For Sale Benchmade Mel Pardue 3550 Auto SOLD This is an interesting knife that is no longer made. If you Google it for comparison you will find multiple "OLD" links from various mainstream sellers (e.g. BladeHQ) with prices ranging from $160 to $200 and all state that IT IS DISCONTINUED. Blade steel is 154CM and the handle material is black anodized 6061 T-6 machined aluminum. OAL is 7.10 inches with a blade length of 2.90 inches, weight 2.80 ounces. This appears to be original condition. The blade edge is flawless and hair shaving sharp. Mel Pardue design. Blade is centered and fires on deployment. My son got it from an elderly widow whose yard he used to cut. It has all the original packaging, box, and Benchmade Care & Maintenance pamphlet. This version is likely an early or even first production run as evidenced by the pricing on the original box. Newer versions that are found on eBay are all G10 handles instead of the anondized aluminum. It seems to have quite a bit of collector value if that is your thing. Some additional photos in varying light to perhaps offer a better view.
Is there any interest out there? At another price? Consider making an offer. Otherwise it's going back to the drawer it came from.
Unfortunately @JAD hasn't been online here since February. So don't be surprised if you don't get a reply.
Maybe we're due for a minimum post count to enter the buy/sell/trade forums to stop these old posts getting bumped in front of active threads ?
I’m still in contact with him elsewhere, I can let him know that that there’s been renewed interest in it.