EDC Knives

Benchmade 940 Review

Last Updated: September 4, 2019
If you are as obsessed with knives as I am, you may be on the hunt for “the perfect EDC knife.” You know, the one blade that has it all. Naturally, it is the perfect size, features great materials, is beautifully designed, and carries like a dream. But in my mind a perfect EDC needs to go beyond that. It has to be greater than the sum of its parts, and a little “X factor” never hurt either. Lets be real, for a knife to earn some time in the rotation is one thing, but to stand the test of time the knife has to work for you on another level.

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That is what drew me to the Benchmade 940. On paper it has all the basic requirements of a good EDC knife, which is always nice to see. But then the 940 had something else. Maybe it’s the unique handle, or the unconventional blade shape. Whatever it was, it drew me in like a moth to a flame, and I know that I am not the first to succumb to this emerald beauty. The 940 has been in Benchmade‘s catalog for well over a decade, and remains one of their most popular designs to this day. Needless to say, it is high time we gave this classic a thorough review.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The 940 (or “940 Osborne”) has an overall length of 7.87″, a 3.4″ blade, weighs 2.90 ounces, and is made in the USA. In my mind these are real nice numbers for EDC, and that is exactly how I have been using my 940.

But I can also appreciate how the 940 could go beyond a mere EDC item. With an almost 3.5″ blade and an equally generous handle, the 940 could easily be pressed into a self defense role (although I sincerely hope you will never need to use it that way). On the opposite end of the spectrum, the 940 is a beautiful and elegant knife. In many ways exemplifies a modern gentleman’s folder. This is a knife that would do just fine in a suit pocket, or carried on special occasions. So I really like the versatility of the 940. It is fancy enough to make for an upscale EDC, but is big enough to get a lot of work done.

The blade on the 940 is a reverse tanto design. Popularized by the 940’s designer, Warren Osborne, this unique blade shape is best known for providing a sturdy tip, although I think the main draw is just the unique aesthetics. Warren has designed a few reverse tanto models for Benchmade, including the Benchmade Rift and I have generally been impressed by them. This particular blade has been given a high flat grind, and features a swedge running across the top. The 3mm thick blade holds it’s thickness pretty much to the tip thanks to the reverse tanto design. This is an interesting blade shape, and I found it quite capable for all my daily tasks.

The 940 Osborne makes use of S30V for the blade steel, an excellent USA made stainless from the folks over at Crucible. I have spoken about S30V many times before, but as a quick recap S30V is widely regarded as one of the best high end steels commonly found on production knives. When properly heat treated S30V is known for good edge retention, high corrosion resistance, relatively easy sharpening, and a good level of toughness for daily use. I am a big fan of S30V and Benchmade always does a fantastic job with heat treating their blades. Treated to 58-60 HRC, this 940 was no exception.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The handle on the 940 is where things start to get interesting. First you have the striking aluminum handles. These have been bead-blasted to an attractive matte finish, and then anodized a deep green. I absolutely love the texture of these handles. They aren’t particularly aggressive, but they aren’t slippery either – given the intended use I found it to be a nice balance. Sandwiched between the aluminum handles is a single piece of anodized purple titanium. This backspacer compliments the green handles nicely, and provides a good deal of visual interest.

As for actual construction, the 940’s handle is top notch. There are partial stainless steel liners, and they have been polished to a lustrous shine. I like how when you peer inside the knife the liners reflect the titanium backspacer. It is a little detail, but some times it’s the small stuff that gets you going. Everything has been screwed together with black hardware, and all the pieces line up perfectly. The overall fit and finish of this knife is exceptional.

In 2015 Benchmade released the 940-1, a premium version of the 940 with carbon fiber handles and a S90V blade. It’s a beautiful knife and well worth considering if you are a fan of the original 940. Check out our review of the 940-1 here.

In hand the 940 is surprisingly capable. I say “surprisingly” because at a glance we have a rather thin handle here. In practice I found the handle long enough to comfortably accept my larger hand, and the rows of jimping on both the thumb ramp and finger choil provide a good amount of grip. It is a comfortable knife in forward grips, and I can get some good work done with it. The 940 also works well in reverse grip, and in the closed position as well. Actually, when closed, the 940’s thin profile makes it an excellent choice as a kubotan – another nice option to have.

The pocket clip on the 940 Osborne is a standard Benchmade clip – the same kind you will find in models like their classic Griptilian and Mini Griptilian. I am a big fan of this style of clip. It is simple, sturdy, and works quite well. Benchmade drilled and tapped this model for ambidextrous tip up carry. In pocket the 940 carries wonderfully. Thin and lightweight, this is a knife that you forget you are carrying.

