Recommendation? Assisted opener

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waldoe

Joined
Sep 27, 2011
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So, looking to buy a new knife. Budget is $150-200. The only assisted opener I own is a sog flash 2 which has been my edc for quite a while. I'm looking at the benchmade barrage. Just looking for opinions. Is the barrage a decent assisted opener? Maybe any other recommendations for this price range?
 
:D oh man if you like the barrage, want assisted opening, 150-200 $$ price? There are going to be quite a few you will like from zero tolerance I bet
 
I haven't handled a barrage, but the first assisted knife that came to mind is the ZT 0770. It's thin, lightweight, disappears in the pocket and has one of the more useful blade shapes out there.
 
SharpDressedKnives said:
I haven't handled a barrage, but the first assisted knife that came to mind is the ZT 0770. It's thin, lightweight, disappears in the pocket and has one of the more useful blade shapes out there.
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I was looking at that model online the other day. I really liked the blade shape and the look of the handle. Thanks for the suggestion.
 
Benchmade G10 or valox Barrage
Benchmade Torrent
Benchmade Volli
Benchmade Boost
Since you mentioned Benchmade, any of these knives I listed would make great options within your budget. Yes, the Barrage is an outstanding knife. I have owned all of these knives and I recommend any of them.
 
You can't go wrong with a ZT or Benchmade.

If you go Barrage, I'd go for one with G10 + S30V vs one with polymer + 154CM. It's worth an extra $20 imo.

Or go for the Boost. The handle is comfortable (to me) and I like S30V and the blade shape.

For a ZT, I'm not a fan of metal handles or carbon fiber, so the 350 or 566 would be my choice.

You even have some $ left over for a Ontario Rat 1 in D2 or a Steel Will Cutjack in D2
 
I have the BM581 Barrage (m390 blade)n and quite like it.
For me, although I prefer the blade shape of the ZT0770, the 581 feels better in hand.
I'll add more in a bit.
 
hhmoore said:
I have the BM581 Barrage (m390 blade)n and quite like it.
For me, although I prefer the blade shape of the ZT0770, the 581 feels better in hand.
I'll add more in a bit.
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Snap. It’s a superb knife; the only one of my assisted openers that I use on a regular basis. M390, oh yes. :thumbsup:
 
waldoe said:
So, looking to buy a new knife. Budget is $150-200. The only assisted opener I own is a sog flash 2 which has been my edc for quite a while. I'm looking at the benchmade barrage. Just looking for opinions. Is the barrage a decent assisted opener? Maybe any other recommendations for this price range?
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If you have a local knife store you can visit I would suggest at least handle a few manual opening knives in your price range. There are some knives with great actions in that range. Ive played with a barrage I few times but I don't own one, I feel like having a assisted axis lock kinda ruins the great action most axis locks have.

I handed my 940-2 to a buddy of mine to check it out and he kept saying how fast and smooth the spring in it was ( the 940 is not assisted) I told him to open it slow and when he realized it wasn't assisted he was impressed how smooth was.

If your dead set on AO, the barrage did feel well made but if I was going to drop $150-$200 on a AO knife it would be the ZT 0770.
 
I have the Mini Barrage and love it, even the basic knife without steel improvements. Sharp Sharp Sharp! I feel sure if you like the size, the Barrage would be perfect. It will be quite a step up for you from the SOG Flash. Of the SOGs, I do like the Vulcan and Mini Vulcan, but the handles are a bit rough for me. They get carried occasionally.

My other AO that I favor is the ZT 0770CF. Highly recommend this one also (as others have).
 
I'll be honest - I haven't carried my 581 in quite a while; and I think I either sold, or gave away, my 0770.
Here's a couple of comparison pics, though.
T0RqsMJ.jpg

DMXGm7C.jpg


I got over the assisted opening thing long before I acquired either of those knives. The reality is that most of today's (quality, modern) knives can be opened just as quickly as assisted; and will be easier to close. (Yes, the spring that powers the blade out provides resistance when putting the blade back).
I've got a desert ironwood handled 0350, with an m390 blade that I keep meaning to de-assist & drop in my pocket...this weekend might be the time to do it, since it's too cold to be messing around outside. I'm hesitant to do so because I could never quite like the 0350; and, if I don't like this one once I carry it, I'd be inclined to get rid of it.
EdjLt0g.jpg
 
Officer's Match said:
I am not a big "assisted" fan, but do love the ZT0350, a great, tough little big knife.
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This is exactly what I was gonna write. I don't carry my 0350 every day. But when i'm in the mood for it, it's a lot of fun. Tough, loud. It doesn't just open. It goes into battery.

Agreed that you should handle/consider the G10 Barrage. The frn one I handled felt a little "hollow." Though, I felt the same way about the mini-grip, and a year or two later it's one of my favorite knives.
 
number9 said:
This is exactly what I was gonna write. I don't carry my 0350 every day. But when i'm in the mood for it, it's a lot of fun. Tough, loud. It doesn't just open. It goes into battery.

Agreed that you should handle/consider the G10 Barrage. The frn one I handled felt a little "hollow." Though, I felt the same way about the mini-grip, and a year or two later it's one of my favorite knives.
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Handling a knife before buying is always a good idea if you can. I bought my Mini Barrage after handling. Generally speaking I'm not a frequent AO user, but they are fun and the O770CF and Mini Barrage are my AO's that I use and that's not likely to change anytime soon. The first ZT that I handled was the 0350 (I believe it is one of the lesser priced models) and was impressed with the smoothness of operation. But that's about it..... don't care for the blade shape and it's chunky in the pocket. "Loud" is part of the problem I have with AO's in general, but flippers can be very loud too.
 
If you can possibly wait a couple of weeks, the Benchmade 495 Vector Axis-Assist model should be making its debut at just a bit under $200. And if your taste favors slender spear point blades, it should prove attractive.
 
Such awesome replies. Thanks everyone! Im not dead set on getting an AO. unfortunately, I do not have a good knife store locally, cold steel peacemaker 2 being the best knife I found at that store. Some great suggestions. I'm still looking at the barrage, now also looking at the zt0350. Got one hell of a bonus so I may just be able to convince the wife to let me add both knives to the collection.
 
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