I'm guessing that people don't actually hate the Griptilian?

I love my minis. Not so much my full sized grips. The Ritters are just about my favorite. I even love my 557 mini tanto. Great little razor blade.
 
I'm not really a big fan of the Griptilian line compared to the other models Benchmade offers. I got the mini-grip mainly because of the price (before the price hike). Since owning other axis lock knives I never carry the mini-grip anymore.
 
bikedaddy75 said:
I carry my 940 most of the time but started with griptilians and still do. My current "flip while watching tv" knife is my REI grip which is smooth as glass and great looking, also don't forget how impressive the AXIS lock is and not many other knives can compare to lock strength. How about a REI Grip or Shot Show Grip in M4 (I got that one too) vs a Sebenza in 5-6 side by side tests ending in max lock strength just for curiosity sake, those special edition models offer a lot of knife for the money and I like the standard models too but the basic scales are the weak link. (looking for a LNIB Camp Perry).
Chris
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I think it would be hard to test since the locks on the Seb and the Grip are strong to the point in which other components of the knife will likely fail before the lock, unless the test is specifically designed to test the lock in a fashion that does not represent normal usage (like how Cold Steel markets their knives.) From what I've read, it seems that both omega springs failing on the AXIS is rare, and for the CRK, the lock bar being overextended beyond what the frame lock can account (and also from user modification to the locking bar) is also pretty rare.

A test I would like to see is how badly severe fouling/buildup affects them as exceptionally dirty knives can malfunction, and I've always wanted to see a test of this to see how different designs perform in a potentially common scenario. I think the frame locks and compression locks would have the advantage over other designs, but cannot say for sure. I've used a large Ritter to split wood by pounding on the spine with another large piece of wood without any issue to any of the knife and find the Ritter to be an exceptional performer in situations in which major stress is going to be placed on almost every component of the knife. I think a major reason Doug Ritter chose Benchmade's Grip as the base for his knife is its toughness in addition to the value...not to mention how great of a system AXIS is! :D
 
pnsxyr said:
I think the Griptilian is a victim of when people confuse aesthetics versus performance in fulfilling a functional role. Someone "not liking" the 'look' or the 'idea' of the "plastic knife" is both subjective and unrelated to how well a knife serves its functional purpose (beauty is not one of those functional criteria.) .....

Is there anything wrong with not liking something for subjective reasons? Absolutely not. However, it's when people use highly subjective criteria to speak on behalf of a functional purpose that I find frustrating. Most people saying "the Griptilian is junk" have zero empirical evidence to support their statement beyond them personally not liking the Grip.....

I think the Grip is quite possibly Benchmade's finest knife ever made, and one of the finest folders ever produced. It is certainly one of the toughest knives Benchmade has ever made, and it's very, very affordable. I think the Ritter is the best blade Benchmade has ever made and one of the best (or even the best) EDC blades ever. I've used a Ritter on tasks that many knives costing 3x as much wouldn't handle nearly as well. So I've personally never seen a functional lack with the Grip.
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I absolutely agree! The Griptilian is top-of-the line when it comes to functionality. It's tough, difficult to damage, uses good steel, very ergonomic. The comparison to the Glock is very apt.

I have far too many Grips, and EDC them more than any other one-hand-opening folder, including many folders costing much more, with more beautiful or "tougher" handles. I've never had any centering problems, lock up problems, chafed hands problems, or any other problems with any of my Grips. I consider the Axis lock to be the strongest lock out there. 154CM is a good steel, holding a good edge, yet easy to touch up or sharpen. I do have several Grips in G10, which makes them heavier and smoother in hand, but makes no functional difference. I have Grips in all the steel upgrades Benchmade produces. All of them work just fine.

Functionally, the Grip is a top of the line knife. And to some of us, functionality is it's own beauty.
 
I honestly have nothing bad to say about any of the Grip models. I do prefer the Ritter but own all of them.
Never had a problem with the handles either. They have held up quite well.
 
I found an old 440C 550 at a farmers market in Lancaster. After that I got 551s, 556s and Ritter Grips. The only grip I have left is the full size Ritter. I just got a 556 in trade nib for my little brother.
 
Griptilians are awesome. The problem is, now the price is just too high to even consider them in my opinion. When you could get a Mini-Grip for $62 that was perfect. Now that BM has done goofy stuff with their pricing the same knife is $90. Just asinine.
 
Grampa said:
I absolutely agree! The Griptilian is top-of-the line when it comes to functionality. It's tough, difficult to damage, uses good steel, very ergonomic. The comparison to the Glock is very apt.

I have far too many Grips, and EDC them more than any other one-hand-opening folder, including many folders costing much more, with more beautiful or "tougher" handles. I've never had any centering problems, lock up problems, chafed hands problems, or any other problems with any of my Grips. I consider the Axis lock to be the strongest lock out there. 154CM is a good steel, holding a good edge, yet easy to touch up or sharpen. I do have several Grips in G10, which makes them heavier and smoother in hand, but makes no functional difference. I have Grips in all the steel upgrades Benchmade produces. All of them work just fine.

Functionally, the Grip is a top of the line knife. And to some of us, functionality is it's own beauty.
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Well said, my sentiments exactly.
 
I miss my griptillian. I almost got an older flat grind oval hole, but the only on they had was a combi, so I ended up with a 550hg. Unfortunately the move to Australia meant it had to stay in storage since not only would it be hard to import, I would not have been able to carry it. I would love a 555 with no thumbhole, and a lock-back instead of the the standard lock (since that allows for one hand opening, its illegal where I live) or even slippy style like a UKPK would be cool.
But so far in life my 550 has been my favorite folder in its category and price bracket.
 
Hate the Griptilian? Sacrilege! :D

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David Lowry said:
Griptilians are awesome. The problem is, now the price is just too high to even consider them in my opinion. When you could get a Mini-Grip for $62 that was perfect. Now that BM has done goofy stuff with their pricing the same knife is $90. Just asinine.
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Fortunately if you do some searching, you can still find them cheaper. Still higher than they use to be though.

Buffalohump said:
Hate the Griptilian? Sacrilege! :D

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:D
 
I have sold a lot of knives and the only one I regret selling was a OD Handled D2 Grip. Great Ergos and I love the D2 upgrade. Always on the look out for a replacement
 
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