Custom Griptilian and Such (Now Featuring the Spyderco Paramilitary 2!)

[neilioli]

Hello,

I recently found out that the Benchmade Griptilian is something of a God among knives. My old knife went through a lot of abuse and is now retired, so I need a new knife. However, I want something of a superknife that will last me for an insane amount of time. Firstoff -

I really like the Benchmade Griptilian, and there's even an online cusomizer. My first question is about the steel in the blade. There are four options for the steel in the customizer - 154CM, D2, N680, and S30V. I use my knives for campcraft, bushcraft, and general EDC use as well. Which steel would best suit these roles? As the S30V is most expensive, I assume "you get what you pay for" and that it is the superior steel - but I'm not an expert on steel, so correct me if I'm wrong about the steels.

Nextly, there are two blade configurations that I'm looking for - fine sheepsfoot and fine drop-point. I hate serrations. Which is best for camp and bushcraft?

How's the finish on the knife? In the customizer you can remove the finish, is this a wise move? If there's no difference, I like it without the finish better. Just looks nice.

I'm not going to get a belt clip for the knife because I hate clips, they get in my way and I rarely need to carry the knife in a pocket that high up. I like to carry my knife in my rucksack when I'm camping so the clip won't really be an issue.

(Correct me if I'm wrong about any of this. I probably made a few assumptions that turned out wrong.)

I'd also like to know if there's any way I can get better grips on this knife, because I heard the grips on the Griptilian feel really plastic-y and aren't the best. I hate stuff that feels plastic-y, and I'd like a great grip on this knife. I heard G10 is a great grip material. Is there anywhere I can get special grips for the Griptilian? How do I get them and how would they be put on?

(Sorry about all the questions. I'm a newbie here.)

Lastly, I'd like to know just how good a knife the Griptilian is. How well does it hold up, et cetera. How much abuse can it take?

Any other knives that are better suited for my needs? Anything I'm missing out on?

Thanks!

- Neilioli

 

[DocT]

In keeping with your questions, the Benchmade Ritter RSK Griptilian with S30V steel was purpose designed for what you want in a knife. You can buy custom scales in many color schoices of G10 from several of the online knife stores and put them on yourself.

 

[No Agenda]

Grips and Mini Grips are great, I carried a mini grip everyday for over 2 years when I just got into "decent" knives. I had the black finish on the blade and clip which showed some wear after that much use but that "plastic-y" grip was still in great shape. That having been said I would still get custom scales for it, you can find a few people on here that make good ones.
Personally I would look at the Doug Ritter version that comes with the S30V already and skip the customizer especially if you are going to put custom scales on it.

 

[amg137]

While the grip is a great knife (made better with S30V steel that you can get from the customizer), fit and finish is just not up to par with other knives in its price class. There will most likely be blade play and/or centering issues, and many times this cannot be adjusted out without making the knife very difficult to open. Scales can be easily swapped for G10 or titanium, but they are NOT CHEAP. If you want an S30V Grip with G10 scales, you're looking at well over $200 total. And there are dozens upon dozens of better knives at that price level. If you're willing to shell out that kind of money for a knife, look into benchmade black class knives - the 710, 940, 950, 810, etc. Alternatively, you could get a Spyderco Paramilitary 2, ZT 0566, 0561, 0350, and so, so many more.

While the BM grip is a decent enough knife, there are far better options for the money. Give us a hard budget cap and you can get some much better recommendations.

 

[cross1178]

The griptillian is a great knife , but it's really benchmades entry level knife. You can get custom scales, but you are going to have between 2-300 tied up in the knife when it's done. My thought is, if your going to spend that much money, there are many other great knives that you can get in that price range that should be considered,unless you are absolutely dead set on a griptillian. Personally I would check out all of benchmades line and see if there is anything else you might like without having to mod it. Zero tolerance makes some fantastic beast knives for a great price as well. I'm sure the spyderco pm2 will be mentioned as well. So many great knives out there to pick from..... Decisions, decisions😯

 

[Jesse B.]

If you want an S30V Grip with G10 scales, you're looking at well over $200 total.

Too bad the plain-edge $175 REI S30V Griptilian w/G10 scales is currently sold out. I think a lot of people would like for that knife to return, but I wouldn't pin my hopes on it.

 

[neilioli]

While the grip is a great knife (made better with S30V steel that you can get from the customizer), fit and finish is just not up to par with other knives in its price class. There will most likely be blade play and/or centering issues, and many times this cannot be adjusted out without making the knife very difficult to open. Scales can be easily swapped for G10 or titanium, but they are NOT CHEAP. If you want an S30V Grip with G10 scales, you're looking at well over $200 total. And there are dozens upon dozens of better knives at that price level. If you're willing to shell out that kind of money for a knife, look into benchmade black class knives - the 710, 940, 950, 810, etc. Alternatively, you could get a Spyderco Paramilitary 2, ZT 0566, 0561, 0350, and so, so many more.

While the BM grip is a decent enough knife, there are far better options for the money. Give us a hard budget cap and you can get some much better recommendations.

