Good First Benchmade?

No_b00st · Oct 4, 2008

To those of you familiar with Benchmade's products, I am looking for a little advice. I've really been wanting to pick up a Benchmade of some sort lately, and have had a few in mind.

Griptilian or Mini-Griptilian
Pika II or Mini Pika II
Vex

basically looking for something pretty basic and solid... what do you Benchmade fans think of the red line? Are they "real" benchmades? I know that's a vague question... just looking for opinions!

I don't REALLY have a strict monetary limit... this is just for collecting purposes, I'm saving for it, but as a first knife from a brand i'm not REALLY sure I love, I'm not inclined to spend 100+

-James

J_Roc · Oct 4, 2008

You can't go wrong with a Griptilian, they can be found well under your max budget that your mentioned. The Grips offer a lot of options: thumb hole or stud, different steels (D2, S30V, 154CM) and blade shapes, handle colours, etc.

I am not a fan of the BM red class.

pimpnugget · Oct 4, 2008

No_b00st said:
To those of you familiar with Benchmade's products, I am looking for a little advice. I've really been wanting to pick up a Benchmade of some sort lately, and have had a few in mind.

Griptilian or Mini-Griptilian
Pika II or Mini Pika II
Vex

basically looking for something pretty basic and solid... what do you Benchmade fans think of the red line? Are they "real" benchmades? I know that's a vague question... just looking for opinions!

I don't REALLY have a strict monetary limit... this is just for collecting purposes, I'm saving for it, but as a first knife from a brand i'm not REALLY sure I love, I'm not inclined to spend 100+

-James

JPD1998 · Oct 4, 2008

As far as the red class .... some are better than others. I have a Pika , the F & F is very good... all in all not a bad knife. I also have a Snipe and I'm not as pleased , although it wasn't very expensive.

But the axis lock is a winner , so I too would recommend a Grip.

outdoor_guy08 · Oct 4, 2008

I just picked up a mini-griptilian, and I love it.

I had a BM 720S and a BM710 prior to this, and loved them except that they were a bit bigger than what I wanted for EDC.

The mini-griptilian (556S) and the 556 plain edge are very very good blades. The AXIS lock is the best lock I've ever used (I have Kershaw assisted opening, various liner / lockbacks from Spyderco, etc).

I considered the Griptilian (551) versus the mini-Grip, and after comparing them in person at a knife shop, I decided the Griptilian was too large for EDC, and the mini-grip is just about perfect.

While the mini-Grip and Grip are great blades, I still love the feel of my BM 720 (with aluminum scales) and my BM710. So be aware that even if you get a Benchmade in the lower cost category, they don't truly give you a good sense of the more expensive knives. They are all truly excellent, but they also feel very differently from class to class. The Axis design is a must have in your collection. If you don't have one you need one.

Zuchus · Oct 4, 2008

The 707 Sequel is a great knife. The follow-up to the ever-popular 705, with a beefier blade. I love mine. I bought and returned a small Sebenza recently because I compared it with my 707 and for less than 1/3 the price, the 707 is a sweet piece of steel. I think it runs around $93 at most competitive online dealers.

vic2367 · Oct 4, 2008

mini grip :thumbup: :thumbup:

Gerberblades · Oct 4, 2008

Grip is the way to go for your first BM. :thumbup:

StretchNM · Oct 4, 2008

Of those you mentioned, the Grip or mini-Grip is the way to go. Both of the others are Red Class. To some, it doesn;t matter where BM's knives are made. To others (me), it does. BM is an American company and, in my opinion, their Red Class knives can go ahead and go to the lowest bidder.

Each to his own. I've handled at least two Red Class knives and they are certainly made well. Still, the Blue and Black Classes are the way to go.

orthogonal1 · Oct 4, 2008

Of the choices:

Griptilian or Mini-Griptilian
Pika II or Mini Pika II
Vex

I recomend one of the Grips.

The Vex is a liner-lock and, as such, I can not recommend it.

The Pika is a lockback and there are plenty of those from any number of companies - if going to have a Benchmade, it should be a "Benchmade".

