Osbourne 940 or Osbourne 581 Barrage?

D

dfsutton

Basic Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2009
Messages
188
My most recent current production purchase was an Osbourne Contego which I love. I also really like my Osbourne 930 Kulgera. So far, both Osbourne knives have been home runs, so I'm looking to try another Osbourne design.

I think I've narrowed it down between the 581 and 940 and was wondering what you all thought. I know that the 940 is a classic Osbourne design, but it seems pretty similar to the Contego and the Kulgera. It also has a slightly smaller blade that I normally prefer. The 581 Barrage seems to be a great knife on paper. Everything I've read about M390 is good and the blade is slightly longer. However, the reviews on the assist are not as glowing. I think I'm leaning toward the barrage, but wanted to get other people's input. Any help is appreciated.
 
I have a 940 and love it. It's smooth, it's thin, and light weight. The handle has a great shape to it, and you cannot beat the axis lock. I think 940 is discontinued but I could be wrong.
 
The 940 hasn't been discontinued. While I like the knife I'm not a big fan of the T6 aluminum scales and don't own one...If BKC came out with a G-10 version I'd be all over it.

I want to comment on the statement "The reviews on the assist (Barrage) are not as glowing"; IMO the Axis assist is a really good design and well implemented. Not being able to legally carry autos (which I love) in California, I am really happy to have these 583/585/580/581 and now 586 versions available, that are as fast without the worries, and since they're so similar in operation there's no learning curve. I don't think there's anything wrong with de-assisting the mechanism, because you're left with a manual Axis knife, but I am now used to the A/O design and have no plans to do the mod; there's no need.
 
2 different animals IMO, depends on your style. Get em both and test drive them around town, you will develop a taste for one over the other :o
 
claycat said:
2 different animals IMO, depends on your style. Get em both and test drive them around town, you will develop a taste for one over the other :o
Click to expand...

Care to delve into more details about what makes them so different? I've not handled either of them.
 
I have a 581, and have handled the 940 several times (plan to get it down the line sometime). The 940 is quite a bit slimmer and lighter, and carries better in the pocket but isn't as ergonomic to actually use. The 581 and a noticeably thicker handle which makes it more comfortable to use, but you can feel it in your pocket a lot more. The 940 is more of a small knife with a medium blade length, the 581 is more of a medium large size knife.
 
This is not a review and Without listing the exact specs on the differences (I'd prob.muck it up)
This of course doesn't cover all variations of each.

List the obvious general differences. please add to it members.

940 vs 581
Metal handles v polymer?
Blade shapes I.e. cutting tasks
Sleek v heftier thicker
Manual v assist opening
Without looking gonna say weight
940 being lighter

Someone else take it from here :)
 
Last edited:
dfsutton said:
Care to delve into more details about what makes them so different? I've not handled either of them.
Click to expand...

I think the 581 is bigger all around. I'm pretty sure it is thicker. It has a more pronounced blade point and comes in M390 steel. It is assisted opening. I like the sculpted scales.
 
I like the 940, would love it in g-10/cf/micarta/frn. Great knife for use, tough as nails and smooth.
 
claycat said:
This is not a review and Without listing the exact specs on the differences (I'd prob.muck it up)
This of course doesn't cover all variations of each.

List the obvious general differences. please add to it members.

940 vs 581
Metal handles v polymer?
Blade shapes I.e. cutting tasks
Sleek v heftier thicker
Manual v assist opening
Without looking gonna say weight
940 being lighter

Someone else take it from here :)
Click to expand...

The 581 has aluminum bolsters with g-10 handles, not the molded valox. They are both exellent knives, I myself love warren designs, I own the 810, 950, 940, 470, 581, 585, 440 and 930. All Osborne designs and love each one. They are different in a lot of ways, the 581 being bigger/thicker. Making the 940 easier to carry if weight and size are a factor to you.The aluminum handles on the 940 do not bother me one bit.
 
I think the negative feelings on the assisted opening is from people that just prefer manual opening. Nothing wrong with the mechanics of it. I have both and like them, but the 581 sees more pocket time then the 940 (or anything else I own). The 940 does feel like it disappears in the pocket though. Very light, super easy to carry all day. The aluminum handle has much more traction than I ever thought it would.

Tough choice, I could not decide between them. Glad I didn't have to :p
 
Just buy a 530 too if you want a knife that carries like it's not there. :)

Bolstered knives have never been my cuppa.
 
I say go for the 581. m390 is just yummy and the assist is gravy. The 940 is also a very nice blade though. quite frankly either one is quality.

JD
 
If someone laid both of them down on a table and told me I have five seconds to pick one up and walk away with it, I would have the 581 in my pocket. I like the black blade version the most. The black/silver/black theme looks good to me.
 
After reading all the posts, I think I'm v going to go with my original instinct and get the 581. I really do like knives that are larger size of average and based upon what I've read here, the 581 seems to fit that better. Thanks for the help.
 
I just got a 940 and think it is a fantastic knife. I've done the whole "big beefy folder" thing, and while I still have plenty, I find myself carrying slimmer, lighter blades now due to comfort and need. The 940 is quite stout for being so light and will handle anything short of prying (which I wouldn't do with any folder or most fixed blades - that's what they make mini-prybars for) and the blade to weight ratio is outstanding. I also really like the thin profile of the blade (edge to spin) which makes it dissapear in the pocket. I've always loved my Military, but this is about the same size blade at half the profile and lighter. Looking forward to some long carry time.
 
The 940 is one of the "best" blades BM produces. You can't go wrong with one bc they make for the perfect EDC. I would trade most of my Benchmades for a few more 940 Gold Class classics..
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top