581 Barrage, if other BMs are like this I'll certainly be getting more...

gooeytek

gooeytek

Joined
Jul 12, 2011
Messages
6,299
This is my first ever BM, and have a 551 on the way, and possibly a 425 soon. I really like this 581!
[video=youtube;QUQSnVagF9o]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUQSnVagF9o[/video]

ETA: I retraced my steps and found that I had posted this in the Emerson section my mistake, sorry about that. Cerebral flatus.
 
Last edited:
Isn't that a nice one? Fills the hand so well, and the blade just rockets out. Plus, M390!
Feels like a folding fixed-blade, to me.
It's just too darn big for pocket carry everyday, for me, and I prefer non-assisted knives. So I passed.
But every time I visit a knife store I play with it. I really want to get one, but I'm afraid I'd never use it.
Since it wouldn't be in my pocket, I'd just grab a fixed-blade instead.
Which would be such a waste.
 
Hmm...I thought I posted it in the right area. But anyway, it's in the right place now.

@tjswarbrick, I would have preferred for it to be unassisted as well and certainly didn't expect the assist to be so firm. Maybe down the line I will remove the spring.

ETA: I retraced my steps and found that I had posted this in the Emerson section my mistake, sorry about that. Cerebral flatus.
 
tjswarbrick said:
It's just too darn big for pocket carry everyday, for me, and I prefer non-assisted knives. So I passed.
But every time I visit a knife store I play with it. I really want to get one, but I'm afraid I'd never use it.
QUOTE]

I thought the same thing when I first got it, but it's surprisingly comfortable as and EDC for me and it's really easy to live with. My wife hates it of course, but that just makes it more fun... haha.
Click to expand...
 
The 581 is a good knife. And it's only a smidge thicker than similar sized Presidio and Grips, so if you don't have a problem with those this/these make a great addition to anyone's Benchmade collection.
 
I carry a 581 everyday at work, I love it. Its actually really nice to carry, I put it in my side pocket on my leg and it melts away, I don't ever notice it there. Plus if you don't like the assist, you can remove it.
 
581 is one of my favorites too, I was carrying mine last week.

It is awesome and hard to improve on. It might be a bit thick for some people but it works for me very well.

To the OP-"if other BM's are like this...". I think Benchmade makes very good products. They make various models at various price points, by comparison the 581 has premium steel and premium scales. They have others with G10 scales, others with aluminum scales, and others with molded plastic scales. The ones with plastic scales are good knives but will not feel as good as the 581, but they cost less too.
 
The 581 is my favorite BM. I have a softspot for all BM AO knives but the 581 is tops!

JD
 
The BM581 is one of those knives that are just special. I love it, everyone I show it to loves it. I am a machinist, So the fact that they left some of the 3-D milling tool marks on it makes it even more special to me. It screams milled, not cast crap. The milling on the G-10 looks great.

The blade shape is perfect in my not so humble opinion. And mmmmm M390, what a steel. Not SUPER hard to re-profile and polish, But holds an edge like tool steel. True one handed operation with either the left or right hand. The AXIS lock is rock solid, assisted opening and it has a safety!

Are all BM's like the 581? Simple answer is no. I love all my BM's, 9 at the moment I think. But this one is the one I'd keep if I was only allowed to have one.

You picked the "crack" of BM's to start off with. I feel very sorry for your wallet!


Edit: did you mean the BM525? what the heck is a 425?
 
Last edited:
My FIRST ever BM was a 580 barrage.....A/O....sprung right out! my heart skipped a beat...Love it! Love it! Love it....

the 581 is in my future.
 
gooeytek,

I liked your vid, it showed the working of the assist well, with its pos and neg. I just wish it came without the assist and just plain ol G10- assist on IWB is a recipe for disaster for me.

Hey if James Bond were to carry this one, needless to say it would be a beater lol
 
Thanks Guy, I actually carried it today when we went out and stopped at this Japanese supermarket to grab a bite to eat. My girl needed a knife to cut her barbecue, and all she had was the little plastic knife that they gave her. So I took out the Barrage and sliced the whole piece into nice thin strips before she could say anything. She usually freaks out when I take one of my knives out in public, but the 581 looks so classy she didn't mind.
 
Guy Vanderveken said:
gooeytek,

I just wish it came without the assist and just plain ol G10- assist on IWB is a recipe for disaster for me.
Click to expand...

Guy,

I picked my 581 up yesterday. I've just taken out the assist - less than 10 minutes. Alternatively there is a safety switch on the spine if you are worried about self inflicted injuries carrying IWB.

If you want plain G10 - have a look at the Torrent. Even with the M390, I'm not sure this 581 is going to see more pocket time than the 890 Torrent in 154CM (which I have also de-assisted). Even though I can't get the blade to centre perfectly and the detent is pretty weak without the spring pressure I suspect it will still get more use than the Barrage as it is lighter and on a knife this size, I prefer tip down clips.

Don't get me wrong, from first impressions, the 581 is fantastic. It feels good in my hands, it has the best factory edge I have had in years, to all intents and purposes it is a full flat grind and the steel is supposedly excellent (not going to comment until I have used it a bit - my M390 Shoki has never really worked hard). It has definitely pushed Wilkins / Cuscadi scaled Grips further back into the drawer for the moment.
 
I just bought the 581 all I can say is WOW.... It's laser sharp, and feels like a precision machine.... My other regular edc has flip flopped between the mini parade and spyderco para military 2... Now is going to be a three way fight. The 581 is my most xpnsife knife but the price vs quality shows.....
 
I love my 581. I keep it in by backpack at all times. I love the assist and love the aluminum bolsters and blade steel. They hit it out of the park with this one. Its actually one of my smaller folders lol.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top