Here's a review for the Benchmade Mini Griptilian, model 556. It's a smaller version of the popular Griptilian, and (at least for me0 it's a more pocket-friendly EDC. It has recieved rave reviews from everyone who owns one, and i'll be no different. This is a great knife. It costs about $65 in stores.
Handle Details: The Mini Grip is 3-7/8" long when closed, and 9/16" thick (not counting the pocket clip). It has a textured handle made of black Noryl, a plastic-like composite. This gives the Mini Grip a tough exterior while still being comfortable in the hand. The sides of the handle have checkering for a sure grip. There's a well-executed groove in the handle to serve as a platform so your finger doesn't slip on to the blade, and that are has jimping. The back of the handle also has jimping for your thumb. The inside houses two stainless steel liners, both of which have jimping in the above-named places. The handle also has a lanyard hole if you prefer one. The black steel pocket clip is mounted for tip-up carry, and is reversible for left or right handed carry. It's held in place with three Torx (T-6) screws. The handles themselves are held on by Torx (T-6) screws; there are seven of them. The blade pivot pin is adjustable via Torx (T-8) screw. Another useful feature is the slight jimping on the butt of the handle; another way to keep the Mini Grip in your hand.
The Lock: The Mini Griptilian is one of Benchmade's knives that feature the patented AXIS Lock. The lock is a solid steel pin that moves back and forth in the handle under spring tension. There are two springs; one on each side of the handle. They force the pin forward at all times, requiring you to pull the pin back to unlock the blade. Lots of people have used the AXIS lock to flick the blade open and closed, and it takes a bit of practice to get the hang of on this model. With the full-sized Griptilian, you could use less force because of the weight of the blade, but the Mini Grip takes a bit more effort. Lock-up is olid, and I couldn't get the AXIS lock to fail.
Blade Details: The Mini Griptilian has a blade of 154CM, hardened to 59-60 on the Rockwell scale. It measures 3" long and has a 2-7/8" cutting edge. It's .01" thick. The tip ends in a slight clip point. The left side of the blade has the Benchmade butterfly on it, above the model number (556). The right side has the Mel Pardue logo above the patent number, and the blade steel (154CM) is lasered on behind the thumb stud. Speaking of thumb studs, there are two of them; one on each side of the blade. Using them is quick, easy, and smooth. The blade is surrounded on both sides by phosphor bronze bushings inside the handle. It came razor sharp.
The combination of size and materials makes this a very nice EDC that some have called perfect. Good blade steel. Solid lock. Great handle feel. Really nice price tag. Check out the Mini Griptilian at Benchmade's site... http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=556
PHOTOS ADDED:
NEW PHOTOS
Next to a Griptilian 550HG...
Handle Details: The Mini Grip is 3-7/8" long when closed, and 9/16" thick (not counting the pocket clip). It has a textured handle made of black Noryl, a plastic-like composite. This gives the Mini Grip a tough exterior while still being comfortable in the hand. The sides of the handle have checkering for a sure grip. There's a well-executed groove in the handle to serve as a platform so your finger doesn't slip on to the blade, and that are has jimping. The back of the handle also has jimping for your thumb. The inside houses two stainless steel liners, both of which have jimping in the above-named places. The handle also has a lanyard hole if you prefer one. The black steel pocket clip is mounted for tip-up carry, and is reversible for left or right handed carry. It's held in place with three Torx (T-6) screws. The handles themselves are held on by Torx (T-6) screws; there are seven of them. The blade pivot pin is adjustable via Torx (T-8) screw. Another useful feature is the slight jimping on the butt of the handle; another way to keep the Mini Grip in your hand.
The Lock: The Mini Griptilian is one of Benchmade's knives that feature the patented AXIS Lock. The lock is a solid steel pin that moves back and forth in the handle under spring tension. There are two springs; one on each side of the handle. They force the pin forward at all times, requiring you to pull the pin back to unlock the blade. Lots of people have used the AXIS lock to flick the blade open and closed, and it takes a bit of practice to get the hang of on this model. With the full-sized Griptilian, you could use less force because of the weight of the blade, but the Mini Grip takes a bit more effort. Lock-up is olid, and I couldn't get the AXIS lock to fail.
Blade Details: The Mini Griptilian has a blade of 154CM, hardened to 59-60 on the Rockwell scale. It measures 3" long and has a 2-7/8" cutting edge. It's .01" thick. The tip ends in a slight clip point. The left side of the blade has the Benchmade butterfly on it, above the model number (556). The right side has the Mel Pardue logo above the patent number, and the blade steel (154CM) is lasered on behind the thumb stud. Speaking of thumb studs, there are two of them; one on each side of the blade. Using them is quick, easy, and smooth. The blade is surrounded on both sides by phosphor bronze bushings inside the handle. It came razor sharp.
The combination of size and materials makes this a very nice EDC that some have called perfect. Good blade steel. Solid lock. Great handle feel. Really nice price tag. Check out the Mini Griptilian at Benchmade's site... http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=556
PHOTOS ADDED:
NEW PHOTOS
Next to a Griptilian 550HG...
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