Benchmade Ascent 2, BM Griptilian, or CR Apache?

T

Thom Lambert

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Nov 18, 2002
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I am looking for input from folks that have used/owned these three knives. I am looking for a medium-sized everyday folder and think I have it narrowed down to these 3. Any input?

Thom
 
Of the three I prefer the griptillian. You get the axis lock, and I have been impressed witrh Benchmades use of 440C.
 
I haven't seen the ascent 2(that is a newer version, not a size right?). Friend of mine had me sharpen one of the original ascents for him. It was nice. Took a wicked edge, packed lots of cutting power into a slim, lightweight,easy to carry package.

The griptillian has got a lot of good reviews. It appears to be a different style than the ascent though. Probably a thicker handle, and heavier. You'll have to decide which attributes are more important to you.

Can't comment on the apache.
 
The Griptilian 551 is one of my favorite knives! It's one of the only knives I have used on a daily basis that hasn't let me down yet! It sure as sh!t gave my SERE 2K a run for it's money...that is until I got my AFCK 806D2.
 
Grip all the way. I have too many, but for the money I think they are one of the best for the buck. Josh
 
Have a 551. Love it. VERY tough. Very smooth. Takes an edge. It's now my beater, having been replaced wwith a 710HS for EDC.

I don't hestiate to recommend the Grips. Even compared to much more expensive knives.
 
551 here as well. To be honest, I wouldn't want an ascent in my collection. The ascent 2 might be a diffrent story, I never handled one before. But the 551 is a nice little piece
 
In fact the Accents (or SPYDERCO Delica – Endura duo) are typical lightweight knives with pure injection molded thermoplastic handle not supported with metal liners. This reduces the weight of package and handle’s thickness. Quite naturally this affects also handle strength making it just adequate for most common cutting tasks. Also thin handle could be less comfortable and less secure to handle on heavy cutting.

The Griptilians have the handles based on load-capable steel frame made of pretty thick liners. Full-sized models (550 and 551) have liners running about 2/3 of handle length and compact Mini-Griptilians (555 and 556) have full length liners. Also the injection molded thermoplastic scales are load-capable and pretty thick what increases the handle thickness and – naturally – the weight.
This makes Griptilinas inherently stronger than Accents (or lightweight SPYDERCO’s) but heavier and thicker. However thicker handle provides better handling security and comfort on heavy cutting.

The conclusion could be pretty simple:
  • Go with Accent if you need light to medium task capable cutting tool in maximally lightweight and slim package
  • Go with Griptilian if you heed heavy-duty cutting tool sacrificing some part of weight, thickness and also price advantages on strength and better handling comfort
No personal experience with Apache, sorry.
 
have both the large griptilian and a large ascent, the griptilian is indeed a nice knife, the handle is roundish and kind of thick but the ergos are good so you can get a good grip on it, axis lock on it is great and the 440c is not bad at all, blade length on the large griptilian is about perfect size for edc, solid lock up and minimal blade play, the ascent is thinner but longer if you get the big one, the 3.9" blade is a bit too big for edc for me at least, lock up is solid but blade play is there, imo the griptilian is definitely the better knife
 
I have a 550 Griptilian with the modified sheepsfoot blade and oval opening hole that I recently purchased. The reason I chose the sheepsfoot blade is that it comes with the hole, and since it is a modified sheepsfoot blade design, it does have a some what useable tip to it. Also, a plastic zip tie attached to the hole, and I can wave it without a problem since it is a tip-up knife.:D The zip tie trick waves better in my opinion than an Emerson wave dependent upon the size of the zip tie.

The 550 and 551 are full size knives. The large Grip fits my hand perfectly. You might want to consider the mini Grip because the full size Grips are a pocket-full.

The axis lock is an awesome lock, and it is ambidextrous. For that matter, there is no left or right handed model for the Grip because there are clip screw holes drilled on both sides. I don't really like this feature because it interrupts the flow of the handle, but it does give me the option of carrying it in my left pocket if I so desire, so it's just really a trade-off for me.

The only things I do not like about the knife, besides the carry clip screw holes being drilled on both sides, is that the axis lock is not as smooth as other liner locks that I have owned, and I have owned a few of the axis lock type knives. The Benchmade 800 AFCK and SERE 2000 are a lot smoother than an axis lock, with the SERE being the smoothest factory liner lock that I have ever had the pleasure to open. Also, I wish Benchmade would scallop the handles where the thumb rides up to open the blade via hole or thumb stud.

Other than the above mentioned, the Griptilian is an excellent knife with great ergonomics that is priced reasonably for such high quality and is a best buy in my opinion. Get the Grip!!! Big D1
 
Griptilian! Not even close...


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
Have not seen the Grip, but my best advice is get the best the first time, its cheaper. I have the Apache, probably with the discounts from being discontinued the best bang and quality materials for the buck, and the Ascent-good steel and price. I rarely use the Ascent, will make a deal if you are interested, sometimes use the Apache, but mostly the AFCK in M2. Before you spend your earnings, look at the AFCK or Mini AFCK, M2 or D2 blades, and handle and open all of them. Believe me, spending a little more the first time is cheaper than buying the best after buying/trying the others and then getting what you really wanted.
 
....good advice all around. It looks like a Griptilian wins this unintentional poll. I will probably get one, especially since it is only 1/2 ounce heavier than an Ascent.

There are some good deals on Apaches out there....who knows?

I will let you all know what transpires.

Thom
 
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