D2 Griptilian, mistake?

[Brad Newman]

Brand new to the hobby here. I just picked up the cabalas Griptilian D2 for 99. It seems to be great but did I make a mistake in not spending another 100 for the Freek with M4? I have read countless forums on both steels but also interested in the whole knife picture as well. Thank you

 

[superpog]

I think D2 is great steel for EDC. M4 is a great steel too, it's supposed to hold edge longer than D2, but for $200, I think there are other super steels that are better suited for EDC purpose. The main complaint I have for M4 is not stainless. D2 is better on stainless than M4, so I would go with D2 for $99.

BTW, I am a stainless paranoid, so be aware my opinion is biased.

 

[dirc]

m4 over d2 for me - any day ; ) cpm-m4 for under a 100 is a bargain

err... I read that wrong, I thought the m4 was also 99 but double the price is too much imho
you can get a spyderco m4 from $120-160 range

 

[Grandmaster]

You made a great buy, D2 is perfectly great steel that will suit your EDC tasks, I personally dont like M4

 

[Brad Newman]

Thanks for the help and replies here, and making it a welcome feeling to the community. I was ready to go back and return it for the freek but I’ll hang on to it. Next to trying to decide between the Spyderco sharpmaker or the work sharp guided system.

 

[TheEdge01]

You did exactly what I would have done. M4 is a great steel, but D2 isn’t necessarily a slouch when it comes to edge retention.

 

[JJ_Colt45]

Welcome to the forums and the hobby ... at double the cost I wouldn't return the knife just for that ... I happen to have a Griptilian in D2 from Cabelas and it is not a bad knife at all. It should make a nice EDC for you.

I personally prefer M4 over D2 ... M4 is actually one of my favorite steel types ... but if you decide you would like a different steel or knife ... you can find many other options for a better price then jumping to $200.00.

 

[South paw draw]

I have both the grip and mini grip in D2 it's a great knife. And you can beat the ever living heck out of it for $99 and not care. If you but the super freak for $200 I'm willing to bet you wouldn't do the same. Now with that said I have a CRK large 21 insingo I beat the heck out of and don't bat an eye doing it. But I bought it used with that in mind for it. Use that D2 like its ment to be used, really hard. And you can still get the super freak M4. I see them come up here second hand from time to time for $135-160. Keep your eyes out. For about $35-60 more you can have them both. Cheers

 

[GlockMonster30]

Great knife. My brother gifted it to me last Christmas. Benchmade does D2 very well

 

[Grandmaster]

I would get the Spyderco Sharpmaker, its much easier to use if you`re new to sharpening, D2 would get a razor edge with it, I would also recommend a strop.

 

[superpog]

work sharp now has a similar one as sharpmaker, called Work Sharp Benchtop. I have neither, so not sure which is better, but looks quite similar though.

 

[dman62]

I have Griptillians in both steels. M4 will hold an edge longer but D2 takes an edge easier and holds it plenty well. You did well for a knife choice. Get another steel next time, that's part of the fun in this hobby (for me at least).

 

[Dogdrawz]

Oh the Griptillian, how sweet you are. It's the first BM I purchased & purchased over 30 of them afterwards. Of course this lead me down a path of sheepsfoot, mini Grip, AWT/DOAT scales, the Ritter Grip & finally the Hogue Ritter. D2 Grip, great steel & great knife. Congrats!

 

[Dadpool]

M4 requires too much maintenance for me in the PNW; it spots very easily. D2 does much better, and the lone Benchmade D2 knife I own -- the Adamas -- is excellent. You did good!

 

[Alberta Ed]

My Cabela's Grippie in D2 is one of my favorite EDCs. Benchmade does D2 extremely well IMHO (ref. 710), seems fine grained and takes a terrific edge, holds it for a long time. I much prefer it to BM's CM-154.

 

[Blade Protection]

I love D2. And the Griptillian is a no brainer too. Solid knife with decent steel. I don't think your question should be "was it a mistake" the question should be, "Now that you have the D2 Grip, What should you buy with an M4 blade?'

 

[jpm2]

I had mini grips in both steels, gave the d2 version away.

Also had mini grips in 154cm and s30v, gave the 154cm away.

 

[Chronovore]

Will twice the price give you twice the knife?

No, of course not. Down near the bottom of the scale, quality can increase dramatically with cost. The difference between a $5 and $20 knife can be incredible. Between $20 and $40 can be substantial. Once you are up in the $50-100 range, the quality curve starts to flatten out. Extra dollars don't buy as much of a quality increase. As you keep pushing up, you can still get better quality but you also get deeper into the curve of diminishing returns. Ask yourself by what percentage that M4 Freek would better serve your needs. Is it worth twice the price?

To put it another way, forget about the Freek for a minute. Just looking at the knife you have, do you love it? Will it serve your needs? Let's say you bought a back-up in case something ever happened to it. Would you be better or worse off than if you had just bought the Freek with that same money?

 

[Brad Newman]

My Cabela's Grippie in D2 is one of my favorite EDCs. Benchmade does D2 extremely well IMHO (ref. 710), seems fine grained and takes a terrific edge, holds it for a long time. I much prefer it to BM's CM-154.

the mini grip in that steel was an option I considered, but decided against because of size. The 940 is definitely on my list

 

[Brad Newman]

Will twice the price give you twice the knife?

No, of course not. Down near the bottom of the scale, quality can increase dramatically with cost. The difference between a $5 and $20 knife can be incredible. Between $20 and $40 can be substantial. Once you are up in the $50-100 range, the quality curve starts to flatten out. Extra dollars don't buy as much of a quality increase. As you keep pushing up, you can still get better quality but you also get deeper into the curve of diminishing returns. Ask yourself by what percentage that M4 Freek would better serve your needs. Is it worth twice the price?

To put it another way, forget about the Freek for a minute. Just looking at the knife you have, do you love it? Will it serve your needs? Let's say you bought a back-up in case something ever happened to it. Would you be better or worse off than if you had just bought the Freek with that same money?

for backup and learning to sharpen I picked up a CRKT moxie on clearance. For the price I’m not disappointed. I’m not even sure the freek would serve my needs better, zip ties here and there, things like that. I was really impressed with the look and feel of it more than anything, and it wasn’t much more than the 940 I went after, but ran across a decent deal on the Griptilian. To most I’m sure they will laugh, but it’s my first “high end” knife. I got so used to losing cheap Gerbers and other disposables so it’s satisfying to use quality at this point. Thanks for the perspective I failed to see.