Here is your pocket clip shot:

Deployment and Lockup

The 940 makes use of a pair of ambidextrous thumb studs and an axis lock. Much like many of the other Benchmade knives that I have reviewed with this configuration, deployment on the 940 is extremely fast and smooth. The thumb studs are easy to access allowing you to flick the blade out with alarming speed and very little effort. Phosphor bronze washers aid in that regard, and the net result is reliable deployment in any situation.

Similarly, the axis lock on my knife has also been really well done. Lockup is tight with no blade play, yet the lock is easy to disengage with a single hand, and the blade rotates freely into the closed position. It is no secret I am a big fan of the axis lock, and the 940 is a great example of why. If true one hand operation is important to you (as a righty or a lefty) then I find the combination of thumb studs and an axis lock very tough to beat.

Benchmade 940 Osborne Review – Final Thoughts

The 940 combines excellent materials with smart design and wonderful fit and finish to produce an exceptional daily carry item. On paper this has always looked like an awesome knife, so I was very happy to find that the 940 was just as awesome in real life. Everything works, and it works well. The way I see it, the biggest potential downside here is that the knife isn’t particularly cheap, but for a made in the USA folder with these kinds of features, I actually think the price is quite reasonable.

But what about beyond the specifications? Do we really have a “perfect” EDC knife? I must admit, there is something special about this one. The 940 has really distinguished itself as a design and it has a little something extra that keeps me coming back. I don’t doubt that for many people this will be a perfect EDC knife.

Sale

Benchmade - Osborne 940 EDC Knife with Green 6061-T6 Aluminum Handle (940)

ALL-AROUND UTILITY: A quintessential EDC tool that combines simplicity with unmatched function, no matter the application; Ideal for pretty much everything.
AMERICAN MADE CPM-S30V STEEL: For first-rate edge retention and corrosion resistance; Reverse tanto blade is nimble, versatile, and made for the outdoors.
DURABLE 6061-T6 ALUMINUM HANDLE: Is anodized, fully ambidextrous, has a smooth satin grip, and is suitable for just about any environment that requires a blade.
AXIS LOCKING MECHANISM: Ensures safety and a smooth open and easy close; Standard reversible clip; Light as a feather for easy carrying and a comfortable grip.
EVERYDAY CARRY: With its slim profile and lightweight design, the 940 is the perfect addition to your EDC collection, backpack, survival kit, tackle box, and more.

I recommend purchasing the 940 at Amazon and BladeHQ. Buying anything through the links on this website earns BladeReviews a small commission at no additional cost to you. All proceeds generated are used to keep the site running. Thank you very much for your support.

Spyderco Lum Chinese Folder Review

by Dan Jackson 13 Comments

Last Updated: August 4, 2019
I have always enjoyed Bob Lum’s elegant approach to designing knives. I have previously reviewed a couple of Bob Lum’s creations, including the Spyderco Lum Tanto and the Benchmade Onslaught.

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The Lum Chinese Folder is another elegant knife, and in some ways it is even more special than his other designs. To start, I love the sheer simplicity of this knife. The Chinese Folder is a single graceful curve in the both open and closed positions. There is a real feeling of balance with this design, and it results in a knife that is both a pleasure to view and to hold.

Spyderco has released many versions of the Chinese Folder over the years, but what you are looking at in this review is one of the original versions of the knife, manufactured in 2000. Furthermore, this knife has been serialized. That designates it as part of Spyderco’s first manufacturing run, also known as a Spyderco “Collector’s Club” knife. So what we have here is a very special version of the Lum Chinese, and I couldn’t be more pleased to share it with you.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Lum Chinese Folder has an overall length of 7-3/16 inches, features a 3-5/32 inch blade, and weighs a mere 2.8 ounces. The Chinese Folder could work as an EDC knife, a gentleman’s folder, or simply a collectible. Either way the size-to-weight ratio of the knife is pretty wild. A sub 3-ounce carry weight on this relatively large and sturdy knife is incredible. And I have to say, the Chinese folder feels impossibly light in hand. If this all sounds a little too delicate, Spyderco also makes a large version coming in at a beefier 4.3 ounces.

The blade of the Chinese Folder is often referred to as “leaf shaped.” What we have here is a graceful arcing blade that has been given a full flat grind, and a very small swedge running pretty much the entire length of the spine. This is not only a pretty blade to look at, but it is highly functional as well. The Lum Chinese is an exceptional slicer with its full grind and 3mm thin blade. Speaking of thin, this blade is very thin behind the edge, and is a big part of what makes the knife cut so well.

