benchmade barrage 581 Review added to first post

U

ubet

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Nov 20, 2009
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Was wondering how you guys like this knife? Is it hard to sharpen, hold a good edge? I sort of drunk ordered it, so was wondering about what the consensous is on it. I got a SMOKING deal so.... I have been looking for something to carry along with my Emerson comander, and wanted a microtech select fire, but $450 is a little out of my price range, so went with a 581, hope its a good knife.

Thanks

ETA:

So, I got it in today. Opened up the box, pulled it out, and it felt really good in my hand. First thing I did was flick open the blade, roll up my shirt, and yep shaves hair like a sob, this blade is SHARP. Their is no blade play with it opened or closed, axis lock seems stiff, I dont know though because this is my first benchmade. I really like the feel of the handle, it feels better in a reverse grip than it does a forward one. It seems like its a nice knife, ecspecially for the $145 shipped I got it for, but for the $220 BM wants, eh I dont think I would pay it. The two toned handle is nice to look at, but not sure what purpose it serves. My only 2 complaints on it, are that it could stand to have some jimping on the back of the knife, and that the thumb stud is almost as sharp as the blade. I am used to an Emerson Comander with the thumb button on the spine of the blade, its flat where you press your thumb to flick it open, where as this bm its a stud with ridges on it, your thumb sure as hell isnt going to slip off of it. The nice thing about it, is it just dissapeared in my pocket, where as that comander it felt like I had a 2x4 in their, and couldnt really put anything in said pocket cause the comander took up so much room, not this knife though. Opening it is lightning fast, and it snaps into place with authority, its as fast as switchblades I have played with, but with better lockup.

I am overall excited about this knife, its not going to be a beater although first impression is it seems like it could hold up to it with no problem, but I already have knives for that purpose.
 
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I've had the 581 since they pretty much came out. It's a great knife. Steel gets super sharp and holds the edge well. However, it isn't the easiest blade to sharpen, but it is easier than ...S90V. It'll get sharp, but just takes a bit more time than other steels.

The Assist opening works VERY well.

Overall, good knife. You could have done a lot worse drunk ordering...
 
Decent choice, sober or otherwise. The m390 steel is easily resharpened with a basic Spyderco Sharpmaker - just clean those white ceramic files often. The contoured G10 and Al are nice, too. My criticism 'revolves', so to speak, around the assisted open-feature... it'll get your attention. As you push the thumb stud, just hold on to the knife - remember to 'unlock' it of course! The AXIS lock is a definite plus, in my experience. I have a bunch of them - and never have had a problem. You'll like it!

Stainz
 
Don't have a 581, but I did briefly have a 580. I liked the size and blade shape, but I ended up selling it because I didn't like the "hollow" feel of the handles and prefer non-assisted knives. But if you're into assisted openers, the AO is (as others have said) very well-implemented on the Barrage. M390 is also excellent stuff, and the G-10 handles on the 581 address the issue of handle feel. I could see myself picking one up sometime.
 
Well thats good to hear, that its a good knife, ecspecially since I paid $150 for it.
 
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