I avoided picking up a Griptilian cause I didn't think I'd like it. Well, just got one today and it's great. So many things have been said about this knife so it's pointless to repeat them, but there's one more convert. If they're being switched to a round hole it's a shame, I like the oval.
Benchmade 550
- Thread starter Rogco
- Start date
I am thinking about the Griptilian as well. Handled one at Gander Mtn. last week and was impressed with the feel and overall quality. Also, I liked the Axis locking mechanism...a very solid lock-up.
I've been reading about the Doug Ritter model Griptilian which seems to be essentially the same knife as the basic Griptilian with an upgrade to S30V steel. Does anyone have any experience with this particular model or even the basic Griptilian? Is it worth considering?
Thanks
I've been reading about the Doug Ritter model Griptilian which seems to be essentially the same knife as the basic Griptilian with an upgrade to S30V steel. Does anyone have any experience with this particular model or even the basic Griptilian? Is it worth considering?
Thanks
I can't pass up a forum about the Griptilian without putting in my 2¢ worth.
I have a MiniGriptilian and absolutely love it. I guess that I have an older model. It is a partially-serrated 440C sheepsfoot blade with the oval thumbhole. I'm carrying it right now.
I think ergonomics are the strongest point of the Griptilian knives. They fit the hand well regardless of hand and knife size. They open and close very smoothly, even with only one hand. THe shape lends itself to very good blade control.
Really, the only complaint that I have is that they are apparently changing it. Sometime back, I bent the clip on my knife. I bent it back and this worked for a while, but eventually I e-mailed Benchmade and they sent me a replacement clip. The new clip looks slightly different than the older Benchmade clips along the edge and seems to be thinner. Also, it seems that the clip isn't built to hold tight against the handle at the clip end. Has anyone else noticed this?
I've also read rumors here that they are changing the thumbhole to a circular one and are going to change the steel. I'm not sure about the steel, but the oval thumbhole is better than a circular one.
I have a MiniGriptilian and absolutely love it. I guess that I have an older model. It is a partially-serrated 440C sheepsfoot blade with the oval thumbhole. I'm carrying it right now.
I think ergonomics are the strongest point of the Griptilian knives. They fit the hand well regardless of hand and knife size. They open and close very smoothly, even with only one hand. THe shape lends itself to very good blade control.
Really, the only complaint that I have is that they are apparently changing it. Sometime back, I bent the clip on my knife. I bent it back and this worked for a while, but eventually I e-mailed Benchmade and they sent me a replacement clip. The new clip looks slightly different than the older Benchmade clips along the edge and seems to be thinner. Also, it seems that the clip isn't built to hold tight against the handle at the clip end. Has anyone else noticed this?
I've also read rumors here that they are changing the thumbhole to a circular one and are going to change the steel. I'm not sure about the steel, but the oval thumbhole is better than a circular one.
I too have avoided the Griptilian line. As I read these posts, I think I will try one. I am partial to metal (Alum,Titanium,SS,etc.) handles/scales. The last time I picked up a griptilian it kind of felt cheap to me. I know it is a well liked knife by many.
Any recomendations on which I should try?
Any recomendations on which I should try?
I have a mini-grip PE with the Tanto blade.
I've found out a few things while using this knife.
1) I don't like Tanto styled blades (it's my first)
I like a belly to cut things on surfaces.
2) Axis locks rule.
3) After long term cutting, the bumps (proper name?) on the
underside of the handle hurt! to the point of not being able
to cut anymore. So I sanded them down. Feels really good now.
4) BM quality is great.
5) I don't like certain plastic handles with nested liners. I like the grips just enough but prefer full liners and G10 or Alum. or TI slabs.
I have a Delica 4 and I I'm not a big fan of those handles either.
6) This knife led me to a BM 710 which is just an amazing piece of work
and now my EDC.
7) The 154 CM cuts nearly as well as my Delica 4 VG10 after
using both for longish cutting chores. It is also easy to get it razor
sharp.
8) Tantos are great for stabbing. They pretty much out stab my
other blade types. I've tried them on cardboard boxes, heavy/stiff
card board, and some random material.
I'm sorta a noobie but have been dilgently reading the forums
and have learned a tremendous amount. Thanks everyone!
I've found out a few things while using this knife.
1) I don't like Tanto styled blades (it's my first)
I like a belly to cut things on surfaces.
