After years of carrying not-so-good folders, I decided recently to get a Benchmade Griptilian, since they seem to be very well thought of. I found a good used one and I've been very happy with it. Then I got a Zero Tolerance 350. It really opens up with a SNAP!, whereas with the Griptilian I have to flick it to open it. So what I'm wondering is, isn't the Griptilian supposed to have an assisted opening feature as well? If it is, mine doesn't seem to work. The knife didn't come with any paperwork so I don't really know any technical details about it, and I don't personally know anyone else who has one. Can anyone shed some light on this for me? Thanks!
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Griptilian opening vs. ZT350
- Thread starter daoud
- Start date
No, it's good to go- I was just wondering if it was doing what it's supposed to be doing, as far as opening is concerned. I mean, I just pull back on the button with my thumb and give it a gentle flick and it opens fine....as long as it's working the way it's supposed to be I'm happy.
I just thought it maybe was supposed to work somewhat like the ZT350- like I said these modern folders are all new to me. The most up-to-date folding knife I've carried recently was a Cold Steel Ti-Lite, and before that a succession of Gerber EZ-Outs. Pretty low-tech compared to some of this current breed of knife.
I just thought it maybe was supposed to work somewhat like the ZT350- like I said these modern folders are all new to me. The most up-to-date folding knife I've carried recently was a Cold Steel Ti-Lite, and before that a succession of Gerber EZ-Outs. Pretty low-tech compared to some of this current breed of knife.
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- Jan 31, 2010
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assisted opening is not uncommon but it's most definitely not a standard feature on modern folders.
A lot of people open their axis locks that way. I personally use the thumb stud, just a little bit of pressure and a flick of the thumb will open the knife without having to manipulate the axis lock.
The ZT knives are pretty sweet, i got to play with one at a knife shop a few months ago.
Welcome to the larger world of higher end folders, it will eat up a lot of your money. I'm fairly new to them myself, less than a year and i've already worked my way up to buying my first Sebenza.
A lot of people open their axis locks that way. I personally use the thumb stud, just a little bit of pressure and a flick of the thumb will open the knife without having to manipulate the axis lock.
The ZT knives are pretty sweet, i got to play with one at a knife shop a few months ago.
Welcome to the larger world of higher end folders, it will eat up a lot of your money. I'm fairly new to them myself, less than a year and i've already worked my way up to buying my first Sebenza.
myowngod
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- Dec 3, 2009
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- 1,596
I prefer knives without assisted opening... difficult to open discretely, more difficult to close, and a good flipper will open just as fast (or faster) without the spring all while still being able to open slowly as well (kershaw RAM and Volt for example).
That was a little off-topic, but the OP's question was already answered above.
PS. If you hold the axis lock back and just flip the knife, it will open, or you can just use the tension from the axis lock to flick it open with thumbstuds... axis locks typically open very fast (my grip flipped open faster than my old ZT350 did...) - if your grip opens slower, perhaps adjust the pivot...
That was a little off-topic, but the OP's question was already answered above.
PS. If you hold the axis lock back and just flip the knife, it will open, or you can just use the tension from the axis lock to flick it open with thumbstuds... axis locks typically open very fast (my grip flipped open faster than my old ZT350 did...) - if your grip opens slower, perhaps adjust the pivot...
Kaizen1
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- Jan 4, 2006
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- 6,314
Like freedom said, you don't need to pull back on the axis lock to open the knife. Just flick it open with your thumb. Axis lock knives are some of the easiest and smoothest opening/closing folders on the market. I can open and close axis lock knives faster than something like a ZT0350. That's not to say that the 0350 doesn't open fast enough. It's a fine knife itself.
Thanks, y'all- personally, for me the thumb stud method is considerably slower than using the axis lock, even if I loosen the pivot....I do have a good bit of arthritis in my hands, so that's probably why it doesn't work as well for me- my thumb has to travel a lot further using the thumb stud, and it's pretty siff sometimes. My thumb that is. I appreciate all the info!
Kaizen1
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- Jan 4, 2006
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- 6,314
That makes sense. The other way to open it is pulling back the axis lock (with your thumb and index finger) and flicking the blade open with your wrist. Based on your earlier post, it doesn't seem like you have much problem pulling the axis lock back. From there, you don't need to use the thumb stud, just flick your wrist a little and it should open pretty fast.
Here's a quick video of what I'm talking about (though I open it way smoother than the guy in this video. He seems to be having more difficulty with it than anyone should):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQX0M6WtmlE&feature=channel
Some crazy guys making that video! I watched that one and another one on the axis lock- seems my Griptilian is just fine. I sure do like it. I use it a lot every day and the one-handed closing is very handy. Nice to be able to close it without having to look at what you're doing. A very fine design IMO. Doggone it, I've been bitten by the folding knife bug in a bad way. In the last couple of days I've ordered a Kershaw Spec Bump and an Emerson Mini Commander as well. It's ridiculous. I need more knives like I need a hole in my head. I can see that no good is going to come of my new addiction! Except for having more knives to fondle, which is pretty good I reckon.