Benchmade Mini Barrage or Spyderco Stretch

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mikellen

Joined
Jul 25, 2009
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203
Hello,

I'm trying to decide between these two knives and I'm wondering which would be the better choice. My goal is to use it as an EDC knife and I would like the one that has the better materials, steel, locking system, and gereral reliability. The mini Barrage uses 154CM stainless steel while the Stretch has VG10. from what I've been reading, VG10 is a highly recommended stainless steel but how does the 154CM stainless steel that Benchmade uses compare?

I'm also considering the Buck Vantage Pro which has S30V steel. The Vantage pro is about half the price and I believe it has a more premium steel but how does the rest of the knife compare in quality wise with the mini Barrage and Stretch?

So I'm kinda torn between these 3 knives so I would appreciate it if anyone can please list the pros, cons, recommendations, etc. along with any other related links.

If you have any other knife makes, brands, models to recommend I'll take those into consideration also.

Thanks for any replies.
 
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I don't have the Barrage, nor have I handled one, but I have a Stretch FRN in VG-10, and it's certainly one hell of a knife. It's absolutely my favorite user. The ergos are superb, the blade shape is superb, the blade grind is superb, and the steel is superb. Everything is just superb; I have absolutely no complaints about it. Using it is a dream; the FFG makes it a great slicer, and it keeps cutting because of the thin blade profile.

As for 154CM vs VG-10, I think the general consensus is that VG-10 is ever-so-slightly better in terms of corrosion resistance, and edge holding is virtually the same.

As for locks I think the Axis Lock is generally regarded as one of the strongest. The Barrage probably gets the nod there.

Now the Vantage Pro... I haven't handled this one either, but I've been wanting to. Seems like a great knife for the price, and it's all US made (as is the Barrage). It's got S30V which is my all-time favorite steel. If you want to save the money, go ahead and get that and tell us what it's like ;)

Happy choosing :)
 
Buck Vantage Pro :thumbup: Get yourself one. I don't think you will regret it. BOS S30V for $50. The best S30V I have tried. And I have Benchmade, Buck,Kershaw, Spyderco, Gerber and Lone Wolf.
 
Well, let's see... the Mini-Barrage is assisted-opening, first off. Great if that's your thing, but I know some don't prefer it. 154CM is a fine steel, about on par with VG10 IMO. The thing I didn't like about my Mini-Barrage is the scales felt pretty cheap. It would not have been too hard to make some nice G10 for this knife, it would have really made it for me. The Stretch is more of a no-frills knife: simple but reliable locking mechanism, pedestrian looks, mid-grade steel. But it feels excellent in the hand, and the grind makes slicing a breeze. Plus, it's a bit lighter, and longer, than the BM, so there's that to consider. Also, you can get the FRN Stretch in ZDP-189 if you want a premium steel. Or the CF/ZDP version if you want to drop a little more coin. Between those 2, my vote goes to the Stretch. Can't weigh in on the Vantage Pro, never had one...
 
presz said:
Buck Vantage Pro :thumbup: Get yourself one. I don't think you will regret it. BOS S30V for $50. The best S30V I have tried. And I have Benchmade, Buck,Kershaw, Spyderco, Gerber and Lone Wolf.
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I'd really like to get the Vantage Pro in addition to either the Stretch or the mini Barrage. The only thing holding me back is that I've been doing some research on this forum and youtube and it seems that on quite a bit of the knives the blade is not centered between the liners when the blade is closed. The tip of the blade also seems to impact some metal component after closing the blade (don't know what its called) thus dinging the knife tip.

Has this problem been rectified or is it still prevalent?

Thanks.
 
Yes get the stretch, I've had the Barrage and was not happy with it. I don't really like assisted openers.
 
Got Barrage and the Stretch. The Stretch is the one that ends up in the pocket.
 
raindog101 said:
Well, let's see... the Mini-Barrage is assisted-opening, first off. Great if that's your thing, but I know some don't prefer it. 154CM is a fine steel, about on par with VG10 IMO. The thing I didn't like about my Mini-Barrage is the scales felt pretty cheap. It would not have been too hard to make some nice G10 for this knife, it would have really made it for me. The Stretch is more of a no-frills knife: simple but reliable locking mechanism, pedestrian looks, mid-grade steel. But it feels excellent in the hand, and the grind makes slicing a breeze. Plus, it's a bit lighter, and longer, than the BM, so there's that to consider. Also, you can get the FRN Stretch in ZDP-189 if you want a premium steel. Or the CF/ZDP version if you want to drop a little more coin. Between those 2, my vote goes to the Stretch. Can't weigh in on the Vantage Pro, never had one...
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knifeworks is currently selling a g10 version of the benchmade barrage.

http://www.knifeworks.com/benchmade...dopeningplainedgefreeshippingpre-order-1.aspx


* oops, just noticed they are outta stock
 
Granted that I am a bit biased, but the Stretch is well designed, well executed and well priced. VG-10 is an excellent steel that sharpens up nicely without a lot of muss and fuss.