2) Axis locks rule.
3) After long term cutting, the bumps (proper name?) on the
underside of the handle hurt! to the point of not being able
to cut anymore. So I sanded them down. Feels really good now.
4) BM quality is great.
5) I don't like certain plastic handles with nested liners. I like the grips just enough but prefer full liners and G10 or Alum. or TI slabs.
I have a Delica 4 and I I'm not a big fan of those handles either.
6) This knife led me to a BM 710 which is just an amazing piece of work
and now my EDC.
7) The 154 CM cuts nearly as well as my Delica 4 VG10 after
using both for longish cutting chores. It is also easy to get it razor
sharp.
8) Tantos are great for stabbing. They pretty much out stab my
other blade types. I've tried them on cardboard boxes, heavy/stiff
card board, and some random material.
I'm sorta a noobie but have been dilgently reading the forums
and have learned a tremendous amount. Thanks everyone!
I also found this about the 550 - I think it's because the liners only go half way, so when you open and close it, there's that hollow echo that makes "sound" cheap. I have the 550, plus a couple of Mini-Grips - the Mini-Grips "feel" much higher quality IMO, but initially, I sort of felt the same way. Once the FRN wore down a little, it was nicer. I normally don't EDC the 550 during the week - it's closer to a yard work type knife for me with the modified sheepsfoot. I like that shape because you don't get that feeling of breaking the tip if you get a little abusive
I'm thinking of getting the drop point one at some point just to try it - might be a little better for a larger EDC type blade. I also have a 710D2 and as the saying goes "THIS is a knife", but I also paid over twice as much for it I carry mulitple blades constantly and the 710 is usually with me in my cargo pants. An Al Mar SERE 2K is a constant companion in my Maxpedition, which is another larger blade I enjoy having.- gord
I would recommend their modified sheepsfoot blade with the oval thumbhole. Choices like serrations (BM's serrations are excellent, IMO), BT2 coating, and Griptilian or MiniGriptilian are matters of personal preference (and maybe local laws in the case of size).
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2005
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- 1,982
I just received a Griptilian 600 (550SBKGY-Limited Edition) today. And it's going back. :thumbdn: I like the blade style. It's sharp. I like a round hole a little better. The second I grabbed it, then tapped on the handle, totally ruined it for me. Felt like I was holding a little plastic kid's toy.
WAAAY too many great knives out there to settle on one that feels very cheap to me. Psychological, yes. But you should get a feeling of confidence when you grab something with a blade.
WAAAY too many great knives out there to settle on one that feels very cheap to me. Psychological, yes. But you should get a feeling of confidence when you grab something with a blade.I have a griptilian and it's a great knife, that being said I too am a little disappointed in the "plasticcy" feel of the grip!!!
Size is just right (I only have small paws) but I would have preferred some kind of rubberised grip..........'t is a GRIPtilian afterall..................
Size is just right (I only have small paws) but I would have preferred some kind of rubberised grip..........'t is a GRIPtilian afterall..................
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- Dec 14, 2006
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- 1,350
I am talking to a company (name to be told later) about a
Griptilian D-2 with G10 scales! The talks are in the works and it may or may not go down, Someone mentioned one of the reasons the griptilian is what it is is because of the handles and without them it would not be a "true" Griptilian.
But so many have mentioned the initial "cheap" feel of them and I thought; "Why not change em!"
The Griptilian is such a popular blade that so many like and it has so many things we truly like, and I wouldn't want to see the price soar either, I was told if enough want it it won't be to bad, even reasonable!
Am I trying to change what doesn't need changing??
You all tell me and if we can get a good response, maybe it will happen. TY
Griptilian D-2 with G10 scales! The talks are in the works and it may or may not go down, Someone mentioned one of the reasons the griptilian is what it is is because of the handles and without them it would not be a "true" Griptilian.
But so many have mentioned the initial "cheap" feel of them and I thought; "Why not change em!"
The Griptilian is such a popular blade that so many like and it has so many things we truly like, and I wouldn't want to see the price soar either, I was told if enough want it it won't be to bad, even reasonable!
Am I trying to change what doesn't need changing??
