Benchmade 530 or Cold Steel Ti-Lite

M

manowar669

Joined
Oct 1, 2002
Messages
1,821
First, try to leave the Cold steel hate out of it.

I carry a small EDC folder for utility, but I'm looking for a larger knife that's more "stabby". The BM is a lot slimmer and very light, but slower to open (unless you guys know a trick to open it), the Ti-lite is fast, but the handle is pretty thick (and heavier). What do you think?

Any other suggestions for a pocket dirk, dagger, skain dubh sort of knife in the 3-4 inch range?
 
Last edited:
My 530 opens faster than an automatic with a flick of the thumb...the tension for the Axis lock and a very light blade make it pop open with authority. I would take the 530, its a great knife.
 
The 530. The BM530 is quality all the way and now uses 154CM steel. BM's 154CM is great stuff and sharpens easily. Also, it is very light and thin but is sturdy enough for most chores. It makes a great waist band EDC as I do not even notice it until I need it.

RKH
 
Had the ti-lite, hated it. The pseudo-wave feature rips up seams like no other and the thumbstud was impossible to access.
 
I did a review of the 530 here. I have one of the very large Ti-Lites and I quite like it, but it's really a pig-sticker of s self-defense knife, too big to be comparable to the small, slim 530. I'm not sure how one of the smaller ti-lites would stack-up.
 
Nice review Sharp Phil. I think the 530 is a very nice and lightweight EDC with a very sharp blade. And with Benchmade's excellent quality and that great Axis lock.

RKH
 
The Benchmade 530 is on its way to becoming a classic (if it isn't one already).

A great knife - for all the reasons mentioned above, and more.
 
I have both the 530 and the large ti-lite and for me there is just too much difference to really compare these two knives. I bought my 530 for very light carry with shorts and etc., I bought the large ti-lite for some nostalgia and I really like it. They are both in my rotation, sort of a summer/winter thing.
 
Am trying to sell my 4" Ti-Lite now. Worst impulse buy ever. Haven't used it once.
Used my last Ti-Lite, the same model of Ti-Lite, and then wisely sold it.
Haven't used this one once in the four months I've had it.

Between the two, go with the 530. Or save some more money and get a Lone Wolf Paul Defender, you probably won't regret it.
 
For a user/utility knife, I'd go with the 530. The blade is wider, making it a better slicer (higher grind).
That being said, I've got a Ti-Lite (grey Ti handles), and it's a nice knife. Sees some pocket time, but not as much as most of my other knives.
 
I hate the top guard on my ti-lite, but i love almost every other aspect of it.
Kenix, i push on the top of the thumbstud... i dunno what you were doing.
 
+1 BM530

BM530_5.jpg
 
I'd recommend against the Ti-lite. While it is a cool looking knife, I am very disappointed in it. After about a month of carry it developed a significant amount of up and down blade play which I just can't mentally get over now to carry it.
 
My smaller one has a little bit of vertical play also. The liner lock slides just a tad. It doesn't come loose, and has never actually failed, so I don't worry about it... but it's not the best liner lock I have, that's for sure.
My large version works great.
 
530 is one of the best buys I've had this year. It's an excellent EDC, almost too light. :p
 
My Ti-Lite has the exact same issue as puukkoman describes. It's also an original version (i.e. made out of titanium).

Although I don't go around stabbing things, the vertical play does not inspire confidence in the lock. It is a hunk of titanium and the AUS-8 blade will take a very sharp edge, but I'd rather have a BM 530. However, as someone else already mentioned, these two knives are not really comparable in my opinion either.
 
I have the Titanium Ti-Lite as well and it locks up just fine. It is not so much a practical knife, rather it is a nostalgic showpiece. With it's 'stiletto' blade, it has an enormous intimidation factor and looks nice too. However, it doesn't see much if any pocket time. If you intend to actually use the knife, go for the BM.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top