BM mini griptilian vs ?

Get the plain edge, but if you still want serrations you can sharpen it with a rough grit to give it a toothy edge with "micro-serrations"; if done right it works just as good. You can also apply the rough grit to just a portion of the blade too so you can still have a very fine edge for push cutting.
 
I've been giving some thought to getting a 556 myself, it will be interesting to compare it with my Native. I am just ever so slightly concerned about these springs in the lock that people are talking about. Yes, I realise that they virtually never fail but I'm the sort of guy who this will happen to if it's going to happen. I know that BM will fix it if it does happen but the costs of me shipping back to them and the hassles involved with international shipping, even if BM were happy to do it, it would probably cost me almost as much as a new knife.

So, my question is this. Is it possible to fix the thing yourself and can you get spare parts for it?
 
I know I've "seconded" the Spyderco Calypso Jr. before, and here I go again. I've had the knife for about a month, and it's proven itself useful for everything from carving the picnic cheese and salami to opening bags of IAMS dog food and popping hairs of the back of my hand for grins.

I don't have large hands, so the grip feels great. My brother-in-law (a significantly larger individual) finds the grip a bit small. In addition, he favors the Benchmades as a "made in USA" product (see notes above re: VG10 blade made in Japan).

I also like the flat ground blade; some folk claim this will bind less when push cutting. I can't personally comment on that...I just like the look/feel of the flat grind.

Peace,
Neil
 
I got a plain edged 556 last feburary and just loved it for a couple of weeks. Then I started to worry about the springs and I'm really a slip-joint kind of guy anyway so I set it aside for awhile. To make a long story short I started using it again and it is a hell of a folder. I highly recommend the 556.
 
Benchmade has excellent customer service. I used a 1 size too small torx wrench one time and messed up a screw (totally my fault, doing something stupid, not benchmade's fault in the least.) I emailed them hoping to buy a new one and explained my mistake. The emailed me back immediately saying not to worry about it and the next day sent out a new set of screws for free!

I have purchased many times from New Graham and they are top notch in service with prices that are consistently among the lowest out there. Also they ship very fast.

Both solid choices.

Ryan
DrClckWrk
 
pmoney said:
Couple of questions-
1. Many people seem to be recommending the plain edge over the combo edge for the 556. Why is this? Is there an issue with the combo edge knives?
Personally I find the serrations are really handy with cutting rope, etc.
A sharp plain edge will breeze through rope. Make sure you get that Sharpmaker when you order your 556!


3. Is newgraham a good site to order from? I can get it from them for pretty much the best price anywhere + or - a few bucks.
I have found New Graham to be the best.


and one last question 5. What is the advantage of the hole in the 555?
I find it a disadvantage. The oval hole on my 555 can be slippery. I prefer the thumbstuds of the 556. (and I prefer the Modified Drop Point)
thanks
Click to expand...

Hope this has helped..
 
great responses everyone- I think I am going to go with a 556.

The size should not be much of a problem because I have small hands anyways and now I am just debating on plain edge or combo. I am tempted to do the plain edge route and use a rough grain but right now I don't have the money to get any fancy sharpening stones, I just have a medium/multipurpose whetstone which I use with a simple oil to sharpen my knives.


Once again thanks for all the responses. I will be ordering either the plain or combo edge 556 in a few days...now all I have to think about is the color :)

EDIT: the spyderco sharpmaker looks like a sweet system, hopefully that will be my next purchase, because I need a way to sharpen the serrations on my gerber multitool anyways...
 
That medium/fine will work just fine if you know what you're doing. The sharpmaker does wonders for serrations, but they will eventually round off the points. (SLOWLY) You could always use the DMT ice pick serration sharpener. You will do them one by one, but it won't round the tips.
 
I like to buy things that are made in America, but when it comes to knives, if it's made in America, Japan, Germany, or Switzerland I trust it. I've had dealings with Chinese and French knives, and Opinels just aren't that good, and Chinese stuff is usually made of poor steel. Never had experience with knives from any other countries (unless you count some of my antique bayonets, but I don't use them for anything).
 
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