So it comes down to Mini- or Full- size Griptillian.

If using for primarily Office and such carry, i.e. descrete carry needed, I'd go Mini as the full-size grips are actually fairly big and bulky - though the full-size is light.

player1219 · Oct 4, 2008

i would definantly chose the 707 sequel. it's a hell of a knife and i edc it.

Whitedog · Oct 4, 2008

Any of the Mini Grips, you can't go wrong.

RKH · Oct 4, 2008

Mini Grips are a lotta knife for the money. As already stated axis lock which is the best I have used. I have a Mini Pika II in titanium that I like alot as well. I have a 707 that is OUTSTANDING and I sharpened it once and has kept a fantastic edge. It is 154CM steel and this knife and steel has really impressed me. I don't know if it is the heat treatment on this steel but it has kept as good an edge as any other knife I own.

RKH

BoxANT · Oct 4, 2008

StretchNM said:
Of those you mentioned, the Grip or mini-Grip is the way to go. Both of the others are Red Class. To some, it doesn;t matter where BM's knives are made. To others (me), it does. BM is an American company and, in my opinion, their Red Class knives can go ahead and go to the lowest bidder.

Each to his own. I've handled at least two Red Class knives and they are certainly made well. Still, the Blue and Black Classes are the way to go.

Grips are blue class.

Dantor · Oct 4, 2008

+1 for the Grips!
what I've read about the regular and the mini is if you have smaller hands the mini will fit fine,
(as will the reg) but if you have big paws get the regular sized Griptilian, the mini will not fit as nice.

I've never handled a mini I only have the 551 but it fits great in my big hand.

Good luck and keep us posted

StretchNM · Oct 4, 2008

BoxANT said:
Grips are blue class.

Thanks, Ant...we'll agree that I said nothing to the contrary. They certainly are Blue Class and have been since their introduction.

EDCeeker · Oct 4, 2008

I can't comment on the comparisons between the knives you listed, because the only one out of them I own is the Mini-Grip (556). I can say that, after EDCing Mini-Grip for a couple weeks, it's growing on me. My personal feeling is that the full-size Griptillian would be a bit larger than I'd care to EDC, tho it would probably fit my large hands a bit better.

knarfeng · Oct 4, 2008

No_b00st said:
To those of you familiar with Benchmade's products, I am looking for a little advice. I've really been wanting to pick up a Benchmade of some sort lately, and have had a few in mind.

Griptilian or Mini-Griptilian
Pika II or Mini Pika II
Vex

basically looking for something pretty basic and solid... what do you Benchmade fans think of the red line? Are they "real" benchmades? I know that's a vague question... just looking for opinions!

I don't REALLY have a strict monetary limit... this is just for collecting purposes, I'm saving for it, but as a first knife from a brand i'm not REALLY sure I love, I'm not inclined to spend 100+

-James

I have a Mini-Pika II and like it a lot. I actually like the design better than that of my Delica 4, and the Delica 4 is a really nice knife.

To your list, add the Monochrome. Of all my knives it gets the most pocket time. Great design with really good steel. Full review is here:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=541546
As one of the posters said, "the Monochrome compares favorably with knives that go for $60 and $70."

I have a Mini-grip and it is nice. Somewhere along the line you should get one, whether it is now or later.

Capt. Carl · Oct 4, 2008

Zuchus said:
The 707 Sequel is a great knife. The follow-up to the ever-popular 705, with a beefier blade. I love mine. I bought and returned a small Sebenza recently because I compared it with my 707 and for less than 1/3 the price, the 707 is a sweet piece of steel. I think it runs around $93 at most competitive online dealers.

The 707 is a really solid little guy. Great suggestion.

Also a great edc knife is the mini ritter griptilian

gazz98 · Oct 4, 2008

Depending on your hand size and what is a comfortable size for you to handle, get a Grip or Mini Grip. I've heard nothing but good things about the Axis lock too.

Anything over 3" can be considered a dangerous weapon in MI, so I'd be forced to go with a Mini grip if it were me. (I'll get one soon).

Good First Benchmade?

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