Benchmade Mini Griptilian 555s

B

Bulldawg

Joined
Sep 4, 2002
Messages
103
Hi, I am new here and was wondering if anyone can enlighten me on the Benchmade Mini Griptilian 555S (serrated). Cost, availability, workmanship? Thanks! :)
 
I have one with a plain edge. Great little knife. Very lightweight and the axis lock is a joy to use. As for price, click on the Store link at the top of the page and see what One Stop Knife Shop offers them for. Buy from Kevin and support these forums! :)
 
The Griptilian is my choice for best knife under $100.

It has an excellent blade, the Axis lock, and a good handle.

Unlike some other popular Zytel folders it has full steel liners behind the plastic scales, which eliminates that "hollow" feel.

Some steel snobs will tell you to avoid 440C because its not the latest and greatest, but I like it.

Reasonably priced and a good everyday performer.
 
Originally posted by knifedaddy84
Better than a Spydie?
Click to expand...

Yes.

The Axis lock beats any lockback or liner lock that I've ever seen in every category that matters. Strength, smoothness, ambidextrocity, convenience, elimination of blade play and long term wear adjustment are all advantages of the Axis design. It also lets you carry tip-up without the positive retention problems that linerlocks have.

I like the blade shape more than Spyderco's usual triangular designs. I find that it gives a much more usable point and precision cutting surface.

The steel reingofced handle feels much better than the unlined Zytel models like the Endura. Probably stronger too.

Some people don't like BM's oval hole, but I don't think it matters. Axis locks are very easy to flip open without touching the blade, so any sort of hole or stud becomes irrelevant.
 
Originally posted by knifedaddy84
Better than a Spydie?
Click to expand...
This depends, first of all on what Spydie do you have in your mind. The Griptilians are not comparable with classic lightweight Spydies with plain plastic handles like Delica or Endura because they have the handles based on the steel load-capable frame what makes them inherently stronger. Their handles are also significantly thicker, this provides better grip but makes them not as easy to carry as slim and lightweight Spydies. Also Griptilians are more expensive than lightweight SPYDERCO knives.

SPYDERCO doesn’t have any suitable items in their offer to compete Griptilians as well as BENCHMADE doesn’t have anything to compete SPYDERCO Salsa, Navigator or Meerkat. It looks like these companies are aiming mostly to pretty different market segments...
However I’m not any good marketing specialist so I may be wrong...
 
Bulldawg,
I just posted a short review of the 555 over on the "Reviews and Testing" forum.

Good luck,
Allen.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top