Now, if you were to toss a Benchmade Griptilian into the mix, I think that it would give the Stretch a run for it's money.
 
They're very different knives. I don't have the mini-Barrage, but I have the full size model & it is the strongest firing A/O I've used.

As for the Stretch, I haven't owned the FRN version in VG-10, but have had a couple of the CF models in ZDP-189.

I guess VG-10's slightly better than 154CM, but I honestly haven't noticed. However, the Barrage carries narrower in the pocket. I'm comparing the full size Barrage to the Stretch, so the mini would carry even better.

Even though the Barrage is an A/O, it's also an axis-lock, which I prefer to back-locks. However, either knife would make for an excellent EDC/EDU.
 
I can only speak for the Buck. I have three of them all with a centered blade. They are great well USA made with top materials. Get the Buck first and see if you then care about the others....
 
Have both the Mini-Barrage and the Stretch.

The Barrage is a lovely little jewel of a knife. The AO on mine was very sluggish and inconsistent initially, but with use finally settled down. The outstanding Axis lock is a plus.
There were problems initially with the springs on the 580/585s which supposedly were corrected but still seem to exist, so its hard for me to totally trust it. I'll probably never sell or trade it, but doubt I'll edc it.

The Stretch isn't quite as "sexy". Just a simple, functional, uncomplicated knife of nearly perfect size and weight. Not AO, but easily deployed one handed with rock solid lockup.
Kinda what one wants in an edc?

For edc, 154CM or VG10 seem perfectly good steels. Or you could opt for the new Stretch in ZDP-189, although it is a bit more expensive.
 
The Stretch is just so sweet and awesome, and if you get the CF ZDP, which is pretty pricey, it is just terrific. It'll cut like a beast for you, and it's grippier than the barrage.
 
I've now confused my situation by adding the Benchmade mini Griptilian and Benchmade 940 into the mix. I know the 940 is out of the others price range but I find myself getting more sucked into this "knife" sickness which I seem to be coming down with.

Anyone care to share their opinions on how those two Benchmade knives compare with the Stretch?

Thanks.
 
The 940 vs Stretch CF was my final, extremely difficult decision. They're both just outstanding, thin, good blades, and the Axis lock is great. There is so much info on the Griptilian series, but I would spend the extra for the stretch or 940.

Once you get the knife sickness, it's very hard to cure (which isn't a bad thing IMO)
 
dangreco said:
The 940 vs Stretch CF was my final, extremely difficult decision. They're both just outstanding, thin, good blades, and the Axis lock is great. There is so much info on the Griptilian series, but I would spend the extra for the stretch or 940.

Once you get the knife sickness, it's very hard to cure (which isn't a bad thing IMO)
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So which one did you decide on and why?

Also do you think one is more comfortable to wear in a rear pocket than the other?
 
Let me come at this from a different angle: All three of the knives you listed are well-made, strong, and reliable. The blade steels are all good, modern steels, and so, the differences will probably be undetectable in real-world use. Scale matterials, likewise, all are good enough and will survive anything that won't kill you. So, instead of laboring over little details, ask yourself one question; "where, how, and on what am I most likely to use this tool?" Then, pick the one that fits best and feels most comfortable in your hand when doing that kind of work. Bingo! That is the knife you want!
 
mikellen said:
I've now confused my situation by adding the Benchmade mini Griptilian and Benchmade 940 into the mix. I know the 940 is out of the others price range but I find myself getting more sucked into this "knife" sickness which I seem to be coming down with.

Anyone care to share their opinions on how those two Benchmade knives compare with the Stretch?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Well, at least your trying to choose from a very good list. :)

I love my Mini-Grip 550HG...hard choice between that and the Stretch for edc...got a coin? Or just get both and rotate.
Not quite as crazy about the 940...thumb stud is a tad close to the handle for my taste...but still a darn nice knife.
I prefer the 950 Rift, tad "huskier" than the Grip, but nice in the black and charcoal or the CF handles.
 
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