You all tell me and if we can get a good response, maybe it will happen. TY
Do you have some clout with Benchmade? Or are you just approaching them as a general consumer? A G-10 Handled Grip would be the cat's pajamas :thumbup: . I bet as long as the price gap isn't too much different from Spyderco's FRN to G10 model price jump it wouldn't be too big a problem for most. Even if they just redesigned the handle so it was more dense and solid like Spyderco's plastic handled knives. I've had D2 grips from Cabela's and M2/S30V Grips from Doug Ritter. That hollow sound and the handles that easily flexed with hand pressure always put me off at least just a little in the fullsize models anyway. As a result all I have now is a 440C Mini.
Hi, after carrying the 550 now for a week or two, just a couple notes.
I've gotten used to the handle, though I still can't figure out why the haven't come out with a G10 version. Spydeco has proven you can keep the price down and use G10 (Cara Cara and Meadowlark). I can't help but imagine they could do it for $15 or even less. The handle size is just about perfect for me and the blade is a great length for edc. Also, I feel the sheepsfoot could take some using, which is also nice for an edc. And the price means I don't feel bad about using it.
The axis lock on this knife is fantastic! I've had a few Benchmade Axis locks before, but this one just seems to be smoother, more secure and with no blade play whatsoever. Opening and closing the knife is a joy in itself.
But the biggest pleasant surprise has been how well it rides in the pocket. Even though the handle feels good in the hand and it has a good sized blade, when it's in the pocket there's still room to get keys and such out. It really carries well!
I've gotten used to the handle, though I still can't figure out why the haven't come out with a G10 version. Spydeco has proven you can keep the price down and use G10 (Cara Cara and Meadowlark). I can't help but imagine they could do it for $15 or even less. The handle size is just about perfect for me and the blade is a great length for edc. Also, I feel the sheepsfoot could take some using, which is also nice for an edc. And the price means I don't feel bad about using it.
The axis lock on this knife is fantastic! I've had a few Benchmade Axis locks before, but this one just seems to be smoother, more secure and with no blade play whatsoever. Opening and closing the knife is a joy in itself.
But the biggest pleasant surprise has been how well it rides in the pocket. Even though the handle feels good in the hand and it has a good sized blade, when it's in the pocket there's still room to get keys and such out. It really carries well!
IMO the Griptilians are among the best knife buys out there, and they perform exceedingly well. Some think they feel flimsy, but I have not found that to be the case during cutting, sometimes pretty rough cutting. I have six Grips of various configurations, my favs being the plain-edge 556 and the partly-serrated 550. For me, the stud works better on the mini-version.
I actually wish the mini-Grips had the exact same grip texture as on the full-sized ones (the larger diamond pattern). It's easier when clipped on my pockets and not as abrasive, and more comfortable in hand.
All of mine have the 440C and I think it worked great, but am curious about S30V in the Ritter Grip, or the 154CM versions. So far, the only S30V I have experience with is the Sebenza.
Jim
I actually wish the mini-Grips had the exact same grip texture as on the full-sized ones (the larger diamond pattern). It's easier when clipped on my pockets and not as abrasive, and more comfortable in hand.
All of mine have the 440C and I think it worked great, but am curious about S30V in the Ritter Grip, or the 154CM versions. So far, the only S30V I have experience with is the Sebenza.
Jim
I'm in!!!
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2003
- Messages
- 1,321
Guess, that was me.
I really feel that way. Once you change the scales you gonna change the steel liners into full steel liners.
I remember an engineer, who was so happy with the partial liners because the were reduced to the minumium, were liners are important for full performance.
Everybody loves full steel liners. Me too. But to change that on the Griptilian is like killing the spirit. There are so many full steel liner ( G10 folders out there, i am really pleased with my simple Griptilian.
I hope my thoughts came through. Even though i wish you to fulfill your plans and enjoy the Grip. mod.
I've been looking at these on ebay for some time but can't decide if I should go for the full size or the mini. I will probably end up with the full size with thumb stud. I have a few spyderco's so I want something different than using the hold opening. Interesting though, that BM is changing the oval design to round! Go spyderco!!
Anyhow, I agree the tanto blade is kind of useless. I hope to pick one up in Olive Drab with the black coated blade. Hopefully the handle doesn't feel as "cheap" as some people make it out to be.
Anyhow, I agree the tanto blade is kind of useless. I hope to pick one up in Olive Drab with the black coated blade. Hopefully the handle doesn't feel as "cheap" as some people make it out to be.
