I was fortunate enough to get in on the 585 and 890 pass around that JJPaul started,so here is my first attempt at a knife review (with pics!)

Other than the AO feature, a head-to-head comparison isn't really fair since they are different sized knives. I'll compare some things about the knives that are comparable, such as blade steel, handle shape, the AO, but the rest will be comparisons of the knives against other BM knives that I own that are similar to each of them. I had the opportunity to hit the local B&M that has a 580 Barrage and compared the 890 to the 580, so my thoughts on that are included as well.

• Both have same steel for the blade: 154CM is a good choice in steel.
  
• Assisted opening: As flymon mentioned, the 890s action is slower than the 585's. I think this is partially due to the Torrent having a larger blade thus having more mass to get moving, but mostly due to the design of the Nitrous vs. the Axis Assist. The Nitrous torsion bars lose contact with the tang of the blade when the blade is at less than a 90deg angle. The Axis assist has a coil spring that applies tension the entire length of travel, making for a stronger and faster opening. The additional lock for the 585 is an added plus. That being said, I have no problem with the speed of the Nitrous system on the 890. The AO on the 580 is slower than the 585, confirming my theory that the extra mass of the larger blade also contributes to slowing the Torrent down.
  
• Handle: as far as shape, I prefer the shape of the Torrent over the Barrage. It fits my hand more like the handle of my mini-AFCK, which is still my benchmark for ergonomic handles. However, I really dislike the smooth G10. The scales need some texture to them for better gripping, and the mini-Barrage wins in this although it could stand to be a bit more aggressive as well. The back spacer of the 890 is superior to the 580/585, being steel and extending to the end of the handle, ending in a slight point that can be used as a striking aid in self-defense situations or as a glass breaker. The 580/585 is just more plastic with an OK pattern on it. The 580 fills the hand very well providing a good solid grip. The shape is just oh-so-different, a bit better than the 585 and is more comfortable.
  
• Blade configuration for both is very similar, with the 585 having slightly more of a belly to it than the 890. I like them both, but I think the Torrent edges out the mini-Barrage for sleek lines. The 585's blade just looks “fatter.” One ding on both of them is the lack of serrations on the spine like my mini-Grip, mini-AFCK, 710, and my son's mini-Ambush have. Lacking that extra traction for the thumb is a negative thing, imo. The blade on the 580 is more similar to the 890, having less “fat-ness” to it and looking sleeker.
  
• The pocket clip of the 585 is parkerized, while the 890 is shiny. The 890 sits about as low in the pocket as it can get, which I really like – it's almost invisible. The 585 sits up higher but should blend in better with your clothes.
  
• Lock: I am left-handed, so the Torrent is automatically disqualified for me. No lefty function, no carry. The Axis, of course, is superior. The scary thing is that if the Torrent came in a lefty version, I just might pick it over the Barrage and get better scales. If/when I get a 580, I may find someone to make some custom scales for it to thin it down.

585 vs. mini-Grip, mini-Ambush

I know that the mini-Barrage is not in the same league as the mini-Grip or mini-Ambush, but they are the knives I own that are similar in size, so I'll compare the 585 to them. The mini-Ambush is a very nice red-class knife, and since I have managed to get it away from my son for this review, I'm finding that the rolling lock is growing on me. It still isn't an Axis, though, and the 585 definitely shines in that regard. The steel in the 585 is definitely better than the AUS-8 of the mini-Ambush, and the belly sweeps more gently on the 585. The 10210 looks as if it's trying to be a rounded tanto style. The grip is made of the same material as the 10210, but is definitely beefier and fills the hand better than the mini-Ambush. Obviously, I would pick the 585.

The mini-Grip has the same blade steel as the mini-Barrage, so that is a wash. I am torn as to whether I like the modified sheepsfoot blade or the drop point spear of the 585 more, but blade shape is basically a user preference. I am a fan of the round hole over thumb studs, so the 555HG wins there, along with the thumb ridges on the spine. The mini-Barrage is considerably thicker than the mini-Grip. In fact, even my 710 is thinner! For a knife that is going to be a workhorse knife, the handle fills out my hand better than the mini-Grip. For carrying edc, however, I think I prefer the mini-Grip (and I used to think it was almost too fat). The 580/585 would really benefit from thinner scales before it became my edc, and clip screws that thread into the steel liners. I do like the feel of the Valox on the 585 over the Noryl of the 555HG.


890 Torrent vs. mini-AFCK and 710

My mini-AFCK is my absolute favorite knife, even though it is a liner lock. The ergonomics of the handle and blade is nearly perfect, imo, and the size is just right for a short guy like me with smallish hands. The belly has a nice sweep to it, but is not too curved, with a nice point. Mine is a left-handed mini-AFCK, since the power-that-be at BM did not deem it a worthy enough knife to offer with an Axis lock as they did the 806. To this day, I consider that a big mistake on BM's part, so please keep that bias in mind as I compare the 890 to my mini-AFCK and my 710.

