Help me decide

B

bama boy

Joined
Dec 8, 2016
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10
I am new to the forum and need help. I have narrowed down my new knife purchase to either a Benchmade 551-1 and 555-1. I am not sure which blade design I would like best. This knife will just be for edc and general around the house use. I know this is personal preference and I can't afford to buy both. If someone could steer me into why one would be better than the other i.e. easier to sharpen, ease of opening etc. I would appreciate it.
 
I'm not knowledgeable enough to answer this question, BB.

I just wanted to welcome you to BF's, and say: "ROLL TIDE...ROLL! :) :thumbup:
 
I've got a couple of Grips. A 551 and a 553 (tanto). My experience has always been that a partial flat grind on a utility edc has better stability performance than a hollow grind. Although I can be VERY rough on things like twisting a blade when I shouldn't. My go to has been the 551 for......about four years now. I just know I would roll the edge on a hollow grind. Done it many times; or chip it out. The 551 has always held up.
 
I have a 551 and 555. The 551 is bigger. I like the blade shape better on the 555. If I were going to regularly carry one on my person, it would be the 555. I leave the 551 in my car in case I might need something sturdier. I like the 154CM steel and regular handles just fine so I would not personally pay the upcharge for the 20CV and G10.

Though I don't have one, I think the ideal compromise is the Ritter Grip / Mini Grip version. Best blade profile out of them all.
 
I have to agree, the ritter is the best if you can get it. If there are no restrictions around blade length where you live I would get the full size, it is just more versatile.
 
I'd vote for the 555 personally. I've never liked carrying the 551. It's just too bulky, whereas the 555 disappears in your pocket. It feels more solid too.
 
Your answer depends on whether the larger 551 is enough bigger than the 555 to make it impractical given your build, the clothes you usually wear and the way you intend to carry your knife. As neither model is all that heavy in absolute terms, you need to decide if the 551, being roughly 3/4" longer (folded) and 1/10" fatter, puts it over the top for you. Keep in mind that the raw numbers are somewhat misleading because the 551 carries and handles as a much bigger knife. Do you anticipate needing the slightly over 1/2" longer blade of the 551? And lastly, do you feel the implied better ruggedness of the .02" thicker blade of the 551 is going to be beneficial given your expected use?
 
If you have large hands the Mini Grip will be a 3 finger knife. If you have average hands, it will not matter. Some cities and towns in Alabama have a 3" blade rule (not a State law) so that will weigh in on your decision.

If you can afford it, get the Ritter version. These have a flat ground M390 blade of very useful design. They are knifeworks.com exclusives. http://www.knifeworks.com/knifeworksexclusives-2.aspx
 
Thanks for all the replies. I went to bass pro shop yesterday and handled a mini and full sized grip. They did have the 551-1. I liked the feel of the G10 grips and the looks of the open back. They did not have the 555-1 with the sheeps foot blade. That is the one I wanted to look at to help me decide which blade type I prefer. I liked the feel of the G10 over the plastic handles. I just need to decide which blade profile I like best.
 
The Benchmade 551-1 is slightly heavier than the 551 but it is also thinner with a deep carry pocket clip. If its in your price range I would get it.
 
Gideons said:
The Benchmade 551-1 is slightly heavier than the 551 but it is also thinner with a deep carry pocket clip. If its in your price range I would get it.
Click to expand...

It is in my price range, just trying to decide which blade profile ( drop point or sheeps foot ) would be best i.e. which is more rugged, which is easier to sharpen, is the round hole easier to deploy versus the blade stud etc.
 
bama boy said:
It is in my price range, just trying to decide which blade profile ( drop point or sheeps foot ) would be best i.e. which is more rugged, which is easier to sharpen, is the round hole easier to deploy versus the blade stud etc.
Click to expand...

Oh, sorry I missed the -1 in the original post of yours (fail). Uh, I have never had a sheepsfoot blade I hear they are really good for EDC tasks same with a hole. But, IMO you can never go wrong with the drop point and thumb studs. I have the 551-1 and the thumbstuds work very well on it, it is just a classic and mastered by benchmade however. The tip is more delicate than a tanto or from the looks of it the sheepsfoot has a beefier tip also. My vote would go 551-1 for ease of use, the blade shape is just good for any task you can imagine pretty much.
 
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