Luke Cuenco 05.13.25
A few weeks in the past Benchmade Knife Firm despatched out a duplicate of their Redstone Mini Barrage assisted open EDC blade for assessment, and I spent a few months evaluating its efficiency throughout city and out of doors duties as I am going about my every day enterprise. Designed by Warren Osborne, the Mini Barrage is a compact folding knife that includes Benchmade’s AXIS Help mechanism, a CPM-S30V blade, and deal with choices like Richlite or Valox. This assessment dissects its specs, performance, and sensible purposes, which ought to hopefully present a clearer evaluation for EDC customers, collectors, out of doors lovers, or simply guys who like to have a pleasant EDC blade with them.
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AllOutdoor Evaluation: The Badass Benchmade Redstone Mini Barrage
The Mini Barrage measures 6.91 inches general when open, with a 2.91-inch blade and a 4-inch closed size. It weighs 3.38 ounces, making it very appropriate for pocket carry. The blade, constructed from CPM-S30V stainless-steel (58-60 HRC), has a drop-point profile with a 0.1-inch thickness and a satin end. CPM-S30V is thought for its steadiness of edge retention, corrosion resistance, and sharpenability, appropriate for a fairly vast number of on a regular basis reducing duties. The blade incorporates a swedge grind and a slight stomach, optimizing it for slicing and piercing.
The 585BK-04 mannequin makes use of “Redstone” coloured Richlite deal with scales (a composite of resin-infused paper), measuring 0.43 inches thick per scale for a slim carry profile. Richlite is non-porous, moisture-resistant, and sturdy, with a textured floor for grip. The choice 585 mannequin makes use of Black Valox, a polymer that reduces weight however lacks Richlite’s tactile suggestions. The deal with incorporates anodized thumb studs, an anodized backspacer, and a chrome steel liner with a security swap for the AXIS Help mechanism. A reversible split-arrow pocket clip helps tip-up carry solely.
The AXIS Help system combines a spring-assisted opening with Benchmade’s AXIS lock, a hardened metal bar that engages the blade tang for safe lockup. Deployment is by way of ambidextrous thumb studs, and the security swap locks the blade closed to stop unintended opening. The knife is assembled in Oregon, USA, with the least costly variations of the Mini Barrage retailing for $190, and the instance pictured right here for $320. There’s a particular “Purple Haze” version of the blade that includes a fairly psychedelic purple set of “FatCarbon” scales however that one will set you again $500 – clearly a collector’s merchandise.
Efficiency Testing
I examined the Mini Barrage by carrying it every day for “city duties” (opening packages, reducing tape) and out of doors actions (on the vary, out within the yard). The blade arrived with a manufacturing unit edge able to push-cutting paper and shaving hair. CPM-S30V’s properties had been evident in duties like slicing tomatoes, reducing cheeses, and even baling twine, the place the blade resisted corrosion regardless of publicity to moisture and abrasive reducing supplies like cardboard. Edge retention was sturdy; after reducing by means of 50 toes of cardboard, a bunch of 550 paracord, and whittling off some dried cedar wooden for kindling, the sting dulled solely ever so barely and after a number of months of every day abuse is lastly prepared for a fast couple of passes on a Ken Onion sharpener.
The AXIS Help mechanism may be very nicely refined and produces constant and predictable deployment, made a lot simpler through the use of the thumb studs. The AXIS lock engaged with out blade play, and the security swap functioned reliably, stopping unintended deployment throughout pocket carry or when the blade is deployed and you’re reducing one thing that’s offering a bit extra resistance. The lock’s design permits one-handed closing, although customers unfamiliar with AXIS techniques may have observe to function it easily. No mechanical points, equivalent to spring put on or lock stick, had been noticed, though when you do run into issues with it then Benchmade has you lined with their guarantee.
The deal with’s ergonomics accommodated a typical grip for medium-sized arms (glove measurement M) though the blade is on the small facet of issues – you doubtless gained’t get a full hand grip on the blade and thus it’s actually not meant for greater reducing duties. The Richlite scales supplied ample traction in moist circumstances, with no slippage throughout easy reducing duties. The knife’s steadiness level, curiously sufficient is positioned 0.5 inches behind the pivot, and offers it some very pleasing dealing with traits for such a small knife. At 3.38 ounces is sort of unnoticeable in even athletic shorts pockets – actually that is an EDC-optimized blade if there ever was one.
