Has anyone had problems with Benchmade 581?

R

rangestormer

Joined
Mar 13, 2011
Messages
82
About an year and a half ago, I ordered a Benchmade 581. I received it, brand new and everything, opened it a couple of times and it broke. The blade would open only halfway and it stopped there. I could not fully open it manually even with force. I returned the knife and exchanged it for something else, but I still loved the design and now I am thinking or ordering another one. Has anyone had problems with the 581? In my case I can't really send it back to Benchmade, because I live outside of US and the shipping cost are outrageous.
 
I have only had trouble with one Benchmade out of the thirty-odd examples I have - a 171 BladeSport 'Chopper'. An expensive gift from my wife, I still don't know what to do with it! Yeah, not much of a problem. Oh, my first two BM's, a 551 Grip & 201 Activator+, came here rather dull - but all since have been razors. I cannot imagine a fault that would cause a BM folder of any design to only open half way. The assist feature of the 581 makes mine not as high up on the EDC rotation as it otherwise would be, the m390 being a favored steel here. Perhaps an assist spring is disconnected or broken. In any case, BM would have fixed it for you. Give BM another shot!

Stainz
 
I have 2 versions of the 581 (partially serrated and non) - no issues at all. Assist fires really strong, no blade play.
 
I had a first production run 581 as well as my edc today which is a reg. production run 581; no problems with either one...

My reg. production 581 opens crazy hard, it's actually quite loud when it opens and it locks up rock solid. The first prod. run had a bit lazier opening but lock-up was still good.
 


Here's how mine looked like after 5 openings, you can see the box and wrapping in the lower angle. I do not know what the fault was, I never asked, I just went back to the post office and returned it to the online store. I know BM customer service is great, but sending the knife to US would cost me at least $30 with the slowest shipping.
I guess I would have heard if there was a more common problem with the 581, but I just want to make sure I do not waste money.
 
^ That doesn't look good... I just checked my 581; I tried to get mine to stop at that point by opening it with two hands and the assist still takes over and opens the blade pretty much no matter where it is it's arc/path.

Hopefully you get your 581 back asap and it's fixed!
 
I had the same issue with a 585. I sent it back and BM made it right. Sharpened it too and switched out all of the hardware accessories.
 
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