Griptilians

'nuff said:

[video=youtube;pKol-A0fX7E]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKol-A0fX7E&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/video]
 
Get one. They are great knives and I think the Toyota analogy is pretty good. I get tired of hearing people complain about the "plastic" handles. It seems to me to be of of those things that some people read and can't help but mention it to come off like they're an expert. Like others have already said, those scales are tough and can withstand a lot of abuse and really are not that much different than other handle material on what I would categorize as mid-tier value knives that are much more affordable because they don't have G-10, micarta or other premium materials. The hollow sound you get deploying the knife may not be as satisfying as a solid thwack for solid premium scales but it probably saves you a couple ounces of weight while not sacrificing any durability. And the same kind of arguments can be made about the 154cm. Not the sexiest stuff but a great value on a very good and well-rounded steel.

A large Grip was one of my first knives and I bought a few PM2s afterward to see what the hype was about and if I was missing out. They are nice but I just ended up grabbing the grip way more often as I feel that the ergonomics just work better for me and things like the blade-to-handle length ratio, blade shape, cost and value all made more sense to me with the Grip.
 
They are cool, really into them at the moment. I just wish more people would start crafting aftermarket scales because that really adds to the fun. I do prefer the Ritter Grip over the regular one though, due to the blade profile and grind and stonewash finish. The Ritter Grip is an awesome knife for EDC, just wish they would do another sprint run ASAP!
 
Buffalohump said:
They are cool, really into them at the moment. I just wish more people would start crafting aftermarket scales because that really adds to the fun. I do prefer the Ritter Grip over the regular one though, due to the blade profile and grind and stonewash finish. The Ritter Grip is an awesome knife for EDC, just wish they would do another sprint run ASAP!
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You mean in something other than S30V I guess? Because they are out there now in that steel.
 
rockspyder said:
You mean in something other than S30V I guess? Because they are out there now in that steel.
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Oh No!!! I ordered a custom mini last week in S30V. I guess that will push the wait even further. Do you know when they are supposed to have S30V blades back in stock?
 
crocogator106 said:
Oh No!!! I ordered a custom mini last week in S30V. I guess that will push the wait even further. Do you know when they are supposed to have S30V blades back in stock?
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That is not what I meant. When I said, "out there now," I meant there are S30V Ritter Griptilians available on the market now, at a couple of places I've seen. I did not mean that Benchmade did not have S30V blades in stock for their customization service. Sorry about that. :o
 
Go get one. To many the Grips are Benchmade's most visible and well-known knife. Sturdy handles, simple and easy to sharpen blades, and a strong (lefty/rightie) locking mechanism has built a big fan base. And then there's the warranty that comes with it...that's hard to beat as well.
 
I know warriors and wonders is having a sale on custom grips and mini grips in S30V
 
Griptilians are boring. Boring in a good way. I favor the mini Grips. They just do everything well. They get the job done without a lot of fanfare.
They have been around for awhile without many changes. They are not really photogenic. Not on the cover of many knife magazines. I've never seen one in a movie. They are not the latest and greatest. They are not seen on any bucket lists. Again, they get the job done.
 
rockspyder said:
You mean in something other than S30V I guess? Because they are out there now in that steel.
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S30V is the standard Ritter Grip steel. The blade steel sprint runs have been done in M2 and CPM-M4. There was also a scale color sprint run in orange. That one still used S30V for the blade steel.
 
dalefuller said:
S30V is the standard Ritter Grip steel. The blade steel sprint runs have been done in M2 and CPM-M4. There was also a scale color sprint run in orange. That one still used S30V for the blade steel.
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Thanks dalefuller. I could really get into a Ritter Grip (mini) in CPM-M4. Very tempted by the regular MDP mini-Grip in that steel.
 
Neither the M2 nor the M4 Ritters took long to sell out. There's a pretty loyal following for those knives. I have a regular profile in M4 and I'm scouting the exchange for a full-sized M4 Grip. I'd love to have an M390 mini-Ritter to go along with my standard mini-Ritter. Be even better if they'd do a sprint run in both sizes.

I'd even be happy with the standard scales, although G10 or micarta would certainly be an added attraction. Ritters are users to me, and the regular Noryl scales are like Spyderco's FRN... kevlar for knives. They're nearly indestructible and they do a good job of protecting the guts of the knife by absorbing a lot of impact force, shedding liquids, etc. I quit counting how many times I've dropped a knife at work onto a concrete floor. G10 and aluminium just won't hold up to that as well as FRN & the like.
 
I personally prefer Benchmade's 154cm to their S30V. That being said, I've EDC a mini grip in 154cm daily for 3-4 years with no problems at all. Edge retention is pretty good and corrosion resistance is great
 
I have noticed one thing about CPM-M4, in my 810. It is the first blade steel that I've ever had that started developing little brown spots right on the primary bevel. I've never had that happen with any other blade-steel, including M2. Heck, I don't think I've seen that even on 1095!
 
I've had a full sized combo griptilian that I've used at work for the last 10+ (closer to 15)years. It's never let me down and still locks up solid. It's an older model with the 440c steel and sharpens right up with no issues (I never let it get truly dull, but once sharp it stays that way for a long time).

I have another full sized grip in D2 as well as a mini bone collector and gifted my son a mini grip to use for general/ landscaping duties. All work well for the tasks required.

I would say get one and use it without worry.

John
 
Folks always complain about the handle mat'l of the Griptilian, but the guy bounces on the knife several times before it finally gives out.
Pretty impressive how much the blade flexes at the pivot and even though the handle broke, it is still in tact and still useable. Not sure if you could expect much more out of a sub $80 knife that is American made.

[youtube]bkRr7452KmI[/youtube]
 
I would get in S30V, I dont like 154CM. but everything else is A OK in my book. Optimally get a ritter with wilkins grips.
 
I love my two mini Grips 555 & 556. Reliable, durable, easy to keep sharp and with the axis lock it is oh so fun to play with.
 
Skimo said:
Grips are like Toyotas in the 80s... Just can't kill 'em.
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And 90's.
I have a 1995 Toyota T-100 with 252,000 miles on the original motor that I haven't had to work on yet. *knocks on wood*

But I digress.
Griptilians are good, but Im the one guy who wasnt really impressed by it.
Do they suck? Absolutely not.
But I think there's better options.
 
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