GRIPTILLIAN

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BillZee

Joined
Apr 30, 2020
Messages
604
I bought a Griptillian with opening hole in blade.
I don't buy counterfeit knives.......but everyone's thoughts on companies using other companies styles, etc.
I bought the Griptillian to see if I would like the hole.
 
BillZee said:
I bought a Griptillian with opening hole in blade.
I don't buy counterfeit knives.......but everyone's thoughts on companies using other companies styles, etc.
I bought the Griptillian to see if I would like the hole.
Click to expand...

There is an actual production version of the Grip with a Spydiehole (properly licensed from Spyderco).
Benchmade-Griptilian-AXIS-Lock-Black-Satin-550-S30V-BHQ-3609-jr.jpg
 
Im pretty sure its licensed from Spyderco. Also, I dont think its really a big deal to copy a hole... a hole isnt exactly some highly guarded trade secret lol
 
BillZee said:
I bought a Griptillian with opening hole in blade.
I don't buy counterfeit knives.......but everyone's thoughts on companies using other companies styles, etc.
I bought the Griptillian to see if I would like the hole.
Click to expand...
If it is a real grip then no need to worry. BM and spyderco have a deal. But next time if you want to try out a spyderhole, might look at buying a spyderco!
 
BillZee said:
I bought a Griptillian with opening hole in blade.
I don't buy counterfeit knives.......but everyone's thoughts on companies using other companies styles, etc.
I bought the Griptillian to see if I would like the hole.
Click to expand...
If you are looking for the Spyderco experience, I would recommend getting a Spyderco. There are some really good Spyderco knives. I bought a Griptilian and purposely bought the thumb stud version for more variety and I wanted a different experience. I sent my Griptilian in for Lifesharp out of the box and I am looking forward to getting it back.
 
guy g said:
Yup the patent was good for 17 years and the trademark stands as long as they put holes in the blades for opening purposes.
Click to expand...

No, you can’t get a trademark on a functional element (that’s what a patent is for). Which is why they have to put it on all of their knives, including fixed blades. They really shouldn’t have been allowed to get the trademark for a functional element, but until somebody challenges it, it doesn’t really matter.
 
BDubbs said:
Pretty sure time is up on Benchmade’s axis lock as well.
Click to expand...

Patent is up on the design, Benchmade still has the trademark on AXIS Lock. Other companies can use the design, but still can't call it an axis.
 
The Spydie hole is trade marked. BM used it without Spyderco's permission, but then the two owners worked out some sort of deal to settle it.

Quite a lot of things taken for granted today on knives are rip-offs of Spyderco, such as the pocket clip and opening holes of any shape. Before Spyderco introduced these, and more things, no one had them.
 
Not a lawyer so the nuance of trademark vs patent on a hole is lost on me. I’m sure this has been discussed to death with Spyderco purists losing their minds on anyone else using it or Spyderco not using it. It looks ok on the grip with a sheepsfoot blade but I’d be ok with a thumb stud too. I think it’s just a logical progression from a nail nick. The hole has a nice simple utility to it but it does force a lot of their blades into a Quasimodo shape.
 
I have Griptilians with the stud and the hole. The spydie hole is easier to open. IMO, the peg is too close to the joint and requires more force than the hole to open (think longer lever arm). I'd say the Grip with hole is about the same to open as a PM2.

None of those are as good/easy as Socom Elite though.

-td
 
Both my two thumb stud Grippies (standard in 154, Cabella's in D2) flip open as easily as an old Zippo, no problem. I don't find my several Spydies any more or less easy to deploy. Both companies make great knives, IMHO.
 
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