Gone is the original thumb hole, which was a bit of a tight squeeze anyway. In its place? A bright orange thumb stud that not only makes deployment a breeze but also adds a nice pop of color. Benchmade even matched it with an orange backspacer, because if you're going to make changes, you might as well make them look good.

The handles are OD green G10, and they feel… different. Not your typical peel-ply texture—this stuff is smooth, almost plasticky, but in a way that still feels premium. It’s a bold move, and I kind of dig it. Chamfered edges make for a comfortable grip, and there are subtle grooves running along the underside that your fingers naturally fall into. It gives the knife just the right amount of tactile feedback without trying to shred your jeans.

Now, let’s talk pocket carry. The mini deep-carry clip is classic Benchmade—short, sleek, and surprisingly secure. It slips in and out of the pocket without a fight and pretty much disappears once it’s in there. I’ve had no issues with hot spots or tension, though I will say that the exposed lanyard loop at the butt of the knife can poke your palm a bit if you're really bearing down. Nothing dramatic, but it’s there. Tossing on a short lanyard might help fill that gap and smooth things out.

Inside, you've got the tried-and-true Axis Lock. Out of the box, mine was a little stubborn—stiff enough that I had to use two hands to close it. But a quick tweak of the pivot screw and some lube later, it was smooth sailing. Now it opens easily with the thumb stud and closes one-handed like any good Axis-equipped knife should.

But the real star of the show here is the blade. CPM-S45VN steel, clip point shape, and so thin you could use it as a letter opener for your cousin’s wedding invites. We're talking 0.09" thick—that’s traditional knife territory, but with modern steel and a high flat grind that just glides through whatever you throw at it. It's a slicer, plain and simple. Out of the box, the edge was laser sharp—freestanding paper didn’t stand a chance.

Despite the slim stock, the blade doesn’t feel dainty. There’s a subtle swedge up top and a solid tip that makes it feel precise but not fragile. It’s the kind of knife you want to keep using just because of how satisfying it is to cut with. Benchmade nailed the grind geometry, and it shows every time you put this knife to work.

Final Cut

The Taggedout might’ve started life as a hunting knife, but it’s evolved into a top-tier EDC with serious slicing chops and a look that stands out without trying too hard. Benchmade didn’t just repurpose the design—they rethought it. And for those of us who liked the original but wanted something better suited to daily life, this is it.

If you're the kind of person who appreciates a pocket knife that’s thin, light, cuts like a scalpel, and looks damn good doing it—well, the Taggedout just tagged in.