My video review of the Benchmade 580 Barrage axis-assist knife.

The Benchmade Pika II is difficult to open handed due to its overly strong back spring. That with some other minor issues resulted in my low likability and a tepid review previously. Enter the Pika G10 model, marketed under the BM Harley Davidson banner for now. It fixes some of the “Pinkachu” issues and is really a different knife. First, the Pika G10 deploys much quicker since it has a well-balanced back spring; not too strong, not too weak (it amazes me when a company gets this simplest …

Previously reviewed by me, the Pika II has some issues which do not endear the knife to me. One of the most serious was the lack of grip the spine jimping lacks. Here is a quick fix you might want to try that fixed the problem. Tools? Just a Dremel tool with a thin cut off wheel and some 400 grit sandpaper on a small wood block. Knife becomes a lot more useful with this mod!

In the field of daily carry knives, the SOG FLASH 1 is a fast, lightweight, well-built, and securely carried companion. I have many of these knives and have used them extensively for both duty and personal use. As my VIDEO shows, the FLASH 1′s size is perfect as is the deep carry clip. Add its good quality AUS8 steel and most importantly it’s feathery 1.2 oz weight (not 1.4 oz ike I said in video) and you have the near-perfect daily carry knife. For a knife you’ll have on your person at ALL …

On paper the Benchmade Pika II knife should be a hit. Great price, adequate steel, good blade shape, decent handle, and a nice clip. But its notat least with Nutnfancy. Thats because the Pinkachu has some surprising misses even at its affordable price point. Take for instance the Pika IIs overly strong blade retention due to perhaps an overly strong back spring. That makes this Pokemon a slow deploying blade, by comparison, that requires good thumb tension and wrist technique to get it out …

There is nothing here in the striking BM 960 Osborne that you will not like: a 3.12″ D2 razor sharp, polished blade, gorgeous red aluminum handle with carbon fiber (or G10) inserts which are perfectly machined, a perfect thumbstud, wicked fast deployment, solid lockup, matching polished clip that holds well, purple titanium backspacer (I love that), and the strong and fast Axis lock, and perfect workmanship throughout. And all this weighs a mind-blowingly light 2.2 ounces. This is the type …

Offering near-perfect balance, speed, and quality, the Benchmade Mini-Griptilian 556 is an excellent utility or every day carry (EDC) knife choice. Various steels are used in the Mini-Grips, like that the 440C and limited edition D2 Cabelas models shown, but current versions are offered in the very useful 154CM steel. Blades have various finishes and grinds as well but my favorite is the bright finished plain edge clip versions. Mini-Grips are good looking and functional blades with …