It was Ben Banter that got me into knives... he spoke so well about the Civivi Elementum, that I had to buy one! Before that I had the Bugout. And then I bought the Banter because I was really proud that he was able to mass-produce a knife (just like you DCA!). Truly, get those three knives as your first foray into a collection, if you're now starting out. You'll learn a lot about what construction, materials, mechanisms and design. The Banter is my go-to for everyday tasks, the Bugout for more "tacti-cool" applications. As a knife-guy, I love the Bugout customization options; as a knife-nerd, I love the Banter especially with the Space Kitten scales! The Banter is just a fun, wonderful, renegade knife. The Bugout is your corporate persona. Ideally there is space in your pockets for both of them. :)

Great video. I made this exact decision about 2 wks. Love the axis lock in my 940, but love the action on my elementum (figured the banter would be even better). Plus I'm a fan of the designer of the Banter too. In the end, I went with the bugout because of blade length, lock type, and aftermarket options.

I have both. I would take the Banter any day over the bugout. I have a hard time getting over the cheap feel of the bugout. Wether thats the case or not the banter feel like quality and that's what I want in my pocket. I know most people choose bugout but if you haven't held both you can't really say in the matter.

The question I am asking myself since the birth of the Banter !!! Thanks for the video !

the Bugout is my all time favorite EDC knife. Second would be the Civivi Elementum. I love the looks of those two knives over the Banter. It is a lot of fun customizing the Bugout, The Bugout is an awesome knife

I do not own a mini bugout but I do have the other two. With a flat grind hey are great slicers but for my sausage hands the Banter handle is a bit short for me. As a collector I love them both but the Banter is on my end table and Bugout is in my pocket most often. I like the bugout with an axis lock as well, and being on washers is a plus too. I prefer washers over bearings if it is smooth and the Bugout is certainly smooth. I am looking forward to getting the tiny banter soon.

I got them both, and i love them both, great knives.

Nice to see a new head to head. Seems like it's been a bit since the last one. Hopefully we can look forward to more of these, in addition to and not in lieu of the AQ. Thanks David!

I've been watching your show for about a year and had never heard of the Banter. When the prices are that close I'd always buy the American Made product. I consider the Bugout to be a little small so the banter wouldn't even pop up on my radar. Great show as always!

You know what' be really cool? Do more of these versus videos except have it in a tournament style. The winning knife should be a giveaway knife to your loyal subscribers!!!

Just got my Banter in the mail, and I've gotta say WOW. This knife is really smooth. It's not very flashy or showy, but the nice counterpoint to that is: it doesn't look intimidating, either. Actually, my wife likes it so much, I may get her one of Civivi's Baby Banters so she'll have one that can fit into her pockets. (That 5th pcoket in women's jeans is virtually non-existent.) All that, and I'd still have to say - if you're stuck deciding between these two, you can't go wrong with either. They're both great options, and they're both popular for a reason. The Bugout has been on my wish list since I really got into knives, and the only way I know it's a good product is because of the hype it has behind it and (more importantly) I have another Benchmade that was given to me. Both Benchmade and WE knives are great brands that deliver a great product. So, if you can't decide which one to go with, flip a coin to decide which to get FIRST, and end up getting both in the long run.

Carrying it right now! Bugout full black out version. Black blade, handle, screws…etc. It has some carbon fiber in the handle that solves the flex problem between the scales. I have to say I still prefer my Benchmade 940 as far as inspiring design for EDC. However, black Bugout with black pants is total stealth. Thanks DCA.

I bought the bugout black cf. and added aimfront scales. As a lefty the axis lock and reversible clip win. I find the washers super smooth weather I flic or slow role. The flick is snappier than Hogue mini mk II. But gouge is soooo smooth on the closing action. Both Houge and bugout are winners!

Hi David! Thanks because this is an important comparison video. I have had my eyes on the Banter because I don't own one. The Bugout wins because it gives you a better grip! I will probably buy the Banter but for collection purposes in the black color.

