Expert Opinions Appreciated

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zmoore93

Joined
Dec 2, 2015
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Bought a used and abused Griptilian on a Facebook group as my first Benchmade. Wanted to ask the opinions of some experts before I sent her in for a new blade and a once over. Something about it seems a little cheap feeling or off, I didn't get ripped with a fake did I?
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Not an expert, but I have some questions.
Why would you send it in? The blade has a hell of a lot of life in it yet.
How much did you pay for it? A reblade is going to cost you around $40 (add that to your already spent money)
Why would you buy it after entertaining the idea of it being a fake?
A new full sized grip will run you just over $100. I have no idea if you bought a knock off, the pictures don't really show anything as far as what someone would use to identify (blade markings). It looks like someone just used it as a project/test knife for stone washing or whatever the finish is on the blade.
 
Not an expert neither...that looks like the real (well-used) ticket. Handle scales on this one are made from very durable material, but can give a loud CLACK when opening. Maybe that's the coating removed from the blade as I don't see the typical markings on front or back sides. But as said above it looks like just a basic servicing will do.
 
Still no experts here. But I agree with the above...the Griptilian is a nice knife but the hollow, lightweight handle is the biggest criticism you see of the knife. That could be the "cheap...off" feeling you get from the knife. But despite the feel, Griptilians are functional knives made of strong material. And there's no point in replacing the blade or grips just for cosmetic purposes. Clean it up, get it sharp and use it.
 
RevDevil said:
Not an expert, but I have some questions.
Why would you send it in? The blade has a hell of a lot of life in it yet.
How much did you pay for it? A reblade is going to cost you around $40 (add that to your already spent money)
Why would you buy it after entertaining the idea of it being a fake?
A new full sized grip will run you just over $100. I have no idea if you bought a knock off, the pictures don't really show anything as far as what someone would use to identify (blade markings). It looks like someone just used it as a project/test knife for stone washing or whatever the finish is on the blade.
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I'm definitely sending it in for at least a service, debating on a blade swap so I can have a tanto serrated blade.
I only paid $20 and a knife I had laying around.
I didn't think it was a fake until it hit my hands really, pictures didn't show as clearly as in person.

Thank you, by the way.
 
jkarp_53 said:
Not an expert neither...that looks like the real (well-used) ticket. Handle scales on this one are made from very durable material, but can give a loud CLACK when opening. Maybe that's the coating removed from the blade as I don't see the typical markings on front or back sides. But as said above it looks like just a basic servicing will do.
Click to expand...

Thanks, just new to the BM world so I'm unsure of myself. It definitely does make quite the "CLACK" on open.

Lee48 said:
Still no experts here. But I agree with the above...the Griptilian is a nice knife but the hollow, lightweight handle is the biggest criticism you see of the knife. That could be the "cheap...off" feeling you get from the knife. But despite the feel, Griptilians are functional knives made of strong material. And there's no point in replacing the blade or grips just for cosmetic purposes. Clean it up, get it sharp and use it.
Click to expand...

I think that is what I thought felt off, got my eyes on a set of AWT grips to fix that. Still unsure on whether I'll do a blade replacement or not, might use it for a while and see how I feel about it.

Thanks for the replies guys.
 
RevDevil said:
Not an expert, but I have some questions.
Why would you send it in? The blade has a hell of a lot of life in it yet.
How much did you pay for it? A reblade is going to cost you around $40 (add that to your already spent money)
Why would you buy it after entertaining the idea of it being a fake?
A new full sized grip will run you just over $100. I have no idea if you bought a knock off, the pictures don't really show anything as far as what someone would use to identify (blade markings). It looks like someone just used it as a project/test knife for stone washing or whatever the finish is on the blade.
Click to expand...

^Great points ^. It looks good to me for a used knife. I would sharpen it and use it.
 
It's hard to tell for sure because the blade markings are gone, but as already mentioned, it looks like it was someones project knife, and they decided to try as change the blade finish...
I would say it is probably the real deal, just a little rough looking because of the blade.
Personally I would send it in for LifeSharp treatment, and when you get it back, use it.
 
It's real, it's just had an acid stonewash finish put on the blade and some of the hardware. The full size Grip feels "cheap" and "fake" because of the plastic handles and partial liners (instead of the full liners in the mini-Grip). It is still a very sturdy knife. And for $20 and a spare knife, that is a heck of a deal!
 
loonybin said:
It's real, it's just had an acid stonewash finish put on the blade and some of the hardware. The full size Grip feels "cheap" and "fake" because of the plastic handles and partial liners (instead of the full liners in the mini-Grip). It is still a very sturdy knife. And for $20 and a spare knife, that is a heck of a deal!
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I thought it was a steal too! Guy didn't know what he had, something about a buddy gave it to him or something.
 
Thanks for all the input guys, seems like everyone is saying sharpen it and use it. Probably what I'll do, I'm sure that's getting repeated for a reason :thumbup: I'll just keep an eye out for something that looks nicer for later on.
 
Yep, Sharpen it up, and use it for everything. When the day comes you get can send it in and get a reblade, new screws, Omega springs, clip, thumb studs, and a thorough clean up. It will look good as new. I would not let that blade go to waste though.
 
zmoore93 said:
Thanks for all the input guys, seems like everyone is saying sharpen it and use it. Probably what I'll do, I'm sure that's getting repeated for a reason :thumbup: I'll just keep an eye out for something that looks nicer for later on.
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Absolutely... I mentioned sending it in to BM for their Life Sharp treatment, but if you can sharpen your own blades, there isn't much sense in doing that.
It's really hard to tell in the pictures, but it looks like it might still have the original edge. Either that or someone just very carefully touched it up.
 
zmoore93 said:
I'm definitely sending it in for at least a service, debating on a blade swap so I can have a tanto serrated blade.
I only paid $20 and a knife I had laying around.
I didn't think it was a fake until it hit my hands really, pictures didn't show as clearly as in person.

Thank you, by the way.
Click to expand...

Please don't get a tanto with teeth. You will regret it later on. My personal opinion would be go with a plain edge non coated modified drop point blade.
 
Replacing the blade and then replacing the grips means you're kinda left only with the original Axis lock in the end. Reminds me of the joke about the 200 year old family axe.

For 20 bucks you have a great user as it is.
 
Just send it in to be sharpened and serviced... You may have to sharpen the serrations yourself as Benchmade can't figure out how to sharpen them. It's not hard though with the little sharpening rod.

I carry a plain edge 525 , but when using my combo edge Griptillian I feel it is a superior blade for hard use. The plain edge can only keep up when razor sharp, otherwise it just skips when trying to cut.
 
Don t send the knife in for sharpening. It will just get dull again in a few weeks even with light use. Then what do you do?
This is a good time to learn to sharpen you own knife. Refer to the maintenance threads for sharpening tips.
 
whp said:
Don t send the knife in for sharpening. It will just get dull again in a few weeks even with light use. Then what do you do?
This is a good time to learn to sharpen you own knife. Refer to the maintenance threads for sharpening tips.
Click to expand...

I agree it is better to learn how to sharpen your own knives, but it certainly shouldn't be getting dull in a few weeks, with light use...
 
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