Skip it. My grip has blade play in every direction. To rid the knife of horizontal play, I actually have to tighten it to the point that I can't close it with one hand. The blade scrapes the side of the scale regardless of pivot tightening. Maybe I have a lemon, but I am not a fan.
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
Benchmade Griptilian 551 knife
- Thread starter Jjewell
- Start date
As much as I disliked the scales on mine, it opened butter smooth and zero blade play and a solid lock up. Your's has to be a lemon. Have you contacted Benchmade?
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2006
- Messages
- 19,374
I would say yours is the rare one. But BM like any company can have a bad one slip through. I've used their customer service before, and they are outstanding.
Call them. If you send it in, it will come back like new, and probably sharper than it was when it was new
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2012
- Messages
- 1,232
It's a great knife. I prefer the mini version for it's small size, but they are both extremely good cutters. I have found mine to be one of the best knives overall that I have ever owned. Sure the handle feels somewhat cheap, but it's not too bad. They are smooth opening, have a fantastic Axis lock, completely ambidextrous and are backed by a great lifetime warranty. They are not a gamble, just great knives. I will always own one. In fact, I may own the same one for many years at this rate, it never seems to age. It's incredibly well made.
I think everyone should own at least 1 of these guys. You will love it for sure.
I think everyone should own at least 1 of these guys. You will love it for sure.
I am a Benchmade nut. I even had the pleasure of sitting next to the owner/founder and his son at Blade last Saturday for lunch. It nearly never happened - blame it on my first BM knife - a 551 Grip in 440C bought new nearly ten years ago. Love the AXIS lock - fine knife but for one thing - it was the dullest new knife I have ever bought - it needed heat to cut butter! I hadn't mastered knife sharpening then - the double sided edge was the bane of my existence. I had been woodcarving for eons - turning wood for nearly three decades - single bevels were easy. It would be years before I'd buy my second BM - a 201 Activator+ fb in D2 - also dull. Aggravated, I bought a Spyderco Sharpmaker - voila - even I can sharpen double bevels. The 440C was a bit difficult, but I made it into a razor. Sadly, I had discovered other BM's with nicer handles. The 551 remains my least favorite BM - it's everything about the handle, too - not just the cheesy material. If it looks and feels good in your hand, get it - it is great mechanically. I'd add a few bucks, if need be, and get a Bone Collector - they are great values - in D2 steel and available in a variety of excellent handle materials. Most have the AXIS lock - but a lockback version in wood or Micarta is available. Try it out - if you can. It's a value - a real sleeper.
Stainz
PS I have 34 Benchmades now.
Stainz
PS I have 34 Benchmades now.
Ernie1980
Gold Member
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2012
- Messages
- 8,158
Great knife, but don't spend 100 dollars on it! It is lightweight, smooth opening, and the axis lock works well. The edge on the 154 is easy to keep keen on a sharp maker, it's a good little cutter. Not super happy about the plastic handles though. It's one of the few production knives that I will rotate into my edc.