Benchmade 515 D2 Mel Pardue fixed blade

by Randy

I recently purchase a fixed blade knife with D2 steel 4" blade that is about a 1/4" thick at the base of it's spine. It is a Benchmade 515. I've always liked their folding knives but never owned one of their fixed blade models. I paid almost $80.00 for it on sale from a small outdoor/surplus store. It came with a grippy and hand fitting Krayton handle and a black leather sheath that is of excellent quality. Out of the box, it's edge was shaving sharp. The thickness of the spine would allow me to apply a baton if I had no better tool to fell a small tree. Surprisingly, the agility of this modified drop point blade still allows for precise tasks. Ergonomics have proven to be excellent in all I've tasked it with. This is the best camp, hunting and survival knife I have ever owned or handled, and I have had custom made Randall's, Ek's, Reeves, etc. . Without a second thought I would even use it for defense.