C.R.K.T - M21 vs. Benchmade 551 (Griptilian)

E

eselhund

Joined
Jan 21, 2006
Messages
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Hi guys,

I hope it is the right place to write that thread.


I consider to buy an M21 or BM551 but i can't decide!


• If the 440c Steel so much better than the AUS-8?

• The Benchmade Griptilian has a Zytel-Handhold, but i rather want to have a Alu-Handhold! And the Persidio [520] (a comparably Model to the Griptilian but with Alu-Handhold. It's i a really good knife with a better Steel as the Griptilian 154CM but only too expensive:()

• The Benchmade has as well a very good Blade-Length. And lock-System!

• Or do you know a other better Knife which i could like?
(It should be a EDC / Use -Knife, with tactical-design, and good quality!, like the two (or three) above)

I hope that some can hlep me to decide :thumbup:



Sorry for my bad english!
 
Well boss, this is the custom forum, so your thread will be moved shortly. As to your question, they are both good knives, you can't go wrong with either one.
 
Yes, i know that are two good knives. I informated before.

But i can't decide me. The two knives have both advantages and disadvatages. Can you give me a few facts which i don't tooked notice.


A very very (!) good knife is the Persidio (520). But not for me, for this price. And i don't think that i find a knife which is like the 520 bot for very less than 100 $.

Maybe a Knife with the Handholder of the M21 but with the AXIS-Lock. The Blade of Persidio with shape a bit more lick M21 but the length of 520/551 ;-)
 
But why is it soooo much better than the M21?
And do you know a Model with Alu-Handholder licke the 520 but more cheap?
 
eselhund said:
But why is it soooo much better than the M21?
Click to expand...

The quality of materials, fit and finish, but most importantly the locking mechanism make the Benchmade better. The M-21 is not a bad knife, I like the subtle recurve of the blade. As far as your question of 440C vs AUS8, from what I understand they are very similar and are "middle of the road" steels.
 
Yes the lock is in the Benchmade really better. But a good Liner-Lock with L.A.W.K.S is not bad. But the Lock-System isn't the most important thing at a knife!

Maybe do you know a very cheap online-shop, where i can buy the Benchmade Persidio 520 for a few bucks ;-)
 
eselhund said:
Yes the lock is in the Benchmade really better. But a good Liner-Lock with L.A.W.K.S is not bad. But the Lock-System isn't the most important thing at a knife!

Maybe do you know a very cheap online-shop, where i can buy the Benchmade Persidio 520 for a few bucks ;-)
Click to expand...

Oe do you think eBay is a good Selection?

And do you know how much thickness the two blades has (M21 | 551)
I can't it find anywhere!
 
Benchmade is better cutter and better knife overall. But don't underestimate M21 - it is a great knife for the money, strong, well made and equipped with flipper. Great design from Mr. Carson. In fact both, Grip and M21 are great designs and bargains.
 
Maybe do you know a very cheap online-shop, where i can buy the Benchmade Persidio 520 or the other two for a few bucks ;-)


Oe do you think eBay is a good Selection?


And do you know how much thickness the two blades has (M21 | 551)
I can't it find anywhere!
 
Strongest lock in the world vs. lock that requires another lock to be safe.

Get a Griptilian. They're being upgraded from 440C to 154CM (way better than AUS8) in the near future, so I suggest waiting a bit and get one of the new ones.
 
The Benchmade has a better reputation on their quality of knives, but I own a couple of CRKTs because of specific designs. I have the M13 special forces and love it because of the double flipper. It can be flipped open, and it can also be waved open. It really depends on the attributes on each knife that you are looking for. I was looking for a more inexpensive knife that can be waved open at the time. Also, I actually prefer Zytel over aluminum, believe it or not , because it is less slippery to me.
 
Has Benchmade any other Knife like the Griptilian, but with Alu-Handholds?

I saw the Ambush, but it's not really good, i read. And the lock isn't good as the right AXIS. And the blade-length is strange. Either really lenght (3.9") or too small (2.9")

And the Persidio is too expensive, if i find no favourable price!


