Anything better than a Griptilian within that price range?

[SteelStickler]

The Grip is very nice and personally I'll take 154cm over most steels any day. It's tough, holds a great edge and is easier to sharpen. Also, I don't know if I would consider any of the knives we are talking about to have a steel that's greatly better than the other.

Agree. Grip is well designed, good heat treat, fun axis lock action, and light. Manix feels like a brick in comparison. I think I prefer the PM2 to the grip but thats because I like the ergos and blade shape more on the PM2 - very subjective. Try and find a local shop and hold the competition, if anything you want to handle before you buy.

 

[JDX]

Well, first off the Grip doesn't have G-10 scales---they are a lightweight plastic. You can buy custom scales and transform it into an awesome custom knife, but total cost would be about $150-160 for that knife. I did that with my 550HG, and it's incredible but just a tad heavy for EDC.

The Spydie Para2 is a classic model that everyone should own at some point, and it is very near your budget. Great design, good materials, USA-made. Hard to beat for an outdoors EDC

I never said it had g10 handles, just that I like g10. But thanks for your input

 

[tlisowski]

i picked up the spyderco manix 2 on knifeworks.com for $88. Awesome knife

 

[Inazone]

For roughly the same money and comparable specs, check out the Hogue EX line. I don't believe there's such a thing as MAP enforcement for Hogue, so you might be able to find the 3.5" version for less than a Grip. I have one (tanto w\ composite grip) that I bought to be an outdoor folder, although I bought the tanto specifically because I liked the look better; a drop point would probably have been more versatile.

 

[RkyMtn]

My favorite user knives right now are:
Manix 2 XL (you can find for under $100. I've abused mine and it has held up to my intended abuse. I'm very impressed with this design.)
Manix 2 S110V (Under $100. The Blue handles seem cheap, but they work and the knife is supported by a metal spine)
You can find ZT 770 with Elmax blades on the forum for under $130 every now and then. Fabulous knife! Love mine! Elmax is super sharp and stainless.

 

[Boozoo Chavis]

I paid about 50 bucks for my mini grip which was about where the knife should be priced - at $90 bucks, in my opinion, it is way overpriced for a knife with plastic handles. I much prefer the Spyderco Delica or Endura at less the $60 dollars.

 

[AmericanEDC]

Just chiming in with more of the same advice:

I own some/many of the mentioned knives. TOTALLY agree the Benchmade pricing is off but I like the Ritter model ergos and I'm a lefty so I like the lock. It needs to be lower down on a list at the current price.

Try to hold the PM2 for the ergos and the Manix 2. I have both, the Manix 2 in the mid hollow grind which has a very beefy spine for possible stamina but I'd go with the full flat grind if I had to pick only one: in G10. That is a mega deal of a knife at around $90.

ZT Are really nice as well but for a first I'd "cut" straight through all of this thread and recommend the g10 Manix 2 in satin plain FFG.

 

[BMCGear]

The Grip is worth what BM is charging due to their excellent CS, warranty, and lifesharp program, IMO.

 

[AmericanEDC]

The Grip is worth what BM is charging due to their excellent CS, warranty, and lifesharp program, IMO.

I love Capitalism. BM should charge whatever they choose. ....we consumers should likewise vote with our wallets. I own many BM's. I gifted a Grip don't own one myself. I don't plan to buy one at current pricing..too many others on the list.

But one never knows. I've had my eye on this: Doug Ritter Mini RSK MK1 Stone Washed M390 Blade (Knifeworks Exclusive)

Alas....too many other options higher up on my list.

(Apologies to OP don't mean to hijack the thread)

 

[Insipid Moniker]

The Grip is worth what BM is charging due to their excellent CS, warranty, and lifesharp program, IMO.

It may well still be worth it, but you can unquestionably get better materials from top to bottom for the price it's currently at.

 

[GhostAlpha0]

I like the griptilian and I have several but I tend to stick with the versions that have better steels like the Doug Ritter versions or some of the limited editions. I think the standard 154CM grip is a tiny bit overpriced. For your price range I would definitely recommend a Paramilitary 2 or even better a Zero Tolerance 0566. I think you get the most for your money with either of these two choices.

 

[cchu518]

I would keep the Blur, pick up a used Grip, $50 get Keyman to put scales on it.

