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bencmade griptillian which steel

C

camper415

Joined
Dec 18, 2013
Messages
68
I am looking at buying a Benchmade griptillian ,and I am a little confused . REI has there exclusive version with g-10 scales and s30v steel. Knifecenter has the 154cm steel. Cabelas has it with d2 steel. I know that the REI's is more money but please help a new guy figure out the steel. I also hear that they can be had with m390 and other steel too .
 
REI=overpriced. I like my mini grip in D2.
 
My Grip and Mini Grip are in 154CM. The steel is pretty good at retaining an edge, very stain resistant, gets very sharp, and has been tough enough for my applications. These applications are every day cutter, boxes, mail, etc. So I have not placed it under anything resembling hard use.
 
I vote a Doug Ritter Grip in S30V. I love the blade shape and steel. I haven't tried one yet but I don't think you would be unhappy with the M390 version either as its also a great steel. I prefer my pocket knifes to be stainless steel to avoid rusting problems.
 
FDE said:
I vote a Doug Ritter Grip in S30V. I love the blade shape and steel. I haven't tried one yet but I don't think you would be unhappy with the M390 version either as its also a great steel. I prefer my pocket knifes to be stainless steel to avoid rusting problems.
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I do have other knives in S30V, and FDE is right, it is a great steel. If it is worth the extra money to you to get S30V, you won't be disappointed. But 154CM might suit your needs just fine. Only you can decide that.
 
I was always obsessing over how to get the perfect Griptilian handle...then I bought a Rift. Problem solved! (the 154CM is great too)
 
Do you want a full size Griptilian or a Mini-Grip?. M390 is the best steel but I think they only made a mini-grip in M390.
I had a mini-grip and it was too small for my taste in knives but if your into smaller knives, get one in M390 (if you can find one).

CPM M4 is a great steel and you can find both the mini-grip and the full size in this steel, but may have to go to the secondary market (aka flee bay) to get one. CPM-M4 would be my first choice (if you cant do M390). You can score the 551BK-1301 for around $245.00. They have some great scales on them too. Otherwise, I would get the Ritter in S30V.

CPM M4 is a non-stainless but has a blade coating so rush shouldn't be an issue. it has superior edge retention.
 
i'll make it worse. mine is n680. got it for saltwater/fishing use. love it. and they're all fine knives/good steels.

a lot of the brick and mortar stores sit at the high end of the price point. I do like to support them, but you can also check out some of the online sites mentioned here on BF. that will prob save you some bucks if you know what you want. I'll put a link at the bottom.
for mine, I knowingly overpaid on benchmade's build-your-own grip/mini-grip site b/c I wanted a particular handle color/steel/hardware, so it was worth it to me. to each their own.

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I trend stainless (or stainless-ish) like the 154cm or s30v (or m390, just don't have any. yet.) for my pocket knives b/c I'm slicing not chopping, so don't beat on them as much. whereas i trend carbon steels for their toughness on the fixed blades I beat on more.
that may be getting to be an outdated thought process with some of the newer supersteels that are both tough and relatively stainless.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1089879-Paid-Dealer-Members-List
bladehq, 1sks, etc.
 
fetzer85 said:
I was always obsessing over how to get the perfect Griptilian handle...then I bought a Rift. Problem solved! (the 154CM is great too)
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that's why I would get the 551BK 301 (2012 Shot Show), much cooler scales.

Or you could go to Kevin Wilkins website and order some custom scales, which are always nice.
 
ericvar101 said:
that's why I would get the 551BK 301 (2012 Shot Show), much cooler scales.

Or you could go to Kevin Wilkins website and order some custom scales, which are always nice.
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I had a pair of Wilkins grips on a Ritter Griptilian. They were nice but ultimately I was unhappy with my $300+ outcome. Got my Rift for $130 and it just makes me happy.
 
Grips not a bad knife, the G10 version is nice, but not sure it's really worth the $175 price tag they're asking for. You could find a contego, spyderco para military or manix 2 for less than that if you look around and those both have G10 and similar steel.
 
In day to day use, you won't notice any difference. Get the cheapest one you like.
 
Had Benchmades in 154, S30V and M390 and HANDS DOWN THEIR M390 is insanely amazing. Stays sharp much longer than the other offerings. M390 is indeed a super steel :-)
 
kgnikon said:
Had Benchmades in 154, S30V and M390 and HANDS DOWN THEIR M390 is insanely amazing. Stays sharp much longer than the other offerings. M390 is indeed a super steel :-)
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I have this steel in a Survive GSO 4.1, and I agree with you about M390.
 
I'd pick one up based on handle material over blade material. That said, get the shot show with M4 blade, or the REI with the S30V, both are amazing and the G10 handles really upgrade the knives.
 
I have or have had Griptillians in M2, M4, S30V, 440C, 154CM, and D2. Of these the only ones I was unhappy with were the S30V ones. That steel chipped too much in use. The Ritter has a better blade shape for slicing than the 551, but the hollow grind on the 550 is pretty nice too. Pretty hard to go wrong with a Grip, and has been mentioned, the difference in performance between these steels comes in small increments. No matter which one I carry, when I have to sharpen it is usually due to edge damage, not wear.
 
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