Info on the 531
How do you all like the 531, I have read mixed info on this knife, it interest me to replace my current small around property EDC(mini grip,skyline,Buck vantage pro small,delica4 saber grind), my recreation small EDC consists of a sequel,943,native5 LW.
The thin and slim design resembles a Skyline but much nicer, love the skyline for its shape and feel in front pocket and want to replace it with the 531 and want opinions from other benchmade nut bags like me. I want to know how it performs and if it's reliable.(remember mixed reviews on this knife on www)thank you all.
The thin and slim design resembles a Skyline but much nicer, love the skyline for its shape and feel in front pocket and want to replace it with the 531 and want opinions from other benchmade nut bags like me. I want to know how it performs and if it's reliable.(remember mixed reviews on this knife on www)thank you all.
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No liners I personally look at them and Cabela's and was not impressed I'd stick with a 940 or 943 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Charles Martin:
No liners I personally look at them and Cabela's and was not impressed I'd stick with a 940 or 943
The 531 has liners. (?)
The biggest advantage of the 530/531 platform is the weight reduction. They're incredibly light, and reasonably strong for their weight as well. 154CM is a good all-around steel: good edge retention, easy to re-sharpen, great corrosion resistance, good toughness, etc.
However, for me personally, I'd prefer a 940-1 (if you want the upgrade, the CF/S90V combo is killer) or a 940-1501 or some other composite 940 handle. There's just something about the profile of that knife that really does it for me.
It's all about personal opinion though, of course. The 531s are pretty darn popular, and I carried one personally for six months or so when it first came out. Bought a couple for my best friend when he got his first head brewer job, too.
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The 531 has it's place in my EDC choice of the day.
Super light weight and yet it still has a good blade length.
It or my 940-1 goes to weddings etc.0 -
quote:Originally posted by BM-Butterfly:
The 531 has it's place in my EDC choice of the day.
Super light weight and yet it still has a good blade length.
Same here. Sooo lightweight! I really like the 531. I've got two:
The first I modified by rounding off a corner so my hand wouldn't drag across it when digging into my front pocket bottom. I also RIT-dyed the scales yellow:
The second one has ivory scales that Keyman and I did together:
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It's hard for me to post a pic of one of my ivories without showing the three of them together. Sorry to hijack the thread: 0 -
Rarely go anywhere without a 94X.
But the 530 is a substitute for the 94x in specific situations (going into NYC I'd fear losing a 940-1 & the light 530 I believe should fail the flick test the police use to determine if a knife is an illegal gravity knife)
Jason does Benchmade have other thumbs studs for the 530? The originals hurt a bite, unlike Benchmade's other thumb studs.
The 531 looks nice too, but for me the upgraded G-10 increases the weight over the 530 & starts to get close to weight of my 941D2CFs so haven't bought one. Do have the 530 with the CF handles, like the original 530 more.
Jason maybe bring back Bob T's Park Ave with an axis lock that model would fit into group nicely.0 -
Those are so awesome, sre1...
As for the 531, I have four of them, two Gold Class versions, one LE, and one standard.
They are one of my favorite models. They have some of the finest edges and best cutting geometry of any Benchmade - pocket razors. They are super light weight, so you can carry them with even your lightest summer or sport clothing. They are plenty strong as well. Go to the Laboratory forum and see the cutting tests on the 530. The 531 would be even stronger of course.
It is also an excellent EDC size. When I was working in an office, the 531 was my most frequent work carry. I like the dagger design. Works very well for light to medium utility and also for self defense.0 -
I thank you all for the responses, I'm looking at it for thin front pocket light/medium duty use while working on property all day, I love my 943 for recreational front pocket carry. I almost always have at two blades on me and occasionally three. This reminds me of a kershaw skyline in dimensions and weight wise, which has filled this roll very well, just want something nicer(but not to nice) to replace her in this roll. 0 -
I did watch the video, it was the final info needed to bring the decision to ask you all what you all thought of it, online reviews are a joke sometimes to get an idea on a knife that is of this super light, thin but strong enough catagory. as many see light weight or thin as cheap, and thus conclude it is cheap junk and waste our time with a hockahooie review. And reviews are all over the place on this model. 0 -
Beautiful specimens of art sre1, just beautiful. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Mizzo:
How do you all like the 531
My preference goes to the 530, mostly because it’s lighter (1.88 oz compared to the 531’s 2.10 oz) and the spear-point is more beautiful IMO..