My Lum Chinese is made in Seki City, Japan and features Japanese VG-10 for the blade. A stainless steel, VG-10 is easy to sharpen and is capable of taking a razor sharp edge. It is also highly resistant to corrosion. I am a big fan of VG-10, and think it is a natural choice for the Lum Chinese. Fans of higher performance steel may be interested to learn that the Lum Chinese has also been previously offered in ZDP 189 as well.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The handle on my Chinese Folder is aluminum, and has been given a green almite coating. Almite is simply a type of finish for aluminum (like hard anodizing). Over the years Spyderco has released the Chinese Folder in a number of different handle materials including carbon fiber, various colors of aluminum, titanium, and G10. I happen to really like the dark green color of this knife. It’s a deep green, and from a collector’s perspective I find the unique color to be extremely intriguing. As for actual construction, my knife is screwed together. There is a black G10 backspacer, and a single steel liner. Overall, construction is lightweight, but solid.

In hand the Lum Chinese fits surprisingly well, but is not without it’s caveats. The curvature of the handle matches the contours of my palm and the knife is quite comfortable to hold. Despite this, I wouldn’t recommend the Chinese Folder for anything beyond medium duty. The aluminum handles are somewhat slippery and there is no thumb ramp, finger choil, or any kind of jimping. For light to medium use I think the ergonomics are quite alright, but lets be honest – this isn’t a knife you will want to take to war, or be in your pocket aboard a commercial fishing boat. I really don’t mind that as the knife market is already well saturated with those kinds of knives.

The pocket clip is a simple stainless steel Spyderco clip. It offers good retention and makes the knife easy to insert and remove from your pocket. For carry options you have the choice of right side tip-up or tip-down carry. All-in-all I really like the way the Lum Chinese carries, it’s extremely light and very thin. This is a knife you will forget is in your pocket.

Deployment and Lockup

The Chinese Folder features a 12mm thumb hole that is easily accessible from either side of the knife. The Chinese isn’t the fastest deploying knife in my collection, but it opens easily and feels very smooth. Thin phosphor bronze washers aid in deployment.

The Lum Chinese has a thin linerlock and it snaps open crisply. It’s a very satisfying sound from such a small knife. Lock engagement is early, and I detected no zero blade play. I know that the somewhat thin liner lock will disappoint some, but given the intended use I have found it to be quite adequate.

Spyderco Lum Chinese Folder Review – Final Thoughts

The Lum Chinese is a graceful knife that is a delight for all the senses. I have greatly enjoyed mine, and spend a fair amount of time admiring the clean lines, the beautiful handles, and the crisp action. The knife works, and it will certainly cut, but the form-over-function approach to the ergonomics keeps this knife from becoming a real user for me. That doesn’t mean I don’t like the knife, but I just want to “keep it real.” If I had to pick one EDC knife to take to the grave, then the Lum Chinese wouldn’t be it. But if I was looking to add an elegant and unique Spyderco to my collection, well, I’d be all over this one. I feel that the Chinese Folder is a very special knife, and it has been an absolute pleasure to spend some time with this gem of a folder.

At the time of this review the Lum Chinese Folder can be had in both a carbon fiber version and a large version in black G10. If you really like the knife then I recommend picking up a couple. Like my original green-handled beauty, you never know when the knife might slip out of production.

Spyderco Lum Chinese Folder – $139.95
Retail Price: $219.95
You Save: $80.00
from: BladeHQ

I recommend purchasing the Lum Chinese Folder at Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for checking out the review.

CRKT Ikoma Sampa Review

by A Sharp Guest Contributor 14 Comments

Last Updated: November 28, 2019
The CRKT Ikoma Sampa designed by Brazilian knife maker Flavio Ikoma is dubbed a “gentleman’s tactical folder” by the fine folks over at CRKT. If I had to give this blade a one line review, I’d say CRKT pretty well summed it up themselves. The Sampa was primarily designed by Flavio Ikoma, although it picked up a little international flavor from long time friend and blade brother Ken Onion, who apparently provided some insights that Flavio incorporated into his final design.

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General Dimensions & Blade Details

The Sampa is somewhere in between a compact and medium length folding pocket knife. With the overall length of 7-1/4″, a 3-1/8″ blade, and a weight of 2.7 ounces, the Sampa is super slim in hand, and has a featherweight feeling in pocket.

