Benchmade 537BK-06 Bailout

The Benchmade 537BK-06 Bailout is an ultralight tanto folding knife with a Ranger Green Grivory handle. The 85.9 mm blade is CPM-S30V with a Cerakote coating and is 2.29 mm thick. The knife weighs only 58 g and measures 119.9 mm closed, so it is easy to take hunting, hiking and in everyday life.

The Bailout is built on the Bugout platform, but with a tanto profile that gives a strong tip and a straight front edge. The 537BK-06 is the Grivory version: it is considerably lighter than the 77 g aluminium versions and has S30V, which is easier to keep sharp in the field than the harder steels in the series. The green colour blends naturally with hunting and outdoor gear.

CPM-S30V, Ranger Green Grivory and tanto blade

Five features that make the Grivory Bailout a light work knife:

• CPM-S30V powder steel (58–60 HRC): A stainless knife steel with a good balance between wear resistance and toughness. Compared with a harder steel such as MagnaCut or M4 it gives slightly shorter edge retention, but it is easier to touch up in the field with a small pocket stone.
• 85.9 mm tanto blade: The reinforced tip and straight front edge are effective for piercing and cutting hard materials such as cable ties, plastic and cardboard, while the rear edge handles ordinary cuts.
• Cerakote coating: A ceramic coating that protects the blade flats against wear and moisture and gives a matt, non-reflective surface.
• Ranger Green Grivory handle: Glass-fibre reinforced polyamide is light, hard-wearing and grips well, even with cold or wet hands. The handle is 10.41 mm thick, and it is the Grivory that keeps the weight down to 58 g.
• AXIS lock and Mini Deep Carry clip: The lock works the same from both sides and makes the knife Ambidextrous, so the blade can be opened and closed one-handed. The clip lets the knife ride deep in the pocket.

Maintenance and safety

• Wipe the blade after use, and give the AXIS lock and pivot a drop of knife oil now and then – especially after rain and blood.
• Do not use the tanto tip to pry or force things open; the thin blade is made to cut.
• Guide the blade all the way closed with the lock pulled back, and keep your fingers clear of the edge.
• Check the regulations in your country before carrying the knife in public.