Benchmade 530-901 REI Special.

[bobusx]

Well I carry it more as a light EDC than a SD knife. Its big for its weight, but I wouldn't consider it a SD knife, unless you were relying on it for its somewhat switchblade like appearance and false double edge to scare people. Of course, I am no where near a SD expert.

I like it as a decent sized blade in a package that is lighter than even my SS Kershaw Chive, which is about half the size. Very good for carrying in shorts, around the house, or as a backup blade that you don't notice. My typical team is a BM 710D2 in my right front, and a regular 530 in my back right pocket. Only real risk is the washing machine, since its easy to forget its there when I am unloading after a trip out.

Personally I think this an excellent buy, and if I had any spare money atm, I would certainly pick one up. I mean, it weighs the same as one of those small swiss army knives! Don't expect a tank though, this is for normal cutting tasks, not clearing underbrush or small trees.

 

[JNewell]

Just on appearence and with its thing profile, does not seems fit for outdoorsy things..seems more of a self defense knife...I just got my BM bone collector D2 steel..soild as a rock..thinking about getting the BM 950 rift next..

Check backpackgeartest.com. Hikers love them because they're so compact and lightweight.

 

[blockhead]

Nice looking 530:thumbup: That wouldn't have happened to come from the REI just off Main Street near Target/Gemco would it???? I haven't been by there in a long time but if memory serves that's where the REI used to be, I believe on Ygnacio Valley Blvd.

Enjoy it!

I know this thread is really old now, but I couldn't resist, as I grew up in the area you are referring to. There was never an REI in Walnut Creek. Where Gemco used to be and Target now sits is the corner of Ygnacio Valley and Main. On the opposite side of the street (Ygnacio) and further west was the awesome mountaineering store you are remembering I believe...Sunrise Mountaineering. Later on Sunrise Mountaineering became Sunrise Mountain Sports, and moved to the eastern corner directly across from Target. Now it's gone altogether (in it's place is an office building that takes up the whole city block, oh well.).. The only remaining Sunrise Mountain Sports being located in Livermore.

The REI closest was/is the Concord store in the Willows shopping center.

Thanks for the memories.