Jumped back in on a new Benchmade......and well...I'm a little disappointed

I have the same knife as the OP and it's one of my favorites. I agree I'm not a fan of the feel due to plastic, and I really prefer a full or at least skeletonized liner. However the blade on mine came extremely sharp and has stayed so for a few months now without sharpening.
 
I have several Benchmades and they make a good knife but the Grip does indeed feel cheap. Until recently I have not bought a knife. I have been using my custom knife by Keith Coleman. I decided that since Keith has retired thatperhaps I should use his knife as a special occasions knife so I bought a Sebenza. Great knife but I am not sure it is worth the money. With that said I don't intend to sell it anytime soon because it is a very well made knife, but it is pricey.

I guess I wil be banned from the CRK forum for heretical talk.
 
940 and 943 Osborne are by far the best Benchmade knives I've ever used and owned.
If you can afford a CRK, and you don't have to have an Acis lock on your knife, though, get a Sebenza!
Totally worth the money, no matter which way you go!
 
Maybe a heavier BM is better suit for you...some will like less weight thus BM uses such handle material giving a feel of plastic = cheap...

Go for a heavier ones...thicker blade, no coat...G10, carbon, SS...etc...gold is heavy
 
The shot show knife this year is a large griptilian with a M4 blade AND... G10 scales. So you guys might want to keep a look out for that one.

Also the small doesn't feel hollow because the steel liners run the full length of the scales, and the pockets between the mold sections aren't as large... since the whole thing is smaller.
 
I understand all the people who talk about the cheap feel. I don't really think they feel cheap, but understand how a lot of people would think they do. I really don't understand why Benchmade has not offered a Griptillian with G-10 scales. I know there have been some limited production ones. But with all the people out there who don't like the plastic, and all the people who pay for custom scales that cost twice as much as the knife, I'm sure there is a good market for it. I would think Benchmade could offer a Griptillian with G-10 for much less than what it costs to add custom scales to a factory knife.
 
unfmba said:
Hello All. First post on Bladeforums. I've always been and appreciator of good knives. Been buying mostly kitchen knives for the last several years. Probable haven't bought a decent folder in 10 years. Anyway, I wanted to pickup a Benchmade because I always thought they were high quality and heard a lot about the axis lock. I bought a new blacked out Griptillian special edition from GP knives (normally I don't go for coated blades, but this one looked pretty cool). I was very exited to get it, but then letdown. The scales felt like....how do I say this kindly.....inexpensive plastic and it was not that sharp. I must say I loved the axis lock though - very cool and secure. I'm exchanging for a 943 Osbourne, which I've been told by GP feels like a higher quality knife. We'll see..

I think I've been spoiled by all the nice kitchen knives I've accumulated (and a recent trip to Japan). I'm thinking maybe I should just skip the production route and go with a good quality custom next time. I've seen a bunch of stuff about Reeve folders. Are there any real quality EDC folders that won't put you in the neighborhood of decent good custom? Thoughts? Thanks guys.

Edit: My intent was not to bash Benchmade in this post. Perhaps I just chose a knife that didn't fit what I was looking for - and I had higher expectations from previous experience many years ago. I'm exchanging for another Benchmade that (hopefully) has the features I like and improve some of the issues I had with this model.
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You purchased a Benchmade designed to be a relatively inexpensive everyday work knife which has plastic handles and you were surprised when it felt like it had plastic handles? Personally I would recommend G10 or titanium if you are looking for a handle that feels strong and comfortable.
 
Brad9660 said:
I understand all the people who talk about the cheap feel. I don't really think they feel cheap, but understand how a lot of people would think they do. I really don't understand why Benchmade has not offered a Griptillian with G-10 scales. I know there have been some limited production ones. But with all the people out there who don't like the plastic, and all the people who pay for custom scales that cost twice as much as the knife, I'm sure there is a good market for it. I would think Benchmade could offer a Griptillian with G-10 for much less than what it costs to add custom scales to a factory knife.
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Maybe this is the answer?

8365707085_e7a25187c4.jpg


Benchmade Volli Axis Assist

Sculpted G10 scales and S30V blade.
 
unfmba said:
Awesome - I'm getting pumped for the new 943 now. Still thinking about the Emissary though.......maybe in the spring when it comes out.
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I have a 940 and not a 943 but for what's it is worth I carry the 940 more than my Grip. If you might be interested in something a little bigger.....I personally think the 950 (Rift) is a terrific Benchmade. Enjoy the hunt!
 
Yeah I remember the first time I hefted a grip. I thought the name a little ironic since the grips (scales) were its biggest detractor for me. For some reason the name had led me to assume that the scales would be the highlight.

In the end I stayed away from BM as a whole for years. Man do I regret that now. They DO make some seriously kickass products, you just need to choose the one that works for you. Pretty much the same thing with any company that sells a large range of skus. I remember thinking poorly of Spyderco frn, although not to the same degree as the plastic griptillian scales.

Good luck and let us know what you end up with, and how you like it.
 
I always find that topic strange: Grip really really IS a cheap knife: you can find it for something like 60 bucks new or very close to that! That is one of the reason people recommend it so often as the first EDC. It is about the same price as Delica and Endura. With the blade of 154 cm and Axis lock and everything for about 60 dollars: how do you expect it should feel? A custom? Seriously! It is great it does not look and does not work as a cheap knife: what a nice surprise!
Of course there are plenty of good knives to be had for 20, 30, 40 and 50 dollars too. But it does not make Grip expensive. And it is certainly not the best knife that Benchmade produces, and not the flagship and not even special in any way. Very far from any of that, really! I personally do not even like it: it does not carry well from my point of view. So what's the big deal?
 
Poez said:
I always find that topic strange: Grip really really IS a cheap knife: you can find it for something like 60 bucks new or very close to that! That is one of the reason people recommend it so often as the first EDC. It is about the same price as Delica and Endura. With the blade of 154 cm and Axis lock and everything for about 60 dollars: how do you expect it should feel? A custom? Seriously! It is great it does not look and does not work as a cheap knife: what a nice surprise!
Of course there are plenty of good knives to be had for 20, 30, 40 and 50 dollars too. But it does not make Grip expensive. And it is certainly not the best knife that Benchmade produces, and not the flagship and not even special in any way. Very far from any of that, really! I personally do not even like it: it does not carry well from my point of view. So what's the big deal?
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You (and others) make a good point. I should have pointed out that the grip I handled was in the local mall that sold a lot of nice knives, but at a very high mark-up. I believe they wanted $100 or more. Possibly a lot more. But you're right. For $60 I'd be happy with the knife I described.
 
I never get the gripes over Griptilians handles. Ive gotten my share of expensive overbuilt knives amongst others in my collection, but never feel lacking with the grip and mini grip which I still include in the rotation. Its really strong, what do you guys do with your handles? Sit there and do a squeeze test comparing plastic handles to others and get all worked up to discover any flex? Anyone have any real world experience with a Grips handles failing under heavy use? And whats heavy use, smashing it with a jackammer?
 
abolt2 said:
Well it looks like my 551 grip is going to be replaced. That is sweet!!!!!!!
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Yeah. I gotta get my hands on one at all costs. I dont even like coated blades and passed on the recent M4 for that reason. Im really excited about this one though.
 
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