530 Pardue

I handled one at my local neighborhood gun store. VERY light. I found that the axis button was hard to use. Probably because it is concave instead of protruding, like the others.
 
I wanted one from the pictures, but the knife didn't float my boat in person. Too much flex in the handle. The steel liners only partially fill the handles. Hard to open, you couldn't readily flip it since the axis lock was more recessed and tight than other benchmades. My local knife store says it's not selling well. They have it discounted to about $50, but the older discontinued model is still selling at list price of $100. SOme like it, search the reviews forum, there have been a few.
 
Yes, I own one of these (the newer model with the Axis lock). I will second that the Axis lock on the 530 is harder to operate than the one on the drop-point Griptillian that I bought yesterday. I also was told by a gentleman at New Graham Knives (I bought the 530 at their retail store) that he preferred the older model of the 530 called, I think, the 250 or something like that to this newer Axis-equipped model. The older model is liner locked. I have never handled the older model. The blade shape of the 530 seems to be oriented toward self-defense (a dagger-like blade). The handle is a coffin shape. I find the handle to be quite comfortable and the blade length is nice. I think it is an attractive design. I would say that the general look of the 530, the Axis lock, and especially the thin and light overall profile were the factors that attracted me to it. I am not highly into self-defense as a study or art form, but I could see this blade making an efficient, fairly inexpensive, and potentially lethal hidden or secondary weapon.
 
The older model is the 350. The 530 has not only a longer handle (and blade), but thinner material in the scales. I do not think the 350 had full liners, but the lock side at least had the liner lock on it. I need to pull one out of the safe and look to make sure.

When I have handled the 530 it seems like a light, somewhat flimsy knife. I am sure it would stand up to normal light use, but there is a lot of flex in the handles. If you pinch the handles you can bring them together in the middle of the knife (with the blade open). I also had some difficulty operating the axis button, but I'm sure that can be learned over time.

I personally prefer the 350, even if it is 'just a liner lock' and has a shorter blade. The 530 would work well as a light-medium use knife, or as someone already suggested, possibly a second blade. The lightweight aspect of the knife would be a positive attribute in this case.

WT
 
Yes, the 350 doesn't have liner's and it is not AXIS, but you would be hard pressed to compress the scales. The 350 is also ATS-34 vs. 440 and somewhat smaller. I prefer the ATS over the 440 by a big margin. I also like the coffin handle and size and am not interested a wit in SD, I have guns for that. It's a cutter and holds a great edge. In fact I've been looking for one in stock, but they are going for a whole lot more than the new ones.
 
Piney said:
Yes, the 350 doesn't have liner's and it is not AXIS, but you would be hard pressed to compress the scales. The 350 is also ATS-34 vs. 440 and somewhat smaller. I prefer the ATS over the 440 by a big margin. I also like the coffin handle and size and am not interested a wit in SD, I have guns for that. It's a cutter and holds a great edge. In fact I've been looking for one in stock, but they are going for a whole lot more than the new ones.
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Mine has a linerlock. It has 154CM steel. I'd say the 350 is better than the 530. The axis lock on the 530 should have been designed differently.
 
I got one several months ago. Is definitively a gentleman's knife, very slim, very light and not very strong, but sharp as hell and very good looking, mainly for a Zytel folder. I like all that.

The lock, on the other hand, feels very stiff, and the thumbs are hard to use. Is my only AXIS, so I can not really compare, but the concensus here in the forums is that the AXIS is smooth as butter, and the 530 is not. I dont like that.

All in all, I like the knife, and is in my EDC rotation. But I think there are much better deals in gents folders out there.

Hope it helps. :)


BETO

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Sorry for my english :o
 
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