Both are great, I went with the Benchmade bugout. Lightweight, better ergo’s for my large hands, outstanding aftermarket to customize, that axis lock and warranty just put it all ahead. All that and made in USA!

I've found the Bugout to be a great knife for slicing tomatoes. Love the "WIUG" engraving.

the banter won for me. i carry my knife for use at a manufacturing job and the flex of the grivory on the bugout didn't instill a ton of confidence in me(although, i am sure it is just fine) and i wanted to stay with stock scales. so, i went with the banter. i have been plenty happy with it.

I have my modded 20cv bugout with the new flytanium crossfade scales and red hardware and I love it 😍. And I bought the banter and loved it so I bought it twice

Got ‘em both. Take the Banter over the Bugout any day of the week. Although I have some Titanium crossfade scales coming for the Bugout so we’ll see if that changes my mind.

I have several EDC knives. Kershaw Buck and SAK. I bought the mini bugout and was a little underwhelmed but the longer I carried it and learned about it the Mini Bug out is my EDC knife almost 100 percent of the time

Owned Both,sold the bugout. The axis lock isn't as reliable with those damn springs,and Benchmade QC is all over the place.

I have said many uncomplementary things about the bug out on various forums. I recently joined a gym that does not want me to wear jean shorts. So I went to some quick dry Ocean Pacifics. The AD-10 just doesn't work here. I pulled my bug out out and took it apart. I cleaned it. I polished the washers on a DMT benchstone, fine. I lubed it and put it back together. The action is amazing. It falls open and falls shut with no help at all from my wrist. My opinion of this knife is has gone way up. It still won't be EDC material but it will be certainly every other day in the gym material. I don't know if I ever would have picked up the banter. My whole reason in purchasing the bug out was the innumerable wonderful reviews that it has received. I am still not starry eyed about it but it has certainly found a good use for me.

Love the look of the Banter very kephart looking.

Love my bugout and NEED a banter knaf.

I was planning to get both

Awsome review!

Alright DCA, question for ya. Any mid 3” pocket knives that have a bottle opener built in (but not necessarily a multi tool)? Because obvious reasons.

Dont have either, but probably plan to get both at some point. I think the Banter will be bought first. I like a more substantial construction. Not concerned with the durability of the bugout, just prefer the feel of a more solid handle at the expense of weight increase.

You didn't mention that the Omega springs on the Bugout can, and do, break, whereas the liner lock on the Banter should last as long as the knife itself.

Hey DCA! There are lots of aftermarket scales etc.for the banter! Been looking recently at aftermarket scales and the new green micarta.

i like the banter... simple..durable ..

I am not clear what role an ultralight knife fills. I don't run anymore due to knee injuries. When I did a CRKT Stiff Kiss or a Arclite Cuda was my companion

Well done, Ben would be proud , I prefer the banter, better materials lower price

Both are great, but I prefer the Hogue deka. Great vid DCA!

Hey KnifeCenter! Have you guys thought about doing a series where you go through standout knives in specific budget ranges, such as “Standout Knives that are 0-25$” or any price range like “75-100”, “100-125” or stuff like that. Just a suggestion for something I personally would enjoy.

What do you think about the Terminus XR LTE in carbon fiber scales compared to the bugout?

The correct answer is to have one of each.

I have a bugout but think the best EDC knife I have found to carry is the Spyderco pm3 lightweight

I don't particularly care for either of these knives... Excellent presentation Dave, you have shown the pluses & minuses of each knife quite well... I'm more into USA knives these days & avoid the Asian stuff for the most part, except for the Japanese knives & swords as I have always had a soft spot in my heart for Japanese steel! Bill on the Hill... PS: I'm still loving my Spyderco Para Military II btw!

Spyderco Lightweight Para 3 is the correct answer.

Bugout I own 5 of them one is a custom made and I always at least have one on me, I do own a banter but I always grab the bugout!

I absolutely love my Benchmade Bugout, but would like to pick up a Banter.