I would call the blade a semi-drop point shape. The AUS 8 stainless steel blade features a slight recurve, and a very shallow hollow grind. The blade was razor sharp out of the box and my model 5335k is equipped with a short run of triple point serrations. I like how this combo edge isn’t taken up by tons of serrations. It is a nice balance offering serrations when you need them, and razor sharp goodness when you don’t.

Handle, Ergonomics, Pocket Clip

Something that really sets the Sampa apart is the unique handle design. CRKT started with two slabs of T6 aluminum, machined an intricate series of grooves and hashes, and then gave the handle both a blasted and polished finish, that kind of looks like titanium. Although there are many deep cuts made into the handles, I found there were no sharp edges or uncomfortable areas when gripping the knife. The handle is fairly smooth and offers generous finger grooves for positive traction when the blade is locked open and ease of handling while deploying the knife. Despite this being a thin handle, it is still easy to get a good grip on this knife, and I don’t feel like I’m going to fling the Sampa across the room when I flick the blade open.

The pocket clip is interesting. It is mounted for right side tip up carry and rides low in the pocket making it well concealed. The clip becomes wider near the opening and easily inserts into the pocket – no matter how flimsy the fabric is. The downside to this style of clip is that it easily gets caught up on stuff. In the few months I’ve carried this knife, I have managed to accidentally catch and bend the pocket clip outward at least a half dozen times. Fortunately the clip can easily be removed with a small torx head driver and the clip can be bent back to its original position.

Deployment & Lock Up

Deployment of this knife is my absolute favorite feature. While the Sampa is not spring loaded for an auto assist type release, the pivot on this blade features Flavio Ikoma’s own ball bearing pivot system, the Ikoma Korth Bearing System (“IKBS”). The way this system works is that channels have been machined into the blade and handle around the pivot area and a set of steel ball bearings have been inserted. What this does is create a silky smooth deployment and offers a VERY evident lockup once the knife is fully engaged.

The Sampa makes use of a liner lock and the lock up is one of the tightest I’ve found on an aluminum handled EDC blade (second only to my Kershaw R.A.M. 1910). The linerlock lock releases easily with the push of a thumb. Once closed, the blade is held in place by a spring loaded ball detent. This is the kind of knife that you can’t help but open and close repeatedly. The smooth action and crisp lockup makes for a knife that is a joy to use.

CRKT Ikoma Sampa 5335K Review – Final Thoughts

The Sampa is a lightweight and super smooth folding EDC knife. Operation, deployment, and lock-up all come easy with one hand, and the ergonomics are friendly enough to facilitate extensive use of the razor-sharp combo edge blade.

Although the clip seems a little flimsy, and the polished handles panels pick up light scuffs in time, I hardly feel like these are deal breakers.

This Ikoma Sampa has definitely earned the title of a “gentleman’s tactical folder” and represents another solid offering from CRKT.

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I recommend purchasing the CRKT Ikoma Sampa from Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website, including BladeHQ, helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

CRKT S.P.E.W. Review

by Dan Jackson 22 Comments

Last updated: May 13, 2018
Ah, the CRKT S.P.E.W…. would a knife by any other name sound so sweet?

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With that out of the way, lets get down to business because I really like this one. The SPEW (really, the S.P.E.W.) stands for Small Pocket Everyday Wharncliffe, and it is a really interesting design from custom maker Alan Folts. Alan makes his knives in a small shop on the Florida coast (a couple hours away from me actually) and he is an exceptionally nice guy. He is a classically trained artist, and has been refining his approach to knife making for many years now.

In addition to crafting beautiful custom pieces Alan partnered with CRKT and released a production knife, the Folts Minimalist, in early 2010. I reviewed that knife a while back and was extremely impressed so I was really excited to learn about the SPEW. The SPEW fills a similar niche to the Minimalist. It’s a small fixed blade, designed for every day carry.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The SPEW has an overall length of 6.25″, features a 3″ blade, and it weighs 3 ounces. As I mentioned earlier, this would make a great fixed blade for EDC. This knife is also small enough to be used as a neck knife. Personally, I like to just carry this one in my pocket (in the sheath of course – more on that later).

The blade is a wharncliffe shape with a high hollow grind and an extremely sharp tip. This tip is perfect for detail tasks and will make quick work of whatever it is applied to. Now, a tip this thin is useful, but it’s also delicate. The SPEW is a knife you will want to be careful with if you expect that needle fine tip to survive daily use. Dropping this knife on concrete could end it all and you will not want to pry with this tool either. But since I knew that this tip could be an issue, I took it upon myself to thoroughly test. I put this knife through a fairly rigorous cutting test that included stabbing the knife through a stack of cardboard about 50 times. The tip held up really well.

