Benchmade 732BK vs. 520...which do you recommend for an EDC?

H

hexenmeister

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Apr 16, 2005
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I am torn between the Benchmade 732BK Ares and the Benchmade 520 Parsidio-Pardue. I would like to use it for an EDC. Does anybody have any suggestions which would be better, or what you like about one instead of another? Any feedback would be welcomed...Thanks muchly.
 
I have the Ares, and I've handled the Presidio. The Presidio is better suited for cutting jobs, because it has a higher grind. The Ares is no slouch as a cutter, but it does have a shorter primary grind, and the blade is narrower. The Ares, in my opinion, looks nicer. I also find its handle more comfortable. But lots of people like the Presidio's handle, and it is very grippy. But it eats pockets like a ravenous wildcat.

Both are very nice knives, my personal choice is the Ares, but then again I have one of the limited editions. If I had to choose between the current production Ares and the Presidio, I have to say I'd be hard pressed. I'd probably choose the Presidio just because I don't like coatings.
 
If you don't like blade coatings, go with the 520, as the Ares does not come with that option.

If you're worried about your pockets getting chewed up, go with the Ares.

If it doesn't matter, it's a toss up. I own several Ares models, and I'm planning on getting a 520 down the road.

Go with whichever one you want now, as chances are good you'll get the other some time in the future.
 
I have a 520 and fifteen Ares....I guess I like the Ares better. ;)
Actually, there are several variants of 73X available, albeit mostly discontinued. There is a black G10 732 with the 154CM uncoated blade available now, if you look on that unnameable auction site (It was a limited run for Moteng). There are several uncoated 73X available also, some with S30V and different handle materials.

I never carry the 520, because as mentioned above, the scales are a bit aggressive on the pockets. Plus, I'm not enamoured with carrying an aluminum scaled knife...they get dinged up a lot. Chax Knives can custom make some micarta/G10 scales for the 520 if you're so inclined.

For me the Ares just 'fits' my hand like it was made for me. And spear points are cool. :)
 
I can only speak for the 520. I don´t have an Ares.

The 520 is my EDC since more than half a year (it only has rotated shortly with an 806 and a bit longer with it´s automatic brother).

My pants are all right. The scales smooth down while wearing the knife.

In jeans it rides on the back, in chinos (is that the right name?) in the front pocket.

If you can get one Ares in M2 get this one. If not... Tough choice. I liked the overall shape since the 5000 series came out and still don´t regret the purchases.
 
Okay, thank you all for your advice. I think i'm going to go for the 732BK ares. It's a little lighter, and I'd like to save my pockets from getting eaten alive. :-) But I probably will wind up getting the 520 some day, because I will probably get hooked on benchmades as I have read many people have. I currently have a CRKT m16-12M (the 3" tanto combo edge), and a kershaw 1660st (the leek combo edge). Currently the kershaw is my EDC. I love the assisted open, but I hope I don't run into some idiot cop on a power trip. Thanks again all for the input :-)
 
The 520 fills your hand, but also fills - and eats - your pocket.

I'm an Ares guy. You can certainly find an uncoated 730/732 if you look around.
 
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