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Benchmade Presidio II
Few folders in Benchmade’s catalog have earned the word “legendary” without debate. The Presidio is one of them. Designed by the late Mel Pardue — Knifemakers Guild inductee, Hall of Fame member, and one of the most prolific production knife designers in the industry’s modern era — the Presidio established an ergonomic profile and a blade-to-handle geometry that serious users recognized immediately as purpose-built for hard work. That reputation has been maintained through multiple generations, and the current Presidio II lineup carries that DNA forward with updated materials and a broader set of carry configurations.
CF-Elite and Why It Matters
The defining change in the Presidio II is Benchmade’s CF-Elite handle material. CF-Elite is a carbon fiber reinforced nylon polymer — a significant step beyond standard Grivory in both strength and weight. It’s roughly 17% lighter and 50% stronger than the Grivory handles it replaced, which matters considerably on a full-size folder where handle mass is the biggest contributor to pocket weight. The CF-Elite scales are milled with grooves and notches that provide a confident grip in wet or gloved conditions without creating hotspots during extended use. Despite the polymer construction, the material reads and feels substantially more premium than fiberglass-reinforced nylon alternatives — a distinction that owners consistently notice the first time they pick one up.
The Platform
The full-size 570 runs a 3.72" drop-point blade in CPM-S30V steel, hardened to 58-60HRC. S30V is an American-made powder metallurgy stainless developed specifically for knife blades, balancing edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance in a way that general-purpose stainless grades don’t approach. A top swedge on the blade reduces tip weight and improves the overall balance, keeping the knife from feeling front-heavy during use. Open length sits at 8.72" overall, making this a full-grip folder suited for users who put their knives to work rather than just carrying them.
The Mini Presidio II 575 brings that same platform down to a 3.2" blade for users who want the Presidio’s lockup and ergonomics in a more compact carry profile. The blade geometry, CF-Elite handle construction, and AXIS lock mechanics carry over directly — the only meaningful difference is size.
Both the 570 and 575 use Benchmade’s AXIS lock — a hardened crossbar riding in milled channels in the steel liners, driven by a pair of Omega springs. When the blade is open, the bar drops into a notch at the base of the blade and cannot be pushed out without deliberately pulling the crossbar rearward. Because the bar sits on both sides of the handle, the mechanism is fully ambidextrous, and closing the blade requires nothing more than pinching the lock back and folding. Dual thumb studs on both faces of the blade allow for one-handed opening either direction, and the reversible deep-carry clip accommodates tip-up carry for left or right hand.
The 5700SBK
The 5700SBK brings push-button rapid deployment to the Presidio platform. The blade geometry, CF-Elite construction, and handle ergonomics are identical to the 570 — the mechanism is the distinction. For users who need single-motion deployment without a thumb stud, the push-button 5700 delivers the Presidio’s proven profile in a faster-deploying configuration.
All Presidio II models are made in the USA.
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