Benchmade 515 Rant

Ballenxj

Ballenxj

Joined
Oct 30, 2010
Messages
2,109
I ordered this about a month ago, and it's finally here. :D
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The four and a half inch blade is just about right. This Pardue design is made from D2 tool steel, which didn't hurt my feelings a bit. ;)
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Looks to be nine and a quarter inches total.
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The blade thickness is just a shade under three sixteenths of an inch, this knife is pretty stout.
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The rubber grip feels good too. I like it! :D
-Bruce
 
I ain't sure how traditional it be. But she's good looking!
 
knarfeng said:
I ain't sure how traditional it be. But she's good looking!
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Thanks! :D
I looked for a forum area that would be a good fit for this thread, and when I saw Traditional Folders, and "Fixed Blades" I thought this was the right section? (I'm fairly new around here)
Mad_Maxx said:
well, design is simple
nice piece, how's the handles?
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Thanks. The rubber handles feel nice and solid. The texture is quite "grippy" feeling.
I'm thinking this might be a perfect knife for my "Go now bag." ;)
The edge was pretty sharp when I received it, but I know I can do better so I've been busy honing the edge to my personal taste. I like them to stick to my thumbnail when my thumbnail is at a 45 degree angle. If the blade isn't sharp enough it will slide off the thumbnail. It sticks well now. :)
-Bruce
 
I have one arriving in the next day or two. How do you like the sheath? I don't mind leather at all, but I am left handed and have in the past had sheaths made for knives I used often.
 
Looks like a great outdoors knife. The handles look a lot like the handles on my Knives of Alaska skinning set. That rubber may not be the prettiest handle in the world, but nothing beats it when they are covered in mud and blood, etc. to prevent slipping. Congrats on the new knife! That knife has "go" written all over it (as opposed to "show").
 
That looks like a great choice for a "bushcraft" knife. The blade shape and edge grind looks very useful. I am not crazy about the asthetics of the rubber handles but I have an old CS SRK and the rubber is really good in the field when your hands are wet and stiff. You have a nice piece there. Congrats and enjoy it!
 
cmcuy said:
I have one arriving in the next day or two. How do you like the sheath? I don't mind leather at all, but I am left handed and have in the past had sheaths made for knives I used often.
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CONGRATS on your choice. This may be my new favorite knife. :cool:
I know there is a bit of controversy between which material for sheaths is better, and I'm sure the kydex (spelling?) ones are more impervious to damp climates, but I'm old school when it comes to sheaths (and holsters). I prefer leather.
Frizzman said:
That looks like a great choice for a "bushcraft" knife.
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Thanks Frizzman,
This is what I was also thinking. Now I need to brush up on my bushcraft skills. :eek:
jonj480 said:
That knife has "go" written all over it (as opposed to "show").
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Thanks Jon, That's what I was thinking when I picked it over others. ;)
Thanks again for the input guys. :D
-Bruce
 
Just got the old "red" class version,same knife just 440C instead of D2,really nice knife :thumbup:
 
Ballenxj said:
I ordered this about a month ago, and it's finally here. :D
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Looks like a great knife. Just the size and design I like for most fixed blade tasks. :thumbup:

Ballenxj said:
I looked for a forum area that would be a good fit for this thread, and when I saw Traditional Folders, and "Fixed Blades" I thought this was the right section? (I'm fairly new around here)
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That section is for both "Traditional Folders" and "Traditional Fixed Blades". Most of the talk there is really about "slip blade" (non-locking) folders, although there are occasional threads on fixed blades of traditional design with natural handle mateials (leather, bone, stag, etc). Most of the modern fixed blade talk takes place either here in General Knife or over in Wilderness & Survival Skills if the discussion is centered more around the use and appicability of the blade for outdoor tasks.
 
mdauben said:
Looks like a great knife. Just the size and design I like for most fixed blade tasks. :thumbup:
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That's what I thought while I was doing the research. ;)

mdauben said:
That section is for both "Traditional Folders" and "Traditional Fixed Blades". Most of the talk there is really about "slip blade" (non-locking) folders, although there are occasional threads on fixed blades of traditional design with natural handle mateials (leather, bone, stag, etc). Most of the modern fixed blade talk takes place either here in General Knife or over in Wilderness & Survival Skills if the discussion is centered more around the use and appicability of the blade for outdoor tasks.
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Thanks, I appreciate your taking the time to explain this. I'm still learning my way around here. :)
Krull said:
Just got the old "red" class version,same knife just 440C instead of D2,really nice knife
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Cool. Let us know how you like it. ;)
-Bruce
 
Ballenxj said:
Cool. Let us know how you like it. ;)
-Bruce
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Shouldn't post when I just get up-slight difference in mine is the clip point:

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Beyond that I like it very much so far (I've only ever had one Benchmade that I thought sucked) and the thing is SHARP and feels really good in the hand,should make a first class utility/hunting knife.

And it's small enough that I took my VEX out of my left pocket and slipped the Rant in place of it,the MPR is still in my right pocket.

Been carrying Benchmade a lot of late :D
 
I also found I'm guessing an older red class one at a farming store on clearance for for $39, same size and all, but it has a steel guard and buttcap, with the black rubber handle and its in N690Co, I really like the feel of it.
 
My 515 arrived and I've had some time to check it out. All in all it's a really great knife if you want practical, affordable, quality, made in the USA, utilitarian... The sheath is fine, yes the belt loop is small and the leather's quality is not at my F1's level, but as sheath's go and are used by me, it will work. I have not gotten to use it full on, we will see what I think after next year's deer season. I use DMT folders in the field and don't anticipate any problems. Overall very happy with the knife.
 
I know this is an older thread, but while searching for more information on this knife recently I found this thread once again, so I thought I'd post my findings. It appears that Benchmade no longer makes this knife in D2, and they have changed the class from Blue to Black?
[video]https://youtu.be/KARqX_agLpU[/video]
 
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