Assisted opening

gruntmedik

gruntmedik

Gold Member
Joined
Mar 12, 2009
Messages
1,682
What are your thoughts on the assisted openers? Good or bad, I'd like to hear them. I've heard about some people deactivating the assist--is that difficult to do, and is it reversible?

I'm really liking the looks of the Mini Barrage, and the Boost. Leaning more to the Mini Barrage as it seems to be more pocket friendly.
 
I haven't experienced BM assisted openers but my experience with other AO knives is just that you love the satisfaction of a manual and don't really get the satisfaction of an auto.
 
To me, AO isn't a great fit with the Axis lock. You lose the Axis lock closing flick.

I have a 581 and 586, really like both. Have considered de-assisting them but haven't as I have other Axis lock folders to enjoy. Also I have read they are easy to de-assist but a bear to put back.

Really like the AO on the frame lock 790 Subrosa though.

ibXU06Z.jpg
 
Looks like your 790 is the only non-Axis knife. I own a First Production version and really like how the blade just pops. That little adjustable HEX adjusting nut makes adjusting the knife play a breeze. Very nice selection in the posting! I haven't tried to de-assist any of my A/O, like 'em as is, but have heard about difficulties in re-assembling. If done, and we can't reverse the process, I think Benchmade charges $25 for the time spent. While I love my Axis models, their A/O's are great knives.
 
Last edited:
I have two assisted BM's, the Boost and the Amicus. Although I might get another Boost and de-assist it in the future, I don't dislike the assist in any way. The main difference for me is that I can't flick the blade closed... IMO, it's only a loss if you are a fidgeter.

That being said, if you forget you have an assisted opener and you accidentally go to deploy the blade slowly your thumb ends up right next to the sharp part of the blade. Also, if you use the safety lock, that is an additional step to open. Last, it's another reason not to lend your knife to someone to use, as I watched a friend (another knife enthusiast that is unfamiliar with BM's) struggle to figure out which button to push to release the blade... He accidentally put on the safety and therefore couldn't release the Axis lock.
 
Old habits stay close by. Whether automatic or assisted, I close the blade by pressing the button Or by pulling back the axis bar...(and then close the blade two-handed.) And I've never had to use the slide lock in either case.
 
I own a total of three AO knives and all three don't see much pocket time. My Kershaw Echelon has been de-assisted and, IMHO, it is a better knife now than how it left the factory. My other two are a SOG Flash 2 and a Benchmade Volli.

I would like to de-assist the Volli but, have not received much feed back from those that have tried it. Anyone have experience with a de-assisted Volli?
 
My fault. Had a very, very sharp tip up carry Kershaw Leek with damascus blade. Carried it in my back pocket and one day reached in to use the knife and it had opened and I nearly cut my thumb off. Lot's of blood, sold the knife.
 
Last edited:
gnystrom said:
My fault. Had a very, very sharp tip up carry Kershaw Leek with damascus blade. Carried it in my back pocket and one day reached in to use the knife and it had opened and I nearly cit my thumb off. Lot's of blood, sold the knife.
Click to expand...

That's why I use the safety on my Amicus flipper... I bought it for back pocket carry. I don't worry about the safety when using a belt pouch for my Boost.

To the OP... Although different knives have different safety placements (and some none at all), with the two I mentioned, the safeties are easy to use and once you get used to using them it's like second nature. I still prefer not needing a safety in the first place, though.
 
I agree on the safety but on the Kershaw it made allowing quick use of the knife almost impossible.
 
gnystrom said:
I agree on the safety but on the Kershaw it made allowing quick use of the knife almost impossible.
Click to expand...


that and it comes off easily while in a pocket. also loosens up comes off the tip of the knife. a really bad design for a safety.

im not a fan of the axis assist. not needed and gets in the way more than it helps. unless one just wants the assist just cause, id steer clear.
 
Thanks for the replies, they are much appreciated. I wound up ordering a G10 Mini Barrage, as I got a deal I couldn't resist.

I really need to stay off BladeForums. LOL
 
Good luck with the Mini Barrage, OP.

Personal experience with both mini (585) and full-sized (580) Barrage, having carried and used both assisted and with the assist removed, is that I liked the 585 with the assist, and the 580 without. I could easily close the assisted 585 one handed, but that was more difficult with the 580.

They both feel just how you would expect an axis lock to feel when de-assisted. I always kept the safeties installed on mine, even when de-assisted, since they often rode along in a backpack while biking off-road (the safety feature made them a good choice for this activity). I never had any issues with the safety failing, and never used the safety when carried in front pocket. Re-installation of the assist spring ain't too bad, you just have to be mindful of winding the spring, seating the mechanism, and not cutting yourself all at once! Another bonus of the axis-assist is that you can easily tune out side-to-side blade wiggle often associated with the axis mechanism and still have a positive opening action.

I have since sold both (4300 kicked them both out of my pocket), but a 580-2 is on my to-buy list!
 
Nice photo of the 580 breakdown, thanks! I don't own these two either, did and long gone too. The 585 Could be closed easier than the 580 one-handed, agreed. Only thought is to be careful when re-assembling these guys, the small Torx screws are easy to bung up; care needs to be applied when lining up the scales to the liners. I never did have a need to adjust the buried pivot, the tension applied by the spring probably had something to do with that. The only Barrage model in my collection is the 583-1 WARN variant, and I like that knife a lot.
 
I had a 580 PE for a good while. I did the exact same thing. I took out the spring assist and the locking safety mechanism. Breathed new life into the knife and was a noticeable upgrade in my opinion. I liked it some much more just simply pulling back on the Axis lock and having the blade fall safely into the closed position. I felt it was so much better with out the spring assist.
 
jswa2 said:
Good luck with the Mini Barrage, OP.

Personal experience with both mini (585) and full-sized (580) Barrage, having carried and used both assisted and with the assist removed, is that I liked the 585 with the assist, and the 580 without. I could easily close the assisted 585 one handed, but that was more difficult with the 580.
Click to expand...

IMO, the only drawback to the assisted opening is that it takes a little more effort to close the knife one-handed. It's not a problem for me with the Mini-Barrage and I'm getting comfortable doing it with my new 581 Barrage.

Stay sharp,
Bob
 
I have a Mini-Barrage and it kicks like a mule. It is my hardest firing assisted. Not a knife I would hand to someone that didn't know knives, unless you like to see it fly out of their hands...
 
No I dont like AO. Doesnt matter which brands of knives it is on. As a matter of fact, I am gradually losing interest in knives that are too snappy when openning.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top