any advice on BM 520, 551 or Spydie Pacific Salt?

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PassinBy

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Jun 6, 2008
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Lately I've been craving for a all round blade inexpensive/cheap knife that I won't feel bad EDC it and using it.

Currently carrying a ZT350ST in my pocket and would prefer something that is probably less "agressive" looking. So far I think I prefer medium size blade (at least 3") and love all my benchmades and the Axis locks, haven't tried any Spydies yet.

I came across few that I'd like to try out: Benchmade 520 because of its nice textures, only drawback is its a bit on the expensive side.

551 griptilian cuz its cheap and I also never tried the FRN handle so would like to give it a try it, also very affordable for me so I know I won't baby it, I guess only cons are lack of color comparing to the minis and also all the color handles are serrated so my only handle choice is black unless I get a black coating blade (which I don't like the black coating wear).

Finally Spydie pacific salt since I love the yellow FRN & I am always interested in the corrosion ability and the H1 steel as well as I never actually tried a spyderco before, only thing I don't really like of it is the lockback, I always like a one hand knife better.

So far I'm leaning towards grip & spydie, but cant make up my mind if I like the grip or the spydie more.

like to hear what all you guys think of all three of them and what do you guys prefer? EDC use, for all tasks. if necessary I'd like it to be able to hold up on tough jobs (which should be rare... but who knows, just in case). If I give up on the presidio then I might get both grip and pacific salt. However, nothing is confirmed yet.

Thanks in advance!
 
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i would go with the griptilian just because a) i don't like lockbacks and b) i've never had an axis lock. i did have a pacific salt but i didnt carry it a whole lot because it was kind of big for me. you could sonsider a Salt I too because it does have a 3" blade. I think a yellow frn pacific salt with the black blade owuld look amazing, but you can't swap the blades because the pivot is riveted. the pacific salt however is crazy light- a near 4" blade at 3oz. the ergos on it are really good. i think you'll be happy with any of them however.
 
A Pacific Salt is easy to close with one hand, so don't let that put you off.

For day to day use I prefer an Axis Lock Benchmade, but if I'm going for a day out to the beach or out on the sea I will take a fixed blade or Spyderco Pacific Salt.

I used to have a 520, but I found it a little heavy and large for EDC carry.

Have a look at the new Bone Collector Benchmades. Same size as the Presidios and Mini Presidios, but G10 rather than Al scales.
 
Spyderco Paramilitary is my recommendation, even though it's not on your list.
The 520 is pretty heavy, and chunky with those aluminum handle slabs. Mine's sure done a number on my pockets, too, with the aggressive texture of the handle. I don't carry mine very much.
 
I have a Pacific Salt, and it makes a great beater knife IMO. Not having to worry about it rusting is a nice weight off the mind, and because of the FRN handles and super light weight while still having a lot of blade, it just feels like a work knife. My only issue with it is the handle is not very wide at all, so the ergos are not quite prefect, but that does reduce its in pocket presence nicely, so its a balance.

I found the 551 (well I actually had the one with the hole opener, forget the number atm) to be pretty good too. Slightly higher maintenance in a way, and much bulkier in the pocket than the Pacific Salt, with a smaller blade, but it feels like a beater knife too, and the axis lock is great. I would guess it takes slightly more maintenance work, and it feels bigger in the pocket, an a lil bit heavier, but is still a light knife because of the small liners.

Both are good choices, but I give a slight edge to the Spyderco for lower maint, better pocket carry, and just a generally more unique appearance with the yellow handle and long blade. Scratches and scuffs give it character, instead of making me wish I had babied it more...(which I am prone to with my Benchmades, big reason I keep going to Spyderco more often now).
 
the 520 is a tank, if you can handle the weight do it.

p.s. you can close a spyderco lockback one handed pretty easily
 
It all depends on what lock you like. Axis locks rock. So do lockbacks with a large ricasso, like the spydies have.
 
Long time Pacific Salt user here! It'd be my first choice out of the three.

