Benchmade Griptilian

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ParacordMan1220

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Feb 5, 2012
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I've been looking for a new folder and I was wondering what all of you guys think of the Benchmade Griptilians. It would be used for EDC like opening a few boxes or maybe a little bushcraft, but no hardcore jobs like batoning I've been looking at the 551 MDP. I like the 553 tanto version as well, but I don't think it has any real world use. I was also wondering if the black coating on the other Griptilians holds up well. Which blade style do you guys like? Post some pics of your Griptilians if you have them handy:)

Thanks in advance.
 
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I personally dislike the full-sized Grip due to the partial liners and hollow-feeling handle scales. I'd much rather have a Presidio Ultra, despite it being 440C instead of 154CM.
 
I just retired my mini grip after 7yrs of service. It really was a good knife. Never used a full sized grip. The presidio is one I've been looking at to try next
 
Just because it feels "hollow" don't think it's cheap, or bad quality. I don't think that it feeling hollow is a good reason to dislike it IMO. I'd rather it have a "hollow" feeling than it be heavier.
[video=youtube;bkRr7452KmI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkRr7452KmI&feature=fvwrel[/video]
 
I have the 550hg and really like it. Most the black blades versions seem to be partial serration which I do not prefer.
 
I have four Griptilians, 2 mini's and 2 fullsize. The mini grip is almost perfect. Comfortable size and grip, good steel. The BK1 coating is very durable. I prefer uncoated blades mostly but have a few coated and find the Benchmade blade coatings to be very good. Dan is right about the full size grips feeling hollow. They feel a little fat also. However the blade size and function is good. And for the price it's hard to beat. Get a mini griptilian. You won't be disapointed. Better yet, get a mini Ritter Griptilian MK1. At $115 it's a great knife. I own a 550 hollow ground (my work edc), a 556 (gets a lot of pocket time), a Ritter mini and Ritter full size. Have a great day, Mike
 
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danbremner said:
I have the 550hg and really like it. Most the black blades versions seem to be partial serration which I do not prefer.
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+1 on the 550HG. Mine is a non-coated blade, no serrations.
Nice weight for daily EDC'ing. The thumb hole plus the Axis lock provide multiple ways to get it into action.
I have mixed feelings about BM at times, but the grip is well on its way to being a classic.
 
The Griptilian is a great knife. For my EDC uses, the full-size (551) was just a bit too large, so I downsized to a mini-Grip (556). Then I got a Ritter mini-Grip (558) and slapped some Wilkins scales on them. Not a particularly cost-effective solution, but I like it. ;)

I don't know about the current BK1 coating, but the previous generation (BT2) was basically painted-on Teflon. It would take on marks and scratch pretty easily. The coating also had a tendency to flake off near the edge and along the spine (from coming in contact with keys in my pocket). The BK1 coating is supposed to be more durable. I don't think the Griptilians are offered with DLC, so I'd just stick to the satin finish.
 
You can still get the CPM-M4 Grip at GPknives.com, I picked one up a couple weeks ago and have really liked it (my second M4 Griptillian) Some people really don't like the hollow feeling/sounding handles, some don't mind them, I think they're more than strong enough for most uses as can be seen in the video above. If I were going to buy one of the regular run 154cm versions I probably go with the 550HG.
 
I think the grip is incredible, put some cuscadi or Wilkins on it and its perfect.
 
I just picked up my first full-sized Grip with MDP S30V blade. All previous posters are correct about the handle feeling/sounding hollow. However, make no mistake: this is a solid knife with great ergos. The axis lock is fast and strong. I'll probably pick-up an M4 model next. Zookie is correct: adding high-quality after-market scales would make it perfect. Good luck.
 
The grips are great, especially with custom scales. If I were you I'd snatch one up in m4 asap since they'll be gone soon and trust me...you want the m4...
 
The Griptillian is high on my list for an EDC.

I find the scales to be a bit rough and the handle a bit thick,
(so it can be a bit tough on pocket fabrlc),
but it doesn't feel cheap to me, just nice and light.

When I'm hiking I can't even tell it is in my pocket,
which is pretty nice considering how large it is.

Very useful blade.
 
mkjellgren said:
The grips are great, especially with custom scales. If I were you I'd snatch one up in m4 asap since they'll be gone soon and trust me...you want the m4...
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+1
Truer words have never been spoken.
Or
What he said.
 
After reading your replies, I've summed my choices down to either the Griptilian 551 MDP or a 522 Presidio Ultra lite. I'm still leaning towards the 551 Griptilian. Which do you guys like better?
 
ParacordMan1220 said:
After reading your replies, I've summed my choices down to either the Griptilian 551 MDP or a 522 Presidio Ultra lite. I'm still leaning towards the 551 Griptilian. Which do you guys likel better?
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Grip hands down, and like I said earlier, make sure you get the limited edition with m4 blade steel.
 
The basic Grip is a much better value, even in 154CM. I'd spend more and get the M4.
 
The Ritter or the M4 special edition are both solid. The Grip is my favorite folder.
 
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