Columbia River chose 5Cr13MoV stainless steel for this one, which isn’t my first choice, but it actually worked out really well. During my little cut test I created a mountain of cardboard shavings, and stabbed with the knife dozens and dozens of times. After the entire ordeal was over the SPEW was still held a paper cutting edge, which frankly came as a surprise since this is a soft steel heat treated to around 56 HRC.

My only issue is that the 5Cr did not want to take an edge easily and I was never able to get my knife absolutely hair popping sharp. While I’m no sharpening wizard, I attacked this thing with both diamond stones and Japanese water stones and was never able to get the edge quite up to spec. I know I’m not alone in this discovery, and I suspect it’s because of the low carbon count of this particular steel.

Handle and Ergonomics

The handle on the SPEW is G10 over a full stainless steel tang. The G10 is red and black it is a nice material to see on a knife at this price point. The G10 has been machined to offer enhanced grip and visual interest and the corners have been nicely rounded. Everything screws together, and I am very pleased with how well all the pieces line up. The handle is definitely well made.

The ergonomics of the SPEW really interested me because the Folts Minimalist is one of the most comfortable edc knives that I have ever held. While the ergonomics of the SPEW aren’t as aggressive as the Minimalist I was not disappointed with the way this model felt in hand. Like the Minimalist the SPEW is designed for a 3 finger grip, and it also features a small lanyard for your pinky. This is a comfortable way to wield a small knife and I am very pleased with how well that lanyard performs. Alan also included a nice finger choil in the design along with a jimped thumb ramp. The jimping that lines up with the G10 doesn’t offer any traction, but the jimping at the top of the ramp works as advertised. All in all I am very pleased with the “ergos” of this little knife.

Sheath

The SPEW comes with a very nice molded plastic sheath. The blade slides in with a firm snap and retention is very good. There is a little rattle, but this knife is not coming out unless you want it to. I like how a place for your thumb is included on this sheath, it means that you can easily pop the knife out with your thumb. I like carrying this one in my pocket, and it’s great to be able to deploy the knife with one hand and not have to remove both the knife and sheath from the pocket.

If you would rather carry the SPEW another way, the design offers a couple other options. CRKT includes a piece of paracord so you can lash this knife down or use it as a neck knife. I will say, if you want to use the SPEW as a neck knife, use a break-away chain or a cord lock so if the cord does get caught up you won’t strangle yourself! CRKT also offers a more traditional belt loop with this knife too – and you could mount the SPEW either horizontally or vertically. I like the sheath and the variety of carry options you get.

CRKT SPEW Review – Final Thoughts

The SPEW is another awesome knife from CRKT and Alan Folts. Fans of the Minimalist should be excited about this one, and I am happy to report that the SPEW does not disappoint. You get a wonderfully functional and compact design from Alan that has been well-executed by the folks at CRKT. I like the variety of carry options and just the overall package – it’s all been really well done.

My only issue pertains to the steel, and I think it is a pretty minor issue. Sure, I would love something that can take a finer edge, but the SPEW cuts, and it cuts surprisingly well. I gave the knife a series of hard tests and it passed them all with flying colors.

I think this is a good knife for the money and I recommend the SPEW if you are interested in the design, or want a little fixed blade for daily use.

CRKT S.P.E.W. EDC Fixed Blade Knife with Sheath: Compact Utility Neck Knife, Bead Blast Blade, Textured G10 Handle, Nylon Sheath, Belt Loop 2388

Easy To Sharpen: High carbon stainless steel blade takes an edge well
Minimizes Reflectivity: Bead blast finish reduces reflection
Exceptional Grip: G10 handle provides exceptional grip in all conditions
Gear Compatible: Durable thermoplastic sheath with mounting options
Compact Utility: Lightweight and easy to carry

I recommend purchasing the SPEW from Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Buck Vantage Pro Review

by Dan Jackson 20 Comments

Last Updated: August 3, 2019
I know my father has a couple Buck Knives stashed away in a sock drawer somewhere, and I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that a majority of American men over the age of 50 are in a similar position. Buck is known for making reliable hunting and outdoor blades, and they have been doing just that for over 100 years.

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Oddly enough, part of what made Buck so popular then is part of the challenge that Buck and many other classic cutlery companies face today. I’m talking about keeping their products relevant, their designs iconic, and their products in the hands of the consumer. Knife companies want their knives on your belts and in your pockets, not stashed away with Walkman’s, brick-sized cell phones, and other every-day articles of yore. And while the cutlery industry may not have evolved as rapidly as the electronics industry, it has certainly experienced its fair share of change. Things like pocket clips, exotic steels, and one-hand deployment have gone from curiosity to industry standard in a relatively short period of time.

