BM griptilian for box cutting?

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Balrog99

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Apr 13, 2013
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So my new job requires me to cut a lot of boxes and I was thinking of getting a knife with better steel for the tast. How well does the griptilian or say a similar bench made with s30v compared to 154cm hold up to the tast?
 
A Grip isn't the best for box cutting, especially the large one. It's certainly capable but not designed with that as a top use. something shorter and thinner stock will serve better. Most anything from Spyderco(Delica, Dragonfly etc.) will do much better. I used a Mini Grip(556) for taking down boxes and the 154CM held up fine. However S30V might hold an edge longer.

As far as other BM's to recommend, I'd go with the Bugout(535). I don't have one but it will serve that purpose very well. With a .09'', S30V high flat sabre blade....sounds like a box slicing demon. Super light in the pocket and (kinda) in the wallet too!
 
S30V would be better for the job over 154, while the 20CV/G10 model would be even better. I use my mini Ritter to break down boxes and it works great(though I don't do it all day long).
 
Balrog99 said:
So my new job requires me to cut a lot of boxes and I was thinking of getting a knife with better steel for the tast. How well does the griptilian or say a similar bench made with s30v compared to 154cm hold up to the tast?
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I have a shipping/receiving warehouse job where I am required to cut up a lot of cardboard every day, I started the job carrying my Spyderco Delica and Native as my work knives, but as much fun as those knives were to carry ultimately my cheap work-issued folding boxcutter with replaceable blades is much, much better at cutting cardboard and I don't care if I damage the blade because I can just swap it for a new sharp one. I also don't have to worry about accidentally dropping it on concrete floors, cutting cardboard that's sitting atop wooden pallets, or any other task that could harm or seriously dull a normal pocket knife.
 
Honestly the best blades for cutting cardboard are probably the disposable box cutter type blades. Their thin cross section just makes them ideal for cardboard cutting.

Short of that maybe an Opinel which have very thin ground blades. If you feel the need to use a modern folder to cut carebord the Boker Exskelibur framelock has a ludicrously thin blade.

Of course if you don't actually care about cutting performance and just want to have fun I recommend a chainsaw.
 
Thin boxcutters may be a better choice for breaking down most boxes. However, some boxes, like those half boxes from Costco, have two thick layers stacked at corners, which can easily break box cutter blades.
 
What's your sharpening skill level and set up? 154 is easier to sharpen than S30 especially if you tend to let them get dull before you start to touch them up.

If you are more of a novice, I'd go with the 154.
 
I’ve just been using a tenacious. I’m decent with sharpening, can get pretty close to factory with a steel or stone
 
The Benchmade Bugout makes very short work of cardboard. Holds an edge for a good long while, and carries effortlessly.
 
Knifeworks still has some Ritter Grips with M390 in stock.
Highly recommended!
Walks right through cardboard better than some of my custom regrinds.
 
If you want to Cary a real knife instead of a box cutter the best boxcuting bladeni have used is a spyderco endura. I touched it up every night on the sharpmaker though. I cut a lot a lot of boxes now and have since given into a disposable razor box cutter and will go through at least one blade a day. Whatever you choose get a FFG blade.
 
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Balrog99 said:
I’ve just been using a tenacious. I’m decent with sharpening, can get pretty close to factory with a steel or stone
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If you’re accustomed to a Tenacious, might I humbly suggest a look at the Manix 2 series from Spyderco. Similar size and shape, as the Tenacious, but with better steels available. Also better materials for the buck compared to the BM Griptilian.

My wife stole my s110v Manix, so I just grabbed a BD1 model off the exchange and couldn’t be happier.
 
As mentioned, thin and slicey works best. Blade drag is your enemy.

Do you have a firm backing to work against or are you trying to cut this while holding it up in the air? If cutting on a floor or I have some wood for backing I will pretty much using anything that has a thinner edge as I can draw cut a lot better such that only the edge and a little behind that is cutting the cardboard but if there's not a solid backing then thin and slicey, hollow grind or full flat, are my favorites and preferably with a flat edge like a sheep or wharn blade.

BM mini sheep with hollow grind works well for me but the 154cm can wear down faster than I like and would probably do D2 for a nice wear resistant steel that shouldn't be too expensive. OKC rat 2 tears up cardboard pretty well IME. 154cm does touch up well with a strop or some crocksticks type sharpener so it's pretty easy to get a nice edge on it in short order.

I also should add that I think a comfortable handle should be high on the list as well as if you're cutting a lot of cardboard, especially the really thick stuff, it can wear in your hands pretty well, especially the thicker stuff from larger boxes.
 
KingMC said:
I have a shipping/receiving warehouse job where I am required to cut up a lot of cardboard every day, I started the job carrying my Spyderco Delica and Native as my work knives, but as much fun as those knives were to carry ultimately my cheap work-issued folding boxcutter with replaceable blades is much, much better at cutting cardboard and I don't care if I damage the blade because I can just swap it for a new sharp one. I also don't have to worry about accidentally dropping it on concrete floors, cutting cardboard that's sitting atop wooden pallets, or any other task that could harm or seriously dull a normal pocket knife.
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It's been awhile since I've had to spend many hours in a week cutting up large, heavy duty boxes for the bailer, but I do remember how much better the normal box cutter was to use for that task... I preferred the regular one over the folding though.
 
I worked in a wharehouse through high school and tried a few knives but in the end no matter what knife you chose or steel ... they are made and called box cutters for a reason it is by far the best tool for the job.

It's not flashy and you don't get to use the tool you prefer but there's no way around that box cutters just simply work ... cost far less ... dull blade gets changed not sharpened every night.

even cutting shrink wrap on pallets or goods will severely dull a blade in short order ... I enjoy sharpening my knives ... but not every night and that kind of sharpening wears a blade down quickly. Just so much cheaper and easier to use the right tool for the job.
 
Gotta have a proper technique so you break the box down effortlessly and efficiently. You can wedge stuck any blade easily and have a bad time.
 
get a nice folding box cutter with a handle that is comfortable. then spend a few $$ and get some good bi-metal blades. I bought a box of 50 about 6 years ago and have about 25 left. good blade for boxes, thin sheet metal, and catfish.
 
A flat ground Endura with zdp steel will cut a lot of cardboard between sharpenings.
 
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