In my never ending quest for the perfect EDC I have been looking at the 581. It has an M390 blade, G10 handles, Stainless liners, assisted opening and an axis lock. On paper this knife seems perfect for me. Don't know why I haven't paid any attention to this knife before? I have found it for less than $150 on line and will probably end up ordering it today. If anyone who owns this knife can chime in and give me some pros and cons I would appreciate it. Thanks!
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
Benchmade 581 Barrage?
- Thread starter Jay S.
- Start date
Sonnydaze
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2009
- Messages
- 11,700
Have an awareness that it is a "somewhat thick" knife @ 0.650". It's also a large knife, so this often comes with it. Good blade-steel and likely a very tough knife that can withstand hard use on occasion. I like BM's a lot; haven't yet experienced an assisted opening knife. Perhaps another poster will step up with more info.
Good luck and I hope you love it.
My favorites seem to change about once a week.
Sonny
Good luck and I hope you love it.
My favorites seem to change about once a week.
Sonny
Greetings:
I love the thing. It has Benchmade's new-and-improved bevel, and the 581's G10 scales are sculpted and smooth. The aluminium bolsters are unusual in that they're smooth overall, yet if you run your fingers along their ridges, they are surprisingly though not overly sharp. The spring assist is notably strong; the blade just rockets out of the handle.
I had to send it back because the blade was rubbing against the liners (my removing the scales and adjusting the pivot to align it created too much blade play). They promptly replaced and aligned the blade as well as granted my request for a silver arrow clip and silver clip screws instead of the black oxide clip and screws--and sent the original clip and screws back to me as well. So I experienced the same great Benchmade customer service that I'd often heard of before.
My only critique is that they retained the plastic ridged back spacer from the 580 Barrage rather than replacing it with a G10 one (like the terrific ridged G10 back spacers on the Benchmade Bone Collector folders. Not a huge deal, though, of course.
I haven't used mine nearly enough to comment on the blade's edge retention, toughness, etc., yet M390 certainly has a good reputation.
It's a keeper.
Cheers,
Isaeus
I love the thing. It has Benchmade's new-and-improved bevel, and the 581's G10 scales are sculpted and smooth. The aluminium bolsters are unusual in that they're smooth overall, yet if you run your fingers along their ridges, they are surprisingly though not overly sharp. The spring assist is notably strong; the blade just rockets out of the handle.
I had to send it back because the blade was rubbing against the liners (my removing the scales and adjusting the pivot to align it created too much blade play). They promptly replaced and aligned the blade as well as granted my request for a silver arrow clip and silver clip screws instead of the black oxide clip and screws--and sent the original clip and screws back to me as well. So I experienced the same great Benchmade customer service that I'd often heard of before.
My only critique is that they retained the plastic ridged back spacer from the 580 Barrage rather than replacing it with a G10 one (like the terrific ridged G10 back spacers on the Benchmade Bone Collector folders. Not a huge deal, though, of course.
I haven't used mine nearly enough to comment on the blade's edge retention, toughness, etc., yet M390 certainly has a good reputation.
It's a keeper.
Cheers,
Isaeus
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2006
- Messages
- 758
Great knife, it is a bit on the large side as noted above. I carry it in my back pocket and don't have any issues with bulkieness. Thie edge retention is fantastic, I use the hell out of this knife and it holds up very well. Much better than any of the s30v benchmade knives that I have.
I just noticed the sliding lock on the back of the knife. I don't care for that at all. I also did not realize how large it was (thickness) I have ordered the 940 for now and will see how I like it. I am sure I will grow tired of it quickly and buy the 581 soon enough! Thanks all.
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2011
- Messages
- 129
Great knife. It´s my first Benchmade. The steel is the best, i´ve ever seen. Very good edge retention and it came scary sharp out of the box. The handle lays very good in my hand and looks very good. Indeed one of my favorite knife!
Kind regards,
Andre
Kind regards,
Andre
I had the small Barrage, I didn't like the lock either, but it was a solid knife and opened very fast, with an amazing snap, Check out Benchmade's Bone Collector series. Everything you like about the Barrage, without the shortcomings. Some of the best handle ergos ever.
The 581 is not my favorite BM - by a long shot. The assisted function works great - but is the cause for including the safety lock on the back - a feature I don't need. Additionally, it requires considerable effort to close the knife - definitely not a 'one hander', unless you push the spine against your leg, for example. The thumb ramp, in Al, is slick - no jimping. Only the aforementioned lock protrudes from between the scupted G10 scales - a bit uncomfartable and easily dislodged while the blade is deployed. No jimping on the blade spine, either. The easily marred Al bolsters are sharp edged where the small troughs are milled out the inside edge - uncomfortable - easily remedied in manufacturing by tumbling the bolster after milling.
The good news. The handle is a comfortable size and shape, not to mention how well balanced the deployed knife, clipless, like all of my knives, is in my medium+ sized hand. The blade is a great shape - and made from a really stout, but easily resharpened, blade steel - m390. My 755 MPR and 480-1 Shoki, both m390, have really proven themselves in use. Sadly my 581 doesn't get much carry. Here it is with my other two m390 BMs:
Stainz
The good news. The handle is a comfortable size and shape, not to mention how well balanced the deployed knife, clipless, like all of my knives, is in my medium+ sized hand. The blade is a great shape - and made from a really stout, but easily resharpened, blade steel - m390. My 755 MPR and 480-1 Shoki, both m390, have really proven themselves in use. Sadly my 581 doesn't get much carry. Here it is with my other two m390 BMs:
Stainz
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2011
- Messages
- 1,600
I don't have a 581, but a 580. I'm planning to buy a 581 if I ever find one for a nice price. I might have to make a thread in "the wanted to buy" part of the forum. I'm having trouble finding stores that can ship internationally, and accept paypal. those on ebay are a bit to pricey. custom scales for my 580 might also be an option, but I think it'll cost a lot.
the handles are thicker than a lot of other folder, and I like it.
I don't mind the lock for the axis lock.
closing it with one hand isn't a problem. it will not stop me from buying the 581.
I agree that the thumb ramp should give more resistance for the thumb.
the handles are thicker than a lot of other folder, and I like it.
I don't mind the lock for the axis lock.
closing it with one hand isn't a problem. it will not stop me from buying the 581.
I agree that the thumb ramp should give more resistance for the thumb.
draggat
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2010
- Messages
- 3,068
The 581 is a great knife. It is chunky though! Personally, the lock doesn't bother me, but if you are mechanically inclined, it's pretty easy to remove. It does require almost total disassembly though. There is a tutorial here on the forums for it. The coil spring is also removable, so if you want it in a standard axis lock, you can have it. This is one of the strongest AO's I've come across. It opens almost as hard as a Protech, which in my opinion is a good thing. Overall, it's typical Benchmade quality. Considering knives of comparable price, I'd say the quality is among the best of the best and with awesome warranty service, how can you go wrong? Plus, those bolsters just look sexy!
I say you should pick one up. You won't be disappointed.
I say you should pick one up. You won't be disappointed.
- Joined
- Jun 19, 2012
- Messages
- 335
Great knife!! Its a thick one but I have big hands and it fits me well. The A/O action is the best ive seen much stronger than my ZTs with Speed Safe. OHH ya and the Axis lock, One of these days I want to get a nice set of Carbon fiber scales made for it. The blade shape is a great for EDC. Ive owned mine for 2 years now and all I have done with it is strop it the M390 just dose not loose it edge.