New LE 530-1303 REI Exclusive

P_Meticulous said:
LOL thats what tools are for ;) I have a tool-bag in my trunk, along with a go-bag (with an assortment of goodies ;)) Hub-cap vs. Pain - no issues :D

I'm a firm believer in using the right tool for the job, I'll save the Macgyver stuff for TV

The jokes on the guy who has a brick in his pocket, to open a box, or cut some fruit LOL :rolleyes:;)
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Aha, but it is "tactical". Never know when that hamburger, steak or apple is going to attack violently! I do find it of interest the number of posts which ask about the strongest, beefiest or best steel folding knife. The average knife owner needs such a knife for what use, dressing a elephant or digging out a T Rex?

BTW my 530-1303 is in at REI and waiting for pickup tomorrow.
 
tatfiend said:
I do find it of interest the number of posts which ask about the strongest, beefiest or best steel folding knife. The average knife owner needs such a knife for what use, dressing a elephant or digging out a T Rex?
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The only real drawback to a large knife I can see: :D;)

 
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mcoupe.oakley said:
Only 93 left in stock
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I'm a little surprised that they're not going more quickly. Is it just the unpopularity/sleeper status of the 530? Or do limited edition Benchmades generally sell slowly?

I feel like if this LE were a Spyderco sprint REI would be wiped out in a week.
 
My $.02...I suspect it's the price, and many REI fans look for a cheaper alternative like a CE Mini Grip - and unlike the S'co Sprint these are available at one location only. It's an unusual move to offer such an LE from REI and if I didn't already own one I would've jumped on one of these, if nothing else as an investment...but I like to use most of my knives not look at them.
 
Blade and Flame said:
I'm a little surprised that they're not going more quickly. Is it just the unpopularity/sleeper status of the 530? Or do limited edition Benchmades generally sell slowly?

I feel like if this LE were a Spyderco sprint REI would be wiped out in a week.
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It could be because it's dealer specific to REI, and IMO, because most people don't go to REI specifically for knives (e.g., their limited selection of knives). This is my first time even buying a knife from them.

Besides the forums, the 530-1303 wasn't really advertised anywhere else, that could be it also.
 
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Remember that all but the first of the REI BM LE knives have been very slow movers, and several have been closed out at deep discounts, even when they started at lower MSRPs. As nice as this 530 is, it's still both a little esoteric and expensive.
 
Heck, call it whatever you like, I've been wishing I could grab a Gold version of the 530, but this is just about as good to me. I love CF and S30V! Thanks for the heads up!
 
Man, I'm having a hard time trying to resist ordering one of those bad boys.

I have never handled a 530, but I am kind of leery of the positioning of the thumb studs.

To me they look to close to the handle to be easily accessible.

Thoughts?
 
Blade and Flame said:
I'm a little surprised that they're not going more quickly. Is it just the unpopularity/sleeper status of the 530? Or do limited edition Benchmades generally sell slowly?

I feel like if this LE were a Spyderco sprint REI would be wiped out in a week.
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A) The price increase is almost 300%. That means that an equivalent PM2 sprint run would cost almost $400.

B) Most people just buy the Spyderco sprints so they can flip them for a profit. Easy when you start with a knife that costs $50-75 dollars more than the regular version. Not so when it's $130 more.

C) People are used to getting Benchmades under MAP. If REI had a 25% coupon code, I bet they would have sold them a lot faster, even if the total price was still $200 after the 25% discount. Once people are used to getting a discount they will come to expect it, even if you lower the list price down to the discounted price. Just ask JCP and their ill fated attempt to go from a 'coupon/discount/sale' store to an 'every day value' store.
 
Scurvy092 said:
A) The price increase is almost 300%. That means that an equivalent PM2 sprint run would cost almost $400.

B) Most people just buy the Spyderco sprints so they can flip them for a profit. Easy when you start with a knife that costs $50-75 dollars more than the regular version. Not so when it's $130 more.

C) People are used to getting Benchmades under MAP. If REI had a 25% coupon code, I bet they would have sold them a lot faster, even if the total price was still $200 after the 25% discount. Once people are used to getting a discount they will come to expect it, even if you lower the list price down to the discounted price. Just ask JCP and their ill fated attempt to go from a 'coupon/discount/sale' store to an 'every day value' store.
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$200.00 shipped for 1 of 30 LE run is also not quite the same as run of 175 for the same $200.00
for a very similar knife.
Just a thought.
 
I would absolutely snap one of these up if it was $150 but there a just so many other knives I would rather have in the $200 range.
 
Scurvy092 said:
I would be happy with a g10 530. The 'Grivory' was by far and away the worst part of that knife.
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Agreed.
The Grivory production scales are the only reason why I never picked one up in the first place lol I missed out on the Gold Class/LE's in the past, but I'll tell you, this little knife is awesome.

If they came out with a G10 version, I'd be all over it, and then some.
 
G-10 would be a natural step, considering what carbon fiber did for these limited runs. I would pay the extra for it, and would also ask for a general upgrade to at least S30V as the standard offering.
 
gastonian said:
I have never handled a 530, but I am kind of leery of the positioning of the thumb studs.

To me they look to close to the handle to be easily accessible.

Thoughts?
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The 530-1303 was my first 530, but here are my thoughts.

The 530 is very easy to flick open, but it requires a slightly different technique. With a Mini-Grip, I'll usually just use the tip of my thumb to push the thumbstuds.

The 530 uses smaller thumbstuds that feature a flanged tip. For fast deployment, I've found that it's best to use the thumbnail under the flange. Then you just flick your thumb in the same motion as flipping a coin. In this manner, the 530 flicks out very consistently and extremely quickly.

For slower/controlled deployment, the smaller thumbstuds of the 530 aren't as comfortable to use, but it's not a huge issue.

More than the thumbstuds, I think that the less prominent Axis lock bar with hollowed out ends is a bigger issue, as the lock is much more uncomfortable to use than a standard Axis lock bar.
 
My REI 530-1303 was picked up today and admired by several members of the REI staff. I wonder what employee discount they get?

Comparing the production 530 to the CF version the following differences are measureable. I hope that this info is useful to readers.

The CF version is heavier. !.98 oz versus 1.91.

The scales on the CF knife are a lot thicker. Just ahead of the clip the CF knife is .047" or 1.2mm thicker, making the 960 a considerably thinner knife than the CF 530. Still thin but noticeably thicker than the grivory handle version.

Possibly due to the thicker scales the CF knife has better cutouts of the scales for thumb access to the thumb studs or so my thumb tells me when operating the knives.

NO Change in the width of the Axis lock release or the form of the cupped ends on it so that it is even less exposed for operation with the thicker scales. IMO the one area that needs improvement on the CF version.
 
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