Reviews > Knives > Folding > Benchmade 530 > David Sowards-Emmerd > Initial Report

Initial Report - Benchmade 530 SBK
November 14, 2005

Name: David Sowards-Emmerd
Age: 28
Gender: Male
Height: 5' 8'' (1.73 m)
Weight: 155 lb (70 kg)
Email Address: drunken_marmotATyahooDOTcom
Los Altos, California, USA

Backpacking Background:
I began backpacking semi-frequently about six years ago, soon after moving to California. I generally take weekend (1 night) trips, and occasionally take 3-4 day trips. Most of my backpacking experience is at moderate altitude, 6,000'-12,000' (1,800-3,650 m), in conditions ranging from dry desert to hail/heavy snow in the mountains. In winter and spring I split time between Southern California (SoCal) deserts and snowshoeing/skiing/snowcamping in the Sierra/Cascades. Summer and fall I tend to stick to the high country. I have reduced my packweight, including food and water down to less than 50 lb (23 kg) for snow camping and mountaineering and under 30 lb (14 kg) for 3-season camping with temperatures down to freezing. I'm trying to include more mountaineering, climbing and bouldering in my trips.

The product was received on November 10, 2005.

Product Description:

Manufacturer's Description:
Blade Length: 3.25'' (8.3 cm)
Blade Thickness: 0.090'' (2.3 mm)
Blade Material: 440C Stainless Steel
Blade Hardness: 58-60HRC
Blade Style: Spear-Point
Weight: 1.88 oz (53 g)
Clip: Black, Reversible, Tip-Up
Lock Mechanism: AXIS
Overall Length: 7.42'' (18.8 cm)
Closed Length: 4.17'' (10.6 cm)

Specifications (as measured by tester):
Closed Length: 4.19'' (10.6 cm)
Overall Length: 7.41'' (18.8 cm)
Blade Length (tip to handle): 3.25'' (8.3 cm)
Weight(knife, including clip): 1.73 oz (49 g) (weight difference due to metal removed for serrations?)
Weight(carry sack): 0.07 oz (2 g)
I will weigh the clip separately once I obtain the correct size micro-Torx bit for removal.

Product Description and Initial Impressions:

The Benchmade 530 (Pardue) SBK is a very lightweight folding knife. The SBK model has a serrated, spear-point blade (false edge on back of blade) that is coated, except for the edge, with Benchmade's BK1 BenchKote. This is a poly-ceramic coating to help prevent corrosion, as well as make the blade look much cooler. The blade itself is 440C stainless steel that has been heat-treated according to their 'special recipe'. The blade locks securely in the open position using Benchmade's patented AXIS locking mechanism. The handle is very lightweight and constructed of Noryl GTX, a lightweight, molded plastic. Inside, a metal liner runs about half the length of the handle for added structural integrity. A removable belt clip is attached initially for right pocket clip-carrying, but can be removed altogether with a micro-Torx bit or placed on the other side of the knife. Finally, a thumb stud is mounted on each side of the blade to make opening the blade easier. For more detailed descriptions of the materials, see the manufacturer's website.

The knife arrived well padded in a small blue benchmade box (standard store packaging), and included a small carry bag and instruction manual/warranty card as well as the knife. The knife is very lightweight and at first glance doesn't appear that it could possibly be very sturdy. However, after playing with it for the last few days, it seems just as robust as any of my other folding blades. The blade is very sharp straight from the factory. I tried shaving my cheek with the 530 (carefully to avoid the serrated bit of the blade) and it did a pretty good job with the factory edge. Not as close as a straight razor, but it did cut all of the hair - just not down as close to the skin. I will try this a bit more after the first sharpening. Otherwise, it easily cleans the hair off my forearm and the back of my hand.

