Benchmade Griptilian MDP Gold Class Carbon Fiber

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Great year for BM. Gold class 710 should be here later today. ;)
 
I've played with one at the local B/M and it is obviously the nicest Benchmade I've ever handled... However, even at any kind of discount, the lesser being $275 I reckon it is a bit spendy. I would opt for a $150 Benchmade or Spydie before I'd consider the asking price... I mean, a few more samolians more brings home a CRK! IF I was as collector, I'd have one for sure... but I'm not. Again though... it is obviously the nicest Benchmade to date! ...and If you LOVE the grip and were considering a Wilkins set of handle slabs this model would cost you around the same as the investment of a standard Grip + the Wilkins scales.... and IMO it is nicer.
 
I picked one of these up.

Nice knife. I do like the knife.

BUT - I feel this is more of a $150 knife.
 
What have you been buying that makes you think that?
Would really like to know!:thumbup:
 
Is anyone who owns the 551BK-101 going to make it a user, or will it be purely a collectible kept in pristine condition?

Just curious.
 
MCM said:
What have you been buying that makes you think that?
Would really like to know!:thumbup:
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Well, I have the M4 710 and M4 Ritter knives. Then I add in the M4 Spyderco G. Bradley and varous M2 knives I have. And I add in the various Kershaw CNC G10 knives.

I simply don't see the $200 plus.
 
"Is anyone who owns the 551BK-101 going to make it a user, or will it be purely a collectible kept in pristine condition? "

The Ritter blade swap makes this one a user. Sold the GC blade in the regular Ritter scales.

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These wont get used. I justify by calling them backups......
Maybe oneday, but not today. Out of 300 folders, they cant all be users. :)

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Mine is a user all the way. I decided if I was paying this much for this knife I was going to enjoy it. Besides, what's the point of M4 if you don't use the knife?
 
orthogonal1 said:
Well, I have the M4 710 and M4 Ritter knives. Then I add in the M4 Spyderco G. Bradley and varous M2 knives I have. And I add in the various Kershaw CNC G10 knives.

I simply don't see the $200 plus.
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The Gold Grip having completely solid cf and a nickel clip makes up the difference (as well as the packaging).
 
orthogonal1 said:
Yes.

And how does this add up to over $200?

The box is cool, though.:thumbup:
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Here's my logic: the difference between a ZDP Stretch and CF Stretch is about $40. That is for a thin slab of cf. I would say that each side of the Grip's cf is 5 times as thick as the Stretch's. Add a nickel clip, and a bunch of fancy boxes and it puts you over $200 easy.

Same thing goes for the GB, especially being that it is made in Taiwan.
 
One of the reasons that I enjoy owning a Sebenza is that it makes it much easier to justify buying better knives for a lower price.
This Gold Class Grip is one of them.
 
I think that the price is reasonable and plan to get one very soon. Show me another knife with similar materials that is made in the US with scultped carbon fiber that thick and then I might reconsider. I'm hoping to find a slightly used one but I'll spring for a new one if I don't run into one soon. And yes I definately plan on using mine. Actually I plan on changing out the fancy hardware for regular hardware and possibly putting my m4 ritter blade in it.
 
I agree there are lots of nice knifes.
But who can stop at one or two?
I have all the knifes listed, all are nice.
The Bradley is super. A bit heavy though.....
 
No offense to the Bradley (great slicer) but I much prefer the GC Grip- better balance, much better feel in the hand, better looks, and the Axis lock. Oh, yeah- and it's made in America.

Of course, since it costs twice as much, it should beat the Bradley. I'm sure I'll like my Bradley better after I drill out the liners, but it still won't beat the Grip.
 
MCM said:
"Is anyone who owns the 551BK-101 going to make it a user, or will it be purely a collectible kept in pristine condition? "

The Ritter blade swap makes this one a user. Sold the GC blade in the regular Ritter scales.

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That's a sweet folder you've concocted there. :thumbup:
 
Just got mine today (#229) and I'm very impressed! I have a few other CF handled knives and this one is the best by far. Very thick, not polished, slight ribs for grip work great, and a very solid lock and feel. Nothing cheap about it IMO. Hell, my Strider sounds more hollow!

The blade is a little "eh" for me. Sure, M4 is great stuff but I'm not a huge fan of coated blades and I'm not sure how hard it is to sharpen M4 (but would have BM do it for me anyway). I might consider putting a full size Ritter blade in it....but I'm partial to S30V.

It locks up a bit too tight IMO but I'm sure a few dozen flicks will smooth it out a bit. It won't be a safe queen so it'll get plenty of chances to smooth out!
 
mz9393 said:
Is anyone who owns the 551BK-101 going to make it a user, or will it be purely a collectible kept in pristine condition?

Just curious.
Click to expand...

Mine will get used as I've given up on collectible knives (a very expensive hobby!)
 
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