Barrage 580 vs 581

O

Orv

Joined
Nov 6, 2013
Messages
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Going to buy my first "real knife." What makes the 581 so much more than the 580? The blade steel is the same...
 
The 581 had M390 steel, G-10 and aluminum handle scales

The 580 is 154cm and plastic (valox?) handle scales.

They are very different and if you shop around, you'll find the 581well worth the price you can buy one for.
 
Orv said:
What makes the 581 so much more than the 580? The blade steel is the same...
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No, it's not. The 580 is 154CM and the 581 is M390. The 581 also has G10 and aluminum scales compared to valox. Are you sure you are looking at the right knives? They are visibly different.
 
I can see the handles are different, what are the rules for posting links? My local sporting goods store has the 580 online advertised with m390

Description:
Benchmade 580 Barrage with a M390 super steel blade, and aluminum bolsters.The blade is made using M390 super stainless steel and has dual stainless thumb studs. The spring-assisted mechanism can deploy the blade by gently pushing the thumb stud forward. The blade locks into place with the ever solid axis lock. A black coated arrow style clip has been attached for right or left-handed tip-up carry. Dual thumb studs, the axis lock and reversible pocket clip make this knife truly ambidextrous. MADE IN USA.

Features:

Blade Length: 3.60"
Blade Thickness: 0.121"
Handle Thickness: 0.650"
Blade Material: M390 Super Steel
Blade Hardness: 60-62HRC
Blade Style: Drop-Point; Ambidextrous Thumb-Studs
Weight: 5.20oz.
Pocket Clip: Reversible, Black, Tip-Up, Split Arrow
Lock Mechanism: AXIS-Assist
Overall Length: 8.35"
Closed Length: 4.75"
Sheath Material: Sold Separately
 
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Orv said:
I can see the handles are different, what are the rules for posting links? My local sporting goods store has the 580 online advertised with m390
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Probably a misprint....

Buy from an authorized dealer here and you can post all the pictures you want from them, even post links!

Posting links from unpaying dealers is a no no.

And go for the 581 for sure. It's got a much superior steel and a much better grip, I can't tell you the number of times a regular 580 slipped out of my hands while I was trying close it....
 
Orv said:
Ok, thanks, glad I didn't get one to only be disappointed
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Just to be clear, the 580 isn't a bad knife, it's kind of like buying yourself a rifle, you could get a stock 1022 (580) or you could get one with a bull barrel, nice scope, and a custom stock (581). Both will serve the intended purpose, but one will serve better by a margin. :)

Edit: I should mention, I'm not a gun guy, my 1022 analogy might have been really stupid haha. :o
 
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Owning both, the 581 is in my opinion far superior to the 580. Not even close. Go for the 581. The knife in your description is a 581. M390/aluminum bolsters=581.
 
9blades said:
Just to be clear, the 580 isn't a bad knife, it's kind of like buying yourself a rifle, you could get a stock 1022 (580) or you could get one with a bull barrel, nice scope, and a custom stock (581). Both will serve the intended purpose, but one will serve better by a margin. :)

Edit: I should mention, I'm not a gun guy, my 1022 analogy might have been really stupid haha. :o
Click to expand...

Actually your analogy was perfect. Although I'm not a big fan of the bull barrel.
 
I hate the barrage scales, but I love the 581 blade. I'm currently customizing one. If you're choosing between a 580 and a 581, it's no contest. Get the 581. M390 is as good as it gets in production knives
 
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