The knife is easy to open with one hand, either using one or both of the thumb studs. However, I wouldn't mind a larger or stickier thumb stud. I'm also able to close the knife easily with one hand. The locking mechanism is placed in an excellent spot in my opinion and should be very difficult to release accidentally. It does take a bit of effort to release the AXIS mechanism (see photo), and my fingertips are actually a bit sore after opening and closing the knife several hundred times in the first few days since it arrived. I've found three other little tricks with the locking mechanism. First, pulling on the release when the knife is closed opens the blade out to about 30 degrees, and a well timed flick of the wrist will open the blade (I don't intend to do this often, since I don't imagine this is good for the locking mechanism, but I'll ask the manufacturer if they care to comment on this). The opposite motion can be used to close the knife, but this I consider a bit more dangerous and don't intend to do at all. Second, when the knife is open, I can close it one-handed by releasing the locking mechanism with my thumb and middle finger, and then flicking the blade closed with my index finger (careful to make sure my pinky is out of the way). If I release the locking mechanism at just the right time, the knife will close completely. If I don't release it, it sticks out about 30 degrees (just like above - not a coincidence), and releasing the mechanism then pulls the blade in, closing the knife. Finally, gripping the knife between with my left hand, and holding the AXIS release with my right thumb and index finger, with a very swift tug on the pin I can flip the blade out all the way to the open position. The AXIS locking mechanism is a brilliant method for securing the blade in the open position. It consists of a spring-loaded pin that holds the blade open and a fixed pin that keeps the blade from opening more than 180 degrees (see photo below). At the base of the edge is a groove that the spring-loaded pin fits into when the knife is closed - this doesn't keep the knife locked in the close position, but means a slightly larger force is needed to open the blade and the pin is pushed out of the groove. At the bottom end of the back of the blade, about 1/3 of the metal is cut away, leaving a flat edge (parallel to the blade) that the spring-loaded pin snaps behind, keeping the blade from closing. The other side of the groove (perpendicular to the edge of the blade) rests against the fixed pin, keeping the blade from opening any farther (see photo below). Located right next to the AXIS mechanism is a ridged metal bit to provide extra grip for the thumb when cutting with the knife.

The belt clip is too small for my only belt (C. C. Filson Ranger), but I don't wear that backpacking anyways. The clip is great for top of pants or pockets and the 'ridges' on the handle help secure it. I will see where it can be secured on my pack. As a backup, a lanyard or loop can be attached to a small hole in the end of the knife to make sure I don't lose it. In any case, the clip also provides a bit more grip and leverage for opening the blade.

The included instructions are pretty minimal, basically just covering cleaning and oiling the knife, maintaining a sharp edge with a method I'm proficient in, and describing the warranty information.

I will be sharpening the blade with a Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker, and will consult the manufacturer on whether they recommend a 30 or 40 degree angle for sharpening and what the original angle is as well.

Specific Things to Test:

• How does the black BK1 coating hold up with use?
• How does the locking mechanism hold up? I will clean it regularly with cotton swabs.
• It appears the knife can be completely disassembled with some micro-Torx bits. However, the instructions specifically say 'DO NOT DISASSEMBLE YOUR KNIFE'. Will any of the 'screws' come loose with use?
• Ease of opening/closing with one hand, cold hands, gloves, wet handle, etc.? Will I receive any self-inflicted wounds during the testing period due to this?
• How does the AXIS locking mechanism work? The manufacturer's website describes it, but I'd like to examine it in person. Does it keep the knife from accidentally opening as well as accidentally closing?
• How easy is it to clean the inside of the handle and the locking mechanism? The manufacturer claims cleaning the locking mechanism should be easy.
• How often will it need sharpening under normal use?
• How well does it cut cord, rope and webbing?
• It looks like it should be excellent (thin) for examining snow layers in avalanche country (late in the test period unless winter starts in October like last year).
• Is the tip sharp and pointy enough for removing stitching from gear, or will I revert back to a different knife for this?
• How durable are the handle, blade, and locking mechanism? I don't expect any problems during a 4 month test, but will report on them if they occur.
• Corrosion resistance: I don't use the heater, so my apartment will be cool and humid once winter hits. I have to store my knives in a watertight army surplus container to keep some of them from rusting in these conditions, how will this knife do? Also, it is often difficult to completely dry off a knife when snow camping, which is where most of the backcountry use will take place.

Test Plan and Testing Locations:

I intend to carry the 530 with me almost all the time during the testing period. I will use it for random tasks around the house, and occasionally as a dinner utensil (on lexan plates only). I've already taken the knife on one backpacking trip and will bring it as my sole cutting tool (except for maybe a hatchet and snow saw) on all of my backpacking and dayhiking trips during the testing period. These trips will mainly be snowshoe and ski trips into the Sierra Nevada and Southern Cascades, but will also include a few non-snow car camping and backpacking trips as well. Use will include, but not be limited to, whittling, preparing tinder for fires, cutting food, packaging, rope and webbing, and modifying gear as needed.

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Reviews > Knives > Folding > Benchmade 530 > David Sowards-Emmerd > Initial Report