530 or 551 Griptilian?

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strick284

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Apr 10, 2010
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I'm looking for a new EDC, and I want to try out a Benchmade. For reference, the nicest knives I've bought and carried are a Spyderco Endura, Buck Vantage Pro, and Cold Steel XL Voyager. So about $50-$60 is the most I've spent. I've also used various other knives, and Benchmade is pretty much the only major brand I've never used, mostly because they don't have a lot of lower-priced blades available.

I can get a 530 for about $73, or a 551 for about $81. Which knife do you think is the better deal? They're both fairly standard models with 154CM steel. I like the ultra light weight of the 530. The Grip just seems like the most popular benchmade around, and I also handled one recently and it felt like very good quality.

If for some reason you hate them both, I'm not averse to other suggestions. I can't justify spending more than $100 though.
 
I own a Griptilian and have handled the 530.

I really like the Grip, its an awesome edc imo

I didn't like the 530's thumbstuds. They seemed way to close to the handle to me.

However, I do like the thinness of the 530 and think it would be an awesome edc if you can get past the thumb studs.
 
You should check out Benchmade's test videos. There is one for both of these knives on YouTube. They are both great budget knives, but would serve different purposes in my opinion.
 
I've just bought the 553 (combi black tanto) and immediately has become my favourite carry. I'm only a very recent Benchmade customer having had Spyderco's previously so I've not seen many of the others, but I like this knife a lot. I'd happily have a 551 based on the 553 for sure.
 
Thanks for the help everybody! I'm not able to handle a 530, so I went with the 551. I was able to get an orange one for the same price as black (I get bored with all the black G10/FRN/Zytel, so color is almost always a plus), and that really sealed it for me. I'll probably carry it around for a while to see how I like it, and then maybe dye it a different color.
 
Congrats on your 551!

I bought a 551 for EDC recently and really love its ergonomics, strength, and quality of manufacture. It really feels like someone designed this knife as an answer to the question: "What shape, materials, and features would work best together in a rock-solid, general-purpose knife?" I believe it's a classic shape and that it will never go out of style or fall victim to loss of interest in a passing fad - that means a lot to me, too.
 
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You could go 531 and get basically the best of both worlds per say. Plus you get upgraded g-10 scales. Yeah, it a tad more coin, but if you can swing it it's a good knife. I have grips too and love them. The 530/531 are different animals. Maybe considered a tad lighter use due to the blade thickness and smaller liners.

Edit: Guess I should have read closer....congrats on the knife and let us know how you like it. Either one would be a good knife; it's just what is better for you.
 
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