The griptillian is a great knife , but it's really benchmades entry level knife. You can get custom scales, but you are going to have between 2-300 tied up in the knife when it's done. My thought is, if your going to spend that much money, there are many other great knives that you can get in that price range that should be considered,unless you are absolutely dead set on a griptillian. Personally I would check out all of benchmades line and see if there is anything else you might like without having to mod it. Zero tolerance makes some fantastic beast knives for a great price as well. I'm sure the spyderco pm2 will be mentioned as well. So many great knives out there to pick from..... Decisions, decisions��

Okay, so after a bit of research I have decided that maybe the Spyderco PM2 is the knife for me. It has both S30V steel and G10 grips which is great. Apparently it is "EDC perfection" which is great. I might get a chance to use any knife you recommend in about a month, because my cousin's boyfriend's (who is kind of like an older brother to me) friend is a knife provider to the IDF so he has almost every knife in existence in his shop.

How does the PM2 hold up with camp and bushcraft type usage?

Other than that, the PM2 seems like the perfect knife for me.

 

[amg137]

How does the PM2 hold up with camp and bushcraft type usage?
Other than that, the PM2 seems like the perfect knife for me.

It holds up very well, with one caveat - the tip is very fine. It's great for detail work and fine carving, but you won't be doing any prying with it. The PM2 is a very well-made and beloved knife around these forums. Do be aware that many (but not all) come with minor horizontal blade play, but this does not affect the functionality of the knife. I think you will be very pleased with this knife. Really fun to play with, easy to carry, and it's a great slicer.

You may be interested in the following video for proof of its bushcraft durability:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zc7wesmuA4

 

[M.FREEZE]

I've carried a 154 CM large griptilian with the sheepsfoot blade for a few years. I have several other "nicer" knives, but I keep coming back to the griptilian. For the price, you can't go wrong. It's held up very well and the steel itself has very good toughness,edge retention, corrosion resistance. I also prefer the 154CM to the S30V.

 

[sunandsteel]

I've carried a 154 CM large griptilian with the sheepsfoot blade for a few years. I have several other "nicer" knives, but I keep coming back to the griptilian. For the price, you can't go wrong. It's held up very well and the steel itself has very good toughness,edge retention, corrosion resistance. I also prefer the 154CM to the S30V.

I'm caught in between the Custom Grip with Sheepsfoot or a Ritter Grip. I've heard good things about both.

 

[rushane]

Okay, so after a bit of research I have decided that maybe the Spyderco PM2 is the knife for me. It has both S30V steel and G10 grips which is great. Apparently it is "EDC perfection" which is great. I might get a chance to use any knife you recommend in about a month, because my cousin's boyfriend's (who is kind of like an older brother to me) friend is a knife provider to the IDF so he has almost every knife in existence in his shop.

How does the PM2 hold up with camp and bushcraft type usage?

Other than that, the PM2 seems like the perfect knife for me.

I'd head over to your cousins shop and start handling knives. I agree with everything said here about the grip: great knife, awesome with G10, but not worth the cost.

Understand that there isn't a perfect knife. Take the PM2: the tip that is perfect for so many things, will snap with just a bit of prying. It isn't designed to pry, but still, that bothers some folks and they'll carry another knife because if it. No big deal, it's all personal preference.

Some knives also take time to get used to. Again for the PM2, I personally disliked it a lot. I carried it for a week anyway, and it's now something I like, even if I don't carry it regularly. Someone mention the ZT0566. This knife I love, but others will dislike how heavy or how thick it is. I like a FFG Delica for EDC, and carry one nearly every day even though I'm not too fond of FRN or lockbacks. It doesn't make sense, but it works for me.

Find what works for you. Use your connection with that knife store and just handle as many knives as you can. Start with good base materials to narrow down your search, which it sounds like you've done. You know you like G10 and you have a good idea on steels. Next figure out what is too big and too small. Then you'll likely have it narrowed down to a half dozen or so in your price range.

Anyways, hope this helps. Also, throw some money at a Sharpmaker or learn to freehand and buy some stones. No point in having a dull knife.

 

[sunandsteel]

You guys like the yellow or orange in a Griptilian?

 

[neilioli]

It holds up very well, with one caveat - the tip is very fine. It's great for detail work and fine carving, but you won't be doing any prying with it. The PM2 is a very well-made and beloved knife around these forums. Do be aware that many (but not all) come with minor horizontal blade play, but this does not affect the functionality of the knife. I think you will be very pleased with this knife. Really fun to play with, easy to carry, and it's a great slicer.

You may be interested in the following video for proof of its bushcraft durability:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zc7wesmuA4

Jesus H. Christ, he nearly took down a tree with that thing! That was a great video too, it was fun to watch, informative and had really nice production values (a rare sight in knife reviews.)

I'm really getting into this knife. Anything I should know about it? I'll try and find it in my cousin's boyfriend's friend's knife shop so I can use it.

It seems like a great knife. It looks like it will serve me and my Scoutcraft for a long time.

I'd head over to your cousins shop and start handling knives. I agree with everything said here about the grip: great knife, awesome with G10, but not worth the cost.

Understand that there isn't a perfect knife. Take the PM2: the tip that is perfect for so many things, will snap with just a bit of prying. It isn't designed to pry, but still, that bothers some folks and they'll carry another knife because if it. No big deal, it's all personal preference.

