Disappointed with this mini griptilian.....

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KyleMS11

Joined
Mar 20, 2014
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Just got my mini griptilian today in the mail(555 hg)Was anxiouse waiting for it but now that i got it im kind of disappointed. For almost 100$ it feels very cheaply made. Alot of blade play and the handles feel very cheap. Feels decent in hand but feels like it could fall apart any minute. Also dont like how the edge was profiled. Havnt done any hard use with it yet but so far not very fond of it. This was my first benchmade folder and was kind of expecting more. Spyderco's knives in the 100$ range are alot better quality in my opinion...
 
Benchmade and Spyderco cater to different markets believe it or not. Last year at this time, that knife you have cost around $60 or so. No knife is imbued with magical powers, they are made to cut stuff pretty much. The mini grip is much better than the full size. Now, you could buy some G10 scales for it and it turns the knife into a completely different tool. Ah for hard use, I wouldn't use that hollow grind for too much hard use as it may end up chipping the blade out. Te regular 556 and Ritter versions would be a little better for that.
 
KyleMS11 said:
Just got my mini griptilian today in the mail(555 hg)Was anxiouse waiting for it but now that i got it im kind of disappointed. For almost 100$ it feels very cheaply made. Alot of blade play and the handles feel very cheap. Feels decent in hand but feels like it could fall apart any minute. Also dont like how the edge was profiled. Havnt done any hard use with it yet but so far not very fond of it. This was my first benchmade folder and was kind of expecting more. Spyderco's knives in the 100$ range are alot better quality in my opinion...
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Not trying to be short, but only one word comes to mind after reading your post..... YUP.

ETA: I bought a mini grip about four years ago. I liked it while it still had its "new knife" honeymoon feel, then after two weeks it went in a drawer, never to be used again.
 
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Yes. They are not too cheap anymore, but they certainly feel that way.

They managed to make an $80 knife that feels like it cost $25! I've actually had $25 knives that felt a lot more solidly built than the Griptilian.
 
I've heard from some warranty people over at BM that the only time they've seen broken scales on a Griptilian (or mini-grip) was when the person did something stupid with them, like run them over with a car... I've got a 551BK (coated) and I've beat nails back in (not driving a new hole, but putting them back in) with the scales, and other than some weird surface scratching, there's really no problems. Mine has NO PLAY whatsoever. The grips do take a while to wear in, especially with those soft phosphor bronze washers. If you cycle it a ton, you should be able to tighten the pivot considerably and still have it super smooth, and super fast.
If then, it's still not working out for you, I'd be happy to buy it off of you (is that okay to say here?)
The best way to contact me is to send me pics via Instagram (@WCEDC) or by email (you should be able to get to my email through BF)
Give it a chance! #GriptilianFamily
 
You should not have any blade play with your grip. If you can't dial it out by adjusting the pivot, send it back to where ever you bought it for a replacement/refund or send it to benchmade. At the new pricing there is no excuse for bladeplay. I have several grips and none of them have any blade play, nor would I accept any from them. As for the cheap plasticy feel, did you do your research before buying the knife? This is the most common complaint with the grips. If you don't like it, send it back for refund or sell it. I don't mind the feel on the out of the box grips. That said, I have bought some with custom scales and they feel much more solid.
 
My mini grip came solid lockup, no blade play at all! But you will get that with mass produced knives, some good, some not. Plus I didn't pay that much for mine either
 
Yep. Same experience here, the 555HG was my first BM. Mine has solid lockup (try tightening your pivot screw!), but all the same I was initially disappointed in the feel, fit, and finish. The more I use it, the more I appreciate it for what it is - a tool that isn't flashy but works well. It is now my most frequently used knife. I hated the factory pocket clip (holy pocket shredder batman!), but I fixed that with a Titanium low rider pocket clip with countersunk flat-head T6 screws. With this mod, I feel it carries better, is easier/quicker to close one handed, and is an all-around better knife. One of those knives I don't care about beating up.
 
I share your sentiments exactly, OP. I have been determined not to give up on it. I bought some G10 scales and it now has that quality feel I was looking for. However, I am now in about $180 on this knife and it clearly is not worth that.
 
I love my Mini Grip HG with spidey hole. Not so much for fondling but great for when I need to, say, cut something. Great for carrying when you want a decent knife but don't want to sweat losing one of your prettier specimens.
I carry mine when I hike in the hot summer months. I don't have to fret that it gets soaked in sweat and runs the risk of being lost out there like I would a nicer knife.
 
I love the 556. Cuts great and can take whatever task you throw at it.
 
Yeah, I think it's worth more like $60, which is what I just paid for one. You can still find deals, just need to know where to look.
The mini Grip has a deep hollow grind on fairly thin stock. You'd be hard pressed to find a knife that will cut with less force. Opinel maybe but the edge retention isn't comparable.
 
I just got my first BM, a 551 org or full sized griptilian in orange for those who don't know. I paid100$ cdn for it which I think is a decent price (an endura is about 90 shipped around here), but I feel most spyderco models will give you more for the money. No blade play whatsoever but the lock bar was engaging crookedly for the first few lock ups. I was expecting the cheap feel after all the reviews but I was kinda looking forward to have a less heavy option for a rock solid knife, I was also sick of the look on customers faces when I flick out ky manix 2 xl. I'm happy with the purchase but wouldnt recommend it to anyone that isn't exactly sure what they're buying, bad internet knife.
 
Had a 550 hg gave it to a buddy for helping me move. I didn't like that model grip because of hollow scale feel and to be honest wasn't into the blade shape either, plus it felt wrong to have a spidey hole not on a spyderco. But I must admitt I got a 556 a few months later because so many swore by them, and it was a whole new world. Handle felt better and the drop point blade was awsome. I got this knife pre MAP so I can't complain about the price. As far as blade play, I've never experienced it on any of my benchmades. In the end the 556 is my work edc and I love it more with each day that passes.
 
I had exactly the opposite reaction, OP. After reading for so long about how cheap Griptilians felt in hand i held off for YEARS and then I finally bought one on the exchange. I think my bar was set so low that when I received it I was thrilled with it. Wished I bought one earlier. It's my favorite.
 
i guess this is why theres such a market for better aftermarket scales for these knives. too bad benchmade didnt offer micarta or carbon fiber scales standard,instead of those limited edition ones. it would definitly make them more worth the price than the hollow plastic.even the manix 2 lightweight is cheaper & more solid feeling...
 
I've owned MANY BM's over the last few years. The only one left is a pink handled mini-grip that I bought for my wife. Nothing against the company, but my tastes/needs have changed. As far as folders go, I sold all my CRK and ZT folders too :eek: Currently feel that Spyderco's fit me better, and have gone a little overboard with buying them.
 
stevekolt said:
I've owned MANY BM's over the last few years. The only one left is a pink handled mini-grip that I bought for my wife. Nothing against the company, but my tastes/needs have changed. As far as folders go, I sold all my CRK and ZT folders too :eek: Currently feel that Spyderco's fit me better, and have gone a little overboard with buying them.
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Spyderco just seems to understand the whole hand position, edge angle, blade geometry equation. I do think the look of the griptilian blade is nicer than spyderco, aesthetically speaking. I sold off my zt350, I loved how solid it was but too tactical for my needs. Now that theyhhave the stonewash versions however, I'm taking a second look.
 
Well now I just feel dumb for loving my full size griptilian :D All while keeping in mind I got it for 85 bucks shipped (rather than the norm nowadays of around 105), I still love the freakin thing. Oh well, maybe I just have bad taste in knives.
 
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