NEW 531-1501 Dealer Exclusive

billym said:
I'm trying to see what the green looks like in reality. I was hoping someone would post a side by side photo. I have an REI a few blocks away. I may stop by later, it says online they have them in that store location.
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Take some pics? :)
 
billym said:
Funny! My brother and his family are in Va Beach, he told me over Christmas that they were getting an REI. I used to work at the Berkeley store years ago, live real close.
I will get a side by side picture later today. I really missed out on the REI exclusive CF 530. I knew about the S30V exclusive but didn't really like the blue handles. I bought the last 551 exclusive but couldn't justify keeping it over my Ritters with Putnam G-10 scales.
This new 531 is calling to me, already have two 530s and two 531s!
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It's a very small world we live in. Both of us (my wife and me) have been REI members for umpteen years. She goes in for a second interview later this week. :cool:
 
bluemetalchurch said:
Take some pics? :)
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They are the same green G10 used on the 615-1501 if that helps.. Here is an unaltered picture with light:

8605c2b0-f229-4b44-b9bb-974799b82be6_zpsppfmx6m5.jpg
 
I was stoked to go to REI today to get one and the sales staff (even the manager!) had no idea what I was talking about, even though it lists the knife on the website that it is "availbale-in stock at that store." I guess I will just have to order online. Extremely frustrating when I drove for an hour just to get one. Argghhh!!!
 
Thanks for the heads-up. One more to add to the Benchmade/REI set! :thumbup:
 
jlhoffman74 said:
I was stoked to go to REI today to get one and the sales staff (even the manager!) had no idea what I was talking about, even though it lists the knife on the website that it is "availbale-in stock at that store." I guess I will just have to order online. Extremely frustrating when I drove for an hour just to get one. Argghhh!!!
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The same thing happened to me, minus the hour commute.. and the thing that sucks is... they did have at least three in stock at your store - the time you were there, but they didn't unpack them yet (meaning, they scanned them in during the delivery, but, they were somewhere in their stockroom). My online locator said they had them at my home store, so I went in and they couldn’t find them, even though their computer said they had three.. I went back the next day and one was on display, two were in the display drawer. I verified that they didn’t have a shipment that morning lol..

A word of warning when ordering online with this model (or any 530/531).. When I first came across these, none of my local stores (in a 50 mile radius) had them in stock... So I ordered two online for store pick-up (so I could inspect them before my payment would finalize / ease of return etc) When both of them came, the front swedge grinds, flat grinds, and edges were very uneven on both, so I returned them right then & there.. Frustrating, to say the least.

A few days later, all my local stores had them.. I drove to two other stores in my area, and found one that was perfect (grinds matched on each side of the blade, and the edge was even).. Meaning, some models from this first batch had uneven grinds. I noticed that one side of the blade would have larger flats than the other, and this affected the evenness of the front swedge..

If those things don’t bother you, then disregard.. But QC/F&F issues like that bother me on a +$150.00 knife.. I went through at least 10 to find one that was perfect (3 stores total).. If I were you, I’d wait to check them out in store.
 
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Thanks for the heads up, I really would like one of these, just have to wait I guess. Kind of disapointing on the QC issues considering its made in the US and $150.00+.
 
FF and QA always bother me, even on a $25 Ontario Rat-2 (my EDC). On a $100+ knife, I become even more anal about it.
 
jlhoffman74 said:
Thanks for the heads up, I really would like one of these, just have to wait I guess. Kind of disapointing on the QC issues considering its made in the US and $150.00+.
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If it was one model that I found with those issues, I wouldn’t of posted anything.. But I’ve been to three stores already.. I really want another one for my other set of CF scales, but I’ll have to drive a little further and I really don’t want to lol

I generally don’t post anything about QC issues in regard to BKC.. Usually because it’s so rare in my experience.. The only other knive's that you'll have to closely inspect (in regard to grind symmetry) are the 940 & 810.. Due to the advanced angle geometry and the deep spine swedge..

Like I said before, uneven edges aren’t a big deal.. In fact, I usually sharpen a new blade on my Lansky to get it even sharper than the factory edge.. I just hate when the grinds are off. I wish I took pictures, I didn’t want to annoy the associate, especially since I had three to four models out at one time lol
 
P_M, I've been drooling over your CF scales here and on BM Forums. I'd love to see a 531BK blade wrapped in those. I'd love it even more if it were a factory option.
 
Well I pulled the trigger because I have wanted a 530/531 for about a year now, but I didn't really like the blade shape and/or handle material/coloring of the ones offered. As soon as I seen the REI exclusive 531 I had to get one though. I ordered it on Wed, and just got it in the mail today. All I can say is WOW!!, I am amazed by the fit and finish of this knife!!
The feel of the green G10 handles is awesome, couldn't be happier. I took a chance and ordered one online after reading about what P_Meticulous warned about, but I guess I got lucky because the blade grinds are all even, the only thing I could find wrong is that the blade is a hair uncentered favoring the right side. It is small enough to not really bother me I'm sure I could adjust to be perfect if I had to.
This thread needs more pics so I will take some and post them asap. I am glad I stumbled across this thread because I am usually @ the trad forums.
This is a great slicer that I will use for backpacking/camping.
 
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Got mine on Thursday. Neat little knife but I think the pivot needs to be cleaned. Sounds like there is debris crunching around in there when opening / closing. That's the only flaw I've found with it and it won't be much trouble to fix. Love the size and weighs about as much as a feather.

This one came very sharp from the box. Probably the best factory edge on any knife I've bought, at least on par with Spyderco, and I keep saying that with each new BM I've received lately. Seems like BM is doing a better job on their edges overall compared to a few years back when I got into knives. I used to get some really dull blades from them.

531%20REI_zpshrssrhzy.jpg~original
 
I would like some help please from my fellow BFC members.

I just got on the REI website to buy the new 531, but noticed postage/shipping to Sydney Australia is quoted at nearly $80USD!!!!!

I've bought many items from the States in the past and have never paid over $25USD for postage.

I was wondering if I paid for the 531 online- they offer a free postage service inside the US, or pick up/collection service- could someone mail it to me???? I am taking all the risk and putting all my trust in whoever can do this for me

I know this is a bit unusual but it's the only way to get it at a reasonable cost without being gouged on postage.

Please respond to this post or send me an email/PM

Really appreciate any help I can get on this

Thanks

Con
 
send me an email wcedcinstagram AT gmail DOT com
or connect with me via DM on instgram (same user as here).
I'll see if I can help.
 
I picked one of these up today.I have a 530 which I bought used...it was my first Benchmade.I like the dagger style blade very much on the 530 but after handling this one I dove right in.The G10 has an excellent feel compared to the grivory
and the overall action is much nicer.The flow through scales should aid cleaning as well.It is in my pocket now but it is heavier than the ultra-light 530.But the scale stiffness and excellent axis actuation buttons more than make up for it.The color
is ok...overall very nice.Mine has ok centering and good swedges and a sharp factory edge.The other one at the store was hitting the scales on one side and the grinds were uneven.

I like it...it has a premium feel my 530 never had.
 
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