I Liked it Better When I Didn't Like Benchmade...

[Sulaco]

I've had a love/hate relationship w/ BM for a few years now. It used to be, all I carried was a Mini-Grip and sung the praises of AXIS-lock goodness to all I could. For some idiotic reason I sold off that wonderful Mini-Grip and began buying up a bunch of the "nicer" folders BM had to offer. I had 940's, 710's, 950's, etc., etc. I tried a lot of them and for the most part, was fairly happy. I decided early on that it was acceptable to have to re-profile and sharpen a $100+ knife. I also accepted that it would be up to me to fix poorly centered blades and loose lock-ups, etc.

Well, then I went and bought a Spyderco. Wow. Benchmade, you should be ashamed! And I rightly told you that by sending back multiple knives and selling off others until I was happy.

So for a while now I've been perfectly happy with my plain old Delica 4 FFG. That is until I tried using it as a prybar. Now I know that is just wrong, wrong, wrong, but I did. And yes, it chipped. Badly. In fact, I still have a chip even after cleaning up the bevels as much as I felt was needed. It isn't bad, but it's there. A constant reminder of my stupidity. And a thin blade.

I think out of all of this, what I learned was, use the right tool for the job, and idiots like me need thicker blades than FFG Delicas. So I had some money burning a whole in my pocket and decided to give my old standby another whirl. It seems like folks have less problems with BM's Grip's of late, and less so than other models anyway. So I sent some money to Louisiana and got back a 551.

I have to admit, I got really anxious taking it out of the box. I can recall feeling that way back when I was wheelin' and dealin' for BM's left and right. Well, I was pleasantly surprised. This thing has really nice (perfect?) grinds, a great secondary bevel, locks up super tight and closes centered perfectly. What's not to like?!?

I even took it outside and did some whittling on my favorite steel bender, a fiberglass (or something harder than it has a right to be anyway) impregnated broom handle which has been weathering on my back patio for years now. It's my metal tester and has told me a lot about how steel performs, but also about how steel performs with a certain bevel/edge profile, how a handle works for my hands, etc.

This 551 seems made for me. I almost feel like ole Mel Pardue himself must've snuck in my house late one night, made some casts of my hands, went back to wherever he dreams up his wonderful designs and voila! The Grip was born!

So please rejoice with me in what should be every Benchmade sold, folding knife perfection!!! Hooray Benchmade and congratulations on winning back an old fan!

(I know the pictures suck, I used my phone. Deal with it. )

 

[Professor]

Mine is a similar story. Carried BM's for many years, switched to CRK's for ten years, and have within the last six months rediscovered BM and the Axis mechanism. There are improvements to the mech since I stopped carrying my 705's and 710's ten years ago. On the mini Bone Collector, there is a special ramp cut on the blade tang where the Axis lock bar engages it. It forces a three-point contact that eliminates the vertical blade play caused by pivot tolerances in the older models. I wouldn't be surprised to see this improvement incorporated on more models current and future.

I like the low cost and rapid deployment of BM Axis models relative to the mid techs and customs I've been toting and using the past ten years. The mini-BC offers a lot of bang for the buck, much like the mini-Grip. You've got to hand-pick them sometimes in regard to fit and finish, but BM still has a lot to offer those of us who actually cut stuff with our pocket knives.

Prof.

 

[Sulaco]

Mine is a similar story. Carried BM's for many years, switched to CRK's for ten years, and have within the last six months rediscovered BM and the Axis mechanism. There are improvements to the mech since I stopped carrying my 705's and 710's ten years ago. On the mini Bone Collector, there is a special ramp cut on the blade tang where the Axis lock bar engages it. It forces a three-point contact that eliminates the vertical blade play caused by pivot tolerances in the older models. I wouldn't be surprised to see this improvement incorporated on more models current and future.

I like the low cost and rapid deployment of BM Axis models relative to the mid techs and customs I've been toting and using the past ten years. The mini-BC offers a lot of bang for the buck, much like the mini-Grip. You've got to hand-pick them sometimes in regard to fit and finish, but BM still has a lot to offer those of us who actually cut stuff with our pocket knives.

Prof.

I agree Professor. The AXIS mechanism really is something in use. I use my knives a lot and really appreciate a well put together model. I had forgotten about the Bone Collectors. I had a full-size for a bit. I might have to check out the small one.

 

[kaosu04]

Benchmade makes up over half of my collection, all axis locks. I have 4 griptillians. The axis lock is simply perfect. Spyderco makes a great knife too. But imo the only that can beat a mini grip for edc is my small sebenza

 

[knife2Agunfight]

I really like Spyderco, but to me, their designs all look very similar and some of them can be very ugly. I don't want to like Benchmade, but I am slowly starting to buy more Benchmade than Spydies now. I like the variety in their designs and I love the axis lock.

 

[miltmaldo]

I have to admit that the mini grip is IMHO the best EDC knife for the price . I like it more than the delica , the mini locks way much better . I have just 1 benchmade and about 10 spyderco and 7 kershaw's . Never thought about buying more benchmade and I see my self looking at the 710 and the Ritter and others . Just hope when I purchase them they come sharp and not like my mini grip dull as a butter knife then I will not give them a Third chance.

 

[bdmicarta]

I've always like Benchmade even though I went a long time without buying a new one. Right now in my EDC rotation I have 2 Spyderco and 2 Benchmade. I'm carrying my blue Para 2 right now which is a very nice knife but not as aesthetic to me as my Benchmades. My Para 2 is very smooth, came very sharp with good grinds, but is not centered. I think people worry too much about centering, the knife works fine whether it is perfectly centered or not. Next week I'll be carrying a Benchmade.

 

[Sulaco]

I think centering is a non-issue for the most part, but I've actually had a brand new out of the box BM blade rubbing the liners it was so off center. It's kind of good though, because I learned how to center a folder really well. I haven't found one (provided it can be torn down) I can't center yet.

 

[Professor]

I think centering is a non-issue for the most part, but I've actually had a brand new out of the box BM blade rubbing the liners it was so off center. It's kind of good though, because I learned how to center a folder really well. I haven't found one (provided it can be torn down) I can't center yet.

Agreed, Sir.