We’ve featured Vosteed a lot before, and a big reason is the value and enjoyment of ownership you get with their blades. Many are affordable, come with unique designs not usually explored, and often both. And recently, they’ve shown they can flex in big ways when given the right chance and design(er).

Which brings me to the Raccoon. In many ways, it’s the distillation of super-popular knives that came before and the current state of rock-solid budget knives. You get a clean 3.25” drop point blade in 14C28N that folds into your choice of Micarta or G-10, and secures with either the fan-favorite button lock or, with its recent iterations, an ambidextrous crossbar one, which is a particularly nice sidegrade as a lefty myself. It’s available in a number of delightful colors that would make it an easy match for any EDC.

There are also some subtle but welcome details you don’t usually see at this price point, like a caged ceramic ball bearing pivot for a more fidgety deployment and little flourishes like a fancier pivot screw and flush ones for the reversible clip.

Last but most importantly, the Raccoon comes in at just 60 bucks. While that’s still a respectable price, especially for people starting out in EDC, in my opinion, it’s a fantastic value for everything you get, which adds up to a great everyday knife in both design and functionality. And since Vosteed has already shown its ability to really dial up the fit and finish on its knives, the Raccoon becomes a compelling platform for future exclusives and upgrades, like the upcoming ones from White Mountain Knives.

Happy National Knife Day, and on behalf of everyone on the EDC team, I hope you take the day to enjoy the knives you already have and continue the pursuit of the ones you still dream about. Carry on!

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The post National Knife Day Feature: Vosteed Raccoon appeared first on Everyday Carry.

By adding the Bugout to the in-house Benchmade Custom Knife Builder, the brand takes the design to the next level in its evolution. And starting today, you can customize and personalize the Benchmade Bugout knife through the official Benchmade online shop, allowing you to build your own ultimate version of this knife, with some of the best materials on the market. Selecting the Benchmade Bugout Family from the Custom Shop leads to an interface that lets you see your chosen customizations in real-time. It features a full 3D render that you can rotate 360 degrees and also lets you see your design with the blade deployed or retracted.

Features Of A Customized Bugout

Blade Choices

Your first choice involves the blade, selecting from a traditional plain-edged Drop Point design or one with partial serrations. The next and more important step is blade steel. Choose between tough and corrosion-resistant CPM-S30V like the original pocket knife, a hard-wearing CPM-20CV that boasts excellent edge retention or upgrade to the M4 steel option, offering a hard-use everyday carry blade that gives superior toughness and edge retention. New this year are two new options: the ultra-premium S90V for extra corrosion resistance or the equally beautiful as it is useful Damasteel Ladder option, offering a mesmerizing pattern that won’t break or wear out any time soon. Although, it is worth mentioning that the Damasteel option is not available with the serrated blade.

Blade Markings

You can laser mark both sides of your selected blade, letting you personalize your knife beyond the usual color and material choices and combinations. You can choose to put text, select from various logos and images that the Benchmade Custom Shop has to offer or upload your own unique image to put on your blade—something that not all knife personalization services offer. You can customize the size and position of your blade markings as well at checkout.

Handles and Hardware

Last but not least are the options at your disposal for handle and hardware. The most inexpensive option is glass-filled nylon, with 12 different colors. You can even select different colors for the show side and back side of the knife, creating your own distinct design. You also have a full G-10 Jade handle combination for a unique look, or you can opt for 6 different colors of classic G-10. Also new this year, you have two high-end options in premium titanium, or you can opt for a stealthier option with carbon fiber.

You have satin or black options for the rest of the hardware, including the nestled inner liner, the handle spacers, the handle screws, the thumb studs, and even the color of the AXIS lock itself. Play around until you can find the perfect combination to match your EDC kit. Or create a themed version with your favorite colors and materials. The choice is yours.

Deployment And Lockup

The AXIS lock is Benchmade’s flagship and hallmark locking solution for their everyday carry folding knives. Their blades feature a manual thumbstud opening, and that combined with the AXIS lock allows for fully ambidextrous operation. Once the folding knife blade is deployed, the AXIS lock ensures zero blade play even during rough hard use.

Is It Worth Buying Customized Bugout?

Building a customized Bugout for your EDC helps ensure you have a unique knife that is all your own. While the Benchmade Bugout is one of the most popular everyday carry knives in the community, with the customization program you can add your own personal touches and carry a folding knife that matches your looks, your style, and your needs.

Make Your Choice

With these new additions, there are nearly half a million combinations that can be created from the options Benchmade currently offers. Depending on which ones you pick, expected prices will range from $175 for the most affordable combination up to $525 for the most expensive, immediately reflected as a running tally every time you make changes to your design. Once you’re happy creating your masterpiece, you have the option of sharing your design with your friends or on social media, and when you’re ready to pull the trigger, click on the Buy button to start the order process.

