The incredibly slim, Mel Pardue-designed Benchmade 530
caught my eye when a friend of mine ordered one. He had been carrying a much
heavier tactical folder in his pocket and wanted something lightweight to use as
an every-day carry folder (EDC). When he pointed out the 530 to me, I was so
taken by its upswept good looks that I had to have one for myself.

The
530 is amazingly thin and light. Benchmade’s website lists its total weight as
1.88 ounces. The 154CM spear-point blade sports dual plastic thumb studs.
Overall length is a little under seven and a half inches with a closed length of
just over four inches (the official blade length is three and a quarter
inches).

The 530 has
simple, clean lines that make it a good “gent’s folder.” While the grooved
plastic handle may say “tactical” to some, the knife is too small and light
really to be considered a full-on “tactical folder” despite its dagger-like
looks. Rather, it’s a superb EDC that all but disappears from your mental
inventory when it’s clipped to your pocket.

The metal
pocket clip on mine shows wear from constant contact with my office chair and
the steering wheel of my car, which has rubbed the coating from the metal. The
clicp has great tension and is reversible for right- or left-hand use (tip-up
only). The entire knife is held together with Torx screws.

Ergonomics of
the knife are great. The handle grooves provide decent traction and the shape of
the handle itself proved very comfortable for me. Fit and finish are of course
top-notch, as one would expect from Benchmade.

The knife was
nicely sharp out of the box and the 154CM blade holds an edge well under daily
utility service. It opens smoothly and locks securely with no blade play
whatsoever. It also releases easily; the AXIS lock is smooth and firm. I always
use two hands to release the AXIS lock, finding it difficult to pull the lock
closed from only one side, but this can be done with a little
effort.

Classy,
comfortable, and precise, the 530 makes a very respectable utility knife with
which you won’t feel naked if you sometimes contemplate the politically
incorrect “tactical” side of the daily carry equation. While I rotate my EDC
frequently, I keep coming back to the 530, which must mean I really like
it. >>