kinda disappointed....

same sentiments here about not being too fond of the plastic handles, but I did like the action of the blade, lock up and it did cutting chores fine...may re-acquire one in the future and get some wilkin's grip-set on it.
 
When I bought my 550HG back in 2008 I knew what I was buying, bought it from a retailer and due to customs etc paid about $140. Was still much cheaper then what Spydercos go for at retailers.

I have used the knife on hikes, dressing game, bushcraft skills, tried to stone wash the blade myself, sharpened numerous times each time with a new technique. Still going strong.

Despite the feel of the handles, it can take a pounding, never cracked, only a few dings.

Was my first $100 + knife and it made me realise, materials used, edge geometry and a good design xosts a bit more. After that I jumped to handmade and customs and CRK.

In short, though it can feel cheap, it is a good workhorse and good design. Don't let the handles fool you. It is tough. Same as FRN used by spyderco, 'plastic' technology is just as complicated as metalurgy. Look at the abuse a pelican case can take.....plastic :)

Congrats on a fine knife IMO!
 
I dont understand the love the grip gets on BF.

I have owned two at different times, and i constantly felt underwhelmed.

Its an amalgam of features that i dont like in a knife.

Its got:

Axis- finicky and in my experience prone to failure, this alone has kept me off benchmade for years
A blade design i just dont like
Cheap feeling plastic handles

I tried to like this knife, i really did but i ended up breaking both of them in different ways, the only folders i have ever broke. Also the axis lock would freeze up on me and one memorable time it got stuck in the open position and it took me using a screw driver to force the lock to open up in order for me to close the knife, it always felt gritty after that.

Also seeing as how spyderco offers a FFG Endura for around 60 bucks street, I dont see why anyone would bother with the grip. It may share the ugly plastic handles but everything else on a FFG endura is pretty much pure performance.
 
razorsdescent said:
I dont understand the love the grip gets on BF.

I have owned two at different times, and i constantly felt underwhelmed.

Its an amalgam of features that i dont like in a knife.
Click to expand...


I've carried a mini-grip for about 3 years. I think it is unimpressive because of the molded plastic scales. I have no problem with any aspect of the knife except the scales, and they work fine they just make it look cheap. I shouldn't complain since I bought the knife because it was inexpensive. The knife seems to be made well, it has a good blade, the lock works flawlessly for me. I have always liked linerlocks the most so I wasn't even in favor of the axis when I bought it but I have learned that it works well and is actually easier for me to use than a liner. Even with some simple G10 scales it would be a more impressive knife, even if it was a little more expensive. I generally prefer tip-down carry too but I've adapted to the little knife and I've learned that a small enough knife works fine either way. I've tried tip-up with longer knives and it just doesn't work. I have to remind myself of this occasionally but everytime it only works with a knife of this size or smaller.
 
I've been impressed with the mini-grip for a few years while the full size grip sat unused. I could close the mini more easily due to its size. The butt of the handle sits against my lower palm and I pull down on the axis buttons with thumb and ring finger, push the blade toward the handle with my index finger, then finish pushing the blade closed with my thumb. I found this to be clumsy with the full size grip due to its length. Recently, I found I can pull the lock buttons down in the same way, but the blade will close from gravity while holding the knife at a certain angle using a very slight hand motion. The blade closes fully and gently with no clack noise. This renewed my interest in the bigger grip, but the mini-grip is still a more practical edc for me.
 
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I was hesitant about the Grip to at first. Once in my hand it felt like the perfect knife.
 
I bought a new 551 in 440C locally for $65 inc s/t many years ago - my first-ever BM. It needed heat to cut butter - very dull - but uniform! It sat in a drawer where my dull SAKs went to 'rest'... I just couldn't put an edge on a double-edged knife - singledged chisels, gouges, carving tools, you bet. Knives? No way. Several years would pass before I bought my second BM - a 201 Activator+ fb in D2 - also uniform in it's dullness. My drawer of butter knives was getting full - I ordered a Spyderco 'Sharpmaker', which would average out any bias to a side - and quickly, my drawer was emptied. The 551 could become a user - an EDC. I loved it's AXIS lock - hate it's plastic handle - it still sits unused. I now own over thirty Benchmades - since that first pair, they've all been razor sharp right out of the box. My 551 Grip is my least favorite BM.

Stainz

PS The model nomber - in a Zero Tolerance, however - is a winner!! Love my ZT-0551s!
 
The Griptilian is a work knife par excellence. Aesthetically, it is very basic. In many ways it is one of the few Benchmades that seems to have gone with the same "designed in the dark" philosophy of Spyderco. If you are looking for an awe inspiring knife that instantly satisfies all urges to acquire other knives, this is not it.

It does make an incredible gift to someone that uses knifes at work but is not a "knife nut". I loaned mine out to a few guys at work, and they were universally impressed with it, especially with the ease of open and close. Also, despite the "cheap" feeling handles, it is a very, very tough knife. Mine has been through hell, and is still going strong (I need to post a pic of it, it looks more beat up than 95% of the "hard use knives" people post pictures of on here). I feel for those that bought them and broke them, but I suspect they either have incredibly bad luck, or are prone to embellishing the weaknesses to justify their dislike.

I will say I think if you pay $90+ for this knife you got had. It is very easily available for $60-$70 at many retailers. Hell I can buy one at the B/x (which usually has awful prices), for less than $90. At its non-scam price range, it is an excellent value.
 
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