Looking for my next Benchmade

coaltrain

coaltrain

Joined
Jul 11, 2013
Messages
482
I'm new to the forum and am starting to get myself a couple nice knives. Living in a remote area I've always had a knife with me but only had some beaters which have served me well. Lately I've become interested in the new knife world and have spent a lot of time combing through the forum and learning. One reason I started looking at new knives is the fact that I now have a severe case of Rheumatoid Arthritis where my hand and fingers don't work so well for me. It got to the point that I have a very hard time opening/closing my old Buck lockback. So in my research and some help from a couple forum members, I was directed to the Benchmade Axis Lock. While it was a very hard decision, I chose a Mini-Griptilian as my first new knife - bought the recent Limited Edition M4 blade with Cerakote.

My main reason for buying this knife was to try the Axis Lock system. I am really impressed with how it works - easy for me to open/close with my Arthritic hands. But, of course, this starts me on a slippery slope - I want another Benchmade knife now!

The size of the mini-grip is perfect for carry when I go to town, but I now want a somewhat larger knife for carry around the homestead. I'm looking at a 3.5" to 4" blade and have to have the Axis Lock system. I've narrowed my choices down somewhat and would like your opinion on my choices. This knife won't be for hard use as I can't do much anymore - need it to help me with simple tasks like opening a potato chip bag to general use around the house and barn.

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551 Standard Griptilian - my first thought to get the big brother to the mini-grip.

943 Osborne - Oh I love the looks. I like the idea of the aluminum handle but am a little wary of it showing wear. I love the thin blade shape.

710 - really like the handle and blade shape - just think it might be a little on the large side for my needs

Volli - nice size and like the idea of the G10 handle although I've never handled one - 3.26" blade isn't that much bigger than my mini-grip though.

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It is very hard to choose without holding these knives in my hand. I live in a very remote area and have no access to any dealers so I have to go by specs and recommendations. I'm leaning toward the 943 Osborne but my only concern is if I would like the aluminum handle.

Any suggestions or guidance is really appreciated! My choices above aren't set in stone, but every time I start looking at the variety of Benchmade knives with the Axis Lock I confuse myself even more.........
 
If you know how to sharpen a recurve, I'd recommend the 710. Clipped in the pocket, it carries better than many knives with shorter blades.
 
I am no lover of aluminum handles, myself.
So, I would suggest either the full size grip.
Which would be the next natural step seeing you already have the mini and like it.
Or a full size Ritter version which has a larger, different style blade (one of my favorites).
Or a 710.
Now, you are correct in saying a 710 is a bit on the large size; especially when compared to a mini grip. (I love my 710's!)
Size wise....... a mini grip to a full size grip to a 710 would be a natural progression.
It would seem a full size grip, or ritter, would be just what the Doctor would order.
After that you can get the 710 ;)
 
If you want a knife to perform and not show wear I would go for the full size Griptilian. I love the 943 but I am not a fan of aluminum handles either.
 
I love my 710! And Steff27 is very right about how well it carries. I have a thing for big knives though, I like the way the 275 carries and don't find it uncomfortable in my right front pocket at all. Plus it has excellent Regis and a wider handle like the grip family that might be easier to hold onto than some others. I saw a comparison recently that showed it next to a buck 110 and they are very similar in size.

RE
 
steff27 - I'm glad you mentioned the re-curve blade of the 710. Being new to all this I hadn't noticed that. And no, I would not know how to properly sharpen it. I have an old Lansky sharpening set but would hate to experiment on an expensive knife.

Keyman - very sound advise - most appreciated! While I tell myself that I am going to buy only one more knife for now, I know how that goes with my other hobbies. The one thing I do not want to do is buy things that I might regret and sell them. I am trying to do it right the first time. With that said, I like the idea of getting the regular grip next, then see how it goes from there. I looked at the Doug Ritter version but don't really like the larger blade. Also, after seeing your work with custom scales, that brings another question for which I will send you a PM.

Great input so far - I hesitating posting this but am now glad I did!
 
500lbman said:
If you want a knife to perform and not show wear I would go for the full size Griptilian. I love the 943 but I am not a fan of aluminum handles either.
Click to expand...

Good point. My purpose is to use the knife although not abuse it. I like to have nice tools that perform well and stand up to use.
 
My experience has been that the aluminum handles age well, that's my subjective interpretation.

The 94X series feels right in my hands, though I wouldn't turn down cf/g-10/micarta.

If you're looking at the Grip, I'd also look at the full size Bone Collector.

710 isn't big, but I think it has more to do with what you're used to carrying. Going from a Case peanut to 710, the 710 might feel huge, going from a medium sized fixed blade, it'll feel a little small.
 
