Opinions On Benchmade Barrage

S

Stafford Knives

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Sep 25, 2014
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I just recently got a Benchmade Barrage through a trade with a friend. It has some nicks in the blade that'll need to be sharpened out and the tip is slightly broken, but it is not beyond resurrection. I was just wondering what peoples' opinions are on this knife. Goods/bads/in betweens- just searching for some knowledge.
 
Bought one for my father about 2 months ago, and he thinks it's the greatest thing since sliced white bread. I liked it for the 2 hours I owned it before giving it to him. I'm just not a fan of Assisted opening knives. I really like the blade profile...very sleek.
 
I really like the mini Barrage. I own the 586 in G10 and AL, but the 585 is also very nice.
I also have the 581, which is a little heavy in the pocket, but it is very nice. Good size and shape. The 586 is my favorite of the series.

Also its de-assitable, so if your not into that, there is a remedy. My 586 is manual and is very nice.
 
It's a little heavy for what it is and is lacking grip in the right places, but otherwise is a great package.
 
Ya, I was noticing the lack of grip. I carry a fixed blade for heavier tasks and a folder for lighter ones; so it's ok for my purposes anyways, but it would be nice to see some jimping so that if nothing else, it feels more secure in the hand.
 
I love everything about the 586 about other than the fact that it's assisted. I'd own one if it wasn't for that.

I wish Benchmade would go back to the old Optimizer Assist stye for the Axis knives where it's easily user removable without voiding warranty.
 
I've owned a 581 and 586 and ended up selling both of them. While nice, I found them to have too large/heavy/thick handles compared to the blade size. For me, a pair of large and mini Griptilians with G10 scales (either via limited edition or aftermarket) were better options for about the same price or less than the 581/586. And a 940-1 trumps them all.
 
adams-usmc said:
Bought one for my father about 2 months ago, and he thinks it's the greatest thing since sliced white bread. I liked it for the 2 hours I owned it before giving it to him. I'm just not a fan of Assisted opening knives. I really like the blade profile...very sleek.
Click to expand...

This exactly! Fondled it a few minutes, sharpened, inspected and delivered. Except my father had a stroke and the assisted opening is great. It's an easy one hand close when you shut it against a leg. Grip is not the best, opens great, cuts fantastic. Any Benchmade is better than many brands minus the few great ones that have forums here.
 
I have the 581 and 586 both of which I bought after losing my 585. I have other knives and I'm sure I will have other Benchmades, but I will never part form either of these blades! I disagree with the comments on the handle being too thick or slippery, the assisted opening being anything but a plus, etc., etc. I carry the 586 to work where the 581 would freak them out if I used it but weekends belong mostly to the 581! I have gutted a deer with just the 585 so to me it is very ergonomic and I prefer it to the slim handled knife for that for my money is harder to use on a (serious) task like that.
 
I love my 586! I replaced the Al and G10 with Ti and CF, it's my dress knife now. I do wish that it had some Spyderco like jimping on the knife for a more positive grip.
 
Looking at the pictures, I had always assumed they wouldn't feel good in hand. Then one day I was at the local pawn shop and they had a Mini in the case, so I asked to look at it...
Now granted, I only played with it for about 5 minutes, but my earlier assumption was way off. I have big hands, and it was very comfortable. I have never really been a fan of assisted knives, but for some strange reason I really liked this one. Maybe part of the reason is because it fits my hand so well, it is almost effortless to open.

I didn't buy that knife because the blade was buggered up, but am still thinking about getting one.
 
Warren Osborne designs good knives. The 580 is, in its various offerings is worth owning. Handles might be a little thick, but feel good in use.
 
I own 4 Barrages now, a 580-1102, a 581, a 586-1401, and a 585 custom shop in D2 blade.

All are excellent knives, especially the 586 and 581 with their near-FFG M390 blades. They are all a little thicker in the hand than the typical BMK, but this is a function of the assisted open (need room for the coil spring).

Personally, I enjoy the extra heft of the 581/6 (due the G10 scales), gives the knife a much more solid feel.


As for the fleabay example of the 581, the black thumbstud on a satin blade is not a bad thing. My example also has a black stud.

581-2_01.jpg


While this combo is rare, it is not unheard of. My knife also has a more glossier black clip than the typical 581, more like the old 930 which appeared more like a black chrome than a painted or plated finish.

However, the 'course' stone washing of the fleabay knife would have me very concerned. I have never seen a true BMK with a stone wash that aggressive (Other than a Ritter Griptillian). My opinion is that either the photo has been editted or the knife has been modified. Either way, 237 Euro is WAY too expensive for a new 581 IMHO.
 
I own a 585s . I like it. Not a huge fan of serrations, but its all good. There really isn't much else to say. Impressive little knife that feels good in hand, and stays there. What's nice is it doesn't make my pants look like I put em in a wood chipper, after a few weeks of carry.
 
The barrage and Mini-Barrage are great designs. The Axis Assist with safety would make me worry less about an Omega spring breaking, because the Assist would hold the blade open and the lock works to hold the knife open or closed.

The bolstered, G10 handled 581 and 586 are as classy as it gets in a $200 knife, and M390 steel is ideal for a folder.

The standard 580 and 585 feel cheap to me, but I wouldn't mind one as a beater knife.
 
On the portly side, feels better in hand than the pocket. Prefer non assisted (easy enough to disable) and prefer the Nitrous w/ torsion bars over the coil springs..Nitrous and Axis do not mix, however.

Over all a great knife, in mini and full size. The Warn model in full size was always on my list.

The 585-1 is the first BM I purchased and started my illness..

 
I bought a 581 yesterday from my local hardware store. I wasn't going to buy another knife, but I saw this knife on the top shelf, looking seriously good with G10 scales and an aluminum bolster. So I took a look. What struck me first was the high-performance blade geometry. The edge shoulders measured 0.0155 inches and the blade edge was 22 degrees inclusive -- the most acute blade/edge geometry I've seen in a production knife. Then I saw the steel was M390, my favorite for EDC. The quality was excellent, from the centered blade to the fit and finish.

The only thing I don't like is the auto opening. It just seems so pointless with an axis lock. My manual mini Rukus (and 610) opens and closes like a dream. The blade lock locks the blade in either open or closed position, but the plastic button feels cheap. It works better with a little oil, but it's still plastic. I can get why it's good to lock the blade closed when in the pocket, but then the advantage of the spring-assist is lost.

I was going to start carrying it as my new EDC, but the auto feature takes too much away from the overall handling of the knife.
 
The 586 is in my pocket 90% of the time, it doesnt matter what else I carry its always there. I carry mine in a leather pocket slip without a clip and have it deassisted. Its small enough and pretty enough not to scare anyone when I pull it out in public, and has enough blade to get done any cutting chore Id ever need to in that scenario. I had a 580 for a very long time that I used as a beater knife, and even after a year of that it looked brand new. I gave it to my father when he lost a kershaw Id given him years earlier, and hes carried it and continued thrashing on it everyday. I dont think you can go wrong with any of the barrage series, and the fact they offer a version with an M390 blade under $200 makes it a great deal.
 
I have one which is now relegated to the safe. I also found it somewhat bulky in the pocket.

Otherwise it's a quality knife.
 
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