Just got this about a week ago. I looked hard at the BM counter with about 30 different models available. My first BM. Upon holding and trying quite a few. I chose this Presidio II. S30V. I have rather large hands, so the size was right. The others I looked at had what I believe was g10 handles. All of those seemed way too blade heavy and not balanced well in my hand. This one though was nice, hefty and balanced better with heavier aluminum handle material. And as i expected, razor sharp. I can still see the small strip of hair on my arm trying to grow back. This thing is Awesome! Prob my fav folder yet. I am always second guessing myself on the way home after a new purchase. But this I like more, the more I use it. Was hoping someone could steer me toward a similar model that may be in the 154 steel or a diff blade style. I tried looking at their online brochure but it was taking forever to look at handle materials, weights, and steels on each one. Plus a bit of user experience always helps. I'd get a second one of these but don't like having multiples of the same model. Price was about at my limit for what I can justify. Kudos to BM for a great addition to my collection and near perfect EDC for now. Just need a similar one for good rotation.
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Presidio II
- Thread starter Tundraman
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I picked up a Mini Presidio II a couple months ago (I like to carry smaller knives) and love it. Benchmade has been transitioning from 154CM to S30V, so there aren't too many 154CM blades left in production. The Griptilian is still in 154CM and pretty close in size to the Presidio, but I assume you picked one up in the store and didn't like the handle. There is an upgraded model with G10 scales and 20CV steel. Or Knifeworks and DLT Trading both have Griptilian exclusives from last year that use different handle materials which give the Griptilian an entirely different feel. The Knifeworks has micarta scales and is about the same price as the Presidio II. The DLT Trading Griptilian uses carbon fiber and is over $200. Both of them have M390 blades, so you won't get 154CM.
The Pardue is still available in 154CM, but that may be smaller than you'd like. The Rift might be worth a look. The other 154CM knives are mostly assisted or automatics that I have no experience with. Benchmade's site is pretty clunky to search through, but if you go onto a dealer's site you may be able to add filters such as blade steel, handle material, etc. to their Benchmade section that will zero in on your interests.
The Pardue is still available in 154CM, but that may be smaller than you'd like. The Rift might be worth a look. The other 154CM knives are mostly assisted or automatics that I have no experience with. Benchmade's site is pretty clunky to search through, but if you go onto a dealer's site you may be able to add filters such as blade steel, handle material, etc. to their Benchmade section that will zero in on your interests.
I guess I should have worded that a little differently. I'm not specifically looking for the 154CM. Sorry for the confusion. Just using that as a reference for something a bit different. I don't mind the S30V at all. It could be M390 also or whatever. I know I can trust the blade material they use. Just looking for
something close to the Presidio I bought. To tell you the truth, what I was looking at on the BM site was the heavier aluminum handles with the large blade. Blade material was the next I looked at just to see. I do see the Barrage comes with aluminum and g10 handles. About the only one I found before getting annoyed that it was taking forever. I would like more options just because I don't know what they have locally without going in again. The morons couldn't figure out the blade material when I asked. Says right on box. Duh. Looked like they were 15 years old. The girl knew more than the guy. He was standing there flipping an OTF auto over and over. I really want that one! But I could read the box ends for models through the glass. Which is why I want to have a small list as to what I know about before asking to see one. I want to see what I am getting in person before buying. I can only find 2 places that carry BM locally and have only been to the one. The 2nd I don't think has as big of a selection. Will call them first before I go. And yea, unopened box, always.
something close to the Presidio I bought. To tell you the truth, what I was looking at on the BM site was the heavier aluminum handles with the large blade. Blade material was the next I looked at just to see. I do see the Barrage comes with aluminum and g10 handles. About the only one I found before getting annoyed that it was taking forever. I would like more options just because I don't know what they have locally without going in again. The morons couldn't figure out the blade material when I asked. Says right on box. Duh. Looked like they were 15 years old. The girl knew more than the guy. He was standing there flipping an OTF auto over and over. I really want that one! But I could read the box ends for models through the glass. Which is why I want to have a small list as to what I know about before asking to see one. I want to see what I am getting in person before buying. I can only find 2 places that carry BM locally and have only been to the one. The 2nd I don't think has as big of a selection. Will call them first before I go. And yea, unopened box, always.
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- Nov 25, 2017
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Not many dealers in my area either, and I like to have one in hand before I buy. My favorite dealer went on a loooong dry spell before he placed a large order, and then decided they wanted to be closed on weekends, so I haven't been able to get over there in a while.
For what it's worth, the closest Benchmade in blade shape and size to the Presidio II is probably the 590 Boost, but the lightweight handle and maybe the assist probably put it out of contention. As I mentioned before, I much prefer looking through dealer websites than the Benchmade site -- but you'll end up have to scroll through a zillion Griptillian variations.
For what it's worth, the closest Benchmade in blade shape and size to the Presidio II is probably the 590 Boost, but the lightweight handle and maybe the assist probably put it out of contention. As I mentioned before, I much prefer looking through dealer websites than the Benchmade site -- but you'll end up have to scroll through a zillion Griptillian variations.
I have the mini presidio II manual and swear it is probably one of (if not THE) most satisfying axis flipper of all my Benchmades! The thing was perfect from the factory and has been in my pocket a LOT just for the fidget-factor.
If you're looking for another big axis folder, check out the 810 Contego. Knifeworks has a couple exclusives with M390 (but no glass breaker, if that matters) and the stock one is M4 steel. Both are excellent.
If you're looking for another big axis folder, check out the 810 Contego. Knifeworks has a couple exclusives with M390 (but no glass breaker, if that matters) and the stock one is M4 steel. Both are excellent.
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- Nov 25, 2017
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Yeah, mine was perfect too — great knife!
Well, I settled on a Barrage 581 this weekend. M390. Slightly more than i wanted to pay but from the selections, it was the only one that really felt right and fit what I was looking for. Looks good and the assist being an extra. Should be a good EDC rotation for now.
Nice buy! Love their M390. My first Benchmade was the 580SBK... liked it so much I custom ordered an identical twin except in S30V, plain edge and I made the axis black in order to tell them apart at a glance hah. Not sure how I feel about the assist on them anymore, though... manual opening is just as fast and can snap it back closed as well. I did de-assist one of them for a while and ran it as a manual, but put it back in when I started getting more manuals in the collection.
I can actually close it one handed with a little work. Middle finger unlocks on the backside and index finger to push blade down. Sometimes need the thumb helping unlock. A little practice and it should be easy. It actually gets my fingers out of the way closing it like that too. Once it's almost closed I can use the thumb to push it all the way in, palm open. I always pay attention when closing knives. So it will never be a quick thing anyway. But liking this knife so far. First M390. I have had assisred knives before, but none with a spring this strong. The size definately makes it easier opening and closing in my large hands. Like the big folders a lot, May be changing my favorite brand. Although after getting 12 knives added to the collection just this year, it might be a while for another "new" purchase. Most of those were good deals. But these 2 are really sweet.
on my axis assist knives, and my one axis auto, i unlock the knife with my forefinger then push the blade closed with my thumb. makes for one smooth motion and keeps everything outta the way of the blade.
Funny thing, I love the Boost (especially with Keyman's Micarta scales) and would grab that as my go-to if I thought I needed a little extra blade. For EDC, I generally prefer 3-3.25" with a thick handle, and therefore often carry the Mini Presidio II (or a FG 112).
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- Nov 25, 2017
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I’m a Bugout fan, so I like lighter knives too. The OP said he preferred heavier handles, which is why I included that caveat.
Micarta scales must change the whole nature of the Boost — sounds great!
Micarta scales must change the whole nature of the Boost — sounds great!