Don't own the Banter yet, but do own the carbon fiber version of the bugout, which doesn't flex at all. Yes, had to pay more for it, but don't like flex in my knives given how large and strong my hands are. It's a "feel" thing for me. I like SOLID handles to grip onto. Banter looks to be a bit too short for me without having a finger choil to choke up on. I'll be honest, I am really liking the new Nymble from EMPEDC as well as the CRKT Pilar 3, both which have awesome choils to make them fit better for larger hands like mine!

banter allday i have the black and blue versions!!

Why pick just one?

Lol I just so happen to be carrying both a banter and a bugout today.

Which steel is better for EDC? 20cv or s90v?

I've heard the designer of the Banter is a weird duck. 😁

My preference would be a Banter with a reversible pocket clip, but barring that the Bugout is a fine lightweight EDC.

Both! Can´t choose.

Love my 535-3

Looking at a woman's EDC. Banter on list. I'm looking for a unobtrusive one that can fit in smaller jeans pocket comfortably. Any others that fit the bill?

I love s30v as well but prefer s35vn, edge retention seems damn near identical but s35vn is a little easier to sharpen for me. Not a dramatic difference by any means though.

Easy have both 😀

Bugout, American made and awesome warranty which wasnt mentioned.

I vote Bugout all day, I have had both and sold my Banter within about a week or so. Have had a couple Buyouts still got the grey blade green handle one, need that CF/S90V version. No.1 USA Made(most important in my book, but rest of list is reasons even if Banter was not Chinese) No.2 Banter just feels weird in hand, Bugout is a little small but I still get a full grip with my XL/XXL hands No.3 Bugout has better detent and it's an Axis lock so that tells ya how weak the Banter detent is No.4 more blade length No.5 can't beat Benchmade's LifeSharp anything breaks they will take care of you.

The Bugout all day everyday. I have the 535 GRY version and I just love it. Fun fact : The WE banter is designed by Ben Petersen who previously worked for blade hq and CRKT. There sre still loads of youtube vids with Ben reviewing knives for blade HQ. Keep up the great work David, always looking forward to your vids. Thank you sir!

Surprised at how much I like the Banter.

The Bugout is my jam... I have one gripe with it though, the spacers and the thumb-stud are super soft and scratch very easy. Also, I wish they used recessed screws on the clip. That said, I would pick the Bugout over the Banter every time because of the axis-lock.

You can't forget about the Spyderco lightweights

Bugout all day long. Love axis style locks and prefer pb washers over bearings.

Love My Bugout

DCA, you forgot to mention the fact that Benchmade has a custom knife shop on their website. This Benchmade custom shop allows you fully customize your Bugout with various different blade steels including S90V and various types of different handles materials including carbon fiber or titanium scales. Obviously buying a Benchmade Bugout with S90v and titanium scales would cost a hell of a lot more than any WE Banter, but the Benchmade custom shop at least gives you options!!!

Both are great knives but I think Ka-Bar Dozier is the better option if I had to choose.

I have 2 Bugouts. The original blue 535 and the black 535bk=2 with a set of Rockscaledesign titanium after market scales. Waiting for WE to release the green micarta variant of the banter. If they do that, then I’ll give the banter a try.

I own both but prefer the Banter. The Banter feels solid and better quality. I prefer the Banter blade steel S35vn. The Bugout is a solid EDC choice as well. The Bugout just feels delicate compared to the Banter. The Banter is ultra smooth to open and drop shut.

I own both of these and the Banter definitely wins for me I carry it pretty often haven't had to mess with it at all it just works and feels good. Maybe with upgraded scales the Bugout might feel better but I was never impressed by really anything it does. The screws sometimes loosen up on me, I'm a lefty and I still prefer the pocket clip on the Banter, it doesn't feel very solid either but it's fun to play with the Bugout is just decent in my opinion.

I will take my LT Wright Frontier Valley fixed blade or Lionsteel B35 as my EDC over any folder , There are many excellent small fixed blades that cost less for EDC and reliable and tough . I wish knife center would show more small fixed blades for EDC carry, LT Wright, Smith and Sons , Lionsteel , Viper Koi, White River Knives M1 Caper, Bark River small fixed blades. Just to name a few good ones.