Because it’s through the official Benchmade Custom Knife Builder, your own personal Bugout will retain the same lifetime warranty and LifeSharp services as any of their regular models. This guarantees that the knife you build is not only uniquely yours, but also yours for life. The Benchmade 535 Bugout was a landmark in knife design, and now you can take it to the next level with a design all your own. Check out all the options available at your disposal at the link below.

Build Your Custom Bugout

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Bugout a good EDC?

The Benchmade Bugout knife is one of the everyday carry community’s favorite knives. It’s a good EDC folding knife with the blade length and ergonomics you need to get the job done day in and day out. If you can’t afford it now, put it on your wishlist and pick it up when you can later.

Who designed Benchmade Bugout?

Benchmade designed the Benchmade Bugout. Benchmade has been making quality everyday carry folding knives (and fixed blades) for decades now. They stand by their high-quality products with a warranty. You can also customize your Benchmade Bugout knife to your exact needs online using their configuration tool.

Is the Mini Bugout worth it?

The Mini Bugout 533 is a smaller, even more EDC-friendly folding knife based on the original Benchmade Bugout. While you lose a bit of blade length you get an even more convenient folding knife with the same Bugout scales and ergonomics you need to do work. The Benchmade Mini Bugout is a good choice whether you’re limited by blade length restrictions or you just want a smaller and even more lightweight knife for EDC.

Can you engrave a Benchmade?

You can engrave a Benchmade Bugout knife directly from them using their Custom Knife Builder. If you already have a Bugout knife, you might be able to put your own design on the knife. That will probably break the warranty and we cannot recommend it.

The post Build Your Ultimate Bugout for National Knife Day 2023 appeared first on Everyday Carry.

Prometheus Design Werx Invictus-C Titanium

What better way to celebrate National Knife Day than with a knife like the iconic Invictus-C Titanium from Prometheus Design Werx. The Invictus-C Ti itself is like a celebration of all things knife enthusiasts enjoy: high-performance features and functionality, premium materials, gorgeous utilitarian design language, precision machining, and expert finishing. Its well-proportioned 3″ blade boasts premium Böhler M390, renowned for its excellent edge retention. It deploys via its glow-in-the-dark thumbstuds with authoritative action thanks to its ceramic bearing pivot, locking up into a tried-and-true frame lock mechanism. Full billet titanium comprises the handles, complete with an impressive level of craftsmanship and CNC-machining going into its curves, lines, and angles. If you’re looking for a premium, compact EDC with a design that balances elegance and utilitarian appeal, check out the Invictus C-Ti.

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SOG-TAC AU

For tactical gear enthusiasts, look no further than the SOG-TAC AU. Purpose-built as part of SOG’s Professional line for military, first responders, and EDCers in the field, the SOG-TAC Au boasts a lightning-fast automatic deployment for when every second counts. All of its features enhance its speedy deployment. It opens ambidextrously via SOG’s AU-XR lock mechanism, while its double-action safety mechanism provides secure lockout from accidental deployment while allowing for quick deployment with just one pull. This automatic knife boasts D2 steel and machined aluminum handles, available in three different sizes. If you’re looking for a tactical carry for critical situations, make sure to check your local knife laws regarding automatics and give the SOG-TAC Au your consideration.

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Cold Steel Engage

Cold Steel’s new Engage brings exceptional materials and high-performance features to the table for the hardworking EDCer who needs an equally hard-working knife. The beefy knife comes with a sizable 3.5” blade in S35VN steel, a premium and well-rounded steel that’s as resilient as it is performant and easy to maintain. You can deploy this clip point blade via ambidextrous thumb studs, secured during use by Cold Steel’s new slide-action Atlas lock. Pushing back on the lock at the top of the overbuilt G-10 handles lets the knife fold into a compact 4.69”, 6.6oz package.

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Deejo Custom Knives

Deejo is a French cutlery brand that creates ultra-lightweight knives that you can customize on their website, providing a plethora of options and personalized details to make a knife truly one-of-a-kind. They’ve launched even more new and original tattoo designs this year to add to the choices you can have etched onto the blade of any of their svelte and featherweight models, so it’s the best time ever to treat yourself to a custom new knife. Customizing your knife is easy on the MyDeejo site. You are greeted by a simple and responsive tool that visually reflects all your current design choices from the number of options available, including preferences for the size of the knife, blade finish, handle scales, and blade etching, all in a state of the art 3D interface. You also have the opportunity to engrave a name or a memorable quote to make the knife even more unique and personal. A personal and unique knife like this is the perfect addition to any collection, and a great way to partake in the holiday.

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The post Happy National Knife Day 2022! appeared first on Everyday Carry.