Benchmade Griptillian handle material

[jscalia]

I just recieved one of these and am wondering why the cheap looking handle? I believe its some sort of plastic, but if feels really cheap. From the pictures it looked like rubberized, but I was wrong. Its also a little bulkier than expected but otherwise very nice knife...super smooth action, nice and thick at the spine, but razor sharp at the edge.

 

[macgregor22]

its a plastic, something like hytel
It may feel cheap but it holds up well

 

[Bob W]

I think it feels better than similarly styled knives in the same price range.

 

[Daniel]

Noryl GTX

Low Temperature Impact Strength

Impact-modified grades offer a broad range of low temperature ductility
High Heat Resistance

Superior heat resistance for a variety of demanding applications
Chemical Resistance

Broad environmental resistance to commonly used automotive fuels, greases, and oils - plus, resistance to detergents, alcohols, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, and alkaline chemicals
Low Mold Shrinkage

Minimum shrinkage, particularly with filled grades
On-Line Paintability

Heat performance enables on-line paint decoration, including in automotive body panels
Good Dimensional Stability

Maintains dimensionality and complex geometry over time
Class A Surface Appearance

Capable of taking a Class A surface for high-visibility applications
Low Water Absorption

Very low moisture absorption compared to polyamide alone

 

[Dantor]

It's always been a "wonder" of ours, there are several threads on it. Bottom line, it works! Many of us have said how cheap it feels, and would like a G10 or Micarta or other, but I guess to keep the cost down, it needs to be what it is.

After awhile you get used to it, and appreciate it more and more. The other designs features and feel really make it a nice blade for the price. I will get more grips and understand it's called a "Griptillian" and not "Sebenza!"

 

[bearcut]

Much of the percieved 'cheapness' of the Noryl GTX handles is due to the sound they make when opening and closing the blade. Griptilians are usually blade heavy too, not well balanced. They tend to feel light and flimsy.

There have been several of us who have modified them by adding weight to the pockets inside the scales. [If you take the scales off, they look like a waffle inside]

I pressed some lead into the rear and top pockets and sealed it in with epoxy.I made sure everything was flush so that there would be no blade interference. When reassembled, you can't even see it.

It is now perfectly balanced. The Mattel sounding 'clack' is now gone. The added weight, [only about 1.5oz] really changed it. Overall, the knife now feels much higher quality in hand.

Othere users have added window sealing rubber to their scales.

The main object is to fill in the scale pockets so as to silence some of the sound resonance.

Regardless of what method we used, we all have been very happy with the personality change to the griptilian. When I hand my modified Griptilian to someone, and an unmodified one, they immediatley like the modded one, even if they don't know why they do!

Of course doing any of this all this will void your warranty, so, DON"T DO IT!

Noryl GTX is super tough reinforced plastic. You can't really hurt it. It is a great handle in the Grip. It just sounds cheap. I think the BM Axis system is the best lock on the market which is why I bought a Grip in the first place.

 

[knarfeng]

A good idea, bearcut. Thanks.

 

[allenC]

Yep, the Griptilian is a terrific cutter.
But I've always hated the handle.

 

[Col. Cooper]

I checked out the Griptillian about a month ago and did not like the handle at all.

I keep reading how great they are, but I was really taken aback by how cheap it felt.

I may have to take another look at the line again.

Of course, it will be tough to beat the Frost $5 knives at the gun show.

 

[coop1957]

To each his own. Bottom line is the Griptillian works and is a great value. The grips may look cheap but the real question should be is how the preform. Too much credibility today is based on "Looks" and not preformance.

 

[tgiannes]

or you could buy these http://knives.cx/store/product_info.php?products_id=1753&osCsid=ef4e63e9a20ca035fc6436b76822ac40

 

[enderwiggin]

If you don't like the handle, you don't like the handle.

It's a near ideal material for a utility knife: doesn't show scratching easily like aluminum would, holds up well to drops and dings, feels sturdy.

Of course, this is judging from the Mini Griptilian.

I could see you saying the handle feels flimsy on the full-size, much like it does on the Native. I actually sold my Native because it felt flimsy overall to me.

If this is your honest opinion, fine, but there are plenty of people who really like the knife and love the handle material.

 

[trimcut123]

All i can say is Respect the Griptilian........ It was my longest lasting edc. I would consider it tougher in some ways than others that i owned like the 14210 and the 710. And thats because of its light weight...... The abuse that knife took was unbelievable. I'm sad to admit this , but i attempted to retire it some time in 2006. I used it as a throwing knife for a few days at work while waiting for truck shipments.... I threw it into a pallet and almost stuck it every time...:thumbup:.... The only reason i did this is because i was bored and i thought it could take it.. Needless to say. The knife would not break.... The lockup was still near perfect. What more to say" It still functioned perfect"!.... But you gotta give it a try for some time to get the same respect that i have for it....... Sorry if my rant was boring.... But Take it easy...
Thanks
Matt B.

 

[AR fan]

I agree with Bearcut. I, however used Pematex silicone sealer/adhesive. It makes the knife feel and sound much more solid. However, you should have some mechanic aptititude., though I think anyone, (almost), would do just fine.