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- Sep 29, 2008
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Initial Impressions More will come when I've used it for a while.
The Benchmade 520 is part of the "Black Class" of Benchmades' knife lineup. Typically these are "tactical" knives intended for Military, EMT, SAR, or the weekend warrior. This knife was designed by Mel Pardue.
Handle
Solid aluminum handles with a nice bi-directional groove pattern down the middle, flaring out at either end. Really good grip, I don't think it's going to slip at all. No choil, preferred by some, disliked by others, so that that's a toss up. Pocket clip is tip up only. I prefer tip down, but a lot of people prefer tip up. The AXIS lock would become harder to use with a tip down clip.
Handles is held together with three TORX screws. One on the pivot, one mid spine, and one next to the LH clip holes and lanyard hold. There is a fourth screw holding the stop pin in place on the clip side of the knife. Back spacer is there, but I can't tell if it's milled G-10, plastic, or metal.
Handles have full skeletonized liners. Add this to the aluminum scales and the knife is thick. Not uncomfortable in the hand, but I wouldn't want to put this IWB.
Blade & Lock
154CM blade has dual thumbstuds and is in a drop point shape. Lockup was tight with no play in any direction. Opening and closing were smooth, and the AXIS lock is easily closed with either hand. It's fun to play with, but it feels a bit loose. Compared to the Caged BBL from Spyderco, the AXIS lock doesn't have as much resistance when moving the bar.
Again compared to the Spyderco it's noticeably thinner in the pocket. Take the Delica and P'Kal, both with the BBL (P'Kal's is caged), the 520 is thinner due to the lack of opening hole, and the position of the lock.
In The Hand
Action is smooth, carries and draws well, blade opens and locks with a light flick on the thumbstuds. Put on a pair of gloves however, and the difference is night and day. Hard to open, hard to close. Still easy to use, but for anyone who's job might require gloves (EMT, Military personal, rescue teams, etc) you might find this a tricky knife to use.
Comments
As I said, these are initial impressions. Good blade steel, solid knife, bit on the heavy side but that doesn't bother me. I like how thin it is compared to some of my Spyderco knives, but I can also think of some improvements. If you've got aluminum handle scales, nesting the liners can't be all that hard. I'd love to see this knife a little sleeker, and a little thinner. Traction grooves are very well done though.
Take this at face value that I am a big fan of Spyderco's designs, and really don't like a lot of Benchmade's designs. I purchased this knife because I specifically liked this design.
A day of carry and use
Have a couple more thoughts on this knife after carrying it and using it for a couple of days. It carries well in my pocket, but the scales grab when inserting and removing the knife. The scales collect gunk, lint, grime, you name it and it'll get stuck in there. I hate having my handles crapped up.
The AXIS function is smooth still, but I feel that having it buried in my pocket is trapping large amounts of lint and fibers in the lock mechanism.
The blade shape works very well for cutting and as an EDC/do it all blade. I can pick my fingers, cut my bagel, and open 35 bags of cement.
The Benchmade 520 is part of the "Black Class" of Benchmades' knife lineup. Typically these are "tactical" knives intended for Military, EMT, SAR, or the weekend warrior. This knife was designed by Mel Pardue.
Handle
Solid aluminum handles with a nice bi-directional groove pattern down the middle, flaring out at either end. Really good grip, I don't think it's going to slip at all. No choil, preferred by some, disliked by others, so that that's a toss up. Pocket clip is tip up only. I prefer tip down, but a lot of people prefer tip up. The AXIS lock would become harder to use with a tip down clip.
Handles is held together with three TORX screws. One on the pivot, one mid spine, and one next to the LH clip holes and lanyard hold. There is a fourth screw holding the stop pin in place on the clip side of the knife. Back spacer is there, but I can't tell if it's milled G-10, plastic, or metal.
Handles have full skeletonized liners. Add this to the aluminum scales and the knife is thick. Not uncomfortable in the hand, but I wouldn't want to put this IWB.
Blade & Lock
154CM blade has dual thumbstuds and is in a drop point shape. Lockup was tight with no play in any direction. Opening and closing were smooth, and the AXIS lock is easily closed with either hand. It's fun to play with, but it feels a bit loose. Compared to the Caged BBL from Spyderco, the AXIS lock doesn't have as much resistance when moving the bar.
Again compared to the Spyderco it's noticeably thinner in the pocket. Take the Delica and P'Kal, both with the BBL (P'Kal's is caged), the 520 is thinner due to the lack of opening hole, and the position of the lock.
In The Hand
Action is smooth, carries and draws well, blade opens and locks with a light flick on the thumbstuds. Put on a pair of gloves however, and the difference is night and day. Hard to open, hard to close. Still easy to use, but for anyone who's job might require gloves (EMT, Military personal, rescue teams, etc) you might find this a tricky knife to use.
Comments
As I said, these are initial impressions. Good blade steel, solid knife, bit on the heavy side but that doesn't bother me. I like how thin it is compared to some of my Spyderco knives, but I can also think of some improvements. If you've got aluminum handle scales, nesting the liners can't be all that hard. I'd love to see this knife a little sleeker, and a little thinner. Traction grooves are very well done though.
Take this at face value that I am a big fan of Spyderco's designs, and really don't like a lot of Benchmade's designs. I purchased this knife because I specifically liked this design.
A day of carry and use
Have a couple more thoughts on this knife after carrying it and using it for a couple of days. It carries well in my pocket, but the scales grab when inserting and removing the knife. The scales collect gunk, lint, grime, you name it and it'll get stuck in there. I hate having my handles crapped up.
The AXIS function is smooth still, but I feel that having it buried in my pocket is trapping large amounts of lint and fibers in the lock mechanism.
The blade shape works very well for cutting and as an EDC/do it all blade. I can pick my fingers, cut my bagel, and open 35 bags of cement.
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