Griptilian 551 arrived today... took a fluff & buff before posing...

ZDHart

ZDHart

Joined
Feb 16, 2010
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471
There was a slight nick on the tang lock engagement surface on my new 511 which I could just barely feel when opening and closing the knife. That bugged me and needed to get gone. The blade wasn't all that sharp either.

But no problem... I pulled the blade and bushings, did a tiny reduction on the tang lock engagement edge to remove the line indent, then polished the heck out of the tang surfaces and the phosphor bronze washers with Flitz and the buffing pad on my Dremel. Added a couple drops of FP-10, a dab of blue loctite on the tang screw and the knife feels wonderful now... extremely silky. All it needs now is some touch up on the IdaHone ceramic sticks.

But first, I decided to snap some images just for the heck of it. I do like this knife quite a bit already! And what a gorgeous blade this knife has! Outstanding. Jimping-a-plenty and rounded hand-filling handle to really "get a grip". ;) Nice. At just 3.3 ounces, this is a knife that's really easy to carry. I can see why the 551 (all the Grips, really) are such very popular knives.

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Thanks to the many here who recommended the 551 to me. It certainly is an outstanding choice for a mid size pocket folder with Benchmade quality at a very reasonable price!
 
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You take some nice pictures.:thumbup:

Aren't you worried you forfeited the warranty by taking it apart?
 
the kid said:
You take some nice pictures.:thumbup:

Aren't you worried you forfeited the warranty by taking it apart?
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How will Benchmade ever know he took it apart? Plus the warranty would only be void for something that he damaged by taking it apart or linked to something that was modified.

The most likely reason Benchmade has that in their warranty is so they are not constantly getting bags of parts from people taking apart knives that don't know what they are doing and can't get the knife back together.
 
I don't know, I don't own a Benchmade and that specific line in their warranty is the main reason.
Maybe they can see if the Loctite is removed or the screws are used?
 
the kid said:
I don't know, I don't own a Benchmade and that specific line in their warranty is the main reason.
Maybe they can see if the Loctite is removed or the screws are used?
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Maybe the knife had been sent in previously? Plus sometimes the locktight stays in the nut part and you don't see any anyways. And if you take your time and don't bugger the threads up you should be fine. And if you couldn't get it back together you can still send it to them they will just charge you $25. Like I said the warranty will only be void for something you did. If you take it apart and send it to them in pieces but it is something wrong like a bad heat treat on the blade they will still cover the blade because taking the knife apart didn't cause that.

I wouldn't let that stop you from owning one. Plus you don't live in the US and the few times you hear about them sending out parts it is to non US residents because shipping costs are prohibitive. If you want one just buy it. They have good customer service and will take care of a problem if it is their fault.

Edit: sorry about going off topic. The grips are well liked for a reason. Good choice and the AXIS locks are addictive.
 
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Excellent knife! My Brother has the 551 and I just got a 550 I love it!!! One of the most amazing knives Ive ever held! (which hasnt been many :o )
 
As for voiding the warranty, I have no worries about that whatsoever. I can make the knife better than it was when I got it with the fluff and buff with no ill effects whatsoever. How much is there that can go wrong and would be covered under warranty anyway, that I couldn't fix myself. Replacing a spring, perhaps. I could buy a new blade for it for about $30. If all went to hell in a handbasket and the knife became a total loss somehow due to a warranty issue (like what?) I can buy a whole new for for $70. No biggie. After a few years of light gunsmithing on my 1911's and Glocks, removing the blade and washers from a Griptilian for a fluff and buff is like child's play.
 
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Childs play indeed.
And to think, the Axis models are some of the more difficult folders to assemble.

Gee, I bet you even know how to center a blade. :D Shhh, don't tell anyone else, you can pick up some good deals from dummies who can't do this to their knife.
That is, unless they have a Sebbie with an off center blade, then they are SOL.

The Grip is a great knife, there is a reason why it is an all time best seller.
Good pics BTW.
 
griptilians do not have a pivot bushing.

I assume you are talking about the washers? Seems to be a common mistake.
 
I love the little Grips. such a nice size and a great EDC have had mine for about three years now. BTW great pictures!!!!
 
redisburning said:
griptilians do not have a pivot bushing.

I assume you are talking about the washers? Seems to be a common mistake.
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Oh yes, you're right, I called them "bushings" when I meant to say "washers". My mistake. Thank you. I corrected that.
 
bearcut said:
Childs play indeed.
And to think, the Axis models are some of the more difficult folders to assemble.

Gee, I bet you even know how to center a blade. :D Shhh, don't tell anyone else, you can pick up some good deals from dummies who can't do this to their knife.
That is, unless they have a Sebbie with an off center blade, then they are SOL.

The Grip is a great knife, there is a reason why it is an all time best seller.
Good pics BTW.
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Since I was a little kid I have reveled in taking things apart. Started with a neighbors door lock when I was about 5. :rolleyes: Then the telephone. :eek: For the most part, I've gotten everything back together just fine. In recent years, light 1911 gunsmithing and disassembling laptop computers have given me the confidence to dive into lots of things. A Griptilian is about as simple as a tear down/reassembly can be for someone who is inclined to do such things. ;)
 
The only complaint some people have with Grips is the 'clack' sound they make when opening and closing. If you start to notice this, and it bothers you, ( it will now :D ), PM me. I have a set of black grip scales that I partially filled in and weighted. It makes the knife feel even better, and no anoying 'Clack'.
 
bearcut... yes, I know the clack and that some are bothered by it. Funny thing, though, is I'm not bothered by it at all... I kind of like the "clack"! It does it with such snap-to authority. ;) Flitz polishing and lubing the phosphor bronze washers & blade tang made an incredible difference in reducing friction. Super slick and quick action now.

The filled/weighted grips sound like they would be cool too. Is that a grip mod that you sell?
 
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cj65 said:
I love my Grippie! Those pics are great!
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Thanks for appreciating them cj. I wanted to really show the fine detail so that anyone considering one, who doesn't have one to look at, can really see it!

All the jimping is certainly vividly clear to see.

In hindsight, perhaps the pics are actually TOO big. :rolleyes:
 
I absolutely love my grips. They are the only knife that I've kept more than one at a time of. I've got a full size and a mini and I just came across an older 440c model with a parkerized "benchmade usa" clip. Some people would not like the 440c as much but I like to be able to compare it to the 154 cm that I've been using for a while now and I like the old style pocket clips a lot better. So far the grip is my favorite knife that I own. I've got a cpm-m4 ritter grip on preorder now and I cannot wait to receive that thing!
 
ZDHart said:
The filled/weighted grips sound like they would be cool too. Is that a grip mod that you sell?
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No, it's just a handle that I modded bfore I bought some WilkinsGrips for the RitterGrip I had. I don't have the Wilkins/Ritter anymore, but I had the modded grips lying around and just thought I'd offer them to you.

My Ritter was a bit blade heavy as well. I added a little over an ounce of weight to the rear cutouts of the handle which brought the balance back into line very nicely.
 
Mark... here we are years later. I still love the knife and the weighted grip panels I got from you give the knife some much needed (in my view) "gravitas". Many thanks and best wishes to you! :-)
 
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