EDC Benchmade Knives

Zathorious said:
Griptillian seems so popular but that 154cm steel isn't as good as the mini freek or bugout, why the love of the grip?
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Great ergonomics and slicing ability. It's a classic that holds it's own. The freek series however is akin to a ritter grip with a rubbery insert basically. Both are great!
 
Knicked Digits said:
I’d get both a mini grip in 154 cm and rat 2 in d2. Both will resell easily if you don’t like one
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And, I'd get a full size Grip and a RAT1 instead. It just depends upon what fits your hand. The Mini Grip rides in the pocket better but a full size Grip is better if you ever wear work gloves. I wanted a Mini but bought a used full size instead. I'm glad I did.
 
Zathorious said:
Howdy,

I've searched around the forum, you guys know your stuff.

I'm looking at getting a great all round EDC with a budget of $100-150 cdn.

I'm looking at bm griptillian, as well as the mini freek. Seeing as its EDC, it should be light, clip in the pocket well.

I also was wondering what the consensus was on the OKC folders? I have a kukri by them that's a beast.

Many thanks,
Z
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You really can't go wrong with anything you mentioned in the OP.

I don't have any personal experience with the Griptilian/Mini Grip or the Freek/Mini Freek, but that being said...

The consenus seems to be that full size Griptilian is a great working knife due to its hand-filling handle and it's durability. However, because of its thicker and "plastic-y" handle, it does have a larger pocket presence than some other comparable knives and isn't the lightest either.

As well, compared to the Freek, it's using a more dated blade steel (Benchmade's marketing does consider S30V to be a non-insignificant upgrade compared to 154CM, but everyone has their own personal preference). Speaking of the Freek, when it arrived, a lot of people were seemingly comparing it favourably to the well respected (and now discontinued) Doug Ritter Griptilian. What could be considered an entry level offering into Benchmade knives, the newer Freek comes with an S30V blade and a taller grind that lends itself to slicing/cutting better than the drop point Grip. Some people found contention with the rubberized handle, citing concerns with long term durability.

The OKC RAT I and RAT II are vaunted for their price to performance ratio.

TL; DR:
The Griptilian is a classic; a great sturdy working knife. The Freek was a great addition to Benchmade's more entry level offerings. The OKC RAT series offer a great value, ymmv.

However:

"I'm looking at getting a great all round EDC with a budget of $100-150 cdn.

I'm looking at bm griptillian, as well as the mini freek. Seeing as its EDC, it should be light, clip in the pocket well."

Sounds like what OP really wants is a Benchmade Bugout! :D
 
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I'm looking at getting a great all round EDC with a budget of $100-150 cdn.

I'm looking at bm griptillian, as well as the mini freek. Seeing as its EDC, it should be light, clip in the pocket well.

I have to agree with Chariotz4, except I'll add the Rat2-D2. Both the R2-D2 and Bugout are light, thin, clip in the pocket well and have better cutting geometry than the saber ground Mini-Griptillian.
Just pick your favorite or both. :D
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https://www.bladeforums.com/members/chariotz4.455411/
 
The Bugout is the one I would personally get if staying within budget with the Benchmade brand.
 
All I would suggest is that if you decide to get a benchmade, buy one in person to inspect it for quality control because they don't do it at the factory. OKC has way better qc. If you can't inspect in person there are a few vendors on the forum that if requested will inspect them.
 
Mo2 said:
All I would suggest is that if you decide to get a benchmade, buy one in person to inspect it for quality control because they don't do it at the factory. OKC has way better qc..
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So you work at Benchmade and you know they have no quality standards?

Can you show examples from your collection of Benchmade and OKC folders to substantiate your claims?

OP. I am in the buy once cry once camp. Go with a Benchmade.

Unfortunately they discontinued my all time favourite beginner model, the HK 14715 Axis.
 
Todd21969 said:
So you work at Benchmade and you know they have no quality standards?

Can you show examples from your collection of Benchmade and OKC folders to substantiate your claims?

OP. I am in the buy once cry once camp. Go with a Benchmade.

Unfortunately they discontinued my all time favourite beginner model, the HK 14715 Axis.
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Its a well known issue and yes all my Benchmades have qc issues.
 
Zathorious said:
Griptillian seems so popular but that 154cm steel isn't as good as the mini freek or bugout, why the love of the grip?
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Isn't as good in what way?
What are you using to sharpen?

154cm is easier to sharpen than s30v and the edge retention of s30v isn't enough better than 154cm to justify it IMHO.
 
No interest in Spyderco? Their Caged ball lock and Compression lock both function similar to an axis lock. They'll probably cut better too because Benchmade is scared of full flat grinds.
 
If I had to pick a Benchmade in your price range, I'd go for the -1 Mini Grip's. The G10/20CV models are a great deal. Spend some time on the exchange if you can, I've seen brand new 20CV Mini Grips sell for $125 pretty consistently, actually.

20CV is a big jump from 154, and I much prefer it to S30V. The G10 scales fit the mini really well too, it's just tough to beat a Mini Griptilian for EDC, my mini Ritter is one of my absolute favorite knives.
 
I really appreciate all the info. I found a store locally that carries all of these so I'm going to check them out and feel how they are.

Speaking of sharpening, I have a 1000 grit japanese Bester stone I paid about $70 for and it's pretty great. I saw a Gwhole 3000/8000 stone on amazon but heard mixed reviews as it's about $30.

My thoughts are that I could get my knives silly sharp with 1000,3000,8000 stones?

Many thanks,
Z
 
Zathorious said:
I really appreciate all the info. I found a store locally that carries all of these so I'm going to check them out and feel how they are.

Speaking of sharpening, I have a 1000 grit japanese Bester stone I paid about $70 for and it's pretty great. I saw a Gwhole 3000/8000 stone on amazon but heard mixed reviews as it's about $30.

My thoughts are that I could get my knives silly sharp with 1000,3000,8000 stones?

Many thanks,
Z
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Depends on the steel you get. You may want to invest in diamonds if you get super steel with lots of Vanadium in it. It will make the process faster and will actually abrade the Vanadium when you get into the higher grits. As there are only a few abrasives mainly cbn and diamond that can. If say if you goto 1000- 3000 with your stones then switch to diamond strops that could work well. Or just leave it at a nice working edge.

154cm will work great with those stones you have though.
 
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