griptilian 551 or presidio 520

S

skimmerhorn

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hi guys. looking for some advice, any help would be appriciated!
thanks in advance!
i was in portland last weekend and went to the benchmade factory/store. needless to say i wanted ever knife on display.
instead i've decided on either the griptillian 551 or the presidio 520. both felt nice in hand, trouble is i hate plastic!!! so naturally i'm leaning towards the presidio. any pros and cons would be helpfull. thanks again.
 
I like the Grip better. The Presidio is basically a beefier and heavier version of the griptilian. It's stout and definitely one of their toughest folders. However, it's really heavy, almost twice that of the Grip. The aluminum scales also are not friendly to your pants if you use the pocket clip. As far as performance goes in cutting they will be practically the same. I would save the $40 and get the lighter weight Grip. Plastic feels cheap to some but I think it's fine.
 
The "plastic" handle might "feel cheap" but as jake said, it's extremely tough stuff.

That being said I think the 520 is a little more "heavy duty" than a griptilain.

Both great knives!
 
Actually I wrestled with getting the 551 or the 520 a while back. I decided that even though the 520 has a bit thicker blade, and a full aluminum handle, that the Grip is just as good because they both have about the same blade length, both have same steel, and the GTX is really tough and lighter weight than the aluminum in the 520. Price is better for the grip too. obviously.
 
I'm lovin' my 940... Its a liiiiitle slender, but it is a little longer than the mini grip. Between the two you are looking at, I would get the grip. But like I said, I picked the 940 because it is a little bigger than the grip, but also more slender than the two offerings you are contemplating. I'm having trouble convincing myself that it's not the finest overall knife I've ever owned!

Personally, I'd like to see a G10 Axis with nested liners. ...something like the 705.. A G10 940... SIGN ME UP!!!
 
I've owned Grips and traded 'em off in favor of G-10 or aluminum handled models. Just couldn't live with the 'clacky' sound and roughness in the molding of the scales. With the large Presidio, I've learned to carry it in a large Benchmade velcro pouch without the clip.

While both 551 and 520 are roughly the same in size and blade shape I prefer the feel and ergos of the 520 - that's my vote.

BTW - I agree with what was said above about the Osbornes, I own a 940 and 943 and they're great EDC knives!

Have a good one!
 
Each has its own.

The 520 is heavier and built with full steel liners and solid aluminium scales. The newer finish feels better and seems to last longer, than the older one on mine.

I always liked the 520 for the ergos but the Grips are great too. Where the 520 has "corners" the Grig is rounded.

The Grip as better balanced in the price performance ratio. But i preferd the 520 over years.
 
When Glock first came out, it was made fun of due to it's so-called "plastic" frame. Critics thought that nothing that light could be strong. As time went on and everyone found out that the polymer was practically indestructable, Glock became one of the MAJOR players in the handgun world... civilian, law enforcement and military.

Don't let the "plastic" GTX handle fool you. If it's good enough for Benchmade, Doug Ritter and thousands of others, it's good enough for you to take seriously. I think it's one of the best knife values available. And, it's so popular that it comes in more varieties than any other Benchmade.
 
If I had to choose between the two, I'd take the Grip. The Presidio is beefier and beefier feeling, like everyone said, but it's chunky-thick.

I'm biased though, and here's why: This isn;t really particular to your question, but here it is anyway: A while back, a friend of mine wanted the Presidio - in automatic. I pleaded with him "No, man. Half the satisfaction of the Axis, or ANY nice, smooth folder, is feeling the thing as it opens. You can;t do that with an auto."

He got the auto - he was stuck on it. SO when it came in, I handled it and gave it praise, and never mentioned another thing about what he was "missing out on". But, the thing is clunky. It opens slightly sluggish. It jerks a little in the hand when the blade opens. You know how autos can be. You can;t "feel" the Axis. The fun is gone from it. To top it off, he got a tanto. He's my best bud. What am I going to do? I praised him on getitng such a knice knife. I died a little inside and now I really can;t stand the design of it. I can;t look at it.

I'm biased. Get the 'tilian. ((( :D )))
 
I have them both but the 520 is combo-edge and I hate that. So the grip gets more pocket time, if I had a plain edge 520 it would probably be carried more than the grip. But I really prefer my 710. I would just get what you like the best and not over think it.
 
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