Sensible Purposes
The Mini Barrage’s compact dimensions and a pair of.91-inch blade go well with it for EDC in city and out of doors environments. In city settings, it dealt with routine duties like opening mail, reducing packing straps, zip-ties, some minor prying responsibility on some cussed {hardware}, and naturally extra delicate duties like trimming unfastened thread on clothes. The blade’s size complies with most U.S. knife legal guidelines (sometimes 3-inch limits), making it an costly however logical selection for workplace or public carry in just about any state or setting the place blades aren’t utterly banned. The Richlite deal with’s non-tactical look reduces consideration in comparison with knives with G10 or carbon fiber scales and offers it a little bit of conversational worth as nicely.
For out of doors use, I’ve been bringing the Mini Barrage to my vary journeys within the PNW woods. It carried out nicely in getting ready kindling, reducing 1/4-inch nylon rope to tie down some cargo, and slicing cheese and sausage for a fast snack on the vary. The blade’s thickness supported gentle prying as I discussed earlier, equivalent to eradicating staples from 1×2 goal stands, with out tip harm. The Richlite deal with withstood rain and dirt, cleansing simply with simply water. Whereas not designed for heavy bushcraft, the Mini Barrage managed small-scale duties successfully, complementing bigger fastened blades that I sometimes carry on my vary belt.
Benchmade’s LifeSharp program, included with every of their knives, permits homeowners to ship the knife at no cost sharpening, cleansing, and upkeep. This service extends the knife’s lifespan, notably for customers who steadily deal with abrasive supplies like cardboard or rope or simply love to make use of their knives as they had been meant for use – like useful instruments!
Limitations and Commerce-Offs
The Mini Barrage has a number of drawbacks which might be price noting for extra discerning knife collectors or patrons. The pocket clip, product of stainless-steel with a silver end, is 2.5 inches lengthy and protrudes 0.3 inches from the deal with. Its stiffness (requiring about 5-7 kilos of pressure to flex) complicates one-handed attachment, nonetheless, over the previous couple of months this has loosened as much as a extra snug pressure making it a lot simpler to deploy and exchange in your pocket. Nonetheless, what hasn’t modified is that whereas the clip is reversible for both facet, there isn’t any possibility at the moment for “tip-down” carry which I believe might need been a pure inclusion provided that the Mini Barrage is able to being locked.
The AXIS Help mechanism, whereas dependable, provides complexity in comparison with handbook folders and may make this knife unsuitable for newer blade collectors. The protection swap and spring system require periodic cleansing to stop particles buildup, although no points arose throughout testing, and any dust that amassed within the mechanism was simply blown out utilizing some compressed air. Customers new to assisted-opening knives might discover the security toggle unintuitive, with a 1-2 day studying curve reported in most on-line boards.
Lastly, value is a big consideration. At a beginning value of $190, the Black Valox mannequin competes with different extra budget-friendly but higher-end choices from Kershaw, which provide comparable supplies for $200-$250. The Redstone Richlite mannequin seen on this assessment ($171) is extra accessible however features a extra premium deal with, {hardware}, and blade materials. Benchmade’s home manufacturing and lifelong service assist justify the fee for some, however budget-conscious patrons might want options just like the Kershaw Blur ($90-$120) which aren’t as a lot of a loss if severely broken within the line of responsibility.
Last Ideas
The Benchmade Mini Barrage is a really well-executed folding knife in my estimation, mixing a compact type issue with sturdy and high-end supplies and a dependable assisted-opening mechanism. Its CPM-S30V blade, AXIS Help system, and the very enticing Redstone Richlite deal with are good for EDC and light-weight out of doors duties. The knife’s ergonomics, edge retention, and corrosion resistance make it a sensible selection for nearly anybody, whereas Benchmade’s LifeSharp program provides long-term worth for customers who prefer to genuinely use their EDC blades.
For EDC lovers, collectors, or out of doors customers looking for a flexible folder, the Mini Barrage is price a glance when you prefer to maintain issues sensible however nonetheless with a little bit of aptitude. It’s obtainable at Benchmade.com, KnifeCenter.com, and BladeHQ.com. In case you worth American-made high quality and don’t thoughts the fee, this knife is a stable addition to your equipment. Simply don’t count on it to exchange a hard and fast blade for heavy-duty duties – that’s a job for a few of Benchmade’s greater choices!
Disclaimer: Benchmade supplied the Mini Barrage for assessment. This doesn’t have an effect on my analysis, and Benchmade didn’t assessment this text previous to publication.
Product Link: https://www.benchmade.com/products/585bk-04
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