Benchmade Mini-Griptillian 556

dinozzo said:
I have one, and i like it, but just dont carry it too much...the AXIS lock is very fun to play with while watching tv:D:D
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can be dangerous though....I was once playing with a Mini Rukus while watching a movie and the swinging blade got a little too close to my leg...luckily it was just a tiny nick with the tip. :o
 
Not a fan, I use mine at work as a beater. The weird and uncomfortable handle shape is my reason for not liking it.
 
kawr said:
Great knife overall. Light, solid lock, good steel, smooth opening, and comfortable in hand. Only thing I dont like about it is the round profile of the handle and how it feels in pocket. Usually I prefer carrying a Skyline or Persistence for that very reason.
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To be fair, though, I care more about how it feels in my hand than in my pocket. I feel the mini grip and it's big brother both shine there.
 
I'm in this same crossroads. Rev got me thinking and they both are nice and I believe cover the same purpose. I am leaning towards the mini-grip in D2. BM does a great job on D2 plus I like the BM Axis lock. Very good mechanism!
 
There's a reason it's become so popular ~ it's a great knife.
Pros: It is the Griptilian. Once you have a firm grip on it, it's not going anywhere (unless you have large/very large hands in which case there's the larger version.) Solid lock-up. Comes in different blade shapes, colors, etc..
Cons: Handle+clip is thick, which is good for the hand but not necessarily for the pocket. Pocket clip directly contacts the ridged grip on the handle so it can catch on your pocket or chew it up. Some people say the handle material feels "cheap." Feels fine to me.
 
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I really like the mini-grip. I've got two (yellow-handled PE and a black-handled CE), and they are both fantastic!
 
axtalan0 said:
Whatever you do, don't get the sheepsfoot version, go for the spear-point. I have a full size sheepsfoot version, and the lack of a point makes the knife next to useless as an edc, at least for me.
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I would offer the exact opposite advice. I find the Mini-Griptilian 555 or 555HG (with the modified sheepsfoot) to be one of the absolute best all around blade shapes available. I sold off my standard (with the modified drop point blade) Mini-Griptilian after I realized that I would never carry it again.

To each their own, I suppose. I'm curious, though, what exactly have you tried to do that you couldn't accomplish with the 555/555HG? I find that it has more than enough of a point for everything I throw at it.
 
RevDevil said:
Here are mine:
Olive Drab W/ D2
Black W/ 154CM
Black W/ D2
imag0106m.jpg
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Checked out the Grip 556 this evening at Bass pro. Wow...it really is the best EDC for me! I love it. Here is my questions. is D2 that much better than 154cm? I have a cabelas close to I can get the D2 in black on black for 89...kind of a rip off considering the OD is available elsewhere for 71...I just dont like OD green. Or I can get it on knifeworks as either a D2 OD green handle with black blade for 71 and finally the 154cm satin and black handle for 60? Is d2 worth the extra 30 bucks? I know it is harder and therefore will hold and edge better. I will be using this to cut packaging open 90% of the time...cutting envelopes, packing tape, cardboard, wire ties and some strapping (very limited). I am also considering partial serration/combo edge. Might just get 2, one in satin combo edge and one in d2. Oh I really just wanted the ritter in S30V but that is nowhere to be found! Help me out here my brothers.
 
Soap, my take on Benchmades D2 is that it is probably better than 154CM. This is all sujective though. I found both my D2 minigrips on the exchange for a great price. I do want to get one of the Ritter minis in S30V too at some point. OD green isn't all that bad, I rather like it. If you can be patient, you can find what you are looking for on the exchange or on an auction site for less than the stores you mentioned. There are good deals if you know where to look.
 
OD Green handle with black blade is my fave combo in the Griptilian! I've been thinking about picking one up, or the Bone Collector which i consider to be a much more attractive knife minus the Waddell advertising..
 
I love my 556, it pushed my 710 out of my pocket within a week of owning it. I has also come in real handy the last two weeks after my elbow surgery. I had my left elbow,my dominate hand, done and using it off handed has been no problem.
 
