I just can't be satisfied with a standard model I guess. I always want blade A in handle B. That quirk has reached obsession level this week.

First victims: 520BK and 522BK.
I've always liked the design of the 520, but cannot warm up to black aluminum handles that eat pockets. The first solution was an all out custome pimp job by Dave Bettencourt with a reshaped handle and green canvas Micarta handle scales. Okay, premium grade 520 accomplished.

When the Presidio Ultra came out, I immediately picked up on what looked like a solution to my issues with the 520 handle. I started wondering if the full steel liners would make the PU a good lightweight, price point upgrade from my 551 Griptilian. But I didn't want to give up my flat ground 551 blade for a hollow ground PU blade. Idea! Swap a 520 blade into the 522 handle!

Well the parts arrived yesterday, and the swap was quickly and easily accomplished. I prefer the feel of the 522 handle, compared to the 551 Griptilian handle. They are about equal in terms of stiffness, but the 522 has a bigger handle that fits my wide mitts, and the blade is beautiful. The molded handle texture is still pretty aggressive, but the black won't wear off, and the handles feel a lot better in the hand than the aluminum scales do. Mission accomplished!

Second victims - 580 Barrage and the 583-1 Warn:

This is a natural blade swap for me. I don't really care for tanto blades, and would never carry a combo-edge tanto, period. But the G-10 scales, and the handle format of the Warn Barrage were very enticing to me, not to mention a lot of curiosity about the AA - assisted Axis. The Nitrous liner locks are a lot of fun...but they are liner locks. Here is an assisted Axis lock, California legal! (technically...hopefully).

I was actually not much of a fan of the 580 Barrage. I didn't like the molded handles, or the not very classy blade grind. But...hey! What about the Warn handle with a PE Barrage blade?

It turned out that this amounted to a simple scale swap. I got to see a little of the innards of the AA mechanism. The assist comes from what looks like a coil spring module built into the pivot. It's enclosed, so you can't really see what's going on in there. I like the fact that the assist and the pivot screw are covered by the scales. It is a clean look.

The result is impressive. The G-10 scales on the Warn are artfully contoured and textured. I'm not much for big brand names on my knives, but the Warn logo is easy to not notice. I really like the handle shape. The checkering is very aggressive, but the G-10 still feels good. The handle has a nice heft to it, not heavy, but solid.

The blade profile and grind (580 PE) are uninspired, but looks to be very useable. The black coated chisel tip blade of the D-2 Warn is pretty cool. I have come to prefer coated blades on any hard use knife, and if the Warn blade weren't combo-edge, I may well have elected to stay with it instead of swapping.

The assisted Axis mechanism is cool. It fires very crisply. The Axis locks up precisely. It's a lot of fun. I don't know if it would stand the scrutiny of some over zealous LEO, but technically it skirts the definition of a switchblade here in KA. The action and mechanical fascination so far has been overcoming the underwhelming blade design for me. The safety is double good because it not only prevents the blade from opening in your pocket, but also locks the Axis bar in place with the blade open.

So, two very unique and interesting knives have joined my Benchmade rotation. I really enjoy having something different from the catalog models. These will join my other Franken-Benchmades, 690, 950, and 525.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Po - The Dragon Warrior,

Now, can you swap a 520 blade into a Bone Collector?

quote:

580 Barrage and the 583-1 Warn

Nice write up Po I always love reading your posts.. I certainly would like to see the swap from above, I myself like the warn design but dont care too much for tanto blade, dont get me wrong the tanto has its place and serves it quite well but personally I prefer the blade shape of the 580 between the two..

My bone should arrive tomorrow. Are we sure it is based on a 520 or is it possibly a 551 blade (which I assume is different). Well, I guess we'll find out eventually.

-fj

Thanks for the writeup Steve. One day I'll get a 522 and swap the blade out from my 520. Bet that's a good combination, I can see it is.

How 'bout a pic or two when you get the chance?

I'm not sure that everyone would consider Presidio Ultra/520 hybrid to be an upgrade from the Griptilian. It may be a bit sturdier in the handle than a Griptile, but the problem with the PU, in my opinion, is that it has the same frame as the aluminum presidio. The aluminum scales add a lot of stiffness to the handle, and therefore there are only two handle screws. The FRN handle scales on the PU are not as stiff, but no screws were added, and the liners were not upgraded to provide additional rigidity. I think the PU is about equal to the Griptilian in handle strength, and that's all.

I do like the PU handle better than the Griptilian handle, but that is mostly an opinion. I like the 520 blade a lot better. Of course creating the hybrid was a lot more expensive than just buying one of the other.

The Bone Collector handle looks very cool. But I think I like the standard blade. Nice knife. The only thing holding me back personally is the fact that I picked up the Gold Class Griptile.

Po, how does the PU blade fit in the 520 handle? Is it a good fit, or a bit off?

Old PU--that was the name of Bullwinkle's alma mater, btw.

Old PU, haahahaha! That's right!

The 520 and 522 blades have identical profiles. The only difference is the grind and the steel. The 522 blade fits in the 520 exactly the way the original blade did.

Cheers.

quote:

Originally posted by Po - The Dragon Warrior:
Old PU, haahahaha! That's right!

And Rocky was a graduate of Cedar Yorpanz' Flying School. (say that name slowly )

You are a brilliant professor of necessary knowledge!

Cedar Yorpanz Flying School is located across the street from the legel offices of Dewey, Cheatham, and Howe!