I think as well, that Benchmade the better brand is but i like the desing from CRKT more! And the reason for the M21 is the design, and the alu-handhold, too. And it seems a bit more robust! And the liner-lock consists from lesser parts, that's why i think it's more easy to clean!
 
I've had both, I like the 551 better. Better blade shape, the 440C came sharper than the AUS8. I had the Big Dog M21, that was a bear. The 551 is bigger than I need for EDC, but I didn't have a problem carrying it in my coat pocket, like I did with the M21.

I didn't get the chance to hard use my M21, pretty much just used it to flip a couple times, and liner locks aren't a big deal to me. The LAWKS never really came into play, I always used it, I only cut packages with it, so I never had the occassion to need it. I would have liked to have a regular spear point. Smooth opening.

I really liked the spear point on the 551. The Axis lock is still new to me, the only one I had before the 551 was the 550 Grip, and I sold that quickly. After using SOG's arc lock, I've grown accustomed to the Axis style. Overall I prefer the lockback system (linerlock and axis lock are on a par in my appreciation). Also, it's just more comfortable in my opinion.
 
I have to CRKT M16 14M which is similar to the M21, but it has a tanto blade and a single flipper. It's a high quality knife, a little too big for me , but still a well made knife for the price. I bought it on impulse and probably should have got the M16-13.

I only recently started buying BM knives , so I'm not an expert but I have a hard time buying anything else since I got my first BM ( a 710 HS). I would have to vote for the BM product too.

I know a vendor that is having a sale on BM's , I bought a coated Grip with the thumb stud for 52.00 USD.
They have other higher end models like the 943 for 90.00.

I don't know if it's appropriate to link to a vendor , so if your interested email me and I'll give you a web site.
 
There is the different between the Griptilian and teh 710 / 720 / 707 ?

I think they are all very similar! A little bit different Blade-lengthand shape And a other Handholder, but nevertheless very similar. And different Steels!


And do you know a model like the Persidio 520 ?
 
There is NO fit and finish improvement from the M16 line. My M16 actually has slightly better fit and finish than my minigrip, although my minigrip has excellent f and f of its own.

The quality of materials I would debate is better on the M21. Aluminum handles with very comparable steel, though I do prefer the 440C. Haven't been that impressed with AUS8.

Also, a three inch model cost about 10 dollars less than the a minigrip.

The ergonomics of the M21 are somewhat better than the minigrip also.

The flipper and action are excellent, but the action on the minigrip (any axis lock) is flawless. But I still like having a flipper.

The lock is sound on the M21, but there's no question that the axis lock would destroy it.

I like the recurve blade of the M21....really effective for slicing through stuff.

They're both great and would both be good for you, depending on what's important to you.

People will complain about the M21's lock. Make sure you have good lockup when you buy it. If it has good lockup, it's far, far stronger than you could ever want. I routinely do extremely hard spine whacks with my M16 just to scare the liner lock haters around me. They certainly don't have enough faith in their lockbacks to do it. But again, there's no comparison..the axis lock is the clear winner in all ways.

Also the M21 is much slimmer...the small one anyway. Disappears.

Most people will deny this, but they assume the Benchmade is better for being a Benchmade. This is generally the case, but this is the entry level real benchmade and the M21 is the CRKT staple. Hold them and see which one you like more. They're both great.
 
Pretty sad when an entry level Benchmade is equal to or better than a "staple" CRKT. :D

I have a Griptilian 550 a 520, and also the 707. I love all 3 knives. They are all different but if I had to pick only one to have it would be the 520. Very nice knife but yes it's more expensive.

For the money you can't beat the Griptilian. :)
 
How slim / thick is the M21 and the Benchmade 551 maybe the 520 as well?!



Where do you have this information? On Benchmade.com i can't find it! and crkt.com as well.

I probably buy this one which i can get cheaper! But i will report you about it, maybe ;-)
 
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