Recommendation? 940, Grip, Anthem. What to grab next?

Pick my next Benchmade (select 1 or 2)

  • Bugout with Ti Scale

    Votes: 14 51.9%

  • Mini Grip 556-1701

    Votes: 2 7.4%

  • Custom Mini Grip 555-1

    Votes: 7 25.9%

  • Custom Mini Crooked River

    Votes: 10 37.0%
  • Total voters
    27
M

Minh762

Joined
Mar 8, 2018
Messages
93
I really like functional knives. After years of collecting and using, I learned that my preferences for knives are (a) lightweight, (b) good slicer, (c) smooth actions. My collection is mostly of Sprint/Exclusive Spydercos. I don’t like framelock flippers and I use all my knives.

As far as Benchmade goes, I’ve owned and sold: Stryker, Contego and Loco.

A 940 and a custom shop Griptilian (g10 w/20cv) are the only Benchmades in my collection currently. I’ll be picking up an Anthem to add to my BM EDC rotation but don’t want to stop there. Can you please recommend me one, possibly two Benchmades to complete my BM EDC rotation. Here are some of my initial candidates:

-Ranger Green Bugout with Ti Scale (very lw at 2.6oz total)
-Limited Editon Mini Grip 556-1701 (heavier at 3.6oz. Good resell value)
-Custom shop Mini Grip 555-1 w/20cv steel (less expensive than the 1701, I like the 555-1 sheepfoot blade shape)
-Custom shop Mini Crooked River w/20cv steel (similar to the 940 but with 20cv)

Thank you
 
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I voted for the Bugout w/Ti scales and the custom Mini CR because you already have a full size Grip so I figured it'd be nice for you to get a new platform altogether (or two)!

Also, just curious; what made you let go of the Stryker? If it was the ergos than ignore the following. If it was because of the materials or F&F, then might I also suggest the KSF exclusive Stryker II? It's rocking an upgraded M4 blade and is wearing CF scales. It's one of my favourites and one of my more well used knives since I got it!

In the end though, I don't think you can really go too wrong with any of your choices. Lately, I've personally been fixating on the 556-1701 myself as well as a Ti scale for one of my Bugouts.
 
I own several 940 and Griptilian knives and had a 535GRY-1 Bugout.

The Bugout was super light, and easily forgotten in a pocket. An excellent slicer. Had because I felt the blade thickness on the Bugout was just too thin for my EDC needs. I also hated to put a scratch on the beautiful chromium nitride coated blade. I know, I know it adds character. Perhaps if it ever comes out in 20CV I may be swayed back.

Blade thickness comparison:
  • Bugout : 0.090" (2.29mm)
  • Griptilian: 0.100" (2.54mm)
  • 940: 0.115" (2.92mm)
Although the Bugout is clearly the lightest and best slicer of the mix, I’d personally go for a mini Grip in 20CV, or better yet, locate a nice Doug Ritter Griptilian in M390. Now that’s a light slicer!
 
Chariotz4 said:
I voted for the Bugout w/Ti scales and the custom Mini CR because you already have a full size Grip so I figured it'd be nice for you to get a new platform altogether (or two)!

Also, just curious; what made you let go of the Stryker? If it was the ergos than ignore the following. If it was because of the materials or F&F, then might I also suggest the KSF exclusive Stryker II? It's rocking an upgraded M4 blade and is wearing CF scales. It's one of my favourites and one of my more well used knives since I got it!

In the end though, I don't think you can really go too wrong with any of your choices. Lately, I've personally been fixating on the 556-1701 myself as well as a Ti scale for one of my Bugouts.
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Thank you for the recommendations. The Stryker that I sold was an old retro 910 with Ti linerlock and 154cm. I had the knife for well over a decade and love it. Sadly I have no use for a partial serrated blade and sold it during my collection purge. I want to have a small collection of blades that I actually carry and use so most of my ZTs and heavy duty BMs are gone.
 
BenchMEDAL said:
I own several 940 and Griptilian knives and had a 535GRY-1 Bugout.

The Bugout was super light, and easily forgotten in a pocket. An excellent slicer. Had because I felt the blade thickness on the Bugout was just too thin for my EDC needs. I also hated to put a scratch on the beautiful chromium nitride coated blade. I know, I know it adds character. Perhaps if it ever comes out in 20CV I may be swayed back.

Blade thickness comparison:
  • Bugout : 0.090" (2.29mm)
  • Griptilian: 0.100" (2.54mm)
  • 940: 0.115" (2.92mm)
Although the Bugout is clearly the lightest and best slicer of the mix, I’d personally go for a mini Grip in 20CV, or better yet, locate a nice Doug Ritter Griptilian in M390. Now that’s a light slicer!
Click to expand...
Thank you for the suggestion. I can't seen to find a M390 Ritter for less than $300 anywhere. I wish BM would releases a Mini Freek with 20cv and g10 handle.
 
The Doug ritter paired with a 556-1701 is very nice. I’m confident I’ll likely keep it for many years.
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Minh762 said:
Thank you for the recommendations. The Stryker that I sold was an old retro 910 with Ti linerlock and 154cm. I had the knife for well over a decade and love it. Sadly I have no use for a partial serrated blade and sold it during my collection purge. I want to have a small collection of blades that I actually carry and use so most of my ZTs and heavy duty BMs are gone.
Click to expand...

I just thought I'd mention it because it seems to be in-line with your own suggestions, materials and price wise. If you don't like coated blades or the ergos though, it's likely not going to change your mind. Also, not sure if I mentioned it, but since it's based off of the last iteration of the Stryker, it's also rocking the Axis Lock (and it's discontinued so their stock is limited to what KSF has on-hand).

