Gold Griptilian dropped in today

Reeper22

Reeper22

Joined
Nov 3, 2009
Messages
630
The mailman brought me quite the present today. The new Benchmade 551BK-101 Gold Class Griptilian. First impressions are just wow. The carbon fiber handle looks and feels even better than the pictures I saw. The cf is VERY solid. Not too smooth, not overly abrasive. Haven't tested it yet but the CPM M4 blade looks very promising. This is also my first axis lock so I'm excited about that. It was the 13th one made which is really cool. I don't know how that happened, I've seen pics of people's from a month ago that were in the 50's. My only complaint is that the action is pretty stiff when the blade is first leaving the handle and then smooths out a little. Could be because it's new and the bushings haven't been broken in and/or needs lube, but still, it shouldn't be this stiff. Maybe I should adjust the pivot? The axis lock is a touch stiff but that will loosen up after a little use. So far it feels worth every penny. This might be my new favorite folder. Check the pics and let me know what you think.

http://s995.photobucket.com/albums/af78/Reeper22_photo/Gold Grip/
 
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The stiffness is probably caused by the B2K coating. If so, it will smooth out quickly.
 
Yep, the coating smooths out under the washers. At least it did on all of the B2K knives I've owned.
 
i've got a couple of benchmades with axis. makes opening a breeze. hold it down and flick the blade open.
 
WOW! That is a sweet looking Griptilian. Very nice addition to your collection! :thumbup:

Edit: I actually just got my first griptilian the 550 in a trade. And i sprayed some gun lube into the pivot and loosened the pivot screw and it flys open. Only problem im having is the axis lock seems to get stuck on the blade when i close it sometimes. But only when i open by the opening hole.
 
From what I've seen the cheapest price around right now is $250. I think I'm going to grab one of these bad boys too. This might just by my ultimate grail knife. The ONLY thing that would make this knife better is if it had the Ritter blade shape.

Reeper: Yes after the first week it will smooth out quite a bit. The coating is a little bit rough against the washers and will smooth out soon. It will not remove the coating but rather just polish it up. If you want to speed up the process or if after a week its still not as smooth as you like you can take it apart and polish the washers and the blade where it contacts the washers. I use simichrome and some leather to do the polishing work and it works great. Flitz will also do the job wonderfully. Enjoy that knife!
 
nevermind35 said:
From what I've seen the cheapest price around right now is $250. I think I'm going to grab one of these bad boys too. This might just by my ultimate grail knife. The ONLY thing that would make this knife better is if it had the Ritter blade shape.

Reeper: Yes after the first week it will smooth out quite a bit. The coating is a little bit rough against the washers and will smooth out soon. It will not remove the coating but rather just polish it up. If you want to speed up the process or if after a week its still not as smooth as you like you can take it apart and polish the washers and the blade where it contacts the washers. I use simichrome and some leather to do the polishing work and it works great. Flitz will also do the job wonderfully. Enjoy that knife!
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Much appreciated my man. Very informative and helpful. Yeah the cheapest I found was $250. When you get it you feel like you got a deal rather than cheated, or at least I did. Materials, fit and finish, and overall look are top notch. Comes in the metal magnetized storage case and cloth carrying case which is a nice little bonus.

I feel that once these are done a lo of people are going to look bad and wish they got them. BTW, are these considered to be custom, semi-custom, or just limited production? The card of authenticity says it was hand made which generally means custom to me but I have no idea.
 
Reeper22 said:
Much appreciated my man. Very informative and helpful. Yeah the cheapest I found was $250. When you get it you feel like you got a deal rather than cheated, or at least I did. Materials, fit and finish, and overall look are top notch. Comes in the metal magnetized storage case and cloth carrying case which is a nice little bonus.

I feel that once these are done a lo of people are going to look bad and wish they got them. BTW, are these considered to be custom, semi-custom, or just limited production? The card of authenticity says it was hand made which generally means custom to me but I have no idea.
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limited run production.

p.s. washers =/= bushings
 
After a little further inspection in appears the tang seems to catch the axis lock like TwitchyBlade said but both opening and closing using the stud. Is that normal? Does it work itself out or just something I'm going to have to deal with?
 
the axis lock actively holds the blade closed, and open. it lends itself to carry in places where laws disallow "gravity knives" because you have to overcome the lock to open the blade. it won't just "flick" open... unless you hold the lock down. i hardly ever use the thumbstuds. unless i'm snagging them on my pocket for a wave effect.
 
nevermind35 said:
From what I've seen the cheapest price around right now is $250. I think I'm going to grab one of these bad boys too. This might just by my ultimate grail knife. The ONLY thing that would make this knife better is if it had the Ritter blade shape.
Click to expand...

You could buy the M4 ritter and do a blade swap. The AXIS lock should be the same between the various grips and make for a perfect swap. Then sell the plain handle with M4 blade to recoup money.

The knife should smooth out with a little use. My M4 Rift was a little gritty when new but it worked out in about a week. I don't think all the coating wore off but it is real smooth when new so it probably just smoothed out the coating where it makes contact. I would put a drop of lube on the pivot and lock bar where it makes contact. Then adjust the pivot to where you like it and put some blue locktite to lock it in. AXIS lock knives seem to be very finicky to get that perfect spot where there isn't blade play yet it is easy to open. Sometimes it doesn't even seem like you turned the screw to get it just right. Then let it sit over night so the thread locker dries and you should be good for awhile.
 
Will they be making this knife in the 555 round hole version?

I would be all over that.
 
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