I own 4 530’s.. Two REI CF/Herringbone S30V LE’s and two plain Jane’s (One plain Jane is MIA at the moment).. Due to the low weight and ultra-thin profile, I prefer right side, in-the-waistband carry. Very discreet, and hard to find during frisk searchesI would love to own a Gold Class 531-132, but I could never justify the ABSURD price. I hope to see a plain jane M390 530/531 one day that isn’t $500
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quote:Originally posted by Bill Hammer:
Jason does Benchmade have other thumbs studs for the 530? The originals hurt a bite, unlike Benchmade's other thumb studs.
No there aren't any other thumb lugs that'll fit that same small hole. The 530 had to have a custom thumb lug designed to get the required height but keep it small enough that it keeps the knife slim.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Mizzo:
...many see light weight or thin as cheap...
I had that opinion of the 530 myself for a long time, though it was unfounded and undeserved. But the G-10 531 completely eliminated that stigma. It's a solid little knife.0 -
PM no suprise I am a +1 on M390
Jason thanks for checking on alternative opening studs0 -
Couldn't make it to the shop today, try tomorrow. I have been eyeballing a 551-1 again as well. The smaller thin knives are rather a new catagory for me. 0 -
What are the thumb studs made of. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by BMK Jason:quote:Originally posted by Bill Hammer:
Jason does Benchmade have other thumbs studs for the 530? The originals hurt a bite, unlike Benchmade's other thumb studs.
No there aren't any other thumb lugs that'll fit that same small hole. The 530 had to have a custom thumb lug designed to get the required height but keep it small enough that it keeps the knife slim.
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I am glad Bill Hammer asked that question. My 530 sits in a draw as the tiny thumb stud makes the knife opening uncomfortable. I had wondered if there was a larger stud that would fit. However I cottoned on to the BM sales stratagy...you buy a well hyped 530...get disappointed and go buy a Stryker..
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quote:Originally posted by Po:quote:Originally posted by Mizzo:
...many see light weight or thin as cheap...
I had that opinion of the 530 myself for a long time, though it was unfounded and undeserved. But the G-10 531 completely eliminated that stigma. It's a solid little knife.
I did get to handle one for a bit, and the g10 as you said, made it feel stout for such a thin light handle folder compared to 530. You all have taken away any doubt from what little experience I had with it, and value your thoughts and thank you,.....ohh that valet looks nice too. Being new to Benchmade, my head is spinning lol.0 -
Couldn't wait to get the Valet, very disappointing as blade wobbles both side to side & up & down, heavy for blade size. I'd suggest 530 or 94Xs as better bang for your $$ 0 -
Well you know what to do - off to BM to make it to their level of quality. 0 -
I went down to the shop today, they had a 531 there, but then I picked up a volli and fell in love with the handle, not a big assisted knife guy but thought why not try for a EDC. 0 -
Just wanted to say thank you all for your input, I went to shop today and the 531 was still there...well she went home with me, it is a first production run (352) and is almost perfect (blade slight favor to one side, no biggie. It is a very nice little knife, the lock is tight, to have the free pivot I want I have to run a bit loose, but for the lighter duty this gonna see should be fine, also needs a bit of break in. Wish I picked it up sooner, thank you all again. 0 -
Quick question, is the axis lock when pulled back designed to kick blade out? 0 -
No 0 -
Hmm, interesting, thank you 0 -
I personally think 53x and Volli, also upcoming Amicus to be in similar blade length, and thickness. I use them in similar category of knife use, portable razor category or light EDC. 0 -
The 530/531 are not designed TO kick the blade out when the AXIS bar is pulled back, but that does happen a bit. If the blade was cut out more to avoid that, the knife would lose significant strength, which would have been unacceptable. 0 -
That makes total sense by looking at what you point out on the strength of tang if cut more as it would leave very little material at pivot,thank you. I did not realize it does it with normal use, and only discovered by playing with lock Just none of my other axis equipped knives did as such. Thank you for the input and clarification. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Mizzo:
That makes total sense by looking at what you point out on the strength of tang if cut more as it would leave very little material at pivot,thank you. I did not realize it does it with normal use, and only discovered by playing with lock Just none of my other axis equipped knives did as such. Thank you for the input and clarification.
No problem!0 -
I think it's kind of cool. It actually helps flick the blade out.
While doing maintenance on my other knives I tested all them and the 531 is the only one that does it.0
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