Good first Benchmade?

I got my first Benchmade a couple weeks ago, a Mini Freek. I'll be buying more, and the Grizzly Ridge is on my list. By the way, the beefs about the versaflex complicating the insertion into and withdrawal from the pocket are way overblown -- it poses no such problem in jeans. Reviews are probably working in silk pajamas.
 
For starters, get the Griptilian with s30v steel. Great work knife, outdoors knife, and edc. Don t be fooled by the plastic handle. That allows this knife to be light weight. But it is extremely strong. And comfortable in hand.
 
I’ll have to handle a few of them from our sporting goods store with the intent of buying one and not just feeling a new knife. I also can’t wait to do a full on comparison of build quality between a Benchmade and my MOD. Got that one for 20$ at a pawn shop and the more I use it the more I appreciate it over my cheaper knives. Love the fossil tho. That one really taught me that good manuals are better than spring assist (at least in my opinion)
 
Pteronarcyd said:
I got my first Benchmade a couple weeks ago, a Mini Freek. I'll be buying more, and the Grizzly Ridge is on my list. By the way, the beefs about the versaflex complicating the insertion into and withdrawal from the pocket are way overblown -- it poses no such problem in jeans. Reviews are probably working in silk pajamas.
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I'm going to have to disagree. I own a Grizzly Ridge too and will more than likely grab a mini freek at some point and while the Versaflex scale material is great it does go in and out of the pocket much different and with more resistance than a standard G10/FRN/Ti scale......
 
Dont buy a BM cuz they cut up guns once... just kidding, thats retarded. The Proper looks real nice though im thinking about getting one sometime. I like the modern traditionals that are hitting the scene these days.
 
I hate to throw a wrench in the middle of this but I have to throw out a suggestion for a 940 of some variant. My first Benchmades were a 940, mini grip, and full size grip all on the same order. Now I'm not saying I didn't like either of the grips, but I no longer own either of them. After a couple years I realized that I hardly EVER chose one of them to throw in my pocket over my 940 so I traded them out. Now I have 3 different 940 models.

Sorry to do that to ya, but if you were my friend I couldn't let you pick out your first BM without at least considering one of these.

Just a couple pennies for you to chew on!!

But if I had to pick from your choices it would def be the full size CR.
 
Balrog99 said:
So, I’ve been wanting to get a Benchmade for a while, and I’ve narrowed down three of their knives that I like. Those would be the Griptilian S30V, the Grizzly Ridge, and the Crooked River. My personal favorite that I would want is the Crooked River, but that’s also the most expensive. Any tips on which of these would be better or is this a go with your heart one?
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My Crooked River is a turd. Blade play up, down, left, and right that wont go away no matter what. Handle in person before purchase. Good luck.
Edit: It also came surprisingly dull.
 
Start with one of the budget bm folders like the griptilian in S30V.Later on when you come to appreciatewhat the blade offers more than the handle.The scales can easily be replaced to your liking from the various pimpers.
 
Own 4 Chris Reeve knives, 2 Griptilians and a 940-2. The Grips get more pocket times than anything. Handles fill my hands well and like the light weight.
 
urbantrapper said:
Dont buy a BM cuz they cut up guns once... just kidding, thats retarded...
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That's actually not the main issue in that controversy but we've been banned from talking about it here. Please see the section of this forum where paid members can talk about issues deemed "political" by the moderators, or do your own search on the web for more details on exactly what the problem was there. Sadly, that issue keeps me from buying Benchmade now that I know about it.

Benchmade does makes a quality product in my experience. They seem to do very well in their heat-treatments with various steels. That can offset some of the complaints that they are over-priced. Of course, we are seeing more excellent Chinese-produced knives in the market from reputable companies like We. Country of origin becomes a factor in weighing prices but that could get political too...
 
CR is a good looker

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If you want to get a Benchmade because it is a more premium knife company, I’d go with the more premium choice. The Crooked River(and the Mini) should be a step above the standard Griptilians.

That said, my Mini Grip is a favorite for a hundred different reasons. So if you just want a better knife, but one you can save a little coin on and still get an amazing blade, go with the Grip. Better yet, if you don’t mind adding a tad on top to get a better steel and still be under the average CR price, grab the G10/20CV model(or build one in their shop with M4).


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My favorite Mini Grip.
 
razorburn said:
Do not own a bugout but kind of surprised hasn't been mentioned yet
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I too am surprised but I might recommend it over the Griptillian tho. Just from personal experience. Coming from someone who owns a 940, Grip and a Bugout. My thinking is the Bugout will be easier to maintain/sharpen and slicy-er for a first timer getting onto the brand. The grip isn't quite as slicey, its bulky and depending on the model it may be difficult for the uninitiated to learn to sharpen.
 
My first BM, I bought in June 2017 was the mini grip 556. Nice knife, but after several more BM's and other knives from assorted manufacturers, I have come to the conclusion that the 940 beats everything else. If I knew then what I know now, I could have saved myself tons of money and bought 3 or 4 940's and be done with it.

So if I'm reading this post from the past, then don't buy anything else but a 940. Trust me, you'll thank me later...
 
Well, this is gonna get some hate but I actually ordered a Ganzo Griptilian clone... Gonna get the Crooked River or Grizzly Creek from Scheels next paycheck, but I couldn’t control the urge to get a new knife. One thing I’ve heard though from researching Benchmade is the best way is to get one from a store and look through their stock. I gotta ask though, is the quality control really that iffy, or is it just enough people have had bad experiences that it’s a noticeable issue? Or if I ordered one from amazon would it be more than likely I’d get one that’s just fine?
 
Balrog99 said:
Well, this is gonna get some hate but I actually ordered a Ganzo Griptilian clone... Gonna get the Crooked River or Grizzly Creek from Scheels next paycheck, but I couldn’t control the urge to get a new knife. One thing I’ve heard though from researching Benchmade is the best way is to get one from a store and look through their stock. I gotta ask though, is the quality control really that iffy, or is it just enough people have had bad experiences that it’s a noticeable issue? Or if I ordered one from amazon would it be more than likely I’d get one that’s just fine?
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:confused:
 
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