Out of the box sharpness...

[gooeytek]

I love the 581 that I just got, and like any knife I get, I scrutinize it the best I can when I first get it. Aside from the robust construction and very strong assist (too strong I think, and am contemplating on de-assisting it), I noticed the very thin bevel on the flat-ground blade. I sliced open the mail and found that it was quite sharp despite what looks to be a very thin bevel.

For those of you that have this knife or similarly-designed models, do you re-profile your edges and take them down further? I don't plan on using this heavily and will likely carry this when I spend days at the office (I have a Spyderco GB Air, Kershaw Speedform II, and sometimes a Spyderco Vallotton that I choose from for those days). I'm itching to take it to the Wicked Edge and take down the edge angle some more. Suggestions and opinions would be greatly appreciated. I've wanted this knife for a while now, and am really liking it a lot so far.

 

[jkarp_53]

I have one of the hard to find 580-1102 LE's with the M390 blade and love how that steel slices. Keeping my blades at factory specs and if it's an A/O it stays one, these are among my favorite Benchmades.

 

[gooeytek]

Yea, the one I have isn't a LE but also has the M390 blade. I'm finding that the A/O is quite strong, and is definitely a two-handed operation to close it. Does that get easier as it breaks in, or is that a feature of the A/O? It's different from my Kershaw A/Os in that the BM spring is constantly under tension.

 

[jkarp_53]

The closing of the 581/580 doesn't get any softer after time, that coil spring is very powerful; and yes it's either two-handed or pants leg style to close the blade...only on the smaller 585-1 can I close the blade one-handed...the spring is a lot smaller.

 

[loonybin]

I'm finding that the A/O is quite strong, and is definitely a two-handed operation to close it. Does that get easier as it breaks in, or is that a feature of the A/O?

That's just the way it is. Won't get any easier, which is a good thing. If it becomes easier to close, that means the spring is weaker, which means a weaker opening also.

 

[gooeytek]

If I de-assist it, the axis lock helps to retain the blade in the handle, right? I haven't taken it apart, but I'm assuming the design doesn't need any type of detent-ball feature?

 

[Omega Leather Works]

The only Barrage I've had in my hands didn't get fired open (just softly opened by hand for pics) so I'm not sure about anything concerning the ao feature. My understanding from reading up on the subject of de-assisting is that it is~

1. Very difficult to go back if you decide you want it assisted.

and

2. That in some peoples experience, the de-assisted knives are not as smooth as other axis Benchmades. What that means exactly, and which model they are comparing to, will make all of the difference in the world.

Honestly, I think the first point is the only thing that would really concern me. Let us know how it goes though. They are nice knives!

 

[bdmicarta]

The closing of the 581/580 doesn't get any softer after time, that coil spring is very powerful; and yes it's either two-handed or pants leg style to close the blade.

I am carrying my 581 this week and I have no problem closing it one-handed. I pull the lock with my thumb, start the blade moving with my first finger, then finish closing it with my thumb. Today I noticed that I can close it almost all the way with my first finger.

 

[gooeytek]

I am carrying my 581 this week and I have no problem closing it one-handed. I pull the lock with my thumb, start the blade moving with my first finger, then finish closing it with my thumb. Today I noticed that I can close it almost all the way with my first finger.

Yea, I'm trying to do that now, and it's doable but I definitely don't have the same finesse doing it compared to, say, Speedsafe knives. Granted, I just received it today and probably need to get used to it.

As far as opening it, there's nothing subtle about the A/O on this 581. Even if I try to do it slowly, it snaps open hard. I kinda find it funny that it's like a coiled snake striking at you, and you have to sloooowly pick it up and put it back in the basket.

I think I'll leave the edge as-is for now, and maybe just strop it.

 

[robbobus]

Like above, I close mine with one hand. I have a couple 581 models. I always read that people cannot close it one handed. I just pull the axis lock back with my thumb and middle finger and pull the blade shut with my index finger. I do have XL sized hands, but I do not find it at all challenging to close this model one-handed. It is deceptive how sharp it is when looking at depth of the bevel. The other thing I do with AO knives when I am amongst other people is to open it with the back of the blade against my leg. Excellent knife, recommended.

 

[jkarp_53]

I am carrying my 581 this week and I have no problem closing it one-handed. I pull the lock with my thumb, start the blade moving with my first finger, then finish closing it with my thumb. Today I noticed that I can close it almost all the way with my first finger.

I think some of the problem for me is with having small hands. There's no way I can get to the spine of the blade, and heck growing up with Case and Schrade knives closing these A/O's two handed is intuitive.