Convince me that a BM Griptilian is still a good buy

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maximus83

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Nov 7, 2011
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I'm selling/gifting away a few folders, and looking to add a 20cv to my set, specifically the BM Griptilian.

Can recent Grip owners give any feedback or reassurance that build quality, and long term durability--including the springs and locking mechanism--are solid on these?

Background: I've always loved Benchmade for their slicey blades, classic designs, and the ambi Axis lock, which is a joy for a lefty. But some years ago, I had issues on 2 successive BM knives with spring breakage, then subpar customer service on top of that. Feeling burned at the time, I got away from buying BM and all I have left is Mini Rukus that has been an excellent blade. What I'm trying to figure out now is if BM has most of the bugs worked out in their flagship folder. I totally like the specs on this blade and already know I like the Axis lock mechanism. The main point of failure I always worry about based on the history, is the springs.
 
I think the Griptilian line is a little more susceptible than other models like the 581 to things like slight blade play, but with the BM warranty I wouldn't worry about anything like this being an issue in terms of long term durability. What do you plan on using the knife for? I'm not super worried about a spring going out or something like that but I'm not being deployed overseas or anything like that and I have other knives if I need to send one in for repair
 
I’ve had two Mini Grips and two full size Grips over the last few years. I currently EDC a custom Griptilian every day at work. All have performed great and never had an issue with build quality, springs, etc.
 
Grippies have performed well for me, altho' I did not care for the CM-154 steel in my first one. I much prefer my Cabela's Grippie in D2. CPM-20Cv would be awesome.
 
I've had 4 various Grips now. Still have 2 and have never had a issue with quality other than one weird axis lock issue which BM gladly fixed. And it was not something that would have ever really been caught before going out of the factory.
 
I've got an old 550 Griptilian from the time when they switched from 440C to 154CM and it's still solid. When I bought it I didn't have many modern folders so I used it a lot. I have zero complains. In fact, if it weren't for the fact that BMs are hard to get over here and I've got other knives on my wish list, I'd buy a new one.
 
No issues to report at all. I own the one you want to purchase for about a year and carry it regularly. It's a terrific knife, really sharp out of the box, with no play anywhere. It's a bit expensive for what you get in term of materials, but mine was flawlessly built.

My 154CMs are older, and nothing to report here too. Except that the 20CV model kinda retired them.

So yes, this is a good buy, don't worry!
 
My recent Benchmades (including several Mini Grips) have the best F&F of any Benchmades i've owned over the last decade. Nice even grinds, tight lockup, and even centering.

Previously my biggest gripe with them had been awful edge grinds from the factory.
 
I bought one of the 20CV/G10 Grips when they first came out and my specimen is perfect. Altogether, I have 3 large Grips, 1 Mini Grip and 1 Mini Ritter and have no issues with any of them. My Mini Ritter with AWT Hive scales is one of my favorite EDC knives.

With current price increases with competing knives, the 20CV/G10 Grip comes out looking like a bit of a bargain.
 
Convince you it is? Ahh...I never really liked the knife. Best benchmade going is the bugout IMO. Better than my 940's for grind and weight. Grips kinda fat in pocket, the smalls a little to small and the large is a bit to big for my general use. Get a bugout forget the grip. Just sayin.
 
I love my 551 Griptilian. It arrived new a couple of months ago with perfect grind and blade centering and the fit and finish is on par with my Spydercos.

The only potential negatives I can see are that certain people may think the scales feel cheap (hollow/plasticy) and it is a very wide knife (scales).

I like 154CM and the Axis lock is as good as any I have tried on higher end BMs.

I am relieved as I have read many horror stories about BMs quality slipping, but hopefully that is in the past. I ordered a Bugout recently, so I am hoping it has similar QC.
 
I cannot convince you... Benchmade in general have to many qc issues and omega springs can break.

However maybe this will help.

 
The large 20cv/g10 grip I had was perfect. In fact all the grips I've had (5 or 6) have had no issues. Same with the other bms I've had.

No need to believe the few haters that constantly complain about bm without much experience. Give the grip a try. If you do get a lemon bm will take care of it.
 
Not owning this particular model (and very much like to get one) but I'd say yes - it is a good buy. CPM 20cv blade steel (basically the same as M390 and cts-204p) and textured grey g10 scales with blue g10 accent for $178 is an acceptable price to me. As for the quality, Griptilian is a well proven model so I would not worry at all.
 
skyhorse said:
Yeah it hurts but you're getting a CPM-20CV blade and G10 scales. Don't get a traffic ticket this year and think of it as a free knife if that helps. :)
Click to expand...

LOL! Yes, This!

If you didn't get a ticket in 2017, then you cannot afford not to get yourself one.

I own this model..... and I only own models that are a good buy... hence, this model is a good buy. :D
 
Got a Griptilian in 20 cv back in august and I've carried it here and there for a few days at a time, but I've played with it a lot sitting around the house. From the factory everything was centered, smooth, sharp, and right. Nothing subjectively wrong, and the build quality was there throughout. Axis lock detent is a little weak across the board on all BMs for my taste, but it's also quick and smooth. The 20cv steel is nice, holds an edge and isn't too hard to sharpen, no real corrosion to speak of.

Like you I'm iffy about the springs in Benchmades as compared to a frame lock or back lock mechanism. I think if you use the knife to cut and not pry things, and if you don't constantly open and close it the springs should hold up fine. Personally, I find myself picking up other locking mechanisms because despite the tests and evidence that is out there to support the safety of axis locks, frame locks and back locks just feel and look sturdier to me.
 
I love my 551-1. The F&F on it is perfect. Had it for little over 2+ years now and didn't use it a lot for the first 7-8 months because it just felt to nice to use (was one of my spendier purchases at the time). Started using it more and more in 2017 and it just amazes me. The 20cv is awsome. It gets super sharp fairly easy and stays that way for a while. The factory grind was @25 dps and I've kept it that way, works pretty good. The lock stuck just a little bit when new but has broken in perfectly. I tighten the pivot so it just about drops free but not quite. I flick my Axis locks constantly and haven't had breakage yet.
And their CS has been awesome lately for me.

This is an awesome knife also:
https://www.knifeworks.com/kw-exclu...aper-micarta-handle-knifeworks-exclusive.html
 
I've been buying Grips and mini-G's all the way back to the oval hole 440C versions. I've never had a spring problem and some of mine have spent time submerged in the Atlantic. So I can't speak to the spring issue except to say that I don't think it's very common, especially nowadays. I have had very good service from BM the one or two times I've used their CS. My questions were answered promptly, the parts (clip and body screws) were shipped and received quickly, and the knife was back together in short order.

I currently have 5 Grips and a mini-G. No issues with any of them. I've also had one of the new gray G10/20CV Grips. It was flawless. The blade was centered, the lockup was solid, the bevels were even... not much else I can say except that there were no issues at all.
 
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