Benchmade Onslaught: "Tactical Buzzsaw" by Nutnfancy

Handle a Benchmade 741 Onslaught and you will be impressed with the speed and balance of this large and finely crafted tactical blade. It is imposing in its size, strikes a measure of class in the role and seeing a folding knife of this size come out of the Benchmade shop is a welcome event for me. But it would take a fool to think the Onslaught is all show. In its capabilities, it's all business. The 741 has a flat grind, nicely swept 4.3" 154CM steel blade that accounts for much of its mass. This blade, with its out-of-box sharpness and perfect sweep, launches the Onslaught into the realms of tactical or skinning blade with equal adeptness. It shows the Bob Lum family heritage and is the first Lum design to wear the outstanding Axis lock. That choice provides great ergonomics, tight lockup (bank vault rigidity noted), and ease of use. And with the phosphor bronze bushings and Axis lock, the Onslaught deploys easily with auto-like speed. It will turn heads and make the evil-doer rethink his course of action. Deployment occurs with the thumb hole actuation and it is somewhat occluded by the handle. The smooth G10 handle scales, similar to the 740 DejaVoo, may lack ultimate grip but they provide a comfortable hold, good looks, and they won't abrade the pocket. The milled in finger grooves provide interest but they do not improve traction significantly. The G10 scales can be removed for service. The blackened nickel pocket clip is perhaps on the wide side but its strong, purposeful, and well-attached to the blade. Thankfully the 741 carries tip up but lefties may not dig the right-hand only orientation. Pivot hardware also honors the blackened nickel theme as well (adjustment possible on the pivot point). the 420J2 steel liners of the Onslaught are skeletonized, blackened, and radiused for comfort. For a big blade though, its 6.8 oz weight is actually reasonable (heavier than some, lighter than others). Perhaps as a nod to good looks over function, the Onslaught has no jimping topside but the slickness on the ramped blade spine can be remedied with the application of some skateboard tape (shown). With its good looks, size, and speed, most owners will just collect and enjoy ownership of their Onslaught (which of course is putting the knife to good use in my book). But the Onslaught is ready for hard use as a defensive or skinning blade and it is these roles that the true integrity and beauty of the design will be revealed. ///////////// Lots of reports from TNPrs for scoring this blade around $120 //////////// Nutnfancy LIkability Scale: 9 out of 10 (price considered) ////////////////// Music: Torley Wong