Benchmade Taggedout Review: When Half-Price Still Feels Pricey

I wasn’t planning to buy the Benchmade Taggedout. Let’s get that out of the way. I’ve never been huge on Benchmade’s pricing strategy — they’re right up there with Apple in terms of charging top dollar for modest updates. But thanks to a killer combo of Ace Hardware reward points, stacked coupons, and a little impulse weakness, I got this $300 folder for $150. That made it interesting enough to justify a real-world review.

So, what do you get when you slice the price in half on a hunting folder with premium blade steel and Benchmade’s Axis Lock? Something surprisingly capable, occasionally frustrating, and still not a slam-dunk recommendation.

First Impressions: Feels Familiar, Looks Sharp

Right out of the box, the Taggedout feels like a bigger, clip-point cousin of the Bugout. If you’ve owned the Bugout or the Crooked River, you’ll recognize the DNA here instantly. OD green G-10 scales, orange anodized aluminum backspacer, and a long, thin clip-point blade. It looks cool — very “Benchmade tactical.” The Axis Lock is as fidget-friendly as ever and came smooth and perfectly centered.

But let’s talk about that edge. Out of the box, it was scary sharp. S45VN is no joke — and it’s a significant upgrade from the original Taggedout’s CPM 154. We’re talking hair-popping, tomato-skin-slicing, microtome-level clean.

Testing the Taggedout: From Garden to Gear Bag

I’ve carried and tested this knife extensively — probably more than most reviewers who took some glam shots and called it a day. This year alone, I’ve used it in the garden cutting tomato vines and green twine, prepping food on weekend camping trips, and generally beating it up around the house and yard.

I’m not gentle. I intentionally went out of my way to cut thick plastic packing straps, nylon paracord, and multiple layers of corrugated cardboard — all without stropping or sharpening. The Taggedout’s edge has held up like a champ. Even after weeks of use, it’s still paper-cutting sharp. That’s the kind of steel performance that justifies its price — or at least part of it.

For fun (and because I like to push gear), I also baton-sliced it through some dried cedar planks. Not recommended for a folder — but the blade held. No chipping, no play, just some micro scratches on the satin finish. This knife can take a hit.

Ergos: Looks Good, But Feels… Meh

Here’s where things go downhill. The G-10 scales? Look great. But under real-world use? They’re a liability.

If your hands are dry, it’s fine. But wet, sweaty, or dirty hands? Forget it. The scales are too smooth. I nearly flung the Taggedout across the campsite when cutting a cucumber with slightly damp hands. I’m not exaggerating.

And while we’re on the subject — the scale edges are not rounded enough. Push hard during utility work, and they bite into your palm. You feel every angle. A knife meant for outdoor, all-day use shouldn’t remind you it’s in your hand with every cut.

Carry Experience: A Tale of Two Pockets

The Taggedout is a slim knife with a good length-to-weight ratio. In theory, it should be an EDC dream. And it is, but only if you give up on the pocket clip.

Benchmade’s clip game continues to frustrate. This one is stiff. I bent it out slightly, and it still felt like a fight to use. Most days, I just dropped the Taggedout straight into my front pocket. It’s light enough to forget about, but this flaw undermines the whole point of “deep carry.” It’s especially annoying since a better clip could fix this overnight.

Deployment: Thumb Hole or Thumb Fail?

My version of the Taggedout still has the elliptical thumb hole — not the upgraded thumb stud version Benchmade recently released. And honestly? It looks good but functions like a second-thought design.

It forces a slow-roll deployment unless you really get your thumb angle right. I ended up using the Axis Lock to flick it open more often than not, but even then, it never felt super secure or snappy. Compared to the Bugout’s thumb stud or Spyderco’s tried-and-true Spydie hole, this falls short.

The Steel: S45VN Does Its Job

I’ll give Benchmade credit where it’s due — the move to S45VN was a good one. It’s got better corrosion resistance and edge retention than S30V or CPM 154, and it’s proven itself in real-world use.

That said, I’m not a steel snob. If you gave me a solid blade in 1095 that holds an edge and sharpens easily, I’d be happy. But for a knife priced at $300 retail? Yes, I expect some premium steel, and yes, S45VN delivers.

Comparison Corner: Spyderco PM2 Still Wins

I have to say it: If you’re spending full price, buy a Spyderco PM2 instead. Better grip. More comfortable in hand. Proven deployment and steel. If you’re really on a budget, even the Manix 2 or a Cold Steel folder will give you similar performance at half the price.

The Taggedout wins on weight and style, but that’s not enough when you’re spending serious money. The PM2 just works — day in, day out, wet hands or dry. It has less flair, but way more substance.

Final Verdict

I don’t regret buying the Taggedout. At $150, it was a solid deal and a fun knife to put through its paces. But if I had dropped the full $300? I’d be annoyed.

It’s a beautiful knife that performs well — but the lack of grip, uncomfortable scales, and fussy deployment make it hard to love. This is a knife for Benchmade fans who want something different — not necessarily something better.

What I Liked:

• Excellent out-of-box sharpness
• Edge retention has been outstanding
• Lightweight for the size
• Classic Axis Lock performance
• Looks awesome

What I Didn’t:

• Slippery G-10 scales with no grip texture
• Scale edges aren’t chamfered enough
• Clip is way too tight out of the box
• Thumb-hole opener is frustrating
• Overpriced at MSRP

TL;DR:

If you get it on sale, the Taggedout is a great knife to beat up, stash in a backpack, or carry as a rugged backup. But at full price? There are better knives out there — especially if you want grip, control, and comfort in the hand. Function still beats flash, and this one leans too much into the latter.

Disclaimer:
This knife was purchased by us at Tech Writer EDC using personal funds. It was not supplied by the manufacturer, and no compensation or sponsorship was provided for this review. As always, our opinions are based on real-world use and honest testing.