Benchmade Barrage - BM580SBK (big pics)

[amroc]

The Barrage by Benchmade is the first assist open knife with an Axis Lock. I am rather impressed with this knife. It is VERY VERY VERY fast. A few times, my LEO and Military customers have called this the "auto-killer" with how fast it is and easy of deployment.

Gratuitous open shot.

All the nice basic info. I really do have a weakness for Osbourne designs.

The blade closed perfectly centered, as a good knife should.

The safety works the exact same way it does on the full-auto models. It blocks the Axis Lock from moving back, and allowing the blade out.

Here it is in the safety on position. This creates a virtual fixed blade when engaged. I love how easy it is to turn on or off with just one hand.

The handle on this knife was very comfortable for someone like me. I have rather large palms, with very stubby fingers. The dents in the handle guided my fingers to a comfortable position and held them there.

One thing that I noticed after taking the pictures (yeah, I'm just that observant), was that there is a hidden pivot point. I don't know how to feel about this. I worry that the pivot could loosen up and I couldn't get to it to re-tighten a little. BUT! It does make it fool proof to lose the pivot screws (I see lots of customers with that problem)

Thank you!

 

[Big_Red]

Maybe it's the lighting, but it appears there are brass inserts in the pocket clip drill holes. I know with the mini-barrage I had the screws were tapped into the plastic/zytel/whatever. Is the full size different?

Thanks for the pics.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

The prototype Barrage had G10 scales. I love the FRN handle material, but DAMN was the polished G10 sexy.

 

[Big_Red]

The prototype Barrage had G10 scales. I love the FRN handle material, but DAMN was the polished G10 sexy.

I don't like the plastic and would have paid a premium for the G10... Oh well. Why Benchmade put hollowed out plastic on such a sweet knife (their very first axis assit) is beyond me.

 

[creativeoutlethobbie]

I have both the 580 and 585. It might just be perception but the 580 feels more solid (less hallow) than the 585. I do wish they used g10, both knives are highly recommended though.

 

[svrider3]

One thing that I noticed after taking the pictures (yeah, I'm just that observant), was that there is a hidden pivot point. I don't know how to feel about this. I worry that the pivot could loosen up and I couldn't get to it to re-tighten a little.

Just take the scale screws out. I just got finished putting
a dab of loc-tite on mine. It takes a #10 torx for the pivot
screw and a #6 for the scales.

Oh, nothings gonna fly out at you or fall apart.

 

[skimmerhorn]

looks nice but i hate plastic. no matter how you slice it, it's plastic molded stuff. give me micarta or g10 and i'm on it like a chicken and corn!

 

[DeckardB26354]

Very handsome knife with nice lines. It looks pretty slim which would make the mini-Barrage a great EDC. There's something satisfying about the way an auto-opener blade flies open and snaps into locked position. Some may call it unnecessary, but hey, so is a $80 pocketknife, according to my wife.

The plastic doesn't bother me a bit as it is functional and tough. Yes it does have a bit shinier appearance than micarta, but as far as performance and function is there a big difference? Benchmade probably wanted to keep the retail price at around or below $100, so maybe that's why they chose that handle material.