I just ordered my first Spyderco, along with a BM 530!

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FliGuyRyan

Joined
Dec 2, 2005
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I ordered a Spyderco Cricket serrated with a Benchmade 530SBK. This is my first Spyderco and my first non-automatic Benchmade. I ordered the BM 530 in 440C as I do not currently own 440C or VG-10 for that matter...

We'll see how it goes... until then, my titanium-handled Random Leek is treating very well :D

What do you guys think? Any user opinions?
Ryan
 
For anyone who owns a Cricket, how do you like it and what is it really good for? Also, same goes for the Benchmade 530... although, I imagine this knife will be great as it's so thin.

Any user experiences?

Thanks,
Ryan
 
I have a Bencmade 530. It is 440c also. It is the most carried knife I have. It is so thin and light, you don't notice it in a pocket but it is large enough to be useful. My 530 goes in a shirt pocket when I go to work.
 
A knife in a shirt pocket, I would've never imagined that one - wow. I must be underestimating how light this knife is. I can't wait till it comes in...

flip, how do you like the 440C? I ordered it in that steel because I haven't collected a knife with that particular steel yet, and also, everyone says it's very easy to sharpen and can get razor sharp with very little effort.

Thanks,
Ryan
 
The Cricket SE is an awesome little cutter. Unless you specifically need a long blade, it can pretty much handle anything you throw at it. I like to carry it IWB to complement any PE blade I have on me.

Also, I just got a 530 recently and it is my favorite Benchmade thus far. A nice thin blade, just how I prefer my EDC to be, and lightweight but reasonably strong. I hardly notice it clipped to my pocket.
 
flip and carrot,

Now, the BM 530 doesn't have a metal handle does it? It's a polymer-type material right? If so, is this in any way a bad thing?

Also, carrot, what do you mean by "I like to carry it IWB to complement any PE blade I have on me?" I don't know what IWB and PE stand for... forgive my ignorance.

Thanks...
Ryan
 
I have a SE Cricket in my pocket right now. It's one of my "at the office" knives. It's well made and very useful. It's also fairly thin and doesn't leave much of a "print" in your pocket. The blade shape is great for opening packages. Sheeple friendly to the extent that matters.
 
I just got a BM 530 today. I love it.
It's a near perfect balance of lightweight and thin but sturdy and useful.

There is a good deal of flat blade for light kitchen type tasks, like paring and fine slicing, the spear point is great to poke holes. The blade is thin enough to be a great slicer but in no way feels flimsy. It's a great 'no reason not to have it around' general-purpose utility knife.

Yes the handle is "plasticy" but also feels sturdier than my Griptilian. For me at least it is somehow just right for this knife. I'm not sure I would desire any other material for the handle, it seems to fit perfectly with the overall design.

Perhaps the worst thing about it is that its so small and light you just might forget you're carrying a knife when you need it.
 
IWB = In the Waist Band
RFP = Right Front Pocket

PE = Plain Edge no serrations
CE = Combo Edge part serrated part plain
SE = Serrated Edge

These are some common abbreviations around here. Another that you'll see a lot is EDC for Every Day Carry
 
Ryan, my 530 gets carried alot but not used heavily. It does seem to take a good edge. After I put on my Sharpmaker for a few minutes, my son will take it and polish it on paper for a few more minutes and then it is shaving sharp. I swapped clips with another BM to get a silver clip on it. I'm not thrilled with the plastic grip but I can't complain about how it functions. It just doesn't feel as good as G10 or carbon fiber but it would be much more expensive with those materials.
 
Imagine a world where you could find a BM 530 with S30V and a carbon-fiber handle. I wonder how much this would cost, but I know this knife would sell like cheeseburgers on the dollar menu.

Thank you all again for posting your thoughts. I'm really looking forward to the Cricket SE's blade design. It seems like it will be great for slicing and opening boxes and stuff (as you all have said who own it). And the BM will be great to just have with me. I hope it isn't too good that it replaces my Random Leek with titanium handle... :-)

-Ryan
 
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