Some knives also take time to get used to. Again for the PM2, I personally disliked it a lot. I carried it for a week anyway, and it's now something I like, even if I don't carry it regularly. Someone mention the ZT0566. This knife I love, but others will dislike how heavy or how thick it is. I like a FFG Delica for EDC, and carry one nearly every day even though I'm not too fond of FRN or lockbacks. It doesn't make sense, but it works for me.

Find what works for you. Use your connection with that knife store and just handle as many knives as you can. Start with good base materials to narrow down your search, which it sounds like you've done. You know you like G10 and you have a good idea on steels. Next figure out what is too big and too small. Then you'll likely have it narrowed down to a half dozen or so in your price range.

Anyways, hope this helps. Also, throw some money at a Sharpmaker or learn to freehand and buy some stones. No point in having a dull knife.

My dad owns some really, really, really high-quality whetstones that he uses to sharpen his really, really, really high-quality chef's knives. I'm not very good at sharpening, so if my blade is really dull I usually get my dad to sharpen it because he is the master.

I'm okay with sharpening in the field. On Scout trips I'm always the dude with the "cool knives" so the senior Scouts who I trust will ask to sharpen the knife just to get a hand on it.

I used that knife store to get my hands on an M72 LAW once. I've also used a scimitar, claymores, Ka-Bars, almost anything you can imagine - including an M14 EBR! That shop is where I test out all the stuff I'd like to buy, the only problem is that I don't go there very often, as I live in the US and the shop is in Israel.

 

[tchapman414]

You guys like the yellow or orange in a Griptilian?

Orange all the way.

 

[No Agenda]

Orange all the way.

I just got the orange and I love it.

[/URL][/IMG]

 

[amg137]

I'm really getting into this knife. Anything I should know about it? I'll try and find it in my cousin's boyfriend's friend's knife shop so I can use it.

It seems like a great knife. It looks like it will serve me and my Scoutcraft for a long time.

It's certainly a great knife, but as I mentioned many have cosmetic blade play issues.

The edges (particularly the inside edges) of the G10 can be a little bit sharp, but you can sand it down if it bothers you - I kind of like it. Some people complain that the compression lock can pinch their hand, but that's never happened to me. If it's a problem you can just change how you hold it during opening/closing.

More importantly, you can't fully disassemble the knife as the lanyard hole is riveted to both G10 scales. You can remove the blade and washers and clean/lube them though. If you get a black blade model, you will need to disassemble it for cleaning eventually as the coating wears down under the washers and detent ball and clogs up the works. When you do, you will also probably need to loctite the pivot screws when you get it tuned just right. Not a big deal, just something to keep in mind.

 

[neilioli]

It's certainly a great knife, but as I mentioned many have cosmetic blade play issues.

The edges (particularly the inside edges) of the G10 can be a little bit sharp, but you can sand it down if it bothers you - I kind of like it. Some people complain that the compression lock can pinch their hand, but that's never happened to me. If it's a problem you can just change how you hold it during opening/closing.

More importantly, you can't fully disassemble the knife as the lanyard hole is riveted to both G10 scales. You can remove the blade and washers and clean/lube them though. If you get a black blade model, you will need to disassemble it for cleaning eventually as the coating wears down under the washers and detent ball and clogs up the works. When you do, you will also probably need to loctite the pivot screws when you get it tuned just right. Not a big deal, just something to keep in mind.

I'd never willingly get a black blade. I hate serrations and black blades. I do love black scales, though. More aesthetically pleasing, IMO. I also hate really bright colors on the knife.

I seem to hate a lot of things. The only time I'd get a black blade would be with a fighting knife (I don't intend on getting into any knife fights right now, I'm going to be a Green Beret so I really can't have a criminal record) and the only time I'd get a serrated edge would be on a saw (LOL) or on a dive knife, which is something I'll be buying soon.

I also have a sentimental attraction to the PM2 because it's manufactured in the town in which another set of relatives live.

 

[sunandsteel]

I just got the orange and I love it.

[/URL][/IMG]

Real nice.
:thumbup:

 

[sunandsteel]

It's certainly a great knife, but as I mentioned many have cosmetic blade play issues.

The edges (particularly the inside edges) of the G10 can be a little bit sharp, but you can sand it down if it bothers you - I kind of like it. Some people complain that the compression lock can pinch their hand, but that's never happened to me. If it's a problem you can just change how you hold it during opening/closing.

More importantly, you can't fully disassemble the knife as the lanyard hole is riveted to both G10 scales. You can remove the blade and washers and clean/lube them though. If you get a black blade model, you will need to disassemble it for cleaning eventually as the coating wears down under the washers and detent ball and clogs up the works. When you do, you will also probably need to loctite the pivot screws when you get it tuned just right. Not a big deal, just something to keep in mind.

Blade play issues? That just made the decision for me a little easier. Ritter Grip it is.

 

[amg137]

Blade play issues? That just made the decision for me a little easier. Ritter Grip it is.

Grips have an equal amount of blade play on average, in my experience. Can't really go wrong with either though.