Musings on the 531...
Have had my 531 for a few days now, and I know Po has a few threads on this knife and some of the mods he has done, just to throw my two cents in the ring.
I have had a few 530's over the years and like the knife overall. I always loved its earlier sibling the 350. My one knock on the 350 was the size. If it had been upsized and given the Axis lock... Wow that would have been a knife. The 530 is similar but not the same.
People love this knife because it is thin, and light and that it is. But sometimes it just feels too thin and light for me. The plastic handled knife has a bit of flex to the handle, which gives pause to more than a few people.
I missed out on the carbon fiber runs a year or so back, just did not have the cash at the moment. I regret that as they look pretty nice.
So I get the 531, and I got to say there are some overall improvements First off the G-10 handle makes for a more robust and study feel for the knife. Still slim and light but just feels more sturdy. I have always loved a good spearpoint/dagger blade, but the drop point with swedge on this model really works for this knife.
Now there are still some issues I have with this knife. For one, I have always had an issue with the thumbstuds and access to them. Still an issue, and also the cutout for the thumbstud is bothersome to the index finger when you grip it. This is an issue with any dagger, straight handled folder and have had issues this with other knives from other makers. Not a huge issue but if you had to do heavy cutting for a long time it would be, but again, outside the intended usage of this knife.
Now I love the G-10, but I got to say, I wished they used another color. The lighter G-10 looks like dried out G-10 to me. I would have liked it blue/black, green/black, or even red/black would have been cool.
Overall an improvement on an outstanding design.
I have had a few 530's over the years and like the knife overall. I always loved its earlier sibling the 350. My one knock on the 350 was the size. If it had been upsized and given the Axis lock... Wow that would have been a knife. The 530 is similar but not the same.
People love this knife because it is thin, and light and that it is. But sometimes it just feels too thin and light for me. The plastic handled knife has a bit of flex to the handle, which gives pause to more than a few people.
I missed out on the carbon fiber runs a year or so back, just did not have the cash at the moment. I regret that as they look pretty nice.
So I get the 531, and I got to say there are some overall improvements First off the G-10 handle makes for a more robust and study feel for the knife. Still slim and light but just feels more sturdy. I have always loved a good spearpoint/dagger blade, but the drop point with swedge on this model really works for this knife.
Now there are still some issues I have with this knife. For one, I have always had an issue with the thumbstuds and access to them. Still an issue, and also the cutout for the thumbstud is bothersome to the index finger when you grip it. This is an issue with any dagger, straight handled folder and have had issues this with other knives from other makers. Not a huge issue but if you had to do heavy cutting for a long time it would be, but again, outside the intended usage of this knife.
Now I love the G-10, but I got to say, I wished they used another color. The lighter G-10 looks like dried out G-10 to me. I would have liked it blue/black, green/black, or even red/black would have been cool.
Overall an improvement on an outstanding design.
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Glad a few others on here are as enthusiastic about this knife as I am. I hope it continues to be developed, further limited editions, etc. Aluminum handles of various colors would be interesting on this knife. I now realize the only reason I wasn't enthusiastic about the 530 originally was the plastic handle and partial liners. Even if it had full liners with the plastic scales, I would have been sold, I think.
Being tactically inclined, I'm always looking for a balance between thin and sharp and thick and strong. I see the 531 as a tactical EDC, so I consider it a bit on the light weight side. Still, this is good for my current carry preferences which is leaning toward light weight knives to carry in my light weight clothing. The 531 is perfect for that. My only concern is for how durable the thin blade would be for self-defense. The only way to find out for sure will be to put up one of my old cutting dummies, and have a poke at it, see of anything breaks.
Lately, I've regularly been surprised by the durability of knives. I've gotten so used to carrying stuff like the 551 and 520. I've got a feeling that the 531 will perform just fine for the role I would use it for, light EDC utility use, and SD.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Mark G.:
Now there are still some issues I have with this knife. For one, I have always had an issue with the thumbstuds and access to them.
Is the cutout in the scales large enough to change out the stock thumb stud for a larger thumb stud like most other Benchmades come with?0 -
I think the 531 thumb studs work fine, but the cutout is just in the G-10, so enlarging it would be easy...not so much the hole in the blade. 0 -
I picked one of these up to check it out and it's pushed it's way into my EDC rotation in a big way. It's perfect for the office, so light and slim. I put one of the deep pocket clips on it to make it almost disappear. I've only had one other knife that's this size and weight, a William Henry GenTac that was way too expensive. The 531 is definitely a keeper. 0 -
It joined my user rotation the second it got here.