And it is also important to note that the US cutlery industry is not without it’s casualties. Long standing companies like Schrade and Camillus have literally gone the way of the dodo. Both companies filed for bankruptcy in the past decade. Their assets were liquidated to satisfy their debts, and rights to their trademarks and designs were sold to the highest bidder. The knives made under these brands today are hollow shells of their former selves with their lineups largely comprised of cheap knives manufactured overseas.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. From the ashes phoenix soar to new heights. Plenty of new US knife companies have stepped up to the plate, and Buck is still going strong as they adapt to new market realities. In many ways the Vantage Pro is leading Buck’s charge to both preserve their brand and provide their take on the modern folding knife. The Vantage is made in America, features high end materials, and is priced reasonably. Lets see if this is enough to bring Buck into the 21st century.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Vantage comes in 2 sizes (small and large) and in a variety of trim levels. For the large knife, our overall length is 7-1/2″, our blade length is 3-1/4″, and we have a weight of 4 ounces. The small version weighs 2.3 ounces, has an overall length of 6-1/4″, and sports a 2-3/4″ blade. At 4 ounces I find the large Vantage a little on the chunky side, but find both sizes to be well suited for EDC. As for listing the varying trim levels, well, I figure it’s easier to do this with a chart.

Model	Steel	Handle Material
Pro	S30-V	G10
Avid	13C26	Dymondwood
Select	420HC	Zytel

Since we have a total of 9 possible configurations here I decided to simply buy the largest, most expensive version, and also the smallest most inexpensive version. So what you are looking at in the photos is a large Vantage Pro and a small Vantage Select. But this is mainly a review of the full size Vantage Pro. The large Pro is the flagship of the series, and is the knife that I was most interested in examining.

The blade on the Vantage is a no frills drop point design with a high hollow grind and a nice sweeping belly. Buck selected an adequately thick piece of steel here and I found the tip to be both sturdy and functional. The edge on my Vantage Pro was neatly applied although my less expensive Vantage Select was a little less precise. All in all I like the blade shape – it’s simple and extremely functional. A great choice for an every day carry blade.

Per my chart, steel runs the gamut from lowly 420HC to excellent S30V. Given that the prices range from approximately $25 up to $60 I think that is pretty interesting. I was very pleased to learn that the Vantage Pro included a S30V blade. S30V is something you don’t see on a lot of knives in the $50 range (with the Spyderco Native being the only thing that immediately comes to mind), especially $50 knives made in America. If you are contemplating a Vantage, my advice is to spring for at least the “Avid” level Vantage. Sandvik 13C26 will be a substantial improvement over 420HC, which a soft steel that is easy to sharpen, but doesn’t hold it’s edge particularly well.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The Vantage features varying grades of handle material over full stainless steel liners. On the full size knife these are thick liners, and I suspect that they add a fair amount to the 4 ounce carry weight. Price permitting, I’d prefer to see them milled out. I like how everything is screwed together, and the clean flow through construction. I found both my knives to be solid, but I did notice that some of edges of the G10 peeked out a little over the liners on my Vantage Pro. All in all this is a well-made handle.

In hand the large Vantage is pretty good. The G10 is given a smooth finish, but the handle isn’t slippery. There is plenty of room for a full grip, and the flipper doubles as a small finger choil to prevent forward sliding forward on the blade. The edges of the handle were a little sharp for my taste, but they are reasonable given the intended use. I actually liked the way the small Vantage fit in my hand a little more. It’s a tight fit for larger hands, but the corners aren’t as sharp.

The Buck Vantage Pro sports a nice deep carry pocket clip. This clip offers ambidextrous tip up carry, has nice retention, and is very discrete. I like the clip a lot. The Vantage itself is a flat knife and makes for an easy and unobtrusive carry.

Deployment and Lockup

Deployment is achieved primarily by means of a flipper, although you have the option of using a small oval thumb hole set close to the handle. This thumb hole is blocked somewhat on the left side, so really it’s best used by a righty. For me the easiest way to deploy this knife was by the flipper. I found that the Vantage snapped out crisply with a little wrist action. Buck included phosphor bronze washers to aid in a smooth and reliable deployment. They are small washers, but they get the job done.

For lockup the Vantage makes use of a liner lock. Lockup was nice and tight on both of my knives, and I detected no blade play at all. However, I noticed that the lockup was pretty late on my large Vantage, and sometimes it would engage a little earlier, sometimes it would engage a little later. For EDC use I’m not terribly concerned, but I’d like to see Buck iron out this kink.

