Benchmades Mini Griptilian 555HG

[338375]

Anyone that spends much time here knows there have been numerous complaints about BM's QC lately. Bad grinds, edges that are less than ideal, as well as the popular blade not being centered issue...

Out of the 7 Mini Grips I currently own, I have not had any complaints in the QC area. I have never owned a 555 version, but took a liking to the blade design some time back, and thought it was time to give one a try.
After deciding to buy one, I stopped at the local Sportsmans Warehouse on my way to work a couple weeks ago. On my way there, I got to thinking about the recent QC issue that have been talked about, and decided I would do something different this time...

Any time I buy a new knife from a brick and mortar dealer, I carefully inspect the knife, and if I'm not happy with it, I ask to see others, but this time I decided to take whatever they gave me. I told the clerk which model I wanted, he pulled out a box, and opened it just to verify it was the correct knife and closed it back up...

When I got out to my pickup, the suspense was killing me, hoping I didn't get one with issues. I was going to wait until I got home that night to inspect it, but couldn't stand it

Upon removing it from the baggie, the first thing I looked at was blade centering. Nice... That was a relief. The next thing I checked was the grind and edge.
Again, no complaints here. I gave it a quick test on my arm, and yes it will shave. It doesn't shave quite as easy as the ones I carry and have worked the edge over on, but it shaved, so I can't complain.

Next I checked the blade for movement. Nope... No side to side movement, or up and down movement. In fact, they absolutely nailed the tension on this knife. Other than just a little hesitation from being new, it has the same tension that I adjust mine to. I don't know if this was a fluke or not, but I was pleasantly surprised. After sitting in my chair and opening and closing the knife probably 20 times, the hesitation is gone when dropping the blade closed.
I gotta say, the Sheepsfoot blade is really growing on me. It reminds me of a small folding kitchen knife

I looked this knife over good, and can only find two complaints, and neither are major issues:

Issue #1 : Inside the round blade hole, there is a tiny burr. I think it will show in the pictures. Nothing that can't be remedied in a minute with a file or Dremel, and if IIRC, others have mentioned having this on their 555's. I can't feel it when opening the knife though.

Issue #2 : This one has been recently talked about here, and that is the two spots on the end of the scales from the moulding process. Again, nothing that can't be remedied in a minute or so...

So, all in all, I am extremely happy with this knife, and my faith in Benchmade remains intact, as it has for probably close to 20 years now...
Don't get me wrong, I know some knives have issues, it happens no matter who the maker is, but in all of the knives I have owned over the years, I have has absolutely zero issues. The only time I have used BM's customer service was when I sent in my 705 for a blade replacement because I grew tired of the serrations, and when I called to order some pocket clips.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. Now for the required pictures

 

[kodachi]

Thanks for the review. Photos look great, too.
I love my yellow 555HG, which now became my primary EDC. I like hg more than 556 blade, thumb hole serves me better than studs for most of urban task particularly opening up envelope.
Only short coming I noticed is that the edge trends to chip more easily than any other blade I ever had. I believe it is secondary to the nature of the very thin hollow ground. On the other hand, this was the only blade I was able to split my broken cell phone screen without damaging digitizer underneath the glass. Fantastic knife.

 

[338375]

Thanks. That's cool... I don't think that liking the HG versions is a good thing, because now there are more models that need to be added to the collection.
I have a yellow Ritter Mini and an old 440C 556 that is yellow. It's a great color. Maybe the yellow 555 will be the next addition

 

[Gladius327]

Good job on the review. I recently received a "custom" 555 from BM. I had to send it back because the scales were two very different shades of the color I ordered. I can't wait to get it back from BM.