Minh762 said:
Thank you for the suggestion. I can't seen to find a M390 Ritter for less than $300 anywhere. I wish BM would releases a Mini Freek with 20cv and g10 handle.
Click to expand...

They did release a very limited run of 500 of the full sized Freek with M4 with a grey coating and a natural G10 with a green backspacer, but the secondary market prices on those isn't cheap!
 
I've voted for the Mini Crooked River and the custom Mini Griptilian. I'd probably choose the Crooked River first, just because it's different.

And just to be cruel another knife that I've personally been looking forward to snagging is the KSF exclusive Stryker. 908-something-something, haha. Without a doubt in my mind, it's the sexiest production folder. So maybe check on one of them as well and see if it peaks your interest. It checks all the boxes for me.*

*Edit - I missed that you actually owned a Stryker before so excuse that recommendation. I also missed someone else recommended it right away too. So much for my superior 7th grade level reading comprehension..

If you ever see an opportunity to snag a Ritter for $150 or so, that'd be a good choice too. It's definitely my favorite blade shape of all the Griptilians. Just downright perfection for most day to day needs, and it slices like a knife should slice. No way in hell would I pay over $200 for a Ritter unless it was the M4 model. I sure wish I grabbed another Mini for $130 when they were available.
 
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Chariotz4 said:
I just thought I'd mention it because it seems to be in-line with your own suggestions, materials and price wise. If you don't like coated blades or the ergos though, it's likely not going to change your mind. Also, not sure if I mentioned it, but since it's based off of the last iteration of the Stryker, it's also rocking the Axis Lock (and it's discontinued so their stock is limited to what KSF has on-hand).



They did release a very limited run of 500 of the full sized Freek with M4 with a grey coating and a natural G10 with a green backspacer, but the secondary market prices on those isn't cheap!
Click to expand...
I really hope they'll do the same run with the Mini Freek.
 
McFeeli said:
I've voted for the Mini Crooked River and the custom Mini Griptilian. I'd probably choose the Crooked River first, just because it's different. And just to be cruel another knife that I've personally been looking forward to snagging is the DLT exclusive Stryker. 908-something-something, haha. Without a doubt in my mind, it's the sexiest production folder. So maybe check on one of them as well and see if it peaks your interest. It checks all the boxes for me.

If you ever see an opportunity to snag a Ritter for $150 or so, that'd be a good choice too. It's definitely my favorite blade shape of all the Griptilians. Just downright perfection for most day to day needs, and it slices like a knife should slice. No way in hell would I pay over $200 for a Ritter unless it was the M4 model. I sure wish I grabbed another Mini for $130 when they were available.
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Even being on the bottom of the list, the Mini Crooked River is getting the most votes.
 
Have you handled a mini Crooked River? Looking at your demands and likes it really doesn’t fit the bill. I was very excited about the mini crooked river I love the look of it so I got one after release. I favor the smaller edc knives the 940 is a love hate as it’s almost pushing it for me but I got a mini crooked river anyway and it was still just so big carried heavier than the 940 etc. it was re-sold promptly. If you carried a Contego though you might be ok with it.
(The northfork I feel people overlook while not a slicer it could fit your bill. You can get them lightly used for 80-100$ and prefer it over the mini grip)
 
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Codswallop said:
Have you handled a mini Crooked River? Looking at your demands and likes it really doesn’t fit the bill. I was very excited about the mini crooked river I love the look of it so I got one after release. I favor the smaller edc knives the 940 is a love hate as it’s almost pushing it for me but I got a mini crooked river anyway and it was still just so big carried heavier than the 940 etc. it was re-sold promptly. If you carried a Contego though you might be ok with it.
(The northfork I feel people overlook while not a slicer it could fit your bill. You can get them lightly used for 80-100$ and prefer it over the mini grip)
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I have not handled or seen a mini CR in my local stores. My thinking is at 3.3oz, it weights the same as the North Fork and just a bit more than the 940 (2.9oz). All of my Para 3s are around 3.4oz and they are plenty light for me. However, the Contego is too heavy for me to edc. I mean, if a knife is the only thing that I carry than it would be nothing but I’m usually with a Glock 19 plus light, spare mag, a couple of small folders and a small light.
 
Minh762 said:
I have not handled or seen a mini CR in my local stores. My thinking is at 3.3oz, it weights the same as the North Fork and just a bit more than the 940 (2.9oz). All of my Para 3s are around 3.4oz and they are plenty light for me. However, the Contego is too heavy for me to edc. I mean, if a knife is the only thing that I carry than it would be nothing but I’m usually with a Glock 19 plus light, spare mag, a couple of small folders and a small light.
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That’s a lot of carry, I really wanted to like the MCR but it just didn’t carry well. If you go that route hopefully it works out for you but seems like smaller/lighter would be the ticket. Good luck and report back.
 
I love my KSF Carbon/M4 Stryker. That being said, although I love the Bugout blade shape and overall size, I don't like thin handles, and my Amicus/Arcane is roughly the same size. In the slightly smaller size range, the Mini Presidio 2 is on my list (felt great in store and I like knives of that size). The Mini Grip just didn't feel right in my hand. However, one of my favorite BM's for chores is the Boost. I'm thinking of getting a second one and deassisting it. My current Boost is rockin' Keyman's Micarta scales.
 
I voted for the Bugout with Ti but I'm really into my Anthem. I've had it for only a few weeks but I'm constantly impressed with the quality, smoothness, and ergos of this knife. They are expensive when new but I picked mine off the FS forum for a good price.
 
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