerakote is a polymer-ceramic coating applied at the molecular level that delivers measurable improvements in wear resistance and corrosion protection over bare steel or standard anodizing, tested to 3,000+ hours salt spray without failure. The Taiga Green Grivory handle is the same lightweight polymer that has made the Bugout platform famous for its sub-3-oz carry weight — inherently moisture-resistant, impact-tough, and completely impervious to the elements. Burnt Copper hardware ties the entire colorway together: a warm metallic accent against the green scales and tan blade that reads as intentionally outdoor-specific design rather than incidental color selection. The Mini Deep Carry clip keeps the knife below the pocket line; the AXIS Lock deploys and closes ambidextrously with one hand.

• Blade: 3.24" Elmax powder metallurgy stainless steel, drop point, flat grind, McMillan Tan Cerakote finish, plain edge — 0.09" stock; HRC 59–61; premium third-generation PM steel with high corrosion resistance and superior edge retention over standard stainless
• Handle: Taiga Green Grivory polymer scales with Burnt Copper hardware — ultralight, moisture-proof, impact-resistant; 0.41" thickness; Mini Deep Carry clip for below-the-pocket-line carry
• Lock / Deployment: Benchmade AXIS Lock — spring-loaded crossbar mechanism, ambidextrous one-hand open and close, extremely strong lockup; smooth deployment from any grip position
• Carry: 2.50 oz; 7.46" overall; 4.22" closed; reversible tip-up clip — Made in Oregon City, USA

Ideal For

• Existing Bugout owners and collectors — seasonal releases with Elmax upgrades are the most anticipated Benchmade drops of any given year; this is the Bugout for buyers who already know the platform and want the premium steel variant
• Backcountry and outdoor carry buyers — the Taiga Green / Tan Cerakote / Burnt Copper colorway is specifically oriented toward outdoor aesthetics; the Elmax corrosion resistance and Grivory handle's weather-proofing make this a genuinely field-capable ultralight carry

Seasonal releases at Benchmade don't come back. The Bugout 535TN-2601 in Elmax, Tan Cerakote, and Taiga Green is the premium Bugout variant for buyers who want the AXIS Lock platform at its best — and it ships fast from Knifeworks with Benchmade's lifetime warranty and free LifeSharp service from day one.