The Torrent is slightly larger than the 812, with thicker scales and, it appears, thicker liners. The belly of the blade is more rounded and doesn't come to as sharp of a point, but the 800 and 812 were designed as a self-defense knife, where the 890 was not. The scales, as mentioned, are too smooth, but the pattern is nicer than the utilitarian look of the mini-AFCK's G10. They just need to have a rougher texture. The blade steel is comparable, as my 812 has ATS-34 steel. Blade size is comparable – 3.6” vs. 3.25” and the blade geometry on both is very good. The mini-AFCK sits more comfortably in my pocket, largely due to being thinner, but the Torrent sits a lot lower, with only the clip being visible. Both are tip-down carry. As it is now, the mini-AFCK still stays my favorite. If the Torrent came in a lefty version, I would consider getting one.

Compared to the 710, the Torrent is smaller, but still thicker. The 710 is about maximum size for my hands, and the Torrent is definitely more comfortable and more attractive. The G-10 of the Torrent has a nicer pattern to it, but still needs to be rougher for better gripping. Steel is comparable in my 710, as it has the older ATS-34 blade instead of the newer D2 blades (that may change this summer). The belly is more rounded in the Torrent, and I prefer straight blades over recurved blades, like the 710. The thumb serrations on the 710 is a plus, and I really wish the folks at BM (or maybe Ken Steigerwalt) had included them on the Torrent. Of course the Axis lock is my preference over the liner lock, but if they made the Torrent in a lefty version, it would most likely replace my 710, smooth scales and all.



EDITED: Pics are fixed.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: loonybin,

Very good job on the review, Thanks! I have both but rarely carry the 890, If it was an axis lock I would have a hard time EDCing another knife. Love the blade and handle shape.

Job well done. Thanks for the review.

quote:

Originally posted by MJR:
Very good job on the review, Thanks! I have both but rarely carry the 890, If it was an axis lock I would have a hard time EDCing another knife. Love the blade and handle shape.

Agreed, although for my edc, I usually carry a smaller knife, since I have a bunch of sheeple at work. My workday edc is my 555HG, and my weekend edc is my mini-AFCK, and sometimes my 710. If the Torrent came in an Axis (or even a lefty version!), I just might carry it instead on the weekends.

Thanks for a great read and excellent pics. Why Benchmade doesn't offer more lefty versions for you right-minded guys I'll never know. Other firms like Emerson do, and I'm sure it brings them additional business, which these days is a good thing isn't it?

I have a 585 on the way and will be able to talk about shortly. The 890 looks like a really nice knife, but I agree the G-10 looks slick, maybe even more than used on the Deja's or the 14210. But I sure like the shape of the 890 overall.

The clip on the 890's IMO badly in need of blasting or toning down. (Or replaced by a Parked version.) It's the same as used on the Deja's and while the deep pocket carry is great they shine like beacons!

Anyway, thanks LB, good stuff!

quote:

Originally posted by joe_karp:
Thanks for a great read and excellent pics. Why Benchmade doesn't offer more lefty versions for you right-minded guys I'll never know. Other firms like Emerson do, and I'm sure it brings them additional business, which these days is a good thing isn't it?

Well, they probably think they have enough lefty versions with all of the Axis lock knives and don't even have to invest in reverse tooling to make lefty-minded liner locks. I still wish they would offer some liner lock designs in lefty, though.

quote:

The 890 looks like a really nice knife, but I agree the G-10 looks slick, maybe even more than used on the Deja's or the 14210. But I sure like the shape of the 890 overall.

I showed the knives to a friend while I had them, and the first comment he made about the 890 was that the handle was too smooth. He liked how it filled his hand (he's a big guy), but wouldn't get one because of the scales.

quote:

The clip on the 890's IMO badly in need of blasting or toning down. (Or replaced by a Parked version.) It's the same as used on the Deja's and while the deep pocket carry is great they shine like beacons!

I would agree with you. I like a little flash (as you can tell by my polished mini-Grip clip since it's also my church knife), but on the Torrent it doesn't look right. It's a dress knife clip on a user knife. It just shouldn't be.

quote:

Anyway, thanks LB, good stuff!

Thank you, thank you. All donations of appreciation can be sent to me, and once I have accumulated enough funds, I will humbly apply them toward the purchase of another knife that I want that will be loved, well cared for and fondled at least once daily. I'll even write a review of it!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: loonybin,

Nice job!
Great pics!

Great review. Thanks for takeing the time to do it!

quote:

Originally posted by joe_karp:
The clip on the 890's IMO badly in need of blasting or toning down. (Or replaced by a Parked version.) It's the same as used on the Deja's and while the deep pocket carry is great they shine like beacons!

Joe, I have a 745BK and without digging it out of it box right now (lazy) I think it has a black clip. Let me know if you're interested in finding out. Maybe you can get a black clip for your 745. You can be low riding in style.

Taken care of S., I ordered a black clip for my silver 745 and have an extra. Appreciate the thought though!

Interesting is in the original Lum models the clip is much heavier duty looking, and it appears to be bead blasted Ti which looks much better.

When the time comes to get an 890 I'll just order another black clip, Benchmade's good for the asking as always.

Found a good example of what the original clips looked like on the Lum customs: