Spring assisted knives are a great choice if you live in an area that has restrictions on fully automatic knives. Because you have to use your finger to activate the blade rather than a firing button, they are not considered full automatics. Some of the best spring assisted knives are made by Benchmade. Benchmade is known for their high quality automatics and folding knives but they also have a few impressive spring assisted models available for sale.
The Best of Benchmade Spring Assisted Knives
| Nitrous Stryker | Mini-Barrage | Torrent | Subrosa | Barrage 581 | Aphid | Emissary |
Nitrous Stryker
This first knife on the list is the Benchmade Nitrous Stryker. This unique version of the Stryker knife features the Nitrous Assist mechanism. The spring is actuated by moving the blade out slightly with your hand or the thumb stud. This will forcefully fire the blade into locked position. Benchmade equipped this knife with a modified titanium liner lock frame, G-10 handle scales, thicker liners and thumb studs for easy use. The Nitrous Stryker is a little harder to find than other Benchmades but its unique design and powerful spring action make it a great choice.
Warn Mini-Barrage
The Benchmade Warn Mini Barrage is the perfect size for an EDC knife and it comes equipped with a powerful spring assist mechanism. Benchmade teamed up with Warn Industries to create a knife that combines speed and strength into one easy to carry knife. This knife includes a safety switch on the back and a fully reversible clip. Benchmade and Warn products are known for their durability and strength and this is reflected in the Mini Barrage.
Torrent
The Benchmade Torrent is a slim, light knife that makes for the perfect EDC spring assisted knife. This knife is a special design by Ken Steigerwalt that has a streamlined look and amazing spring action. You just have to slightly nudge the thumb stud to activate the Nitrous spring assisted system and lock the blade into place. The torrent comes equipped with G-10 handles, steel liner locks, lanyard hold, and an extended pocket clip for deep pocket carrying. If you’re looking for something small and lightweight that still has a lot of power, the Benchmade Torrent is a great choice.
Subrosa
The Benchmade Subrosa is the first titanium monolock that Benchmade has released with a spring assist feature. Like other Benchmade models it is equipped with the Nitrous spring assisted feature that will require the lightest touch to spring the blade into place. The handles are made of machined titanium that makes the knife extremely strong but not too heavy. The knife also has a thumb stud for quick release, S30v stainless steel blade and a steel clip. The Benchmade Subrosa has a unique design that makes it a great choice for collectors and a flawless construction that makes it a good choice for everyday use.
Barrage 581
The 581 version of the Benchmade Barrage has some special additions that make it stand apart from other Barrage models. This model features a combo G-10/ Aluminum handle with a new M390 super steel blade. It comes with a safety on the back of the knife, Axis-Lock, spring assist mechanism, ambidextrous thumb studs and a fully reversible pocket clip that makes for easy carrying. The Benchmade Barrage is a beautiful knife that is powerful and comfortable to carry.
Aphid
The Benchmade Aphid is a small lightweight knife with a powerful spring assist feature. This knife is equipped with the Benchmade Optimiser Assist mechanism. It has a locking liner and a 440C stainless steel blade. The slim Valox handles make the knife very light and easy carry. It also comes with an ambidextrous thumb stud and a reversible pocket clip. This is a great choice for anybody looking for a every day carry knife that can still spring quickly into action when necessary.
Emissary
One of the best all around spring assisted knives is the Benchmade Emissary. It has a beautiful streamlined design and a compact, smooth firing action. This one of a kind knife comes equipped with a S30V steel blade, reversible tip up pocket clip, safety lock and ambidextrous thumb studs for quick opening. The handle is made of an aluminum alloy that is strong without being to heavy. The Emissary combines all of the best features of spring assisted and EDC knives into one small convenient package.
No matter which spring assisted knife you choose you will always get the highest quality from Benchmade spring assisted knives. This includes knife design, construction, materials and most importantly functionality. In addition to all of this you will also get Benchmade’s lifetime warranty in case any issues arise with your knife. These things make Benchmade one of the best brands out there for spring assisted or any other type of knife. At Bladehq you can find all the best Benchmade spring assisted knives available.
Which is your favorite Benchmade Spring Assist?
Sent my Benchmade/Bali-Song Mini AFCK with half serrated blade back to the fotacry for sharpening (actually, handed it to one of the techs at the Benchmade booth at SHOT). Got it in ’96, IIRC. New, it was scary sharp. EVERYONE who touched the blade ended up bleeding. It would seem that the fotacry can no longer duplicate that, as it came back with a normal type of sharpness. What is annoying is that they reassembled it back to the original right-handed clip position, discarding my custom length button head screws needed to mount it for left-handed carry.All my carry knives are modified for improved access for left thumb opening. Basically copying as close as possible the right-handed thumb cut-out.My heavy use knife is a CRKT Point Guard, carried for right hand access. Got it for cutting away bumper covers of crashed cars, so they could be driven. Slightly shorter now, as the tip broke off when I tried to straighten it when bent. Don’t remember bending it. Half serrated.Got a cheapy little Barracuda half-serrated liner lock that lives in one pocket. For opening food containers, or other light-duty use.Leatherman Micra lives in the other pocket. Very sharp blade. Needs two hands to deploy. Only straight blade I currently carry.Have one of those Swiss+Tech Utili-Key tools on my key ring. It is a half-serrated blade. Can’t remember it being used. Back up back up blade, I guess.I have decided I will not be acquiring any more half-serrated blades for future use. Maybe if I find one with the serrations at the tip end. I have decided they are not very useful. They just get in the way of most uses for a knife. The true value of serrations is to keep a sharp cutting edge after running the blade against a surface that would dull/damage a normal edge. That is a very narrow job description for a general use knife. Essentially, that is a steak knife job. Which these can’t even do, with that saw edge at the handle end of the blade.In conclusion, I would say the real purpose of them is to look intimidating, which is why you weren’t allowed to fly with them back before 9/11.
I bought a Benchmade 581 Barrage with a M390 steel blade and I think it’s one of or the best knife I have owned!
In fact I ordered another one with a black coated blade!
Nice knife and I love the spring action!
Thanks