bm 520 to awsome?

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dallasdeadeye

Joined
Jun 24, 2010
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501
ive been on the trade threads like, kate moss on a line, where are all the bm 520s? are they that awsome no one wants to trade theirs off? is it as stout as everyone says?
 
Hey dallasdeadeye,

They are well built, but they're no Strider, Sebenza or even a Mini Rukus for that matter.

I've got the auto version--Presidio 5000--and although I like it a lot, I was expecting something more. I honestly thought it would be a little more ruggedly built for what it is.

Don't get me wrong, it ain't cheap, it ain't cheaply made and it ain't exactly dainty. I guess I was hoping for something more along the lines of the AFO II.

There's been a couple 520s on the boards lately--a BLK Serrated one recently. They don't seem to come up for sale often. I know I won't sell mine and I think others feel the same.

It's a good knife and the Aluminum scales lend it a sense of ruggedness and a little extra heft, but in the end it's not any more robust than most standard Benchmades.
Best,

Heekma
 
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dde,

I'm not too much of a knife for self defense kind of guy, so my opinion on that is pretty limited. I do know I wouldn't want to get poked with a Presidio though.:D

As an offhand recommendation, I'd say something like the Gerber Applegate Combat folder would make a better knife for self defense only.

Best,

Heekma
 
I'm going to suggest a large Bone Collector to you. It has the same Presidio handle, but in sculpted G-10, black or black/green. The blade is a full .125" all the way out until the last 1/4" where it begins to taper to the point. The blade on this knife has really impressed me more than that on my AFO II, and like Heekma, I am impressed with the AFO II!:thumbup::)
 
heekma said:
Hey dallasdeadeye,

They are well built, but they're no Strider, Sebenza or even a Mini Rukus for that matter.

I've got the auto version--Presidio 5000--and although I like it a lot, I was expecting something more. I honestly thought it would be a little more ruggedly built for what it is.

Don't get me wrong, it ain't cheap, it ain't cheaply made and it ain't exactly dainty. I guess I was hoping for something more along the lines of the AFO II.

There's been a couple 520s on the boards lately--a BLK Serrated one recently. They don't seem to come up for sale often. I know I won't sell mine and I think others feel the same.

It's a good knife and the Aluminum scales lend it a sense of ruggedness and a little extra heft, but in the end it's not any more robust than most standard Benchmades.
Best,

Heekma
Click to expand...

I disagree with this statement. I have owned and carried one for a few years now and feel the 520 is very strong. Just because the blade is not .25" thick, does not mean it is not a hard-use knife. Let’s go through this knife:

I think we all agree the handle is not the weak spot on the 520. I believe the same can be said about the Axis lock. Let’s look at the pivot: I’d argue in that area, the 520 is stronger than a Strider (2 steel liners + 2 aluminum scales vs. 1 titanium scale + 1 G-10 scale). The pivot “pin” is a ¼” diameter bushing with a full length screw supporting it. Blade: I think this is where you could make an argument that the 520 is not a true hard use knife. The blade is .120” thick, but I see this as a huge positive, not a negative. The ¼” blades on other hard-use knives don’t break not because they are strong, but because they are way too thick to get into any area that may be able to break the blade. The 520’s blade is perfect for actual cutting. I’ve used my 520 hard (not abuse mind you) and have never been in fear of the blade failing me. IMO, it’s a PROPERLY sized hard-use knife and is therefore BETTER than a Strider for what it was designed for (actual cutting use).
 
Yes, I would agree with the above that the 520 is a stout knife!

I liked the first one I got so much I bought a second!

It really impressed me as a rugged knife. I've been EDC'ing it for a year now and have been very happy with it.
 
I guess, the 520 series is a knife you love or not. If you have one, those aluminium scales may make it hard to trade, for the scratches they may have or ppl. fear to get. But all in all i think, they are not that spread inside the knife community.

As the 5000 came out back in 2003, i fell in love at first sight, with that knife. I got the 5000A as they came out here in germany and the 520 some time later. I have used the 520/5000 models over some years. I have get a custom blade for the 520, just because i wished for a tough carbon blade. I gave the 520 a rest and walked around for long with a small fixed blade and with the 14205 too. Now i have come back on the customized 520 and i still enjoy that knife, even though i see all the pros and cons considering other knives.

Considering that strong handle, many ppl think about a thicker blade. Me too.

Maybe that is the point where the Model 14205 comes into play (G10 scales and a thicker blade).

But i can stand the scratches. It isn´t nice but it isn´t important too.

I see (even though i don´t feel), that the blade doesn´t have to be thicker. For what? Try to break it. If it is not the blade, it is the handle that may crack first. Consider an Strider, it will be the handle. Where is the difference?

Consider the weak point of the blade: The tip, i have just have held one SnG in hands and didn´t found much of a difference between those blade comparing just the tips. Where is the difference?

A bit more steel just for the better feeling may be ok, but in fact is not needed. That blade cuts very good and is strong for every hard knife job. What can´t be done?

I don´t talk about prying, since i have read a report about someone, selling Strider knives, "prying" open a Roomdoor by in fact breaking away piece by piece of the doors wood. That job can be done with a lot of folders, with the 520 anyway.

The overall weight of the knife and the overall strong constuction makes it a versatile tool for every edc jobs. Cutting branches with a single blow, cutting cardboard with ease. What can´t be done? I don´t know. I have read about someone, who pryed open a window with its 520. He trusted that 3mm piece of steel more, than maybe others their 4mm+ pieces.

It can´t be a weak knife.

Benchmade has advertised the 5000 as the best tactical folder in the world and invites to ask why. They wrote in their black class catalouge, that they have done some tests with that kind of knife. I am very curious, to know, what they have done. Maybe someone takes the time and finds out. Not me.

Self defense? I am not into self defense too. But the long handle may make it a good defensive tool just as a kubotan.

Back to the original question:

The times you find it/ or not find it in the sales does not reflect how good that knife is.

That doesn´t have to count for any knife. It´s just my opinion on that particular knife.
 
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