Benchmade 5000 Auto Presidio

Benchmade 5000 Auto Presidio

We were given the chance to review the Benchmade 5000 Automatic folding knife. The 5000 Auto Presidio features a 6061 Aircraft Aluminum handle with a Patented Bi-Directional Grip Pattern which provides a Superior Grip. The handle is made with Non-Reflective Components for Tactical Applications. The Auto AXIS lock allows the knife to be used with either hand quickly. The blade is a drop point design with partial serration at 3.42 inches long and .13 inches thick and is made from 154CM stainless steel. The Benchmade 5000 Auto Presidio with its aluminum handles is a hefty 5.62 ounces and feels good in the hand with or without a glove. Another well made, and sturdy knife from one of the most popular knife makers in the USA. The 5000 Presidio was designed by Mel Pardue, the senior team member / designer for Benchmade. The Auto AXIS lock and automatic opening with a touch of the AXIS lock is military and Law Enforcement only, but a non automatic model, the 520 Presidio, is also available with the same strong materials and workmanship

From the Benchmade Website:

MEL PARDUE- The senior team member, Mel has been grinding sparks, making knives and creating a following for 20-plus years. His style has a class and simplicity all its own. The Pardue collaborations offer great utility to the everyday knife user while at the same time presenting an upscale distinction. Less is definitely more with Mel’s designs.

The Benchmade 5000 Presidio is packaged in the simple black box that their professional quality knives are identified by

The 5000 Presidio includes the warranty and care instructions and a quality storage pouch with draw string. The only plastic is a small bag the knife is shipped in.

The aluminum handles are solid and offer few if any places for dirt or sand to cause problems with function. The Ambidextrous Pull Release for the AXIS lock and Integrated Safety are easy to operate with or without gloves

The drop point semi- serrated blade looks great and offers a near perfect blend of utility and strength.

The Black, Reversible, Tip-Up belt clip is removable and can be positioned on either side of the knife for left or right handed carry

From the Benchmade Website:

Benchmade Knife Company, Inc. set-up shop in Clackamas, Oregon in 1990 (originally founded in California in 1988). The initial knives primarily consisted of the Bali-Song® knives, using a combination of outside vendors and inside processing to build finished products. And like most companies, starting out meant scarce money and big plans, using second hand equipment and limited resources.

Soon, a natural born fortitude and an undying passion to make it right and make it Benchmade, prospered into significant growth. As the product line grew so did the in-house capabilities. We began to acquire new machines and technologies including the first of several lasers, making Benchmade the first knife manufacturer to have such equipment in-house. Open minds and positive attitudes would lead to several more industry firsts over the course of the next several years.

This was only the beginning of Benchmade's breaking of new ground in the manufactured knife markets by using non-traditional materials and modern manufacturing methods in not only building knives better but, inevitably building better knives. The Designer Series was first introduced in 1991 with several custom designs being manufactured. By tapping into the custom knife makers' knowledge and combining it with our manufacturing expertise we were more readily able to offer more contemporary knife designs and innovations to the knife users.

Consecutive years of aggressive growth led to the next logical step in 1996 when Benchmade moved into its own 35,000 sq. ft. facility. A contemporary styled building complete with all of the modern equipment and amenities necessary to manufacture what has become recognized as a higher standard of specialty cutlery.

Today, Benchmade Knife Company, Inc. manufactures knives for a loyal and ever growing following of knife users. As we move into the 21st century we are poised for even more exciting opportunities, innovations and ongoing total world-class quality. Here at Benchmade we employ a simple philosophy- "Make it cool, make it solid, make it happen and definitely make it Benchmade."