Benchmade Griptilian 551 opinions

Joined
Aug 25, 2015
Messages
10
7e3c94c51af4589696dccedaf1861d37.jpg

Kind of a bad picture but what are your opinions on the benchmade griptilian, so far I love it and have only had it a couple of days.
 
I got one from my parents in place of a high school class ring in 2011, 551SBKSN. Sand color handle, black blade, part serrated. After I was able to sharpen it, it hasn't left my pocket. IMHO the Griptilian is such a great blade, light yet tough, good looking, and if you wind up hating the handles, there's a ton of aftermarket options for 'em. A little blue loctite on the pivot if any play appears and you're good to go.
 
I love my grip very smooth out the box, shaved hair push cut paper, and it fits well in my hand. Wish i would have got the plain edge though. Mines a 551SBK.
 
I love my grip very smooth out the box, shaved hair push cut paper, and it fits well in my hand. Wish i would have got the plain edge though. Mines a 551SBK.

Benchmade will replace the blade. I believe a satin blade is $30 and a black blade is $40
 
It was my first high-end knife.
That being said, I didn't really like it. Still don't.
I couldn't get rid of play without making it stiff, not centered, handles felt cheap for $100, and the lock filled with lint creating vertical play as the lock couldn't travel where it needed to be.
But my opinion doesn't matter. If you like it, great.
Thousands of people do like them. They're popular for a reason.
 
I love mine. The edge was not sharp and was ground very uneven from the factory. I reprofiled it and it took a very keen edge.

I had to tinker with the pivot screw to get the opening just right and reduce blade play, after that it has been good to go.

Excellent daily carry knife. Very versatile and stronger that it is given credit for.

It has maintained its sharp edge with nothing more than stripping for a year now with almost daily but fairly light use.
 
I have a mini grip with a doug ritter blade.
I like it a lot, the size of the mini fits in pocket very well, and the blade is long enough to deal with most urban EDC tasks.
I was a little bit sceptical about the handle before getting it, but it happens to be very good. No flexibility, robust and reliable.
IMHO it is a very good deal for the price.

In fact I am thinking to get a full size grip one or the other.... but not sure if the handle will not be a little bit less rigid on the full size compared to the mini
 
Do yourself a favor and get some nice custom scales to upgrade. You won't regret it. Heres some from Igorded.

20150827_063143_zpswy3qeilt.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
 
The mini-grip is a good one, but I didn't love it until I replaced the scales with some from Alan Putnam. That upped the price a bit, but now it's been my primary folder for a couple months since doing that.
 
Excellent knives.

I have used many variations of the Grip, including the Ritter's.

Ergo's are great, love the axis lock, excellent multi purpose blade grind......154CM is a wonderful steel.

I would recommend a set of G10 scales, really transforms the entire feel of the knife to something that feels much more expensive and better balanced.
 
The grip was my first "expensive" knife. I love it. Carry it everyday. Have a few diff benchmades and spydercos in my EDC rotation and it always wins my pocket space. And the axis lock is the bees knees.
 
The Griptilian is a great knife. I especially like the Ritter bladed ones, but the standard drop point is also great. For general EDC, the Mini-Grip's size suits me better, but the large Grip is that much more comfortable for heavier or prolonged use.

Wilkins-Ritter-Grips_800x439.jpg


BM551_REI_800x421.jpg
 
Back
Top