Opinion on the Benchmade 530?

Caress of Steel

Caress of Steel

Joined
Oct 12, 2003
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281
Does anybody carry the Benchmade 530 in any blade variation? This model caught my eye because it appears to be a slim knife and I'm needing something that will allow for left front pocket carry. None of my Emerson's are tapped so the clip could be placed for left pocket carry. I have a full size Griptillian but its too bulky/thick. I'm just needing something slim and the 530 looks like a possibility.

I'm needing to front pocket carry a wallet and my left front pocket will be its new home along with a knife that clips to the same pocket. I carry my phone in my right front pocket and don't want anything sticking down/clipped to that pocket to possibly scratch the phone. I will carry my keys on a clip from my belt.

Thanks,

John
 
I have multiple of 530s, both in plain & combo edge with satin & BK, including REI S30V blade. I love this 530 & in my humble opinion it is one of the best EDC knives as well as one of the most underrated knives out there.
I personally like satin plain edge in 154cm & have been EDCing since I bought one at REI few years ago. I would say it was luck that the particular REI didn't have the knife I intended to purchase and I ended with 530s in my pocket.
I now prefer plain edge, but with 3.25" blade length, there are enough plain part as well as serrated part on the blade for most cutting chores if you go with combo edge. I just love this knife with either edge, but I'm a bit more fond of the beauty of the symmetry. I really like how acid lock kicks the blade out as well.

The knife is super light and thin, but pretty comfortable and despite of partial liner it feels very solid. sure, the handle material is nothing exotic (with non-C.F. model), but does not feel cheap at all & feels quiet different from that of griptilians.
in terms of durability and performance. my 530 has been rock solid. in fact, I haven't run into anything that this thin & light slicer cannot handle. it has slight blade biased balance, but still gives me great cutting control.

it doesn't sound like you are a lefty. With adequate length of knife exposed above the clip and considering spec of 530, I don't see any reason you will have trouble keeping in left front pocket even if you are not lefty. I would strongly recommend 530.
 
Many knives later, the 530 was my first Benchmade; and if time is any factor, fact that it's still in the catalog offering says a lot. I am not a heavy user, more an enthusiast that needs something to cut things as needed. I've had the 530 in the rotation more than once where in action it was perfect, and up to the task. If we own any classic examples of what comes out of Oregon City, this knife should be on the list. :thumbup:
 
Thanks for the feedback. I forgot to mention the handle material. You've both answered my questions...including the one I forgot to mention. I do like the fact that most of the Benchmades come with pocket clip holes tapped on both sides. Some brands don't offer that and that puts me in this situation. Now that you mentioned REI, they still have the 530s satin blade listed and at a better price than I was expecting to pay. They are local to me and show in stock so I guess I'll be making a trip there this week sometime. I've always liked Benchmade. I have one of the original 710's, a 722sbt, a 705sbt with olive drab aluminum/g10 inlay and both full size and mini Griptillian. To me the Mini Grip. handle feels better in quality than the full size even though they are the same material.

Thanks again for the info!

John
 
I regret selling my REI S30V 530 sooo much. It's such a great knife. The thumb studs are a bit small, and it surely isn't the most ergonomic knife out there. But it is so light and thin that it is nearly non existent until you need it. Serves a nice role in someone's collection I'd say.
 
I didnt care for It, but that was due to how light and thin it is, and if those are what you need this knife is it.
i found the thumbstuds to be counter intuitive. had they been stepped would have been much easier to open.
 
It is a bit awkward like everyone else says mostly due to the tiny thumb studs and some might not like the symmetrical spear point blade. But that said, it is a super thin and light knife, and if you can put a deep carry clip on it you can hardly notice its in your pocket. Excellent for any pocket carry, front or back. Amazing slicer, and a great alternative to the mini grip price range for a slightly longer and thinner blade. If you only ever plan on slicing and cutting, its a great edc. The thin blade seems a bit fragile because of its grind and thin tip, so I would not recommend even considering prying with it...
 
I put such an edge on mine it can now be used for surgery.
So slim and light. It's a great inside jacket pocket knife. Be careful with this one, could end up in the laundry.
Cheers
 
the 530 is a great urban edc knife! Carries really well...light and i just really like the shape of the blade...
since there are still no pics ;) here it is next to a PM2..

Benchmade 530 & Spyderco ParaMilitary 2
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What it interesting about the 530, is that it has the same or more cutting edge than the above mentioned PM2 and has a significantly shorter handle and slimmer profile.
 
I've had mine for three or four years, wonderful little knife. Ridiculously lightweight, smooth, and still no blade play. Wish I hadn't got the serrations though, might send it to BM and pay the 25$ to swap out the blade. My only complaint is that since they made the Axis lock hardware smaller, both the thumbstud and axis button are a bit sharp. I usually use a nail to catch the button, or just use a finger on either side.

oTwnTLR.jpg
 
I'd recommend it, I got two, the one with carbon fiber scales is my favorite, I'd recommend getting that one. Not a hard use knife but a great EDC.
 
It's the daily chores that make having a 530 fun. Disappears in the pocket, sharp as heck too. I scored a CF KW special run and have no regrets.





This was my only buy from this year; thanks to my Mrs. for an early anniversary gift.
 
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I recently got myself the REI CF 530, and absolutely love it.
J508bsJ_zps6566cfc4.jpg


I put a low ride titanium clip on it, and carry it at work in my khakis. Carries like a dream, is ultra light, and just a great light duty knife.
 
Well, got lucky and found one for sale here on the forum. NIB satin/plain edge. This thing is amazingly light and does exactly as I wanted it for as far as disappearing/not getting in the way of the left front pocket. I was wondering what the scale material would be like but its not bad at all. Some of the carbon fiber scales would be neat but I'll settle for the one I've got for now.

John
 
The Benchmade 530 is one of the best knife designs ever fielded by any maker. 3.25" cutting edge, 1.90 oz's, super slim, fully ambidextrous, axis lock, 154cm steel, and gorgeous lines.

Tellingly, I was at the largest knife shop in LA - the guy has 1000+ models to choose from - and he's carrying a BM 530.

While I now prefer a slightly larger knife for EDC, the BM 530 will always be one of my favorite designs.
 
I was never interested in the 530 until the REI limited edition model. I'm a sucker for CF, but I'm glad I looked into the 530, because it's an excellent design for all the reasons noted above: it packs a lot of blade into an extremely slim and light package, all peerless Axis lock.
 
crbarnes said:
I've had mine for three or four years, wonderful little knife. Ridiculously lightweight, smooth, and still no blade play. Wish I hadn't got the serrations though, might send it to BM and pay the 25$ to swap out the blade. My only complaint is that since they made the Axis lock hardware smaller, both the thumbstud and axis button are a bit sharp. I usually use a nail to catch the button, or just use a finger on either side.

oTwnTLR.jpg
Click to expand...


Of these two, do you have a favorite as a constant EDC or do you use them for different tasks? I have a 940 coming, but love the looks of the 530 as well. I know the 940 appears to be more heavy-duty than the 530, but I was wondering which you favored and why.
 
Despite Boobar's razzing, :p I much prefer the 530 over the 940. I've owned multiples and always keep one handy. Turns out I really don't need a heavy duty knife, and currently own a stock version in 154CM and the very limited edition Knifeworks CF "Cruise" version, both see pocket time. The 940's never been a favorite, just my choice, I guess.
 
Don't count out the new 531 if you are new to looking at Benchmades. It's due out late March. Features a drop point style blade instead of the spear point and comes with G-10 scales vs the noryl GTX polymer. Something maybe to consider.
 
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