# Benchmade Bugout 535 vs Cold Steel Recon 1: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Benchmade Bugout 535 (Benchmade) and Cold Steel Recon 1 (Cold Steel) among pocket knives. Cold Steel Recon 1 is the cheaper of the two at $169.99.

## Side by side

| Spec | Benchmade Bugout 535 | Cold Steel Recon 1 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $200 | $169.99 |
| Brand | Benchmade | Cold Steel |
| Blade length (in) | 3.24 | 4 |
| Blade steel | CPM-S30V | CPM S35VN |
| Lock type | AXIS lock | Tri-Ad lock |
| Opening mechanism | dual thumb studs, ambidextrous manual opening | dual thumb studs, ambidextrous manual opening |
| Blade shape grind | drop point, flat grind | clip point, flat grind, DLC coated |
| Handle material | Grivory (glass-filled nylon) | G-10 |
| Closed length (in) | 4.22 | 5.375 |
| Weight (oz) | 1.85 | 5.3 |

## Key differences

- Blade length (in): Benchmade Bugout 535 3.24 vs Cold Steel Recon 1 4
- Blade steel: Benchmade Bugout 535 CPM-S30V vs Cold Steel Recon 1 CPM S35VN
- Lock type: Benchmade Bugout 535 AXIS lock vs Cold Steel Recon 1 Tri-Ad lock
- Blade shape grind: Benchmade Bugout 535 drop point, flat grind vs Cold Steel Recon 1 clip point, flat grind, DLC coated
- Handle material: Benchmade Bugout 535 Grivory (glass-filled nylon) vs Cold Steel Recon 1 G-10
- Closed length (in): Benchmade Bugout 535 4.22 vs Cold Steel Recon 1 5.375
- Weight (oz): Benchmade Bugout 535 1.85 vs Cold Steel Recon 1 5.3

## Sources

- Benchmade Bugout 535: https://www.benchmade.com/products/535 (benchmade.com, verified 2026-08-11)
- Cold Steel Recon 1: https://www.coldsteel.com/recon-1-clip-point-plain-edge-s35vn/ (coldsteel.com, verified 2026-08-11)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/pocket-knives/benchmade-bugout-535-vs-cold-steel-recon-1/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Benchmade Bugout 535 ($200) vs Cold Steel Recon 1 ($169.99) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/pocket-knives/benchmade-bugout-535-vs-cold-steel-recon-1/
License: CC BY 4.0.