Benchmade griptillian or zt0566.

Earl1

Earl1

Joined
May 11, 2016
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I posted a little bit ago aski g about a 0566 or am emerson. I haven't gotten one yet but been looking at the griptillian and bugout. This will be my last buy for awhile so I need to be sure I'm getting the best bang for the buck.
I can be hard on knives sometimes, however most time I'm not. I just need something I know will cut and keep an edge. I like the 0566 alot but have heard alot about the grip and bugout lately. Any thoughts or reccomendatio.s
 
I don’t know much about the newer Griptillians, but they have great steel and look sturdy. The Bugout is a great super lightweight knife that is stronger than you might think. The ZT 0566 is rock solid, but it is no lightweight. The new ones come in S35VN.
 
I'd take the micarta & M390 Grip from Knifeworks over a Bugout or a ZT 566. I've had a bunch of 566's in all configurations and I've never kept or carried any of them for long. They just feel... "off"... to me, somehow. I've never really been able to figure out what it is but they don't do anything for me.

The micarta Grip, OTOH, is one of my fav carries. It's as perfect a Grip as I've ever run across, all from the factory. The 550-1 / 551-1 version is also nice, but I'll take black micarta over blue & grey G10 most any day. Even if you're comparing a standard 550 / 551 Grip with Noryl scales, I'd still prefer that to the 566.

The Bugout is too small for me to have any interest in it, so I can't help with that.

But I have to say, I'd take a mini-Crooked River over any of these. Same size blade as the large Grip with less weight than the 566 in a smaller package than the Grip or the 566.
 
anthony cheeseboro said:
I don’t know much about the newer Griptillians, but they have great steel and look sturdy. The Bugout is a great super lightweight knife that is stronger than you might think. The ZT 0566 is rock solid, but it is no lightweight. The new ones come in S35VN.
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I've been looking at the bugout as well. The 3.25 blade size is for me the sweet spot I guess you could say. Not threatening to people in public. I have several assisted kershaw that I love have a blur in my pocket know. But the thwap they make when they open I guess could trouble some people. Just trying to decide what will be best for me thanks
 
I would say get a grip. If you want a nice educable size go mini grip. There are so many variations and they have a great warranty. If I’m looking for a knife to beat on its a grip. 0566 is no go for me due to it being assisted.
 
Grip. All the way. It's a classic for a reason.
I would advise if you are going to get a plain jane Griptillian, go for the Mini Grip. The handles on the regular feel terribly cheap (they are sturdy as hell. it's just the "feel"). If you are getting the G10, Micarta, CF, or custom scales, you will be good to go.
 
Like my 566 it’s a good knife de assisted it and put in an extra PB washer I had instead of the very small one on the scale side and it flips great with a smooth action. Not high vaule imo tho being a stainless framelock at $140
 
The Bugout is going to feel like nothing is in your pocket compared to the ZT.
 
I have a BM 551 and a ZT 0566. I love each of them. If the 0566 weren’t assisted in their original form, and if it flipped like a 0609, I’d favor it. That’s the tie-breaker for me. From a functionality standpoint, they’re each great. Good blade stock, good steels, great ergonomics, very similar size envelopes, and the weight is irrelevant to me.

I have a raging knife-on over the G-10/20CV 550-1.

Mini-Grips are a hard pass for me. They’re too small for me to comfortably use, and the full size Grip carries effortlessly, so the Mini has no place in my life.
 
I have a regular 551 Griptilian 154CM and a ZT 0566 Elmax. I prefer the ZT personally. Guessing based on the replies that it is a matter of individual taste, since many prefer the Griptilian.
 
You ll like the Griptilian. Light, strong, good ergonomics. With a materials upgrade, the comprison is not even close.
 
Between the two I like the 566 better. It feels better in my hand and is a solid knife. The only drawback is the weight, it is more than an ounce heavier than the Grip. If you look around you might still be able to find one with an Elmax blade.
 
Earl1 said:
I've been looking at the bugout as well. The 3.25 blade size is for me the sweet spot I guess you could say. Not threatening to people in public. I have several assisted kershaw that I love have a blur in my pocket know. But the thwap they make when they open I guess could trouble some people. Just trying to decide what will be best for me thanks
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My assisted knives get very little use because of how people may react. Non-knife people always seem to think I have a switchblade. No thanks, I don't need the added drama and I have better things to do with my time than talk to a LEO about knives anyone can legally carry.

As for the Griptilian or ZT, my vote goes with the Grip. Benchmade offers three blade styles and lots of steel options.
Combine that with scale choices and you have the making of a great knife. And, Benchmade's customer service is second to none.

Now for the Bugout. The only reason I don't own one is that I can't justify the purchase. I own a Benchmade 531 which is a very similar product. If something ever happens to the 531, I'll reconsider the Bugout. It really is the better knife of the two.

So, are you considering the Bugout instead of the Griptilian? I own a Griptilian in D2 steel along with the 531. They make a fine set. You would have even a better combination with a Grip and Bugout. Add in a fixed blade and your set for just about anything.
 
I don't like Axis Locks, so 0566. Plus the Bugout is way too flimsy for my taste, I don't like a knife that I can squeeze together and that disappears in the pocket weight-wise. (There is something reassuring about a pocket brick :p )
 
I recommend the Griptilian, any model of the Griptilian, old or new would serve you well. To be honest, I prefer the original version myself, I don’t think the “upgrades “ are worth the extra cost. The 0566 is a good knife but do you prefer manual knives or assisted openers? The Bugout in my opinion is a decent knife, and I don’t think you are in any danger of breaking it just as long as you use it as a knife. As b00n pointed out, it is on the flimsy side, but I think it will do just fine if simply used to cut stuff.
Ok, IMO, the original Griptilian is the best bang for your buck, it falls in the 100$ price range, it is very durable, and 154CM is a good all around steel. The upgraded version has different handle material, a CPM20CV blade, a few cosmetic upgrades, but it would probably serve you well as far as function goes if you are willing to fork out around 65-75 more dollars.
 
I prefer the 0566 and for the record, you can remove the torsion bar very easily to de-assist making that a non-issue.
 
Of the two you mention, I would take the BM Griptilian in CPM-20CV (love the gray G10 with blue liners) or M390 (KW). This knife has better steel and a much stronger lock than the ZT, in a proven design. You also get your choice of two blade styles. You can also get a custom made to your specs from benchmade.com. There you can get M4 as well as 20CV, plus G10 or FRN and your color choices. You can even get custom etching in all sorts of patterns.
 
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