 

[Fish Boy]

You can get a Paramilitary 2 or a Manix 2 for around $125, should serve your needs well.

 

[The Dude1]

I would keep the Blur, pick up a used Grip, $50 get Keyman to put scales on it.

This is what Ive learned. I purchased a few knives based on the best value. I decided in the end that what I wanted wasn't really available so I get the knives I like and then fix up what I don't like. Check out the For Sale section and see if there isn't something that catches your eye. Your options are really limitless If you don't have a lock preference. For me, I love the Axis lock so I fork out the money for the knives I want and then change the handle material to what I want.
For what Its worth I love my Griptilian... awesome knife. Just got it a couple days ago and Im getting some Wilkins titanium grips for it
Its a smidgeon over your price, but check out the Benchmade 908 Stryker.. awesome knife.. mine should be here tomorrow or Tuesday

 

[cchu518]

The grey Ti, Wilkins scales are one of the best looking handles on any knife imho ! I saw some dude bead blast his and they look even better after!

 

[Quiet]

The Grip is worth what BM is charging due to their excellent CS, warranty, and lifesharp program, IMO.

I never understand this mindset. ALL of the big knife companies today have great warranties. Also, customer service? If the product is well made, I shouldn't ever have to talk to a CS rep anyway. So, that's not a really a positive attribute in my eyes. And at the end of the day, no matter how you slice it, three digits for plastic handles = no.

It may well still be worth it, but you can unquestionably get better materials from top to bottom for the price it's currently at.

This all day long.

 

[abbydaddy]

I don't know about better, but just a suggestion I would personally be more likely to pick up, you might want to look at the Buck Vantage Pro. They've been very popular since introduction so it can sometimes be tough to find them in the original price range, but a quick search pulled up some good options in your price range. The Pro's have S30V steel, Bos heat treated.

Just an fyi, it looks like the Buck Vantage Force Pros are 420HC, not S30V, so be clear on which model you are looking at.

 

[KenHash]

"But I've realized, I don't have a knife to use outside. I'm not going to baton with this knife or anything, but I need something that won't get rusted, and can stand the elements. This blade will be carried along fishing and hunting trips, used to clean game."

If you had experience actually cleaning a lot of fish and game, you would not consider a Griptilian, or any folder for that mmatter. While there are a few folks who use folders, a fixed blade in the 4-5 inch blade length is the way to go. Don't worry about the steel type, I've used my Carbon V Cold Steel Master Hunter for 20 years. Being concerned about the steel type being able to weather the outside elements pales in importance when you have to deep clean your folder of blood, entrail and tissue particles after use. A fixed blade is infinitely easier to keep clean. Sharpness, edge retention and ease of putting an edge back on is more important because cleaning game WILL dull your blade as you work. Super hard steels that may be hard
to sharpen have no place in this task. The BM Griptilian is a great folder and if you want to get it do so by all means. But to justify getting it as an "outdoor hunting and fishing knife" doesn't make much sense to me. Just my opinion.

 

[HOKIE_FAN]

Just get the Griptilian...you will NEVER regret it.
Post edited and removed my attempt at poking fun at another company.

 

[Jason B.]

"But I've realized, I don't have a knife to use outside. I'm not going to baton with this knife or anything, but I need something that won't get rusted, and can stand the elements. This blade will be carried along fishing and hunting trips, used to clean game."

If you had experience actually cleaning a lot of fish and game, you would not consider a Griptilian, or any folder for that mmatter. While there are a few folks who use folders, a fixed blade in the 4-5 inch blade length is the way to go. Don't worry about the steel type, I've used my Carbon V Cold Steel Master Hunter for 20 years. Being concerned about the steel type being able to weather the outside elements pales in importance when you have to deep clean your folder of blood, entrail and tissue particles after use. A fixed blade is infinitely easier to keep clean. Sharpness, edge retention and ease of putting an edge back on is more important because cleaning game WILL dull your blade as you work. Super hard steels that may be hard
to sharpen have no place in this task. The BM Griptilian is a great folder and if you want to get it do so by all means. But to justify getting it as an "outdoor hunting and fishing knife" doesn't make much sense to me. Just my opinion.

+1
Words of the wise.