Boat anchor in my pocket ? I like the idea.

Is the bug out uk legal ?

Banter is an excellent little knife

Didnt the banter just come out? And why isn't the para 3 lw included here?

The Bugout just looks a bit more aesthetically pleasing to me. Plus I am kind of done with liner locks at this point.

Banter all day every day. Ben is also my hero.

When does the baby Peterson launch? I think it's fantastic Ben is doing so well!!

Bugout is a very good knife but the banter and the para3 gets all my pocket time.

What about Mini Bugout vs Baby Banter?

There is a smaller version of the banter also. I named it the S O B.

I think the bugout wins although I love the banter.

Hooray, 12 minutes! (but only 2 knives)

Ok but what about the Banter vs the Nordsmith Skipjack?😉

I’ve wanted a Banter and a Bugout but one USA and another is China and I like the Axis lock over the other. And for $20 more I think you got a lot more blade! Great vid as always

Two awesome knives. For me Banter is the winner.

WE Banter doesn't even make my top 5 edc knives. It's a bit cheaper, but still over $100. LW Para 3, mini bugout in CF Elite, mini Osborne, Rat2 in D2, Delica are my top five, honorable mention to Mini Grip custom with the spidey hole (but you're going to drop some bucks for that). Yeah the action is going to be better on the Banter with the ball bearings, but...there's a trade off. Phosphor bronze is THE choice for tactical/survival kind of folders (fixed being ideal for those purposes). For me, a ball bearing knife is more of a gentleman's/suburban kind of appeal. Banter is a pretty good knife, just do you really wanna drop $100 bucks on a liner lock? When in the same range, you have AXIS and Compression, or even a tri-ad in the Code 4 or mini recon 1?

Almost every knife I own is a axis locking knife, the bugout hasn’t ever been my thing. But I can see why someone would like it, also SOG has a great axis lock. Currently all I’m carrying is Kershaw launch models except my SOCP folder.

What happened to Saturday's Knife FAQ?? Is the series over?

I don't own either one too small for me. I carry a Spyderco Native Chief for my EDC. Today I received the Bestech Swordfish in S35vn which will be my new EDC.

Coming from a Kershaw Skyline, nothing has been able to dethrone the Benchmade Bugout as my current favorite lightweight 3" EDC. Not the Civivi Elementum, and not the WE Banter.

Currently have the banter in black. Imo it feels more robust than the bugout because the handle **doesn't flex** like the bugout and it's a smigde heavier

Lol I already have both. I'm glad I dont have to choose.

Nothing wrong with these, but personally I prefer something sturdier. A 5oz, 6oz or even a 9oz folder has never seemed cumbersome in my pocket so to me at least it's a non issue.

Comparing apple to orange on this one. The proper comparison is the mini vs banter. You can't compare a 3.25" blade to 2.9" blade, there are so many in between to choose from. I prefer my Banter personally, but if you must buy USA, the mini or full bugout is perfect.

I have both and I’d have to go with banter all day. Benchmade is more fidget friendly but it came dull and off center.. put new titanium scales on it... still off center. Banter came incredibly sharp and centered. Feels much sturdier on the lock as well.

Own both and love both but I have an EDC preference for the Banter myself. The Banter was designed to be a solid yet non-threatening EDC that one could pull out anywhere.

I have both and only had to modify one.. the banter, took my dremel to it so I could close it better, I think the steel is better on the banter than the bugout but I can’t help but double knife them every day,

I don't care who's winning because I have both 😎

Can you slow roll the banter?

Banter is just so much more stout. Love benchmade but you could run over a banter and it would be perfect still. That Bugout? Maybe, maybe not.

The Bugout is by far the better knife...there is a reason that it is the knife that most comparisons are made versus. It is the undisputed champion in it's weight class. Flytanium Crossfade with 20CV DLC blacked out hardware/blade...game over.

"elementum my dear Watson"............................ CIVIVI Knives Elementum "All Day Carry".. the WE knifes little brother ....