Benchmade Mel Pardue 350 question
ltl919
opening thumb stud
is ambidextrous? I can't tell from the pictures and the Benchmade web
site doesn't say
if it is.
Does any one have any opinions about this knife? It appears to be a very
nice and relatively inexpensive liner lock w/ an ATS-34 blade. The 350
seems
underappreciated compared to the AFCK's and Stryker's.
Thanks!
Ned Bolle
ltl919 wrote in message <3652EAD6...@newsguy.com>...
>I am considering getting a Benchmade 350 - does anyone know if the
>opening thumb stud
>is ambidextrous? I can't tell from the pictures and the Benchmade web
>site doesn't say
>if it is.
>
>Does any one have any opinions about this knife? It appears to be a very
>
>nice and relatively inexpensive liner lock w/ an ATS-34 blade. The 350
>seems
>underappreciated compared to the AFCK's and Stryker's.
>
The handle is not as rigid and I am less confident in the lock. Overall,
lacking a liner, it is not as solid. On the plus side, it is aesthetically
pleasing, light and compact and has a simple, functional blade geometry
that's easy to sharpen.
>Thanks!
>
Hope this helps. nb
Thomas H. Faller
I'm carrying one at the moment. I've had it for about two weeks. It is
not ambidexterous, and is designed for the right hand. The 350 is
considerably smaller and lighter than the Stryker or AFCK, and
although it has a spearpoint blade, my feeling is that it is a much
less "agressive" knife than either of the above. The profile reminds
me of a much smaller and thinner Gerber dagger, although, of course,
only one side of the 350 is sharpened.
On mine, opening is smooth and lockup is tight and precise. I've tried
our "standard" liner lock tests on it, and it passes. The pivot appears
to have copper bushings, rather than bearings. It sits very flat in a
pocket. Mine was not satisfactorily sharp when I bought it, but it
sharpened well with the Lansky system, although because of the double
grind, it seats very deeply in the holder. I like it, and consider it
to be a good deal. If you want a more combat-oriented knife, I'd
go with the AFCK or Ascent, or the Applegate Covert knives. Despite its
relations to its automatic cousin, this is rather tame for a tactical
knife.
Tom Faller
--
Thomas Faller fal...@peachtree.sgi.com
Customer Support Center Voice: (770) 631-2258
Silicon Graphics, Inc. FAX: (770) 486-4206
CarlaLew
>our "standard" liner lock tests on it, and it passes.
What is the standard liner lock test? And where can I find it?
Thanks,
Lew
CarlaLew
I agree and like my Mel Pardue 350. Its light and nice to carry. If I had to
change anything I would make the blade opener alittle bigger or alittle fater.
The stud knob that you push the blade open with.
Lew
Paul
>I am considering getting a Benchmade 350 - does anyone know if the
>opening thumb stud
>is ambidextrous? I can't tell from the pictures and the Benchmade web
>site doesn't say
>if it is.
>
>Does any one have any opinions about this knife? It appears to be a very
>
>nice and relatively inexpensive liner lock w/ an ATS-34 blade. The 350
>seems
>underappreciated compared to the AFCK's and Stryker's.
>
>Thanks!
I have owned two Benchmade Mini Strykers, the first I sent back
because of the fit between the blade and lock. It kind of "jiggled"
along the same direction as the blade pivot, when it was locked open.
I sent it back to Benchmade, they promptly replaced it (not repaired
it), with one that locked solid. It then became my most favorite knife
ever, and I carried it daily but used it only occasionally, for about
6 months, when it developed the same problem. The lock was secure, it
passed the "rap the spine on something solid" test easily enough, but
it had that stupid "jiggle" when you shook it with the blade open. No,
it wasn't that my grip was pushing the liner open either. I traded it
shortly thereafter.
Anyway, to tie this in with your question, the size of that Mini
Stryker is perfect for me. That's why I liked it so much. I also own a
"Mini" AFCK, and I have resorted to carrying it lately, and let me
tell you, it's not a "Mini" anything. Just like the Gerber covert,
it's simply still too large for an everyday carry knife, however good
it is supposed to be. I am sick of looking at it, I wish I had never
bought one. Sure it is well made, but it sucks.
Please forgive me if this doesn't seem to correspond with your
question, but I guess what I'm trying to say is that I think you
should try the Mel Pardue 350, because it's one of the very few other
Benchmades small enough for everyday civilian carry. I have also tried
the Ascent 820, and promptly sent it back because I don't like
carrying a tiny sliver of steel that looks like someone took it to a
powergrinder for too long.
Also, I sent off a MO just yesterday to purchase a Mel Pardue 350, so
I will let you know how I like it.
Benchmade keeps coming out with these "great new folders" if you
happen to like portable folding machetes. I hope they start making
some smaller counterparts to these "great new folders", if they want
my business.
Paul
par
(CarlaLew) wrote:
> >Also, I sent off a MO just yesterday to purchase a Mel Pardue 350, so
> >I will let you know how I like it.
> >Benchmade keeps coming out with these "great new folders" if you
> >happen to like portable folding machetes. I hope they start making
> >some smaller counterparts to these "great new folders", if they want
> >my business.
> >
> >Paul
> >
> Paul,
> Are you saying the Mel Pardue 350 is too big for you too. I thought
it was
> a rather small, lite folder in my opinon.
> Lew
I just got a Benchmade 330 Gent. My mini-AFCK is now sitting unused and
it used to be my favorite carry knife. I really like the Gent.
CarlaLew
Paul
Sorry about the miscommunication, I meant to say that that size (the
same as the Mini Stryker) is ideal for me. I eagerly await the arrival
of mine.
Paul
>
>
Paul
>In article <19981119194520...@ng33.aol.com>, carl...@aol.com
>(CarlaLew) wrote:
>
>> >Also, I sent off a MO just yesterday to purchase a Mel Pardue 350, so
>> >I will let you know how I like it.
>> >Benchmade keeps coming out with these "great new folders" if you
>> >happen to like portable folding machetes. I hope they start making
>> >some smaller counterparts to these "great new folders", if they want
>> >my business.
>> >
>> >Paul
>
>I just got a Benchmade 330 Gent. My mini-AFCK is now sitting unused and
>it used to be my favorite carry knife. I really like the Gent.
That looks like a great knife. I just dont like the idea of digging in
my pocket to find it. I know it has a lanyard hole, but then if you
leave the lanyard out so you can grab it, you run the risk of hanging
it on something, or someone else jerking out of your pocket. If it had
a pocket clip I would have one by now. I remember the time before
pocket clips, but dammit, those things are just too handy not to have
on a knife.
Paul
CarlaLew
Someone asked me if the Mel Pardue could be converted to left handed.
Last night I looked at mine and "I think so". As its got one of those fancy (I
don't know the name of them) screws on the under side of the knob..
Whoever asked I might of miss led them.. Sorry..
Lew