3 Benchmades.... 1 hard choice.

J

Jake Bauer

Joined
Sep 19, 2007
Messages
4,293
Hey guys,

I'm looking to buy one of these three Benchmades for a hard use combat/utility knife. I want to be sure that which ever one I pick will take a heck of a beating and will keep the edge and not chip. I own several Benchmades, so I know how tough they are and how great quality they are, but which out of these three would you recommend for what I want to use it for?

1. 520SBK Presido (I like the blade thickness, and the feel of the handle, but am wondering if the blade should be longer for my needs) http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=520

2. 710SBKD2 (I have one of these in 154CM with a stainless blade. I love the blade length, but for hard use, I like a thicker handle, and maybe a thicker blade. I have heard great things about D2 though. Anyone ever had any BM D2's chip?) http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=710

3. 551SBK Griptillian (I have a 550 Griptillian in 440C, and I like the handle thickness, the new 154CM blades I know would be much better for hard use, and the handle material is light and very tough, I'm just wondering if it's worth it to go for the 520 (thicker, but slightly shorter blade) or 710D2 (D2, longer blade, skinnier handle, same blade thickness) over this one.) http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=551

Any help would be great. Thanks.
 
In my head Jack Bauer would have bought the 710. It would probably be his backup knife because in one of the episodes he yells pretty clearly "MICROTECH HALO!" The recurve on the 710 would simply turn a terrorists' face into hamburger.
 
If the 710 leaves you feeling like you want something more substantial for hard use and you already have a 550 then I'd go for the 520. I don't know that you'll really miss 0.6" or so of blade versus the 710, though that is dependent on your specific needs. The 520 does offer slightly thicker blade stock than a 551. I owned a 520 and thought it was a very, very solid knife. The handle, while offering great traction, can be tough on bare hands for extended use with a tight grip. It also loves to chew up the edges of your pockets if you carry it clipped there. Still, I really liked using mine while I had it.
 
I own the grip and the smaller versions of the first two. I prefer the Presidio the most
 
if you're looking for a fixed blade then the presidio is awsome, I have it and it's one sturdy, firm, powerful knife
 
3. I have sold my 551, didn't like the plastic handle
2. not happy with the G10 on the 710, which seemed somehow slippery; I still have the knife but keep it in the glove compartment in my car
1. the 520 is my favourite Benchmade and one of my favourite knives - great ergos and what a slicing machine...! I carry it clipless in a Benchmade belt sheath, so don't have no pocket issues. If you need a longer blade, maybe you shoulod consider a FB
 
Get the 520. It's an absolute tank of a knife. The 710 scales are a bit slick and sharpening a recurve while in the field is tougher than the drop point of the 520.
 
Thanks fellas. I'm going to look around and try to find a place that might have a 520 so i can feel it in my hand personally.
 
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