Benchmade Griptilian 550, first impressions

Daniel Moore

Daniel Moore

Joined
Jul 28, 2003
Messages
2,790
I just got my PE OD Benchmade Griptilian (550) for Christmas. Here are my first impressions.

The ergonomics are much better than expected and fill the hand nicely. (New Graham Knives even added band aids :D . The clip is very sturdy and the opening action is smooth, however I might try to tighten it in the future. The blade came with some minor scratches, probably just a result of getting a satin finish. The Olive drab is great for anyone who is sick of the black folders. The texturing is perfect, and overall I really love the design of this knife. I don't know why I'm writing this at 5 AM, but it must have something to do with a knifeknutism. I figure everyone else is playing with their toys (we got up early so we could open everything before my sister went to work) so I might as well play with mine, and I'm selflessly posting :p

This thing does not have a plasticy feel at all, and it's bigger than I expected. The design is very thoughtful: steel threaded ambidextrous clip screws to avoid threading,exposed metal liners in two areas that are ribbed for grip, the AXIS is my first and it's very nice and is positioned well on the handle. The opening hole is ample.

It came shaving sharp and I've yet to test its retention. I just got a $100 gift certificate to Cabelas so I'll see what they have sharpener-wise.

Merry Christmas, guys!
Dan
 
At the Cabelas here in S.E. Michigan $100 would buy a Spyderco Sharpmaker ($64) plus an 8" Cabelas brand diamond benchstone made by Chef's choice ($29). I've never used a Sharpmaker, but the guys around here swear by them. If you perfer a clamp-on edge guide, they've got the Razor Edge Pro kit for just over $90 -- comes in a nice carrying/storage case too. The thing I like about my Razor Edge guides is that I can use them with any stone I've got, or with sc sandpaper, ceramic or diamond rods... you name it.

Shalom,
Mark
 
Once you start carrying and really using the knife, you'll appreciate even more how well the knife is designed. At first, at least to me, it didn't look like much, but EDCing the Griptilian for a while I found that it really is an incredible knife especially at that price point.

Anyways, nice score. :D
 
Figures I'm already wrecking my poor alligator knife! I just hopped up on a bar stool (at my house, I'm no lush :D ) and nailed the clip on the rot iron back. Little chip, nothing major. I used a little touch-up paint to replace the anodization to make it keep it's lack of reflectivity for the time being :)

I'm really loving it. The only qualm is that when it pops open there's not much of a click, but less wear on the moving parts. No blade play at all no matter how much i try to find some. I'm in love ;)
 
Sounds like you might be a bit happy with your present. That's great! As i said in an earlier post, never heard a bad thing about this knife. Now I might have to pick one up as a car carry knife!:D :cool: :)
 
Congratulations Dan!

BM makes some very nice knives. 440C is a very stainless and forgiving steel and is easily made shaving sharp.

While I do not like plastic slabs/handles or holes as a opening mechanism...these are only personal descisions, you have a great knife.

Anyway, welcome to the world of quality knives, hope you don't get too addicted. :) The axis lock is one of the best locks ever made...maybe next year you will get a 940!

Enjoy your Benchmade.


Steve-O
 
I just got the same exact knife with the Olive Drab handles with plain edge blade from New Graham too. Those guys have great service and the bandaids came in handy with one of my other knives when I wasn't being so smart (thanks New Graham, I did need 'em). The knife feels solid and of nice size to fill the hand without feeling bulky or excessive. I love the blade design but I am sure that it will turn out to be useful as stated above. After I get some more of the "I gotta haves" I will try to find this in D2 if they make it. I know Cabelas has the 551 in D2 but I really like the 550 blade design better. Good luck with yours.
 
Thanks everyone! The clip anodization is holding up great, much better than expected. My last anodized clip looked pretty beat up just a day after with all the banging-against things stuff. It's not even wearing much where my pocket seam slides under it. I did some paper slice testing last night and it worked 9 times out of 10. That hole is unbelievable. It opens the knife so smoothly that you never notice it. The edges of the hole are also semi-rounded themselves. I really love the exposed liner area in back so I can see what's going on with the lock even when it's assembled.
 
Enjoy your new knife.

I have a 551 & 556 from Cabela's in D2, you can't find me without one of these in my pockets.
 
I got a plain-edged 550 in July 2001 and carried it two years straight every day, along with whatever other knife (Sebbie, 710, etc.,) that I carried. I got a semi-serrated version of the same 550 knife and often carry and use that now.

The 550 Griptilian is an awesome knife. It's true that at first, visually, there doesn't seem much to make it stand out from the plethora of knives out there. But you really do need to carry and use it and I've discovered that it's a near-perfect utility folder for EDC. It does everything a folder could reasonably expect to do, and better than most. The 440C is very good, and the axis lock action on the 550 seems more solid and secure than even many other of the axis models, at least to me. The so-named 'grip' of the knife is rock-solid and very comfortable/ergonomic.

BTW, the blades can appear to have slight scratches on them, that is because the Griptilian blades are sort of "satin-finished-stonewashed". I feel that, for the money, ergos and utility, the Grippies are the best value out there. Great choice.
Jim
 
Received as a gift a Griptilian for my birthday earlier this month. Came from New Grahams Knives and I got a kick out of the Band Aid holder. The knive is awesome in my opinion. Liked it so much I got the mini-griptilian for my son for Christmas. I really like the axis lock, seems better for me. Never have seen a knife come with a blade so sharp. A great knife and congrats on getting one.
 
I've been carrying the 550sbt Griptillian with combo edge, black teflon sheepsfoot blade.
It Rocks!!
I swore off serrated after carrying Spydies for >20 years.
BUT
the Grip is the right size and the right amount of serrartion to make this a wonderful everyday carry.
It has sailed thru all the usual daily stuff.
The blade has not had any black scratched off. I'm surprised at this as I thought the blade would be marred very quickly.

Tom
 
the gripster is a great knife and angie in the warranty dept is great , enjoy the gripster .
 
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