Bechmade product Customization questions

[쌍칼잡이]

If I wanted to change the handle to my Griptillian (to another handle from another knife in Blue Class Family etc.), and also replace the thumb knob (a feature used to open the knife) with a thumb hole (like on Spyderco and even some Benchmades)... would Benchmade do this customizations if I contact them and purchase the parts? My main concern is the warrenty. If I were to order parts from 3rd party and tinker with the knof my self, it would void the warrenty.

So, I am curious to know how some of you customized your knives from Benchmade. Any feedback is welcomed. Thanks in advance~

 

[sgtbsimms]

Griptilian scales are generally replaced with 3rd party aftermarket scales. There's a few OEM Griptilians made for certain sellers (REI for example) that come with atypical scales. You can also get them with various blade shapes such as the traditional drop point, tanto, or sheepsfoot with the spidey hole (model 550HG). I don't know if you could send back a drop point model and have the blade replaced with a 550HG blade; I'd buy a 550HG if that was the blade shape I wanted.

There's quite a few small cottage makers of Griptilian scales. A bit of searching should find you a ton of pics. Personally I'm using Applied Weapon Technologies scales on my Ritter mini-Grip and I really like it. (The Ritter comes with M390 blade steel and a great blade shape).

I wouldn't be too concerned about warranty problems if you replace the scales, at least as long as you don't go screwing up any of the parts when you're disassembling/reassembling the knife. Everyone seems to be doing the scale swap and BM has great customer service.

 

[쌍칼잡이]

Griptilian scales are generally replaced with 3rd party aftermarket scales. There's a few OEM Griptilians made for certain sellers (REI for example) that come with atypical scales. You can also get them with various blade shapes such as the traditional drop point, tanto, or sheepsfoot with the spidey hole (model 550HG). I don't know if you could send back a drop point model and have the blade replaced with a 550HG blade; I'd buy a 550HG if that was the blade shape I wanted.

There's quite a few small cottage makers of Griptilian scales. A bit of searching should find you a ton of pics. Personally I'm using Applied Weapon Technologies scales on my Ritter mini-Grip and I really like it. (The Ritter comes with M390 blade steel and a great blade shape).

I wouldn't be too concerned about warranty problems if you replace the scales, at least as long as you don't go screwing up any of the parts when you're disassembling/reassembling the knife. Everyone seems to be doing the scale swap and BM has great customer service.

Thanks for the information. It's too bad, only SheepsFoot blade comes with the thumb hole ey? I prefer drop point edge. Oh well. Anyway, I will definitely browse around for the custom handle. I saw one of the knife in Blue Class Family (Benchmade) that had similar handle on my MSK Survival (wood-like handle, but the Benchmade had awsome blue hue color to it). It probably wouldnt fit on the Griptilian anyway since its a different knife.

 

[sgtbsimms]

Thanks for the information. It's too bad, only SheepsFoot blade comes with the thumb hole ey? I prefer drop point edge. Oh well. Anyway, I will definitely browse around for the custom handle. I saw one of the knife in Blue Class Family (Benchmade) that had similar handle on my MSK Survival (wood-like handle, but the Benchmade had awsome blue hue color to it). It probably wouldnt fit on the Griptilian anyway since its a different knife.

Yep, you're stuck with the sheepsfoot blade shape if you want the thumb hole on a BM. People seem to like it.

You'll find some custom scale makers making some really amazing scales including in wood, G10, carbon fiber, etc. Check out this thread; Keyman is one of those making some really nice scales and you can see his work right at the beginning of the thread
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1035145-CBM-s-Customized-Benchmade-s