Benchmade Barrage 580 OR Nitrous Stryker

MTHall720

MTHall720

Joined
Sep 21, 2010
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Can't quite decide. I saw the Barrage full size locally but not the full size Stryker. Looking for a heavy beefy a/o folder which feels substantial instead of too light or "plastic". Also want as high shine blade as possible with a length of 3.6 inches or more with a very fast opening.
The m390 is out of my budget range though.
So, for this who both of these models which do you think is a a better choice? I want a clip point or modified clip point but not Tanto
 
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I would definitely go with the barrage. There have been numerous issues with the stryker, and plus the barrage has the axis lock. Its a great knife.
 
Nitrous Stryker is awesome!

Stryker_rope2.jpg
 
RByers91 said:
I would definitely go with the barrage. There have been numerous issues with the stryker, and plus the barrage has the axis lock. Its a great knife.
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There have been problems with the Barrages too. Early on there was a bad batch of springs and I saw indications there may have been another bad batch.

Probably a coin toss really. Pick the one that appeals to you most.

I have a barrage, and its a nice jewel of a knife, but it was slooooow to open at first and took a lot of time before it settled down to having semi-acceptable opening.
 
I have a mini barrage and a stryker....

The barrage is my favorite of the two by far
 
I've played with the Stryker several times at the store but own the Barrage. Barrage is beefier, but the Stryker is more sleek. Both are good...depends on what you want.
 
Gunsnknives said:
I've played with the Stryker several times at the store but own the Barrage. Barrage is beefier, but the Stryker is more sleek. Both are good...depends on what you want.
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The beefier the better for me. Do the scales feel plasticky or more quality feel?
 
Barrage feels beefy but not as solid as if it had G10 scales. It is not as platicky feeling as the Griptilians...but not quite as solid as the Stryker.

Nice choice BTW...I like both.

Another thing to consider is the lock type...I like the Axis lock so went Barrage. I think that lock type is less prone to issues. My EDC is the BM 890..and I have accidentally disengaged the liner lock on it once or twice. Something to think about.

GL, again you can't really go wrong with either.
 
I like Stryker's D2 blade over 154CM on Barrage. Now, if you want to consider 581 w/M390 I'd probably choose that one.
 
I've got both the mini Stryker and the full sized Stryker. They are great knives and love the action on both :thumbup:. No problems with either of mine, in fact got another on the way.

Over the weekend I handled the new Barrage and it was definitely beefier than the Nitrous. The Nitrous doesn't feel cheap and the Barrage also has a good feel to it.

I'd say you need to get some play time with both to get a better feel for which one you prefer. Both are great choices and think you'll be happy with either :)...
 
It all comes down to handle material and blade steel choice.

Barrage: 154CM, BM "plastic" handle, AXIS lock, thicker handle, L/R tip up
Nitrous Stryker: D2, G-10, Liner Lock, thinner handle, RH Tip Down

The handle thickness could go either way depending on hand size, carry comfort, use comfort.

I personally chose the Tanto Nitrous Stryker because I wanted a D2 blade to try and am not too big if a fan of the Noryl GTX. Though supposedly the barrage, like the Griptilian, is comfortable in the hand during use.
 
The stryker has the worst liner lock I have ever used. And I don't mean to knock Benchmade as a brand I love many of their knives, but the lock is so light that it can be easily actuated accidentally with your finger in use, and I have found this to be the case with all the Benchmade Liner locks I've handled (not many to be honest) but the axis lock is wonderful. Just my opinion, I owned the Stryker and other Benchmade liner locks and got rid of them all, and I am not agains liner locks at all, Spyderco, Kershaw, CRKT, Boker, and many more have great liner locks, but Benchmade needs to make some serious changes in that department.
 
Slider817 said:
The stryker has the worst liner lock I have ever used. The lock is so light that it can be easily actuated accidentally with your finger in use.
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What are you talking about??? I have both the big and small Stryker and both locks are rock solid with thick, titanium liners. Never had a problem with them. You must have got a lemon.
 
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