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Benchmade Barrage: Assisted or Auto?

by Keelen Grimm

May 7, 2009

The definition of a switchblade or automatic knife is a folding knife that is spring activated and deployed by a button or lever located on the handle. An assisted knife has the same spring or torsion bar but does not deploy by a button on the handle but rather a thumb-stud or flipper located on the blade. That is the loophole that allows the assisted knives to be legal... Activation from blade and not the handle. From my experience my assisted knives deploy just as fast if not faster than an automatic knife.

So after clearing that up I finally get to my question. Recently Benchmade has released a new knife for 2009 called the Benchmade Barrage. This is their first Assisted Axis lock knife. I absolutely love this knife and have bought two of them. After carrying the Barrage for a couple of days I noticed that I could deploy the blade by holding the Axis Lock back and flicking the knife in a downward motion. By my calculations even though it is marketed as an assisted opening knife because the proper way to deploy the blade it through the thumb-stud, I think that it could be considered an automatic. By pulling back on the Axis Lock you are activating something on the handle and that is the exact definition of an automatic.

What are your thoughts? Is it really safe to carry the Barrage because if the courts get ahold of this they will run with it.

Keelen

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  • up

    In Memoriam

    Terry Ray

    I would say assisted, because just releasing the axis lock doesn't activate the release of the blade, it must be pushed but of course it don't take much. The Austrailian customs consider it a assisted, which they still don't like anyway.

    the Barrage is a awesome knife, the mini barrage in M 390 super steel is my favorite

    Benchmades stand on this is Because of the way that the Benchmade assist-open knives are designed and built, they are NOT considered automatics or switchblades under Federal interpretation. , it is still recommended that the user research and verify the legalities in their own specific area.

    Terry

    Oct 28, 2013

  • up

    In Memoriam

    Terry Ray

    I agree Chris , wish I could say it better DITTO!

    Chris Stookey said:

    One thing that politicians consciously ignore is the simple fact is that the human capacity for violence is inherent. Removing one perceived implement only results in people ADAPTING and using another. If a person is intent on committing an act of violence against another person, laws absolutely will not stop it from happening. However, there is a significant relevance in the difference between "good" people and "bad" people. While all of us are ultimately "capable" of violence, "good" people are much better at restraining themselves. "Bad" people are historically established as lacking the same degree of restraint. Additionally, laws only work on people willing to obey them. "Bad" people certainly won't cooperate with some silly politician's edict...so taking knives (or guns) away from law-abiding citizens ONLY serves to further empower those people who won't obey the laws. I, for one, will not empower criminals. If I am attacked, I'll defend myself to whatever extent necessary. If I have to run a Popsicle stick through some thug's eyeball, I'll do it!

    Chris C. said:
    Legal here to have full auto or assist, but I don't buy into the whole good/bad people thing sorry. We all have both inside us. We all have the ability to control what comes out. A knife is a tool, I have screwdrivers that are more dangerous. Hell we can all move to NYC and protect ourselves with toothpicks and popsicle sticks! Who's with me!?

    (sorry sarcasm runs through my veins.)

    Oct 28, 2013

  • up

    Steve Scheuerman (Manx)

    Okay...here it is. My first REAL Benchmade from Terry! Kinda nervous, since Border Services opened it first, but it seems all there.

    A magnifier sporting the iKC name! Very cool!

    Sweeeet!

    Carrying pouch too!

    Durned purdy lookin' so far!

    I think I'm in love!

    Yup...it's love! What a snap to the opening! Great feel to it, nice heft and weight...

    And my very first m390 SuperSteel knife! Mine does not open just by pulling on the lock, however. Awesome knife! Decent edge on it. I can get a better one on it, but this may be a collection piece since it was sent out of friendship by Terry Ray, who didn't like the fact that my first "Benchmade" was a knockoff. Absolutely love it! Thanks again, Terry! What incredible folks we have on this site!

    Jul 10, 2014