I also wanted to mention blade centering and other matters of fit and finish. When this knife first came out in 2009-2010, there were reports of off-center blades rubbing liners, and tips getting blunted on the backspacer. Buck responded to these issues like champs, both fixing customer’s knives and refining their manufacturing process to avoid future issues. I am pleased to say that I didn’t experience any of these fatal fit and finish issues with my two knives (purchased late 2011).

Buck Vantage Pro Review – Final Thoughts

All things considered I feel that the Buck Vantage Pro is a very solid offering. I especially like the price, the high end blade steel, the G10 scales, the attractive design, the nice pocket clip, and seeing “USA” stamped on the blade. Fit and finish isn’t quite 100%, and I think the ergonomics could use some tweaking, but these are relatively minor issues that I can easily overlook when presented with the bigger picture of this knife.

What Buck has done here is provide something appealing to the modern knife user without sacrificing the core values that built their business in the first place. It’s so refreshing to see a high quality steel like S30V on a ~$50 knife, let alone a ~$50 USA made knife. I hope Buck will continue along this path of success by continuing to pay attention to the consumer, refining their designs, and releasing more knives that stand out from the pack. In a stormy knife industry Buck has decided to make their own waves – and that’s great news.

Buck Knives 0347BKS Vantage PRO Folding Knife with Clip

SUPREMELY SHARP BLADE - 3-1/4" Drop Point S30V Steel Blade delivers a combination of edge retention, ductility, hardness, toughness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance for optimal performance. The full bellied blade offers remarkable cutting ability
CONVENIENT ONE HAND OPENING - A Thumb Hole on the blade facilitates a smooth one-handed opening action and locks open using a stainless steel liner lock. Built with two stainless steel liners for extra durability and safety.
SAFE AND SECURE GRIP - The Ergonomic Grip made from Injection Molded reinforced nylon with CNC contoured G10 material provides a comfortable and secure grip while you work. Closed Length 4-3/8", Weight 4 oz.
EVERY DAY CARRY - Includes a removable, reversible, deep pocket tip-up carry clip for easy carry in your pocket, on your belt or in your bag. The Vantage Series comes in two sizes, handle choices and steel options. It's an ideal knife for every day carry
MADE IN THE USA - FOREVER WARRANTY - Since 1902 Buck Knives has offered a lifetime warranty on our knives because we believe in the integrity of our products. This knife is proudly made in the USA.

I recommend purchasing the Buck Vantage Pro at Amazon or BladeHQ.

Benchmade 581 Barrage Review

by Dan Jackson 18 Comments

Benchmade has always struck me as a company that both innovates and inspires. They can take a functional object, refine it’s performance, and give it a slight twist to elevate a knife something beyond mere G10 and steel. That is a rare accomplishment in the world of production knives, and this handsome 581 Barrage a perfect example.

Buy the Benchmade Barrage at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

Simple, robust, and crafted with just a touch of class, I absolutely love the details on this knife. And the details are always so glorious. That’s why I keep reviewing Benchmade knives. They all but beg for a closer examination.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The 581 Barrage has an overall length of 8.35″, a 3.6″ blade, and the knife weighs 5.2 ounces. This is another Warren Osborne design, and the man is a master for a reason – he’s designed yet another lightweight and functional knife. I’m going to classify this one mainly as a tactical knife, but it would make a nice larger EDC as well. Some might call this a “gentleman’s tactical knife,” and I don’t think there is anything wrong with simply collecting this one either!

The 581 sports a drop point blade, which is a departure from Warren’s usual designs for Benchmade. This is a long sloping blade with a slight amount of belly and a thin swedge running along the top. The blade stock on this knife is 3mm thick, and the resulting tip is quite sturdy. This isn’t a knife with a ton of belly, but it should be fine for most normal tasks. The grind is either a partial flat grind or a shallow hollow grind, it’s difficult for me to really tell, and I don’t think it particularly matters. Either way I’ve found the knife to be a very capable slicer (and it came wickedly sharp).

