Reviews > Knives > Folding > Benchmade 530 > David Sowards-Emmerd > Long Term Report

Long Term Report - Benchmade 530 SBK
March 21, 2006

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.

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(carry sack): 0.07 oz (2 g)
Weight (clip): (3 g)

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 that is coated, except for the edge, with Benchmade's BK1 BenchKote. For more details on the knife construction and materials, see my Initial Report. For details of the first few months of use, see my Field Report.

Continued Use:

Since my Field Report, I've carried the 530 about every other day. I haven't used a kitchen knife at home since the 530 arrived, although I have used other backpacking knives. At home I've used the 530 for a variety of tasks, including, but not limited to: cutting up a whole pineapple to put in a dehydrator, slicing steak to put in a dehydrator, preparing artichokes, melons, cutting up a whole chicken (6 lb / 2.5 kg or so), and just in general where I'd need a knife for eating a meal. The blade was a bit short for the chicken and pineapple, and I wouldn't use it again for this, especially in the backcountry (I've carried in pineapples, but not whole chickens in the past). I've cut a bunch of rope, webbing, and small cord, as well as disassembling backpacking gear and cutting the tags out of shirts and pants. Additionally, I've whittled a bit at home in mediocre attempts to make a fire board and two fire pistons, as well as some fuzz sticks. Finally, I use the knife to open the many packages that arrive at my door, and to sharpen pencils for my students at work.

For backpacking and dayhikes, I've carried the 530 on several backpacking overnighters in a variety of conditions, most involving snow in some way. Use generally involved opening packing (food and water purification tablets), cutting up food like sausages, and cutting spectra-core cord for guy lines. I always keep the knife in my pocket backpacking so it's handy.

Observations So Far:

The AXIS Lock:
I'm still a huge fan of the AXIS lock. I have not had any difficulty engaging or disengaging the lock during testing. I trust this lock, and frequently use the back side of the blade like a butter knife on cold (occasionally frozen) butter. It is also very easy to clean and easy to disassemble for further cleaning (see below).

Serrations:
I've only had one serrated knife previously, which I gave away when this one arrived. These were basically a test, and I'd say the serrations have failed. I found that during this testing period, there wasn't anything I cut that I felt the serrations did a better job on. Even cutting rope and webbing, I prefer the straight part of the blade. Sharpening the serrations is more difficult as well. I have always felt that the serrated portion on a combination edge would be much more useful at the tip, not near the pivot, but few if any production knives are designed this way.

Shaving:
I tried shaving my cheek once again with the 530. This was more difficult with this blade since I had to avoid the serrated part. However, after sharpening and stropping, I was able to get a relatively clean shave on my cheeks with the 530, although with considerably more irritation than using any of my straight razors.

The Clip:
I still go back and forth on using the clip. At the moment, I have the clip re-installed, but during the past two months, the majority of the time I haven't had the clip on. See my Field Report for more on use with and without the clip.

Edge Maintenance:
I've sharpened the 530 five or six times with a Spyderco Triangle Sharpmaker, and have switched to a 40 degree (whole) angle on the edge. I keep all my knives sharp enough to effortlessly shave arm hair. The sharpening has just been quick touchups. The blade hasn't had any chips or dings and I haven't used it long enough to get it really dull due to my frequent sharpening. So far, the 530 has held it's edge very well for the amount of use I've put it through.

The Coating:
The BK1 coating on the blade has continued to hold up well. However, a considerable amount of the coating was worn off near the pivot, where the washer and blade are in contact (see photo below). I noticed this when I disassembled the knife.

Corrosion:
I have taken good care of the knife and it has rarely been left wet. After a thorough inspection, both inside and out, there isn't any visible corrosion on this knife.

Cleaning and Lubrication:
A month or so back, I broke down and picked up some Militec-1 and have since used this to lubricate the pivot. The blade continues to open and close smoothly.

Disassembly:
Being curious, I felt the need to disassemble the 530 during the test period - several times actually. The first time I disassembled the knife, I started by removing the pivot screw, the blade and two bushings/washers. Next I removed the three perimeter screws (long screws that are only on one side). Then I removed the blade stop screws (one on each side). Next I removed the screw on each side that holds the scales onto the liner and removed the scales from the liner. At this point, the two liners have the 'Omega' springs (I assume this name is due to the shape) inserted into small holes, and these springs are attached to the lock bar. Next I removed the springs from the liner and the lockbar and springs (still together) can be removed from the liners out one side of the slot. These springs aren't as heavy duty as in my Benchmade 552, which makes them much easier to deal with. Finally, the stop bar and liners are taken apart and that's it. Then I reassembled by reversing these directions, with one exception, without any difficulty. The exception is that I put the scales on the liners, and install the stop bar screws before installing the screws in the center of the scales - this pushes the liners back into place against the scales while they would otherwise be held closer together by the springs. The dangerous part of this is of course removing and re-installing the blade. For me, other than satisfying my curiosity, disassembly allows me to thoroughly clean the knife, as well as apply lubricant exactly where I want it. Below is a photo of all the parts.

Note: Disassembly of the knife will void the warranty, is potentially dangerous, and is not recommended by Benchmade, BackpackGearTest.org, or the author.

Durability/Sturdiness:
There are a few small nicks in the plastic handles, but otherwise the knife has fared well. The paint is also wearing off the screws and clip, but for me, this is just cosmetic. For its weight, the 530 seems to be a relatively strong knife, although I believe I could snap it in two with my hands if I wanted to, and thus have not used it in any 'excessive force' applications, and have not torqued the blade at all.

Grip:
The grip is comfortable overall, and a good fit to my hands. I haven't used it much when it was wet, and generally when my hands were cold, I was wearing gloves when I used it. However, the comfort quickly diminishes with extended use like whittling on my front porch.

Use with Gloved Hands:
I've been able to open, close, and use the 530 while wearing a range of gloves. The most difficult part is just getting the knife out of my pocket. On a recent ski trip, it was easier to dig the 530 out of my pocket and cut open a energy bar that taking my gloves off to tear the stubborn packaging open.

Overall:
This is an excellent lightweight knife, with a great locking mechanism, and a good blade. However, for backpacking, I don't mind carrying the extra weight for something more durable that has more uses around camp.

Continued Use

I may continue to carry the 530 for lightweight trips. However, I will most likely give/loan this knife to my wife and I will carry one of my sturdier folders (Benchmade 552 or Spyderco Manix), that I am comfortable batoning, for backpacking, at least until my Ratweiler arrives.

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Reviews > Knives > Folding > Benchmade 530 > David Sowards-Emmerd > Long Term Report