BM Mini Griptilian

Inner10 · Dec 30, 2002

G'day all,

I just bought the bench made mini griptilian, drop point, satin finish. It cost me about $110 (Canadian), was this a good choice? I have a tendency to rush into buys without finding background on the product. It says that it is constructed from 440c steel, but dosnt not talk about that type on the BM site? Is it good steel, or is it so crappy that they don't bother mentioning it?

Blue Jays · Dec 30, 2002

Good Evening Inner10-

Welcome to BladeForums. I conducted a brief search using the terms "Mini" and "Griptilian" from the past six months and have uncovered the following threads about the Benchmade Mini-Griptilian.

The steel they use for this knife isn't exactly INFI, 154cm, or ATS34, but it is certainly of high-quality for typical daily use.

Hope that helps!

~ Blue Jays ~

FastJack · Dec 30, 2002

440C is the best of the 400 series steels in holding
an edge. A top steel for knives and actually, I think
it is one of the costlier ones. You purchased a very
nice knife-enjoy it.

Inner10 · Dec 30, 2002

Thanks BJ,

Its panned out to be quite a nice little knife, fits my hand nicely too. Ive heard that AST-34 is more brittle and difficult to sharpen, but better edge holding properties, is this true?

Sticky · Dec 30, 2002

probably the best knife you'll ever find for the $.

Steven Roos · Dec 30, 2002

Great knife for the money, but its a little small for me...

Inner10 · Dec 30, 2002

Thanks guys,

That makes me feel better, I think my knife has what Benchmade calls a 'satin' finish, what exactly is a satin finish? I understand glass beated, boron carbide, tiN, and all the others, but what is 'Satin'. I applied some oil to the blade when I first got it, just to make sure it didnt rust on me, and I noticed that the oil beaded up. So is the 'Satin' just a silicon sealer they spray on, what else would make oil do that. If you look at the blade under a light you can see a wavy pattern perpendicular to the grind lines.

Also, I understand that its easier to keep a sharp knife sharp, then to sharped a dull knife. What is the best kind of sharpener, im looking for somthing relitivly cheap, and keep in mind that im not an expierenced knife sharpener at all, so most of all it has to be easy to use, and more less 'moron-proof'.

Steven Roos · Dec 30, 2002

"Satin" is not a coating. Rather, it is a blade finish. It generally means that there are "scratches" put on the blade in a single direction.

Inner10 · Dec 30, 2002

Upon closer inspection I can see that, why don't they just call it brushed.

Steven Roos · Dec 30, 2002

Originally posted by Inner10
Upon closer inspection I can see that, why don't they just call it brushed.

"Satin" sounds nicer.

crazy nicky · Dec 30, 2002

Ya but how do you like the knife???

Inner10 · Dec 30, 2002

Ya but how do you like the knife???

Love it, so far its been the best folding knife I've ever had. (but thats not saying much)

Blue Jays · Jan 1, 2003

Good Morning All-

Originally posted by Inner10
Thanks BJ,

I've heard that ATS-34 is more brittle and difficult to sharpen, but better edge holding properties, is this true?

As long as you're not "prying" with the knife or dropping it onto hard surfaces like marble or concrete, ATS-34 is not too brittle. It is an extremely durable and serviceable steel. This raw material comes from a Japanese supplier. Benchmade has an American supplier for an identical steel (composition-wise) named 154CM.

If you use the ubiquitous Sharpmaker or Lansky systems, it is a piece-of-cake to keep the blades sharp. The Mini-Griptilian uses 440-class steel, which is a small notch below the previous two mentioned, but still a FANTASTIC choice of metal for blades.

Glad to hear the knife is treating you well.

~ Blue Jays ~