Benchmade 580 Barrage: Awesome Blade, But It's Complicated...
Published: 10 years ago
Here's my review of another Axis Assist model from Benchmade, the 580 Barrage. The Barrage combines the assisted opening version of Benchmade's vaunted Axis Lock mechanism with a steel-lined Valox handle and a gorgeous spear point blade crafted of 154CM steel. A bit too large and thick-handled for EDC applications, the Barrage is a medium sized tactical blade by nature. However, its lack of a meaningful traction plan leaves it wanting in this role. While the handle's shape produces no significant hot spots in most grips, and is aesthetically pleasing to my eye, it has the feel and sound of a sub-$50 knife, which is a bit of a disappointment in the $125 class.
The Axis Assist mechanism, as with most of the type, strikes me as gimmicky and unnecessary. The inherent complication and relative weakness of the pivot due to that complication, as well as the effort required to close the knife, still make manual Axis knives more desirable to me. The exception to that would be for folks with impaired or reduced hand strength and/or dexterity. In these cases, an Axis Assist blade like the Barrage could be just what the doctor ordered.
The Axis Assist mechanism, as with most of the type, strikes me as gimmicky and unnecessary. The inherent complication and relative weakness of the pivot due to that complication, as well as the effort required to close the knife, still make manual Axis knives more desirable to me. The exception to that would be for folks with impaired or reduced hand strength and/or dexterity. In these cases, an Axis Assist blade like the Barrage could be just what the doctor ordered.