Thx rev, I caved and got the 154cm combo edge for $60 and the D2 plain edge for $70. I think those are very respectful prices. Here is what I am going to do. I will swap the handles OD green to the Satin combo blade (think it will look nice) and the black handle to the black D2 blade. When I was at Basspro this evening I really liked handling this knife. Weight size, grip...etc! It is really on of my favorite EDC blades. Not too big in the pocket...perfect!! I did want this blade in both Combo and plain so I think this works out well. The D2 was 20 bucks cheaper and no tax then getting it at my local cabelas in chicago.

The store by me is nice but the people are complete a**wipes! I mean it is bad. Buying ammo there was not fun, I asked a question and was treated as if i was inconveniencing that person. This has happened a lot so not giving them the business is just fine.

I am gonna hunt for a S30V ritter on the exchange too...I really like the S30V on my ZT 350. I dont mind the 154CM on my BM 580 but I think my use might be different then others..that I believe should be a bigger factor in deciding what to get. If this was just available in S30V it would have been real easy for me! Thanks for your help.

A little off the thread but any suggestions on the next folder to acquire? I currently have a ZT 350, CS American Lawman, BM580, BM710D2, Had a 585...didnt like it. Looking for one more to add. I think I am leaning towards a para-mil2...have no spydercos yet. My breakdown is this. CS is my beater, BM580 was my 1st, ZT is SD, 556s are for EDC, BM710...honestly no nuts about...will probably get rid of it. It is a beautiful knife just dont see myself using it much...hope I am not wrong about this move. Let me know what you think and the rest of you guys...sorry to hijack this thread a little.
 
soapboxpreacher said:
I am gonna hunt for a S30V ritter on the exchange too...I really like the S30V on my ZT 350. I dont mind the 154CM on my BM 580 but I think my use might be different then others..that I believe should be a bigger factor in deciding what to get. If this was just available in S30V it would have been real easy for me! Thanks for your help.
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The knife shop "knifeworks.com" just started working with Doug Ritter, so the Ritter grips (S30V) should be available there soon.
 
topher said:
I would offer the exact opposite advice. I find the Mini-Griptilian 555 or 555HG (with the modified sheepsfoot) to be one of the absolute best all around blade shapes available. I sold off my standard (with the modified drop point blade) Mini-Griptilian after I realized that I would never carry it again.

To each their own, I suppose. I'm curious, though, what exactly have you tried to do that you couldn't accomplish with the 555/555HG? I find that it has more than enough of a point for everything I throw at it.
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That's interesting. I had a beast of a time poking open food containers (bags of chips, saran warp on cheese, candy wrappers, etc.), toy packaging, even a pack of cigarettes. It just wouldn't puncture them, instead it just pushes them out of its way. Very annoying when you're on the road, hungry and no other sharp pointed objects around. I was very disappointed. So I agree with all the great features people are listing about handle, axis lock, etc. But it won't perform the most basic task. Just my experience, others may be more skillful.
 
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RevDevil said:
Here are mine:
Olive Drab W/ D2
Black W/ 154CM
Black W/ D2
imag0106m.jpg
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Sorry to resurrect an old thread but...

I just bought a 556 (mini griptilian) and I really love it. I'm really OCD though and there's just one small thing that concerns me: The knife locks open tightly, but the axis lock doesn't slide all the way forward in its slot. The gap is similar to the bottom knife in this picture. I can see there is some variation in the size of this gap from looking at different 556s.

Is this anything to be concerned about?

Thanks!
 
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As the knife wears in the Axis stud will engage a little further onto the tang.

As long as you have good lock-up, don't worry at all.
 
Steven Andrews said:
As the knife wears in the Axis stud will engage a little further onto the tang.

As long as you have good lock-up, don't worry at all.
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Ok thanks; that does make sense. I can see how a small gap is desirable, to accommodate for wear while maintaining a solid lock-up.

I really like this knife; it is my first Benchmade! Here are some pictures:

BM556001r.jpg


BM556002r.jpg
 
I put a swedge on mine. Why? I dunno.
Gave it to grandson who carries it everywhere.

swedgetilianvs7.jpg


:)
 
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