I like the Griptilian overall but it has some downsides that caused me to drop it for better knives. The handles are generally uncomfortable and fairly fat in comparison to the Pacific. You do have a lot more variety with the Grip though, different steels and finishes are available that aren't present on the Pacific.

Also, there are black blade/variant handle colors available in plain edge, you just need to hunt around since they're usually limited runs.

Pacific Salt is very easy and almost balletic to close with one hand. Here's an example with the J.D. Smith Sprint but it's the same process with the Pacific. Once you get it down it's very fast and I've yet to cut myself while closing during several years of mid-lock use.

Spyderco JD Smith One-Hand-Closing

Personally I would get both the Grip and the Pacific and then sell the one you don't like. Both have a respectable resale value.

Actually you could split the difference and get the new Benchmade 111H2O; it features yellow FRN-type handles and is designed to be fairly corrosion resistant. It won't be rust-proof like the Pacific but it looks close.
 
spoonrobot said:
Long time Pacific Salt user here! It'd be my first choice out of the three.

I like the Griptilian overall but it has some downsides that caused me to drop it for better knives. The handles are generally uncomfortable and fairly fat in comparison to the Pacific. You do have a lot more variety with the Grip though, different steels and finishes are available that aren't present on the Pacific.

Also, there are black blade/variant handle colors available in plain edge, you just need to hunt around since they're usually limited runs.

Pacific Salt is very easy and almost balletic to close with one hand. Here's an example with the J.D. Smith Sprint but it's the same process with the Pacific. Once you get it down it's very fast and I've yet to cut myself while closing during several years of mid-lock use.

Spyderco JD Smith One-Hand-Closing

Personally I would get both the Grip and the Pacific and then sell the one you don't like. Both have a respectable resale value.

Actually you could split the difference and get the new Benchmade 111H2O; it features yellow FRN-type handles and is designed to be fairly corrosion resistant. It won't be rust-proof like the Pacific but it looks close.
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First of all thanks guys for all the response,

spoonrobot,
I understand, I also saw D2 black coated blade with sand or OD, but as I mentioned, I really hate black coating wear, really irritates me for some reason. I just wish they come up with a OD/sand with plain edge!:)

That said, yes the more I read the more I plan on getting both :eek:

I also considered benchmade H2O, but so far the comments on 1) H2O is a lot less 2) is not as jaw dropping in terms of rust proof. so I don't know about that one.

Oh....forgot 1 more thing, the benchmade H2O is not as dirt cheap as the large grip gets LOL
 
All three are great knives. I own axis lock benchmades and a spyderco salt 1. I say go with a pacific salt or salt one. I dont have any real issues with maintaining corrosion from my knives. However, my salt 1 has been my go to knife for most occasions simply do to the fact that it requires almost zero maintenance. It may not seem like much, but I think once you own one and use, you realize that you cant live without it. At least that is my experience.

Also, if you have never owned a spyderco, and you are a knife nut, you really owe it to yourself to buy one. They are some of the best production knives on the market imo. I was all about benchmade for a while but lately I have found myself buying more spydercos. They really started to grow on me, and the salt series is a fantastic line of knives.
 
Bax Axe said:
All three are great knives. I own axis lock benchmades and a spyderco salt 1. I say go with a pacific salt or salt one. I dont have any real issues with maintaining corrosion from my knives. However, my salt 1 has been my go to knife for most occasions simply do to the fact that it requires almost zero maintenance. It may not seem like much, but I think once you own one and use, you realize that you cant live without it. At least that is my experience.

Also, if you have never owned a spyderco, and you are a knife nut, you really owe it to yourself to buy one. They are some of the best production knives on the market imo. I was all about benchmade for a while but lately I have found myself buying more spydercos. They really started to grow on me, and the salt series is a fantastic line of knives.
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I agree. I've been waiting to try out the P. salt for long time and then there is the military camo and then there's the manix 2 royal blue.... ok, I really should see a psychologist to work out my issues. On second thought... nah screw it.
 
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