A full size Griptilian.... I finally did it. - UPDATE-

338375

338375

Joined
Nov 4, 2006
Messages
19,374
I've posted numerous times I am a fan of the Mini Griptilians. I bought my first one right after they were released, quite a few years ago. I've sold quite a few over the years, but still have 6 various versions, and it is still my favorite knife.

Over the years there has been a lot of conversation comparing the full size to the Mini, and some thought the full size was to big and felt cheap because it doesn't have full liners like the mini.
In the past I have always agreed with this thinking, but decided it was time to actually buy one and come to an honest opinion after carrying and using one, because first impressions aren't always right...

So, as I was cruising the bay last week, I spotted a used sand colored 551 with a coated S30V blade, that was ordered from the custom shop. It had seen some use, and the original owner worked over the edge but didn't do a very neat job. The rest of the knife looked great and I knew with a little time I could fix the edge, so I put a bid on it and won...

Well, it arrived yesterday. The first thing I noticed was, it didn't have a cheap feel to it. It actually felt very solid. It is quite a bit bigger than the Minis, but I was still able to put it in the watch pocket of my Wranglers, which is where I have carried my knives for probably almost 20 years. I have fairly big hands, and the knife is very comfortable in hand.
I didn't have a lot of patience last night, but spent a little time bring back a decent edge. I will work on it some more in the next few days, but it looks better and will leave another bald patch on my arm, so it is in useable condition now.

A very slight adjustment on the pivot screw and a couple drops of oil, and it swings freely, but is still tight enough that there is no blade play. So, we shall see how I like it after giving it some pocket time. I know it will never replace the Minis, but it may just be another reason to buy more Griptilians :D

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Congrats, that's a nice griptilian. Because of my hand size, I much prefer the large vs. the mini. Anyway, good luck with your grip, it's a good knife.
 
Thanks. I have it sitting here next to me so I can easily pick it up and fondle it, trying to get use to the size difference.
I was a little concerned that I would pick it up for the first time and instantly dislike it, but fortunately that didn't happen.
 
338375 said:
Thanks. I have it sitting here next to me so I can easily pick it up and fondle it, trying to get use to the size difference.
I was a little concerned that I would pick it up for the first time and instantly dislike it, but fortunately that didn't happen.
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Nice score Mike!
 
That misconception that the full sized Griptilians feel cheap is a popular one. But if you want a solid "user"; the handles are grippy, the knife is relatively light and the handle is plenty tough. If you check out some of the abuse test videos you will see the handle can take a ton of abuse.
Griptilians are users and very solid ones at that. And still worth the price-tag even these days.

I have several Griptilians;

wvB2jOT.jpg


But the new M390 version is staying with the OG handles. It's the one on top of this photo.

07VZB8T.jpg
 
bluemetalchurch said:
Nice score Mike!
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Thanks. I always figured my first full size would be a standard black 551 with 154CM, and that would have been fine, but I like sand and S30V so it already had a couple things going for it :D

billym said:
That misconception that the full sized Griptilians feel cheap is a popular one. But if you want a solid "user"; the handles are grippy, the knife is relatively light and the handle is plenty tough. If you check out some of the abuse test videos you will see the handle can take a ton of abuse.
Griptilians are users and very solid ones at that. And still worth the price-tag even these days.

I have several Griptilians;

wvB2jOT.jpg


But the new M390 version is staying with the OG handles. It's the one on top of this photo.

07VZB8T.jpg
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Very nice collection. I have a Ritter Mini in M390, but it hasn't seen any use yet :o, with the exception of carrying it a couple days after I first got it.
I have yet to find any reason to look for another favorite knife. I've got 440C, S30V, D2, M390 and 154CM versions, and don't have a single complaint with any of them
I know a lot of people don't like the "plastic" grips, but you will be hard pressed to find a knife that is any more bullet proof, at any price. They really are a bargain...
 
willard0341 said:
Nice pickup
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Thanks. I just finished spending about an hour working over the edge some more. It wasn't the worst job I've seen someone do on an edge before. It was sharp, but I am overly fussy and it drives me nuts if the bevels aren't the same on each side. On a non-coated blade, it wouldn't have been as noticeable, but the coating shows any mistakes...
It certainly isn't up to the level that many here can achieve, but it is now even, convexed, reasonably polished, and sharp. Nothing left to do now but start cuttin stuff :D
 
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For a few years my EDC was a full size griptilian with the sheepsfoot in 154CM. However I just recently picked up a full size griptilian with an S30V Ritter blade. Couldn't be happier.
 