Blade steel on the 581 is Bohler M390. This is a powdered steel, and is currently the most advanced blade steel that Bohler makes. Benchmade heat treated this M390 to between 60-62 HRC, and the stuff can really retain an edge. It’s also a high Chromium steel so you have excellent corrosion resistance too. My edge has held up so well that I’ve yet to need to sharpen this knife, despite weeks of carry. I understand that when the time does come to touch up my edge, it will take a fair amount of work. That’s to be expected from a hard and tough super steel like this.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The handle construction is one of my favorite features of the knife. I know some won’t be fans of the aluminum bolsters, but it’s a unique look and I really like it. From a practical standpoint, this isn’t a cold weather knife (since there is bare metal on the handle) but down here in Florida I’d say it compliments my shorts and sunglasses nicely. Construction is screw together, and in addition to the combination of G10 and aluminum scales, you have full stainless steel liners (milled out to reduce weight), a full backspacer, and a small lanyard hole. It’s a beautifully constructed handle.

All in all, I’d say the ergonomics on the 581 are quite good. I mentioned the handle is boxy, but that doesn’t mean it’s uncomfortable. There is a good amount of thickness to the handle and it fills the hand nicely. The finger choil region benefits from some grooves that have been milled into the scales. I thought these were merely decorative at first, but they also provide some traction for your index finger. The thumb ramp is completely naked, and I feel like this is another Benchmade design that could benefit from a little jimping (at the slight expense of aesthetics). If you really wanted some traction, you could always cut little slice of skateboard tape and apply it to the thumb ramp. Since this is a tactical knife you may be interested in how the 581 feels in reverse grip – I’m happy to say it feels great. All in all this is a very comfortable knife. I’m not as fanatical about jimping as some, but do I feel like a little jimping on the thumb ramp would round this one out in hand.

The pocket clip is a classic Benchmade “split arrow” clip. It’s a great clip, proven time and time again in many of my other Benchmade knife reviews. Retention is excellent, it’s a nice discrete clip, and the knife rides low in your pocket. You have the option of ambidextrous tip up carry – which works great for me.

Deployment and Lockup

The 581 is an assisted opening knife that makes use of dual thumb studs. This is my first review of an axis assisted opener, and I must say I’m quite pleased with it. For normal use I think an assisted opener on a well made knife is unnecessary, but for a tactical knife it could mean the difference between life and death. The thumb studs are very easy to reach and with a little pressure the blade springs to life. This is a very smooth and very fast deploying knife.

One thing I found extremely interesting about the 581 is that Benchmade covered the pivot with the bolster. So this isn’t a knife that has been designed to be tuned. It basically says “we turned this knife perfectly from the factory, you will never need to service the pivot.” It’s a bold claim, especially for an assisted opener that exerts so much force on deployment. But I’ll tell you, I have no problems with blade centering at all. The knife locks up like an absolute vault, and the blade travels smooth as silk along phosphor bronze washers. And the tolerances on this knife are very very tight. We are almost talking Sebenza tight here. This is a real testament to Benchmade’s quality control and manufacturing capabilities. It’s incredible.

And of course the lock here is the famous Axis lock. The assisted opening makes 1-hand closing something of a challenge but it’s not impossible. Lockup is absolutely rock solid. The Axis lock has yet to fail me – on any knife. This is a fantastic lock and it rounds out a great knife.

Benchmade 581 Barrage Review – Final Thoughts

Well, there you have it, Benchmade has produced another outstanding knife. By this point in the review half the readers probably assume I’m on their payroll or something, but truthfully I can’t find much to fault with this blade. I love the beautiful lines, the rich details, the excellent materials, and the incredible level of fit and finish. And it never hurts to discover that this knife is made in America. I can’t find a single issue with my knife, although I feel a touch of jimping on the thumb ramp would make the Barrage slightly better in hand.

I know this is a fairly expensive blade with a retail price of around $200, but I feel like this is an instance where you truly get what you pay for. For those out there considering a Benchmade 581 I can totally recommend it. Benchmade has once again taken a humble folding knife, applied their magic, and have created something that appeals to users and collectors alike. Having a 581 in my collection has truly been a pleasure.

Benchmade - Barrage 581 Knife, Drop-Point Blade, Plain Edge, Satin Finish, G10 and Aluminum Handle, Made in the USA

HIGH-QUALITY: The 154CM stainless steel blade is tough, rust resistant, and holds an edge well. The Valox handle is strong and stable, making it ideal for everyday use.
WELL-DESIGNED: The Barrage family is the first to feature the AXIS Assist. The Barrage 583 can be opened and closed quickly with either hand.
ALWAYS READY: The 583's quick, one-handed opening makes it easy to hold and use. The reversible pocket clip offers ultimate accessibility.
VERSATILE: The Barrage 583's tanto blade has a very high tip strength, making it good for tactical uses. It's also versatile enough for everyday applications.

Benchmade 581 Barrage – $204.00
Retail Price: $220.00
from: BladeHQ

I recommend purchasing the Benchmade Barage from Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.