Battle of the Griptillians

onojoe

onojoe

Joined
Aug 4, 2013
Messages
1,487
I recently got a couple of Griptillians. I was wondering which version you like better, and the reasons. I know the topic of value and MAP pricing has been beat to death, so I would just like to hear your thoughts on the 2 different versions. 551 on top and 550HG on the bottom.

Then post a pic of your grip. Would love to see some well used, well loved grips as well as any customized ones.
oUeDRH1.jpg
 
Bought a Mini and regular Doug Ritter Grip. Love both buy hated the scales so I ordered custom ones. New scales make them feel like totally different knivesl

Here they are:

Mini with Layered Black and Orange G10
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Regular with Black G10 and Carbon Fiber inlayed
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I like the thumbstud one better, I just never liked the big eyeball look of the Spyder hole in a blade or the spine bump that goes with it. I have the Cabela's model with the black coated D2 blade. Same blade shape at the top one in the picture above. Like it bunches.
 
I prefer thumb studs but the Axis lock lends itself nicely to opening by pulling back on the bar alone. Seems like a personal preference, not one better than another.

Here was my full-size H2O Grip, used for work a couple of seasons. This was the X15 TN steel and it dulled very quickly in my opinion. I beat on it pretty hard and it was full of grit and dirt.
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I sent it to Benchmade for a 154CM blade swap and they cleaned it up nicely. Smooth again like new. :thumbup:
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Personally, I like the stud version better; they're more flickable.

Here's my Mini from way back when. I think it was only around $55.

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I have the stock 551 Griptilian and the 555HG Mini Griptilian, so I am comparing both blade shapes and sizes. I prefer the blade geometry and grind better on the 555. I am not in love with the thumbhole but I don't hate it either. For me probably the happy medium would be the Ritter blade shape, but I'll live with the ones I have. Not willing to pay the extra just to get a slightly different knife than the ones I already have.
 
The 550HG seems to have a slightly lower blade tip geometry than the 551. At least it looks that way to me. If true, I have to give my vote to the 550. Some of the older knives had an oval thumb hole; which I personally like more that the round Spyder style offered now.

The 550HG and the Ritter Grip are, in my opinion, the two best Griptillians in Benchmade's line up.
 
Thumb holes forever. Easy to access with gloves on, for me the opening speed is much more easily controlled, nothing to get bound up in the cutting media or get in the way of sharpening and, if you dig the Emerson wave, you can slap a zip tie on it and use it to pocket open.
 
Joe I prefer your 550HG. Just like the looks of it better.
I've had this M2 Ritter Grip for almost 9 years now.
I've had 4 or 5 different sets of scales on it over the years.
These g-10 scales are from a BM shot show Grip.

OjWbld7.jpg
 
grybsh7 said:
Joe I prefer your 550HG. Just like the looks of it better.
I've had this M2 Ritter Grip for almost 9 years now.
I've had 4 or 5 different sets of scales on it over the years.
These g-10 scales are from a BM shot show Grip.

OjWbld7.jpg
Click to expand...

Nice patina! :thumbup:
 
551 is my preference, I like studs over holes. I love my 551, and she's been beat on. Here she is with my Buck 110 when I was fishing the Klickitat.
2i95b7l.jpg


Bruised, are those the Applied Weapons grips on your 551? Been looking at a set, how do you like those?
 
Tyronethepro said:
551 is my preference, I like studs over holes. I love my 551, and she's been beat on. Here she is with my Buck 110 when I was fishing the Klickitat.

Bruised, are those the Applied Weapons grips on your 551? Been looking at a set, how do you like those?
Click to expand...

I like them. Solid feeling, great machining, and the finish is really durable. I think for 50 bucks you can get the blems, so the price is amazing vs wilkins or any other scales for that matter.
It does add some weight, but it was a tad front heavy with the stock shells so it works out pretty good.
 
The 551 and 550HG are my favorite Grips and some of the best bang for your buck you can get.

I like both but my preference is to the 550HG. It is surprisingly very thinly ground for a production knife.

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Tyronethepro said:
551 is my preference, I like studs over holes. I love my 551, and she's been beat on. Here she is with my Buck 110 when I was fishing the Klickitat.
2i95b7l.jpg


Bruised, are those the Applied Weapons grips on your 551? Been looking at a set, how do you like those?
Click to expand...



I like the looks of that one. Is the sand colored scales wearing off and black underneath? Didn't know they would wear like that, looks good.

I have a 555 mini with 154 cm with the half serrated black coated blade and olive drab scales. I got it for Christmas last year and it has gotten carried most days along with another knife. If I pick up another, I'd probably not get the partially serrated, but it does come in handy. It's almost like having 2 blades in one where I can use the serrated for opening stuff and saving the plain edge part for finer cuts. I like the black coating and like how it wears off with use.
Guys, this is probably Benchmade heresy, but the only other bm I have is a 940 I picked up and I honestly carry the mini over the 940 because (I know I'm the minority), but I actually prefer the frn! Just has to do with carrying a Bucklite for years and it's good stuff. Add liners to frn and it's even better.
I might ask for another for Christmas, maybe a Cabelas or I might try to warm up to my 940 again, because my 11 year old son is really wanting my mini...........but I'm really becoming a believer in benchmade.
 
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