Benchmade 530 Pardue Handles feeling cheap

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rsw524

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Jun 14, 2013
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When I got to feel my new benchmade 530 Pardue the handles kinda feel cheap.I just want to know who feels this.Overall though I'm in love with this knife.I just want to know I didn't buy a fake to.
 
rsw524 said:
When I got to feel my new benchmade 530 Pardue the handles kinda feel cheap.I just want to know who feels this.Overall though I'm in love with this knife.I just want to know I didn't buy a fake to.
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You didn't buy a fake, Grivory/Noryll GTX had that misperception on me when I bought my first Ritter Grip.. The truth is that the material is very, very durable - in regard to wear, moisture absorption, heat, and hard-use. I didn't like the hollow feeling (due to the partial liners on fatter scales) on the grips, but on the 530, IMO, they work very well..

I carry a CF 530 in the pocket w/out a clip, and a plain Jane 530 IWB on my side/back area.

G10 is very practical and resistant to many things, but most of my BM's with G10 scales (my 710's) smoothed out fast over a brief period of use.. Micarta absorbs too much moisture/sweat IMO, leaving the scales darker from the day you bought them.. Grivory/Noryll GTX looks new with hardier use.. - If you can get over the feel, you'll end up really liking it.

A good example: I carried an old LFTi IWB for about 2 months last year. The LFTi has anodized Ti scales. The area that I prefer to carry IWB (right/rear hip bone) has a metal button thing underneath the wast band on my Levi's.. Long story short, the Ti scales were grinding against the metal button making pretty hefty scratches.. Oh well, she's a user..

I just started carrying the 530 there, and there isn't even the faintest scratch or sign of wear on the Grivory scales.. And moisture from sweat will never be an issue.

Each scale material has its downside, the only real downside I can see with Grivory/GTX is the plasticky feel, other than that it's very reliable.
 
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I actually swapped out the limited edition S30V blade from my CF 530, and replaced it with the standard 154 CM blade of my other 530.

Win-win for me, since I prefer 154 CM to S30V, I get to use the smooth CF handles AND my limited edition blade doesn't get mussed up in case I want to part ways with it one day! Although, I seriously doubt that day will come anytime soon. :D
 
The standard 530 is a good knife. There are many tales of the sturdy Grivory/GTX scales outlasting the blade; being run over by cars, etc. And then you also get BKC's warranty covering you and me the if there Is a problem. No the 530 isn't an Adamas, but for daily tasks and being so slim it's very easy to carry. :thumbup:
 
I like the "plasticky" feel of the 530 handle. Why? - because the knife weighs 1.88 ounces. If you want a heavier knife with a more "solid" handle, go ahead and get one. Personally, I prefer the light weight.
 
It's just a different feeling from other designs which use different materials...the balance of the knife is different given how light the handles are. I don't think that necessarily is better nor worse...just a little different that takes some adapting. Some people may not prefer how the blade side is heavier than the handle...but I do think AXIS does a very good job at lessening this in how AXIS really handles heavy blades well by using that weight to the advantage of opening/closing inertia. The actual handle material is significantly stronger than some other handles materials used that are much heavier. It has incredible impact resistance, excellent strength, and is not affected by extreme temperatures. It's an awesome light EDC knife and I like how it stays compact, thin, and light as it gives that knife so many different comfortable carry options!
 
The 531 looks like a good knife. Too bad they couldn't keep its weight under 2 ounces like the 530. But you can't have everything.
 
You could always do what I did to prove that it isnt cheap even though it feels cheap. I took a 16 ounce hammer or so placed my mini on the table and whacked the scale with it. It didnt so much as leave a scratch or anything. Its still a common complaint. I think you will hear more complaints now that the prices have gone up.

You could always get keyman to build you a set of scales!
 
Get the 531. Completely different animal. Still super thin and light and yet doesn't feel cheap.
 
cchu518 said:
You could always do what I did to prove that it isnt cheap even though it feels cheap. I took a 16 ounce hammer or so placed my mini on the table and whacked the scale with it. It didnt so much as leave a scratch or anything. Its still a common complaint. I think you will hear more complaints now that the prices have gone up.

You could always get keyman to build you a set of scales!
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The Grip scales are a little thicker, but IIRC people have driven over them without damaging the scales. :thumbup: It may not be art, but that stuff is very practical.
 
JNewell said:
The Grip scales are a little thicker, but IIRC people have driven over them without damaging the scales. :thumbup: It may not be art, but that stuff is very practical.
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I whacked my mini presidio's scales too, same outcome lol. That stuff feels cheap even though its not!
 
I didn't realize that G10 was heavier than the 530 handle material. I'll still choose light weight over handle look and feel.
 
Isn't the Griptillian handle made of the same material as the 530 handle? I've never heard of the Grip handle breaking. I'd be more concerned about the breaking the tip of the blade - but if you're worried about that, you should probably be looking for an entirely different style of knife. So until someone shows me a better knife that weighs under 2 ounces, I'm sticking with my 530. Actually, if I was going for a really good looking handle, I'd probably buy an Al Mar.
 
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One thing about my 530 - for a knife so thin, there is NO blade play in any direction.

Quite a feat IMO. Works out great in IWB carry in dress pants at work, and on my training road bicycle you don't feel it, just know it is there if needed.

For those reasons, I will keep mine and enjoy using it.
 
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