Griptilian-Made In?

tapedeck74 · Sep 1, 2006

Hi there,

I'm looking at getting mini-Griptilian (the one I saw at the store had "440C" on the blade. I'm just curious as to where these are made, Taiwan or USA, etc...

Thanks, Steve

Whitedog · Sep 1, 2006

Originally the Grip series had 440C blades. Just last year or the first of this year those blades were switched over to 154CM. The 440C blades are good and the 154Cm is good stuff also. Both made by Benchmade in USA.

Artfully Martial · Sep 1, 2006

In general, 440C, 154CM and S30V are made in the US (but not always).

AUS(4,6,8), VG10, ZDP are usually Asian.

tapedeck74 · Sep 1, 2006

Hey thanks. I noticed that some of the BM had Taiwan on the blade. Others didn't have any country written. So I guess if nothing is written it is USA.
Now that I think about it, the display model said 440c, but the boxed knives under the counter may be 154CM, as they would rotate inventory but not the demo.

I'll pick one up tomorrow.

Artfully Martial · Sep 1, 2006

About a year ago, I think, Benchmade starting switching over their 440C line to 154CM.

Most "red box" Benchmades are foreign made. Blue, black and gold are all in the US (as far as I know).

allenC · Sep 1, 2006

So I guess if nothing is written it is USA.

I think all of the USA Benchmades have "USA" in tiny letters between the lower portion of the butterfly's wings of the logo on the blade..

alittle_edgy · Sep 2, 2006

Benchmade Griptillians are excellent knives for sure. The next poster was right, the steel was recently changed from 440C to 154CM which is a boost in edge holding. They are made in USA, but Benchmade knives are sold in colored boxes that indicate that info, too. If it goes in a red box, it was made in Taiwan. If it comes in blue, black, or gold, it was made in USA and will cut you high, wide, and continuous.

tapedeck74 · Sep 2, 2006

Update:

Picked up the mini-Griptilian today. All of their stock was 440C.
I like it alot.

Blop · Sep 4, 2006

allenC said:
I think all of the USA Benchmades have "USA" in tiny letters between the lower portion of the butterfly's wings of the logo on the blade..

About a year or two ago, after BM switched to the colour lines, they missed the USA in the logo. That caused a heavy storm on Benchmade forums, as you can easily imagine.

I recieved a replacement clip with only Benchmade instead of the Benchmade / USA on it.

So, if there is no USA on the blade, it is supposed to be made right after the change to the colour lines. And it surely is USA made.