Benchmade 531 Pardue G10 AXIS Lock Knife Review

The newest iteration of the fantastic Pardue folder from Benchmade offers you the same great knife with G10 handle scales.

The Pardue AXIS lock knife features the AXIS® locking mechanism.  This system, if you have never used it, has a small bar that extends through the knife handle and protrudes just slightly on both sides of the knife handle.  It protrudes maybe 1/32″.  Each end of the bar is stepped to give it a comfortable feel when you grip it with your fingers and thumb.  The bar rides in a small channel that extends horizontally along the knife handle about 3/8″.  When you open the blade, the bar locks into position closer to the blade.  This prevents the blade from closing.  It is an extremely strong blade lock.  To close the blade, you grab the bar between your thumb and finger and pull the bar towards the butt of the handle.  This releases the blade so you can close it manually.  The thing I like best about the AXIS® locking system is the strength.  My second favorite thing about it is the ease and simplicity of use.

The Benchmade 531 boast G10 handle scales with a herringbone texture and color pattern.  The handle scales are supported by partial liners that extend up to the spine.  There is some light jimping on the liners that gives your thumb some extra grip right where the G10 handle curves into a slight thumb ramp.  This is the perfect control spot for your thumb when making slicing or chopping cuts.  A unique finger groove that doubles as the spot where the thumb studs sit when the blade is closed allows you to get your forefinger locked in when making heavy cuts allowing you to keep a solid grip on this fabulous little knife.  The 531 has a reversible (left/right) tip up pocket clip.

The blade is 154CM stainless steel and can be found with a satin or BK black coated finish.  It is available with a plain edge or combo edge.  The 3.25″ blade is plenty big to get serious cuts done and because the knife is so light–it only weighs 2.10 ounces–it is the perfect knife for pocket carry.  It won’t take up too much pocket real estate™ but it will allow you to take care of whatever the world decides to throw at you.  If you are interested in picking up one of these great Mel Pardue designed folders, you can find them here on our website.  Let me know what you think of yours down below.

• Blade Length: 3.25″
• Blade Thickness: 0.090″
• Handle Thickness: 0.370″
• Blade Material: 154CM Stainless Steel
• Blade Hardness: 58-60HRC
• Blade Style: Modified Drop Point with Ambidextrous Thumb-Studs
• Weight: 2.10 oz.
• Clip: Black, Reversible, Tip-Up
• Lock Mechanism: AXIS
• Overall Length: 7.42″
• Closed Length: 4.17″
• Sheath Material: Sold Separately
• Class: Blue