Very cool! I love how passionate you are about the Grip/Mini Grip, lol. I certainly respect my little 556. I've even been contemplating getting a Ritter Grip (RSK1).
 
Mike! That thing looks almost brand new! Nice grab. If it replaces the minis, I can take them off your hands for you, no problems! Hope all is well. Touch base soon.
 
M.FREEZE said:
For a few years my EDC was a full size griptilian with the sheepsfoot in 154CM. However I just recently picked up a full size griptilian with an S30V Ritter blade. Couldn't be happier.
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:cool: :thumbup:

vanslem6 said:
Very cool! I love how passionate you are about the Grip/Mini Grip, lol. I certainly respect my little 556. I've even been contemplating getting a Ritter Grip (RSK1).
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The Ritters are great. It's funny how the different shape of the blade really transforms the Grips...

A-love05 said:
Mike! That thing looks almost brand new! Nice grab. If it replaces the minis, I can take them off your hands for you, no problems! Hope all is well. Touch base soon.
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Thanks Adam. LOL on the replacing the Minis. I don't think that will be happening, but you would be the first to know :D

Good to see you. Hope all is well. I will touch base with you soon. Things are getting back to normal finally.
 
marthinus said:
Congrats on the fine knife. I am contemplating on getting the exact same one. Love the sand handle colour but would be the 154CM version.
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Thanks. I think you would be very happy with it if you get one. Nothing wrong with BM's 154...
I really like the sand colored scales too, and can see picking up a few more. I only have one other with sand colored scales. It is an early 555 Mini with the oval hole that I was fortunate enough to do some swapping with another member for :thumbup:

I had thought about ordering a Cabelas D2 with sand colored scales, but I still haven't warmed up to the change in the texturing on the Cabelas versions.
 
Nice score! You were lucky to get one with S30V... not easy to find and not cheap if you order it from BM.

There is a new limited one that was done in conjunction with americansniper.org in the same colour scheme. Want! :D
 
338375 said:
Thanks. I think you would be very happy with it if you get one. Nothing wrong with BM's 154...
I really like the sand colored scales too, and can see picking up a few more. I only have one other with sand colored scales. It is an early 555 Mini with the oval hole that I was fortunate enough to do some swapping with another member for :thumbup:

I had thought about ordering a Cabelas D2 with sand colored scales, but I still haven't warmed up to the change in the texturing on the Cabelas versions.
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I have this one, and I honestly have to tell you not to buy it. In short, the texture SUCKS...it is an absolutely horrible design and instead of gripping your hand like the conventional diamond texture does it basically does the opposite. What I mean by this is that the waffle pattern essentially traps ANY moisture on your hand or the knife of any kind and causes it to become slippery very easily. In short, don't buy it. There is nothing wrong with the D2 blade (except that BK1 coating is a joke) but the scale texture is so bad that I wish I had never bought it. I own another Grip, the basic 551 in black with 154CM, and rarely ever carry the D2. I have considered sellign it, but I paid Cabelas price (on impulse once in the store) and would take a big hit on resale. I really should get some aftermarket scales for it.

Anyway, don't buy a Grip with the waffle pattern...do buy one with the original diamond pattern.
 
John_0917 said:
I have this one, and I honestly have to tell you not to buy it. In short, the texture SUCKS...it is an absolutely horrible design and instead of gripping your hand like the conventional diamond texture does it basically does the opposite. What I mean by this is that the waffle pattern essentially traps ANY moisture on your hand or the knife of any kind and causes it to become slippery very easily. In short, don't buy it. There is nothing wrong with the D2 blade (except that BK1 coating is a joke) but the scale texture is so bad that I wish I had never bought it. I own another Grip, the basic 551 in black with 154CM, and rarely ever carry the D2. I have considered sellign it, but I paid Cabelas price (on impulse once in the store) and would take a big hit on resale. I really should get some aftermarket scales for it.

Anyway, don't buy a Grip with the waffle pattern...do buy one with the original diamond pattern.
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Thanks for the input John. There was some talk about the new texture after they made the switch, and others had the same thoughts you did. I jokingly called it a "Sliptilian".
I know some places want to have something different from other stores, but IMHO that was a terrible way to do it.
 
338375 said:
Thanks for the input John. There was some talk about the new texture after they made the switch, and others had the same thoughts you did. I jokingly called it a "Sliptilian".
I know some places want to have something different from other stores, but IMHO that was a terrible way to do it.
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Haha, "sliptilian" is sadly a spot on description. The regular Grip is great, stick with that one! The original wasn't broken and they definitely did NOT fix it.
 
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