Opinions on a Benchmade assisted-opener?

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Pixelologist

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May 1, 2012
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Hey, I'm in the market for a high quality EDC assisted opener and had my eyes on a couple benchmades. I'm a bit overwhelmed with the options, but the nitrous stryker and torrent are catching my eye. I'm not hellbent on benchmade, but I am a fan. I'd like to keep it in the 100-150 price range, but if you think there's a more expensive one I should consider I'd like to hear about it. Opinions appreciated!
 
I bought a Torrent last month, I haven't spent much time using it, but I can give you my first impressions.

Based on the trim size and weight, I'd put this almost in a "gentleman's class", although it is just about a full sized folder. As far as the A/O function, it works very well and IMO the design is ingenious. Part of the frame functions as the spring, it's hard to explain....

The G10 is very smooth and it has a low ride clip.

Overall , I like it , but I can't say I've ever disappointed with any Blue or Black class BM.
 
JPD1998 said:
I bought a Torrent last month, I haven't spent much time using it, but I can give you my first impressions.

Based on the trim size and weight, I'd put this almost in a "gentleman's class", although it is just about a full sized folder. As far as the A/O function, it works very well and IMO the design is ingenious. Part of the frame functions as the spring, it's hard to explain....

The G10 is very smooth and it has a low ride clip.

Overall , I like it , but I can't say I've ever disappointed with any Blue or Black class BM.
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Alright, thanks for the response, I appreciate it. I'm really leaning towards a barrage at the moment, anyone have experience with one?
 
Check out the Benchmade Barrage and Warn series (580 - 587) - various blade-styles and sizes available in high-quality steels, axis-assist. I own a 585s and it is among my most common EDC blades, a very tough ambidextrous folder with excellent ergonomics. :thumbup:

I handled the nitrous, torrent, and barrage prior to purchasing and recommend the same for anyone else. FOr me, the barrage offered the best ergos, best-lock-up, and the smoothest action. I bought the 585 before the Warn series was out - I would personally go for G10 & D2 over the Valox & 154CM, but I prefer drop-point to tanto.
 
Make sure you try the benchmades out before you buy. In my experience benchmades assisted openers hurt my thumb when opening. I can open a regular benchmade much easier and can do it over and over again without any pain. The one exception i've found is the BM 470 (great knife by the way). The 470 seems to really want to open with just the slightest touch.

For assisted openers so far the only company that i feel does a consistant good job is kershaw. I love all their speed safe knives.
 
fatherhudson said:
Make sure you try the benchmades out before you buy. In my experience benchmades assisted openers hurt my thumb when opening. I can open a regular benchmade much easier and can do it over and over again without any pain. The one exception i've found is the BM 470 (great knife by the way). The 470 seems to really want to open with just the slightest touch.

For assisted openers so far the only company that i feel does a consistant good job is kershaw. I love all their speed safe knives.
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I've heard this complaint about the torrent, is that the knife you had this experience with?
 
Street price might be just above your upper limit, can't recall what I paid for mine at the moment but the 790 Subrosa is one of my favorite AO Benchmades. Light, fast opening, solid and it cuts great. Love it!
 
Badhammer said:
Street price might be just above your upper limit, can't recall what I paid for mine at the moment but the 790 Subrosa is one of my favorite AO Benchmades. Light, fast opening, solid and it cuts great. Love it!
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Nice, I'll add that to my pool of considerations. Thanks.
 
I have a 581 barrage and the AO is pretty nice. The knife has a great sound when opening. Fatherhudson is spot on with BMs AOs hurting your thumbs, however, I'm still unsure if the issue is the smaller, pointy thumbstud or the AO action itself. Still good knives. I would put BMs AOs on par with Kershaws.

Oh yeah, I do LOATHE the safety, but most AOs have something to keep them locked up.
 
TotinCh1p said:
I have a 581 barrage and the AO is pretty nice. The knife has a great sound when opening. Fatherhudson is spot on with BMs AOs hurting your thumbs, however, I'm still unsure if the issue is the smaller, pointy thumbstud or the AO action itself. Still good knives. I would put BMs AOs on par with Kershaws.

Oh yeah, I do LOATHE the safety, but most AOs have something to keep them locked up.
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Alright ill keep that in mind. Speaking of kershaw, what are some good asisted openers from them? I have a groove and its my current EDC so I'd be willing to consider one from them.
 
The assisted opener by which i judge all other assisted openers is still the leek. Great knife, never get tired of it. The speed safe tech is pretty awesome in general. It will break eventually but kershaw customer service is excellent.
 
My favorite kershaw is not AO but I would still recommend it, model 1740 (mini) or 1745 (large) - similar to the OD models, there is a flipper disconnected from the tang that deploys the blade after over-coming the detent, so the blade jumps out as if spring-assisted. The flipper also acts as the stop-pin, very slick design.

For Kershaw AO's, I recommend the Blur - choose your handle/blade color and drop-point or tanto, and also blade steel (there's lots of different ones). Kershawguy deals "blems" at discount prices. Personally, I think the S30V Blur is a great deal, it has excellent ergos, I'm just not as big a fan of it with its liner-lock as I am of the Benchmade axis-assist. If you were deciding between a Nitrous or Torrent and an S30V Blur, I'd get the Blur. Get it and use it hard, it can take it. I had one and gave it to a friend before getting the BM 585.
 
Alright I looked at the leek, blackout, and tyrade. The leek might work, I'm worried about the quality at such a low price though. What are kershaws best assisted openers?
 
I have a 581 and really like it, I don't have any problems with it hurting my thumbs at all, even just sitting opening it over and over, excellent blade steel and blade grind. I will also say that even lower priced kershaw are great quality, some Wal-marts carry leaks you could try out and see for yourself. I'd still go with the 581 though.
 
Badhammer said:
Street price might be just above your upper limit, can't recall what I paid for mine at the moment but the 790 Subrosa is one of my favorite AO Benchmades. Light, fast opening, solid and it cuts great. Love it!
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I loaned my SubRosa to my son in law and he won't give it back, he likes it so much.
 
I've never used an assisted-opener. I'm sold on BenchMade and Spyderco, although I have an Emerson CQC-7V with the Wave feature, which means that this knife is open as it leaves your pocket. NOTHING faster than that.
Sonny
 
TotinCh1p said:
I have a 581 barrage and the AO is pretty nice. The knife has a great sound when opening. Fatherhudson is spot on with BMs AOs hurting your thumbs, however, I'm still unsure if the issue is the smaller, pointy thumbstud or the AO action itself. Still good knives. I would put BMs AOs on par with Kershaws.
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I have a 581 and took out the assist and safety and I have no pain from the thumbstud at all. Without the assist, it takes very little pressure to flick the blade open.
 
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