Pardon my glee over this knife, I realize it has been out a while, but I never would look at the serrated variants my local pusher had - it took a trip to yuppee-land to find a PE version!

My wife bought this for me some weeks back - for my b'day (today). I guess she thought I had forgotten it - not a chance! I salivated all day - she finally relented and gave me the knife an hour or so back. I tore into the wrapping like a child... had to stop - recreate the 'unwrapping' for her camera - then again, when she changed batteries... finally - mine!! First step - off with the clip - easily done - and without heat.

The first thing I noticed - it's a great handfit, blade in or out. It is shockingly light - the Al must be hollow! The blade is a good size - great shape - even/consistent bevel - pops a few hairs, definitely not a razor - but, 154CM is improveable on my Sharpmaker - and holds a good edge, too. As it is, it will cut fairly consistent printer paper strips - decent user edge.

The bi-directional slits in the Al handle scales are just about DNA sampler sharp... not quite, but close. Really a great and stable hold, however. Jimping is subdued and sweeps up on top for secure thumb placement, while the greater exageration on the bottom is like a faux choil of sorts - very secure hold. A few operations, and the super AXIS lock is smoothing out nicely. The pivot screw is perfect - just the 'right' amount for safe blade retention - and thumbstud extension/retraction. Well thought out ergonomics. This is just about an ideal EDC, sorry to say to my once-beloved 710.

I am glad it is Al handled - I just wonder how the black finish, or anodizing, holds up - anyone wear through there 520's finish yet? I am very glad I finally got my 520. Now, we need one in the latest/greatest blade steel - M4!

Stainz

Nice BD present. Almost sounds like you like that thing Stainz!

Nice bd present Stainz. I have had my 525 for over 4 years,and no wear on the Al. scales. I also upgraded size,and picked up the 523 a few months ago,just to give the larger size a try. ..Love that tanto blade.

Gotta love the 520. An M4 520 would be pretty sweet.

I haven't carried my regular black handled version all that much, so I can't say if it wears. I can say that my 525-701 handle has worn quite a bit. You can see some silver under the gray scales. would be a lot more noticeable on black.

The 520 Presidio is a Benchmade classic for sure.

Thanks for sharing your glee.

I had anticipated trying a 520, or more likely a 525, particularly after some posters here wrote about how they viewed them as superior to the 527/522 Presidios.

But then I found that I like the lower-cost 527s just fine. (The 522 likewise is a terrific bargain but too large for me to EDC.)

At their respective price points, these babies are hard to beat.

That said, your enthusiasm is contagious and I look forward to checking out the upscale Presidio series. Please post a follow-up report after you've had a chance to use your birthday gift.