Questions about the 520 Persido

tbone42486 · Mar 23, 2015

So on paper the 520 persidio looks like the knife for me but I don't see as much love for it as I do the grip, 710, 940 etc. Im looking for opinions from current or former owners on what you do or do not like about this knife.
Firstly I'll comment on things I've already read and what exactly I'm looking for in a knife
I love my 710, g10 is my favorite handle material, full liners are my preference and nice belly on the blade is important. What I don't like is the blade steel. Edge retention is not high on my list because I can dull a knife at work in five minutes and any time this happens with the 710 it's useless to me until I get home to my sharpmaker and diamond rods. I'm not great at sharpening so plain old 154cm with a 58-61 Rockwell like on the 520 seems like a win as I can run out to my truck and put a working edge on it with a pocket stone in a few minutes. If the 710 had S30v or 154cm heat treated like a reeve or emerson we wouldn't be having this discussion.
The griptilian is a great knife, it's fills my requirements nicely for blade shape and steel. I do not care for the handles. I like my knife with some heft to it and I feel that if it had full liners like the mini version I would be just fine with it but I don't care for the "hollow" feeling
The persidio to me seems like a classier, more robust griptilian. It's a Pardue design so they obviously have some things in common. I handled one over the weekend and I was surprised at the weight. A knife that "disappears in my pocket" is of no interest to me. I'd rather know I'm holding something and have it fill my hand, which this certainly does. I've also heard this knife is a pocket shredder. Mine are already shredded so that doesn't really matter.
Lastly, if anyone can suggest another knife that features a non-exotic blade steel, substantial feel, manual action, and in keeping with the classic benchmade design and quality, I'm all ears
Thanks

jazub · Mar 23, 2015

The 520 is great. I carried one almost exclusively in 2013 and used it for everything. The heft feels great and it is probably the most comfortable knife in hand that I own. It could be argued that the relative heft of the handle to the blade is an imperfect balance, but it never concerned me as I was beating it up at work, opening beers with the back of the blade, and I even skinned a rattlesnake with it once. The first one I ever bought (and sold) was a pocket shredder but I think the handle design was modified, as the second (and third) were not. It has been out of rotation for a while, as there is always a new one to try out in pocket for a while, but I won't be getting rid of it (or the backup). It's a tank.

[pregnant]

:thumbup::thumbup:

andrewasmith · Mar 23, 2015

I just got the 527. I was a Spyderco guy for a while and this knife changed everything for me. I love the axis lock. The knife is truly amazing, like you said it's a full size grip unlike the mini grip. Feels great in the hand. The 440c steel is great for me...really keeps an edge after a beating. I'll try and post some pics. I snatched mine for $70 on tacticaldistibutors.com.

loonybin · Mar 23, 2015

tbone42486 said:
So on paper the 520 persidio looks like the knife for me but I don't see as much love for it as I do the grip, 710, 940 etc. Im looking for opinions from current or former owners on what you do or do not like about this knife.

Only drawback to the 520 that I can find: aluminum scales in the winter are cold (I camp and hunt).

The griptilian is a great knife, it's fills my requirements nicely for blade shape and steel. I do not care for the handles. I like my knife with some heft to it and I feel that if it had full liners like the mini version I would be just fine with it but I don't care for the "hollow" feeling

Some folks have epoxied lead shot into the hollow parts of the handle to give it more heft, but yeah, the hollow feel to it is why I have never owned one.

Lastly, if anyone can suggest another knife that features a non-exotic blade steel, substantial feel, manual action, and in keeping with the classic benchmade design and quality, I'm all ears
Thanks

jazub said:

You're looking at the other one. The 950 Rift is my favorite knife for exactly the reasons you want: substantial feel (the liners aren't even skeletonized), manual, 154CM, and Warren Osborne has designed a ton of knives for Benchmade (940, 950, 810, 580, 585, 581, 586, 930, 470, 477, etc.). It has nice G10 scales, so it is not cold in the hand during winter months. It is the one I always come back to, and even though I have a 940-1, 810-1401, and 520-1101 (M4 steel), and a 275 Adamas, I often find myself slipping my 9555 Auto Rift into my pocket.

kjbenner · Mar 24, 2015

I bought a 520 in maybe 2004 or so. It was my first real quality knife and is still one of my favorites for most of the reasons you list. It's a very robust, hand-filling knife. The 154CM takes and holds a good edge and keeps it well. The ridged aluminum scales do have a tendency to shred pockets, but they do provide excellent grip.

blades&wrenches · Mar 24, 2015

kjbenner said:
I bought a 520 in maybe 2004 or so. It was my first real quality knife and is still one of my favorites for most of the reasons you list. It's a very robust, hand-filling knife. The 154CM takes and holds a good edge and keeps it well. The ridged aluminum scales do have a tendency to shred pockets, but they do provide excellent grip.

My thoughts exactly. Other than the pocket shredding handles its a great knife.

omaha-beenglockin · Mar 24, 2015

The 520/525's are my favorite Benchmades---I've misplaced my EDC 520(probably find it when I move) and I'm thinking that I need to replace it----prices have really jumped since I bought my first one in 2006. Those knives have pretty much ended my search for the perfect knife but I did pick up a couple Mini Grips recently.

tbone42486 · Mar 24, 2015

Thanks for all the information guys! I'm still weighing my options but this will definitely help with the decision. I'm looking at the rift now too Wasn't aware it was so close to my criteria, so thanks for pointing that out

Kragg · Mar 25, 2015

To me the Presidio is just what you described; a Griptilian with a better handle. Fantastic knife. Another one I'd consider is the 300 or 300-1. Not the best flippers because of lack of detent, but really great knives in every other regard. I think they'd fit your criteria very well.

PatMourin45 · Mar 26, 2015

I have two 520 presidios, one in black and one in satin. I absolutely love them.

RJ80 · Mar 29, 2015

You could look for a large Bone Collector. It's discontinued now, but you can probably still find some. It's basically a Presidio in terms of size and handle shape but with G10 (or wood) scales and a D2 sheepsfoot blade and an opening hole. Another option would be the HK 14715, that one's current production, also D2, and runs right around $100.

I have the BC and really like it. There's an HK on its way to me as well.

jstrange · Mar 29, 2015

I had the auto version and really liked it. I didn't care for the auto feature that much, and felt the Axis really doesn't need it, so I sold it to a coworker. Funny that I never thought about the regular version until seeing this thread. I does seem to be a Grip alternative for those who don't like plastic handles. Its on my radar now, thanks all.

tbone42486 · Mar 29, 2015

That's my major draw to it. I LOVE the grip. A simple drop point blade with substantial size handle is what I consider to be the perfect knife. I don't really care for tanto, reverse tanto, sheepfoot, etc. I like knive with a pointy tip and belly, so a grip without the plastic handle would be a perfect knife for me. I had one for a minute but didn't keep it because of the handle.
The same reason I own a colt 1911 and not a glock. The Glock is great handgun, simple and useful but I'd rather have a hefty piece of steel in my hand.
So that's what drew me to the presidios

loonybin · Mar 29, 2015

RJ80 said:
You could look for a large Bone Collector. It's discontinued now, but you can probably still find some. It's basically a Presidio in terms of size and handle shape but with G10 (or wood) scales and a D2 sheepsfoot blade and an opening hole. Another option would be the HK 14715, that one's current production, also D2, and runs right around $100.

I have the BC and really like it. There's an HK on its way to me as well.

Interestingly, the BC scales will fit on the Presidio. G10 scales on a 520!:thumbup: