Benchmade 530/531

this_is_nascar · Feb 5, 2014

TuCrafty said:
KnifeWorks has some "First Production" models in stock right now...

http://www.knifeworks.com/benchmade531pardueblackandgreyg10handle154cmbladesteel.aspx

Awesome. I'm assuming these are the real deal and not "test units", etc, correct?

TuCrafty · Feb 5, 2014

this_is_nascar said:
Awesome. I'm assuming these are the real deal and not "test units", etc, correct?

It's the first production run of the 531. They are the same knife that will be everywhere a month or so from now, except they say "First Production X of 750" on the blade.

this_is_nascar · Feb 5, 2014

OK, thanks.

this_is_nascar · Feb 5, 2014

The 531 is one of the few offerings from any knife company that I'm looking forward to this year.

jkarp_53 · Feb 5, 2014

Thanks for the nice photo, shows the new blade shape well! :thumbup:

this_is_nascar · Feb 5, 2014

Now showing "Temporarily out of stock". I hope I got my order in quick enough.

this_is_nascar · Feb 5, 2014

I'm stoked. Just got my shipping notice on my 531 First Production unit.

krprice84 · Mar 29, 2014

How is it? As thin as the original? Would the scales made for a 530 fit this one? Wondering if some custom/carbon handles would go on and make an almost ideal knife!

Elite_KG · Apr 12, 2014

Got mine today. Blade centering is perfect and blade play was easily adjusted out. I'm satisfied. Even got a stone washed split arrow clip from my local dealer. Goes well with the satin blade and axis lock. It was worth the wait. Now just waiting on the 940-1....

three2seven · Apr 12, 2014

I've got #17 sitting in my mail box in Texas and I'm in Florida for 3 more days !!!

416isToronto · Apr 13, 2014

Still considering the 531, the 530 is one of my favorites for edc. Really like the blade shape too. Not so sure about the 531... Although the handles are plasticy on the 530, good for taking in out of your pocket..how sticky is the g10 on the 531??

And this thread needs more pics

Wil lRogers · Apr 13, 2014

One of favorite things about the 530 is how comfortable it is to reach into my pocket and get my keys despite the knife being there - precisely because the handle is fairly smooth. I'm not sure if that would be the case with the 531. In fact, it is less comfortable to reach into my pocket when I am carrying my mini-Grip, because the scales on its handle are more abrasive than the 530. So the ideal handle for holding a knife doesn't necessarily make the knife more pocketable.

Elite_KG · Apr 14, 2014

I think G-10 is a good balance between smooth and texture. G-10 and micarta have to be my favorite synthetics. The appearance of the micartas look better, but g-10'has a natural grippy feel. Hard to explain but it feels smooth and still has grip even. Keep in mind finish texture has a lot to do with it and the 531 has a herring bone type ridge pattern...or whatever it is.

NG VI · Oct 21, 2015

I found this thread looking for info on the 531, I just won a bid on one, and I'm hoping the ~$90 I paid wasn't too much. Basically new condition.

I agree with the comments on the blade shape, the 530 always caught my eye as a festival of disappointments, just because of the 'tactical' design features like the spear point blade and overall dagger form, and the decision to go with the lighter material for the scales.

I'm pumped about the 531, it's like I had a dream that the 530 got updated as a nicer knife with an EDC focus, and then went online and found that very knife.

NG VI · Oct 21, 2015

416isToronto said:
Still considering the 531, the 530 is one of my favorites for edc. Really like the blade shape too. Not so sure about the 531... Although the handles are plasticy on the 530, good for taking in out of your pocket..how sticky is the g10 on the 531??

And this thread needs more pics

Ok I take it back, the 530 is a sweet looking knife, and the weight is beautiful.

netguy1999 · Oct 21, 2015

I love the looks and feel of the 531. I had a 530 and found it just felt too platic-like.

Here's the predecessor - a Benchmade 350 Bali-Song. BTW, it's up for sale

Lee48 · Oct 22, 2015

NG VI, thanks for resurrecting this thread. I've been considering these knives as well. The 530 actually looks better to me although I'm sure the 531 is outstanding.

One question. Does the 530 have nested liners or is it liner-less?

NG VI · Oct 22, 2015

Lee48 said:
NG VI, thanks for resurrecting this thread. I've been considering these knives as well. The 530 actually looks better to me although I'm sure the 531 is outstanding.

One question. Does the 530 have nested liners or is it liner-less?

No worries, the 530 always felt under the radar to me, I never knew much about it aside from its tiny weight.

I'd guess it has nested liners, at least near the pivot, to hold the mechanism.

GaryC · Oct 23, 2015

Have a 530 in 440c when they first came out, love the lightweight slim profile & coffin style handle, another great axis lock from BM. Gary

tbenedict · Nov 1, 2015

Love my 530, even more so with the deep clip. I still want a 531 sometime, but it felt heavier and I'm not sure the grind is any thinner. The nylon may feel a little cheap, but it is proven strong and has less snagging/pocket presence.