It is a serious value and all around great knife.
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I'll add that I don't think of myself as someone who cares about the weight of a knife but this thing is crazy light.
It with a light and pocket tool are still a full ounce less than an XM-18.
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I didn't used to be much concerned about weight either until recently. With all the warm dry weather in nor Cal, the advancements in lightweight sportswear fabrics, and me trying to look fit and athletic, I've been wearing a lot of lighter weight clothes, and a Barrage or a 94X, or a 531 rides a lot nicer in a pocket especially if you are jogging. 0 -
The light weight is what originally drew me to the 530. I carried one for years, but never cared for the spear point blade. Then I saw the 531. After I held one I knew it would be coming home with me. Been carrying the 531 constantly since I got it. 0 -
I've been pining for a 531 but too many other purchases have it on the backburner.
How light is the brighter parts of the G10? It makes me wonder if they would take well to a Rit dye bath.0 -
Just ordered one of the 531 models, sure looks like a great light knife that can still handle EDC work if needed.
The video's I can find just show the knife, don't find any cutting/in use type things, which would be handy if they had them.
G20 -
Hi Gary, how ya been?!
I think the capability of the 531 will surprise most people. Sure, the thin blade has its limit when it comes to abuse, but for cutting, the G-10 handle and Axis lock are probably stronger than most folks realize.
Check this out:
530 Cutting Test0 -
Thanks, good stuff on their videos, looks like the one you linked was for the Contego but from there I found the 530 one
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...ture=player_embedded
G20 -
quote:Originally posted by Gary W. Graley:
...looks like the one you linked was for the Contego...
Doh!!
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While big fan of 94x in CF, I do like the 530-190 REI blue handle with premium steel s30v even more than the recent REI 530 with CF handles. With CF handles the 530 weigh goes up & I prefer the 94x with CF handles. The 530 at around $100 is hard to beat. I've carried feather weight knives for many years gone from Gerber LST to the Delica to AG Russell feather weight to the 539 with axis lock. Only thing that might be better is a 94x with the plastic handle & priced like the 530.
Biggest knock on 530 for me is thumb studs bite, even on the REI wih CF handle
Regards to all Bill Hammer0 -
Bill, check out a G-10 531. 
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I must say I've sure been diggin' mine. Great light-weight summer carry.
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TSEK Thumb-hole Club -- Prez0 -
kool looking dye on that one...
Well, JUST got the 531 in today, beauty she be, light as folks had indicated, the G10 outer perimeter is a bit crisp so I will most likely...carefully, knock down the edge so it's not as sharp feeling but that's just something folks would do to make it their own I think.
Opens and closes quite nicely, I sprinkled in a couple drops of Nano Oil 10 weight on the pivot which helped with the opening smoother and flipping closed easier.
Nice job Benchmade!
G20 -
MCM, thanks will pick one up soon as I save $$ as getting a few 940-1 this month makes knife fund low for now. Regards to all, Bill 0 -
Sanded down the outer edges, made it a more comfortable holding folder, for me at least
Here's a couple shots of mine, I just put some paracord through, had a nice skull bead, that's held in place by way of a wedge of rubberized cork so it won't slide down, makes for a nice way to grip and pull the knife out of the pocket, the rest of the paracord is a loop so I can put my hand through to keep it safe from falling while in use;
Edge while not razor sharp, is pretty sharp, a nice toothy edge that I'll not touch until it needs it and then I'll take her to the stones for a mirror polished beveled edge;
Again, very happy to have this one on hand !
G20 -
The 531 is a great knife. I could never warm up to the 530 b/c of the handle. However, while visiting my local Benchmade dealer he stated he had a couple "new ones" in. He brought out a 531 and I immediatly left with it. Super light and easy to carry when I have to wear a suit. 0 -
While I admit I like the lightness and thin overall handle, lack of flared handle near pivot point makes this blade a bit uneasy to hold.
Flared handle? It is like that of Osborne series and 710. Griptilian even has it as well. Sorry folks, but without my index finger being firmly pressed against it, it makes me uncomfortable.
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