Benchmade WARN folder: Impressions?

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Sep 21, 2010
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I haven't been able to see one of these. Are the grips/scales larger than the ones on the full size Griptilian? Is it a substantially heavier and beefier knife than the BM 551? Is Tanto the only design it comes in?
Thanks in advance for any thoughts you have on this. I only like plain edge blades but have mixed feelings about Tanto points in terms of aesthetics -- just a beauty in the eye of the beholder type of thing.
 
Hey, I don't actually own a WARN folder, but from what I remember from handling one, the full size one is comparable in size to the BM Barrage. If I remember correctly, it has a lot more substantial handle with some really grippy stuff on it, felt kind of rubbery but don't remember exactly anymore. It also only comes in the tanto blade.

From my initial impressions and the way the assist works, it feels like a really beefy and grippier version of the Barrage and I'm pretty sure that they are almost the exact same knife except for blade shape and handle material. Now that the Barrage itself can come with the tanto blade, I've heard that the WARN has been discontinued. Also, the mini WARN is pretty much a mini Barrage.

If you've ever played with a Barrage you already know what to expect from the WARN. It will have a really strong assist with good kick and great lockup (at least for me) with the axis lock. I think it also has the little sliding safety that is also on the Barrage models. The one thing I really did like about the WARN was the handle material being way more grippy than the Valox they use on the Barrage, but the grip on the Valox isn't bad at all, kind of like a griptilian.

Hope this helps you out.

Edit: Totally forgot to mention, but the WARN/Barrage line of knives feel extremely tough, at least in my hand. My full size barrage has a very large tang and has no wiggle at all. I don't beat on my knives so I've never really forced them to the limits, but the safety is really a confidence booster since it actually blocks the axis lock from being pulled back, if that matters to you at all. Personally in terms of looks, the WARN looks a lot cooler to me than the Barrage because of the tanto blade and the red backspacer contrasting the black grips, but I'm not really a tanto blade sort of guy so I'm not exactly sure if its a great blade shape. The drop point Barrage I have is really nice though.
 
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Thanks This does help a lot. I have a Barrage and love it. When it comes to Tanto points there a number of different types from what I have seen. I might like this one better than most. Didn't know about the spacers. Maybe someone here can post a pic although I have seen the standard stock photos online. Thanks very much.
 
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