Good First Benchmade?

Ritter grip! I got a hollow grind full size grip... which only made me want to get a Ritter grip!

However, benchmade is far to addicting. Quality knives.
 
Grip 551.... Full size with the thumb stud... I prefer it over the ritter or the small grips... Ounce for ounce... one of the strongest knives on the market....
Its not just a good beginners knife... To me.. Its a classic that defines the quality of benchmade... Perfectly rounded utility knife... I wish I had one right now....
matt
 
I'll play contrarian here... the Vex is a great knife for the money. I prefer the thumb stud tanto version. VERY ergonomic in the hand, sharp, solid lockup, no parts to fail in the extreme circumstance. A well put together knife for under $40, check it out, you won't be sorry.
 
Definitely a grip! so many options....from steel, serrations, thumbstud vs hole, color.
I have a 551BKODD2. my roommate loved it so much i convinced him to drop $75 on a 551 (its his first knife ever:D)
 
StretchNM said:
Thanks, Ant...we'll agree that I said nothing to the contrary. They certainly are Blue Class and have been since their introduction.
Click to expand...

Sorry about that, I misread your original post, thought you said that Grips were Red Class.

:o
 
of my 800 or so knives i don't have a single BenchMade.
could someone explain differences between blue & black classes ?
and if upper limit is about $250 (or so) are there any models which really stand out for average to slightly smaller hands ?
i'm looking for a really good cutter (not too thick a blade; like for cutting twigs up to 1" diameter) and comfortable in hand even under pressure, and with axis lock, and not S30V ?
i have an XM-18 and i find it binds (thick blade) and hurts my hand when i really push hard on it.
thanks eh, roland
 
550 Griptillian was my first benchmade, and it's still one of my favorite knives. It's a lightweight tough little bugger that cuts through about anything. I vote for the 550 or 551 Griptillian. Red class is ok, but if you have the $ (which $60 is not that bad at all for a grip) go for it.

Blue class is BMs line of knives for people who are looking for higher quality knives, and have the $ to pay for them

Black Class is BMs Military and law enforcement line. It's not restricted to mil. or LE personnel (except for the automatics in most states). These knives are generally heavier, and thicker in the blade and handle, but they use the same steels that the blue class does.
 
My 440C 551 Grip came, brand new, so dull, you'd have to heat it to cut butter... and I bought it locally! All the hype blinded me. Aggravated, it went in a drawer for five years - until last Christmas. I elected to try the 201 Activator+, a fixed blade via mail order. Another new dull knife! Two for two in the dull department. A $20 Vic SAK, $25 Buck 110, $30 Kershaw Scallion, $40 Spyderco Native, etc, - from Wally World - you can shave with them, right out of the package. It made no sense. I finally, back in the summer when I was totally bored, took out the Spydie 'Sharpmaker'. Putting an edge on D2 or 440C is like a new career, too.

Okay, now the great news. Sharpened, the two examples I have are great - nicely made and with great ergonomics for my medium plus sized hands. The Axis-Lok on the 551 is stout - the blade is, too - great overall package - especially when it is sharp. Feels as secure as a Buck 110's lockback blade, too - my standard of sorts, as I love the Buck 110. That 201 is a great hand-fit - and came with a really functional, and well made, leather sheath. The big plus is price - both run $60-$80. I like the D2 perhaps a bit better than the 440C - perhaps because I don't like 440A (I know, big difference... but I'm 60 now - and set in my ways!).

I'll likely buy another Grip - in D2. Another fixed blade? Yep... I have that Sharpmaker now.

Stainz
 
Grip or Mini Grip.

I see lots of Grips because I buy and sharpen them on behalf of work colleagues. Benchmade are currently sending them out with great edges.
 
what is the difference between a grip and a ritter grip?

I really appreciate all the great advice on this topic, i wasn't expecting two pages worth of replies the next time i checked back on this thread! Thanks for all the help.

I am leaning a bit more towards the mini grip, but I think I'll definetely take a look at the 707 based on how may people mentioned it here.
 
The Ritter grip is a customized S30V griptillian customized by Doug Ritter. S30V is one of the top notch blade steels in the knife world.

Stainz- It's crazy you got two "dull" benchmades. We had a couple dull bucks come in at the store i used to work at, so this does happen, but strange that you went 2 for 2. Did you send them back to BM for free sharpening?
 
Jake Bauer said:
The Ritter grip is a customized S30V griptillian customized by Doug Ritter. S30V is one of the top notch blade steels in the knife world.

Stainz- It's crazy you got two "dull" benchmades. We had a couple dull bucks come in at the store i used to work at, so this does happen, but strange that you went 2 for 2. Did you send them back to BM for free sharpening?
Click to expand...


I know about S30V :-D That's why i have a Spyderco Native on order from New Graham :-)

So are the Ritter Griptilians, Benchmade production models? Or do you send it somewhere to have it done? How does that work? The standard Grip is 154, right?

I guess I oughtta start out easy... hhaha

-J
 
No_b00st said:
what is the difference between a grip and a ritter grip?

I really appreciate all the great advice on this topic, i wasn't expecting two pages worth of replies the next time i checked back on this thread! Thanks for all the help.

I am leaning a bit more towards the mini grip, but I think I'll definetely take a look at the 707 based on how may people mentioned it here.
Click to expand...

The yellow handled one is a Ritter Mini Griptilian.

img7044oo7.jpg


Be careful. Benchmades, especially Mini Griptilians, are addictive!
 
No_b00st said:
I know about S30V :-D That's why i have a Spyderco Native on order from New Graham :-)

So are the Ritter Griptilians, Benchmade production models? Or do you send it somewhere to have it done? How does that work? The standard Grip is 154, right?

I guess I oughtta start out easy... hhaha

-J
Click to expand...

You have to order them through Aeromedix.com.

I LOVE mine. Yes, current production grips are 154, old ones are 440. And you can get a D2 model through Cabelas.

L!
 
^^ in that photo, it looks like the top two knives have different blade designs... the second from the top has a lot more "belly" or a longer grind... is one newer than the other? Or is it just a visual trick...?
 
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