570-1 Presidio II CF Elite

JB1964 said:
Why this?

(I have loved my 710 for many years, but have never used it for self-defense.)
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One reason is that if you strike with the butt end, the inertia of the axis bar unlocks the blade and it can close on fingers. Anybody who uses the Contego glassbreaker learns this. Another reason is that the axis lock is a little weak against spine whack damage. The axis bar deforms the liners slightly and it can come unlocked. I don't think the lock is bad or coming unlocked is probable. It's just that it would be in the back of my mind. For 99.99% of life's situations I love the axis lock.
 
Ah yes, the ol’ pommel strike scenario. We were down that road on this forum before.

In my mind, there is no likely real world self defense situation where a pommel strike would be necessary, thought about, or even practical, when your blade is already out and you’re fighting for your life. So, for me, it’s a moot point regarding the Axis Lock’s “disadvantage”.

Again, to me, not exactly the problem some people might want you to think it is.

Furthermore, if you’re using your knife’s glass breaker for actually breaking glass, the blade should probably be closed. I can think of exactly zero situations where one would need, or want, an open blade in play while they are breaking glass.
 
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Mark Spark said:
One reason is that if you strike with the butt end, the inertia of the axis bar unlocks the blade and it can close on fingers. Anybody who uses the Contego glassbreaker learns this. Another reason is that the axis lock is a little weak against spine whack damage. The axis bar deforms the liners slightly and it can come unlocked. I don't think the lock is bad or coming unlocked is probable. It's just that it would be in the back of my mind. For 99.99% of life's situations I love the axis lock.
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Alright thanks.
A little off topic, I know, but which lock would you prefer for self-defense scenarios?
 
Any lock can deform if sufficient spine striking is applied. However, I trust the Axis lock more than liner lock and frame lock in that regard.

Back to the knife of this thread, I love it and I have been thinking about picking up a mini.
 
Me too, I saw one on the exchange here today, but got scooped. Good for him! I’ll get one eventually.
 
JB1964 said:
Alright thanks.
A little off topic, I know, but which lock would you prefer for self-defense scenarios?
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Cold Steel's triad lock is certainly the strongest system. And unlike frame locks, the more negative force you put on the blade, the tighter it locks. It also has the advantage of being very weight efficient, because the lockbar also serves as a lateral frame stiffener. But it has a couple of disadvantages. The closing force is strong and starts early, so it's easy to cut yourself. And it's loud to open or close. There's no discrete way to open one. Everyone for a 1 block radius hears that clack. And of course it's not as fun to play with as an axis lock.
 
Bob Denman said:
How do those scales feel?
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Those are a very special breed. I had the 570 with the aluminium scales…I love knives with aluminium scales, despite the tendency being slippy. But on the 570 the deep edged groves weren‘t mine. The CF Elite feels cool and smooth, functional and austere. In my opinion, they are very different to other materials like G10, FRN and Grivory. I once had an Zero Tolerance with a smooth carbon scale, they felt a bit similar, but the grooving of the 570-1 make a more secure grip.

At least for me, the scales do not feel cheap or only suitable for a budget blade.
 
Mark Spark said:
The closing force is strong and starts early, so it's easy to cut yourself. And it's loud to open or close. There's no discrete way to open one. Everyone for a 1 block radius hears that clack. And of course it's not as fun to play with as an axis lock.
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I agree with every point. But if I take care, I can close my Voyager with one hand. Just took some practice.
 
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yorck1976 said:
Those are a very special breed. I had the 570 with the aluminium scales…I love knives with aluminium scales, despite the tendency being slippy. But on the 570 the deep edged groves weren‘t mine. The CF Elite feels cool and smooth, functional and austere. In my opinion, they are very different to other materials like G10, FRN and Grivory. I once had an Zero Tolerance with a smooth carbon scale, they felt a bit similar, but the grooving of the 570-1 make a more secure grip.

At least for me, the scales do not feel cheap or only suitable for a budget blade.
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Thanks for helping me make up my mind.
 
After opening/closing it around 150 times, the axis bar does not longer jam up. The axis bar can now be used without using more force than on my other benchmades. I guess it will be soon as smooth as my 520/523 and 908/909 models.

I paid around 150€ for the 570-1, roughly the same as for my K390 Endela. Both are great knives, but IMHO the BM is more value and quality and the more satisfying package.

https://flic.kr/p/2mmwBxK
 
I really love my Presidio II. Or rather I've grown to love it. Had to put in a good 90 minutes on the Edg Pro to get the bevel up to acceptable QC standards, during which time I was cursing Benchmade's name. :D But since, then I have no regrets. The CF Elite scales are great, and the steel liners make it solid. Feels great in hand -- substantial but not heavy. Large, but not comicaly "Cold Steel" huge. It's like a sleeper car. Not super great to look at, but makes up for it with other qualities.
 
I'd still like to find some full-on carbon fiber scales for mine...
 
CometJo said:
Had to put in a good 90 minutes on the Edg Pro to get the bevel up to acceptable QC standards, during which time I was cursing Benchmade's name. :D
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Bummer! I think mine had the best edge I've ever received on a Benchmade knife (and I have a pile of them).
 
Mine also had a wicked-sharp edge.
(I think I could cut myself; by just thinking about fidgeting with it!)
 
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