Hello everyone!

I just wrote out a big post only to click "Post Now" and have my internet cut out. So here I introduce myself and my question again!

I have been reading around on these forums for about 2 weeks now and have learned a lot from all of your posts. I love knives and am thinking about starting a collection! I currently have two knives (not that big of a collection but you got to start somewhere!) the 710 and 551. I love both of these knives and enjoy them very much. My birthday just passed and I think I am going to get myself a birthday present; a brand new Benchmade knife! I was wondering if I could get some assistance in picking out my next knife.

One day I was bored and read the whole "What's your current EDC" thread and noticed that many people carry the 520. At first I just glanced over the 520 but now I really looked into it since I have seen it been carried by many of you. I am thinking about getting the 520 however purchasing knives is never easy. I had trouble picking my 551, 710, and now my third knife. There is always another knife that interests me almost equally! In this case, it is the 14205. Some things that make it hard for me to pick either one include:

1) I won't be making another knife purchase for quite some time and I like variety. I am afraid the 520 will be too similar to my 551 in blade shape as well as overall feel.
2) I like the aluminum scales of the 520 but the blade might be too similar to my 551 so I am a teeny bit turned off by that.
3) It is the other way around on the 14205. I like the blade shape but the looks of the handle don't get me excited.
4) The 14205 is definitely a design that is different from my other two, so this is a plus in terms of variety.
5) I would like a Black class knife (520) but also would like an HK knife (14205). Unfortunately, I cannot pick both...

The purpose my third knife will serve is the same as my other two, common EDC tasks. For me, that means cutting open packages, food preparation, gardening, and anything someone might use scissors for, I use my knife.

I hope someone who owns or has handled both can provide me with some insight. Since I like both of them almost completely equally I will probably base my purchase on the feedback I receive from all of you.

Thank you everyone and I am excited to join this wonderful community!

Nick

Welcome aboard C., You'll get some interesting responses I'm sure on this. While I have a 520, my 14205 gets a lot more pocket time, and the blade on it is sure different from that on the 551.

It's a matter of preference: I like G-10 over aluminum scales...but wouldn't trade or sell the 520 either, it's such a classic. See?

If possible, find a BM dealer somewhere near you and try both, it helps to play with them, but either would be a great choice!

want something different look at the 760! it is a sweet knife and different in handle, lock, blade shape, and blade steel
Jared

Welcome to the forum.

I think you hit the nail on the head with your comments on the 520.. It is beloved by many, but I too find it to be quite similar to the 551 at least as far as blade shape is concerned.

I'm not a huge fan of the 520.. Its a little heavy, and I'd rather have G-10 or titanium handle material on a knife at that price point.. Plus the 520 will do a number on your jeans due to the design (at least that has been my experience.) It just seems to me that you wouldn't get much more out of the 520 than you would your 551 and there is a substantial price difference.

I'd go with the 14205.. Its a great blade shape, same steel (154CM) and G-10 scales.. You still get the axis lock too of course.. Its a little lighter as well.. Just a better knife in my opinion..

You probably wont regret buying either one, whichever you decide on.. But my vote goes for the 14205.

Don't let the fact that you want a class as opposed to a cloud your judgement.. The different classes are mostly just a marketing gimmick in my opinion.. Several class knives have the same materials as class knives.. They're just trying to appeal to a wider demographic.

Good luck with your purchase!

Nick, you picked two of the toughest knives BKC makes in the 520 & 14205. They are both heavier than the 551 or 710, but still manageable. If you want to try a knife that is a little smaller, but still big enough, I would also take a look at the 943, which is a usual favorite on the forum, and the 12800BK-801 Osborne Gaucho. The Gaucho has an M4 tool steel blade. Either of these would carry very well in your pocket. They are slightly shorter than your 710 and a little thinner than your 551.

Sorry to add more knives to your decision. Any of the four are great. Look for a PM or private message from me.

-fj

Get one or the other or the other, the truth is
you will not be completely satisfied until you got them all.

I took a look at the 760 but I would really like another axis locking knife. I absolutely love axis!

When I was buying my 710, the 943 was the other knife I looked at but I ultimately felt like I wouldn't be satisfied with the reverse tanto blade shape and the other model with the clip-point would be a little too delicate for me to feel comfortable with it.

The only thing with the 12800 Gaucho is the tanto blade. I had one Gerber with a tanto point at one time and did not really like that blade shape. I just like a plain edge.

Thank you for all of your suggestions though!

I am wondering if any of you have owned a 551 before you bought a 520 and if you were satisfied with your 520 purchase. I ask this because of the similarities, maybe some of you felt like the 520 wasn't needed since most tasks could have been done with the 551.

joe_karp, why is it that your 14205 gets more pocket time, is it purely preference of the G-10 over aluminum scales or does it have any other benefits?

Also, I wouldn't mind knife weight and with the 520 eating up pockets I have read joe_karp's suggestion of just pulling the pocket clip out a bit so it's not as tight. Also, if it does rough up my pocket a bit I wouldn't mind that much I don't think.

Would anyone that owns both of them be able to take a picture of them together so I can see the relative sizes and shapes? Unfortunately, I do not have any dealer nearby that sells BM knives. The only store I know that sells high end knives said they carry Kershaw, Spyderco, etc etc but not BM because they believe BM knives are overpriced

Like with my 551 and 710 purchase I will not be able to handle them myself and will have to take the word of the kind forum posters like here.

quote:

Originally posted by cmango:
I am wondering if any of you have owned a 551 before you bought a 520 and if you were satisfied with your 520 purchase. I ask this because of the similarities, maybe some of you felt like the 520 wasn't needed since most tasks could have been done with the 551.

joe_karp, why is it that your 14205 gets more pocket time, is it purely preference of the G-10 over aluminum scales or does it have any other benefits?

Would anyone that owns both of them be able to take a picture of them together so I can see the relative sizes and shapes? Unfortunately, I do not have any dealer nearby that sells BM knives.

I am probably the only one that doesn't like the 551. It's simply preference, the GTX scales never felt right in my hand. The blade is so similar to the 520's that when I got the Presidio I traded off my Grips except for the one in M2 (the Ritter.)

When it comes to cutting ability, I think both 551 and 520 knives are even - same steel and geometry. Again it's the handle material that does it for me.

On the 14205 vs. the 520 I think the HK is the smoothest Benchmade I own and just love the feel and looks of the knife. It's a better fit in my pocket and in more than a year still shows very little wear except for a scuffed clip which is no big deal - those are easy to replace. Again, it's just preference.

And since I have both of these I'll get a couple of photos up later today.

cmango, I admire the study you have put into this. Your dislike of tanto tips is common. Yes, the 94x knives are a step down in ruggedness from the 520 or 14205, but they are still tougher than they appear at first glance. They might fall short if you had to pry something...but we all know not to do that...right?

Of your two choices, I have owned both and would probably start with the 14205 because it carries a little better in my experience.

-fj

I have owned both and the 14205 is thinner feeling in the pocket then the 520. The 520's ribbed aluminum scales always felt good but never as good as the flat G-10. The G-10 will hardly ever show wear unless you drop it and chip it. But in that case it will still show less then aluminum cause that really marks up. As for toughness they are equal in my mind. They are as strong as it gets in the BM line up. The 14205 get the nod for smoothness. I have owned 2 and they both were like butter. I would go with the 14205 because of the pocket friendlyness. That and the snody blade just kicks ass. You can't go wrong with either though.