I'd go with a full size Griptilian, preferably the Doug Ritter version. I've got one with Wilkins scales and like it better than my mini grip. The S30V stone washed blade just looks great and holds an edge forever. The Bone Collector would be my second choice, you just can't go wrong with any Benchmade; quality American made products with AWESOME customer service!
 
I have a full size grip and I think it's perfect size. I bought the one with the thumbhole on the blade and it is super easy to open even with gloves on. I don't think you could go wrong with a full grip
 
Thanks for all the great advise here folks!

I've decided on the standard grip for my next knife as was mostly recommended here. Actually in an earlier thread when I first started looking, the standard grip was then also recommended.

I'm sure there will be more in my future, but for now the 2 grips will definitely serve my purposes well.
 
I'm surprised nobody mentioned the 950 Rift. Nice blade shape (3.67) G10 handles and Axis lock.
At least look into it before you settle on the regular sized grip.
 
Well I'm guilty of passing over the 950 also in my search. To help myslef choose, I like to write down the specs that are important to me.

---------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------551----------------------950--------------------710

Blade length----------3.40----------------------------3.67---------------------------3.98
Blade material--------154CM-------------------------154CM------------------------D2
Handle---------------Noryl--------------------------G10---------------------------G10
Blade type-----------Modified drop point-------------Reverse tanto-----------------Clip point
Liner----------------Partial--------------------------Full---------------------------Full

---------------------------------------------------------------

Blade length - only the 710 is a bit long but I'm sure it would be OK. As far as the overall length of the knife folded, it doesn't matter to me much as I would be wearing it only around the homestead.
Blade material - being new to this, I think that either material would serve me well.
Handle - I've held the Noryl handle of course with my mini-grip, but never a G10 handle. I've read a lot of folks around here seem to prefer the G10.
Blade type - I like the modified drop point and the clip point - the reverse tanto would have to grow on me. Trying to figure out the benefit of the reverse tanto blade shape.
Liner - I've read some cons about the partial liner of the 551 along with some videos demonstrating. Not a huge deal - I'm sure it was done to lighten the weight.

Now I want all three! But, I'm trying to be sensible about this - I certainly don't need 4 new knives. Going to have to sleep on this now..........
 
I think the osborne 943 is a great knife, my only concern would be that the scales are smooth and its a smaller knife, so im not sure but it could be harder for you to grip. although you seem to be liking your minigrip. the 710 is an all around great knife, well versed in every aspect, and it really doesnt seem as big as it is. its a large gentleman's knife, that packs a punch if need be. the osborne really feels like a piece of art in your hands though, and I would buy my self one if I didnt find holding on to the small smooth scales with my large hands so difficult.

the G10 is smooth and textured on the 710. it feels very high quality, I would fully recommend that knife. the larger handle would let your hand easily wrap around without having to contort your grip to make your hand fit the knife, thats my biggest issue when selecting a comfortable knife, it has to fit you! good luck, and if you can find any retailer near you with BM I would suggest trying some out in person and then making your decision. REI has them.
 
I picked up a 950 a while back and I really like it. It has an easy to sharpen blade shape, and the G10 scales give you a very good texture for a secure grip. This may be a consideration if your hands aren't what they use to be. The blade isn't particularly long, but you'll probably have enough blade to do anything you need to do. The 154cm will take a nice edge, and it's easy to sharpen. Good luck, the search is half the fun.
 
I really like my mini grip. Did not like the full size grip though. The hollow plastic handle was a turn off for me.

I would suggest the 710 and 940/943.
 
Out of what you listed, I'd choose the 943 first. It carries with such ease you don't even feel it. Great knife for the money. The aluminum doesn't show wear that easily. You have to really bang it or scratch itoto mark it up. Besides, that's what gives a knife charactor.
 
After putting some more thought into this - sleeping on it really helps me a lot......

First thing I have to realize is my condition and the reason for my next knife. While the shape of the handle is important for me to be able to hold on to it, I have to realize that I can't do any hard knife work like even shaving a stick. If I am holding a knife with enough grip to do something like shave a stick, the next day that hand will be swollen twice its size and unusable for the next 2-3 days. So with that realization, the knives I use now will be for much lighter precision work. My daily use would be to open food packages like potato chip bags, opening packages, and other light tasks that take a gentle approach. So I think I am looking for more of a gentleman's knife.

This is why the blade shape of the 943 struck me when I first saw it - a nice thin more precision type blade. Like I said, the knife would never be used with a full hard hand gripping but more of a fingertip hold for delicate work. This course of thought has brought me back to the 943 once again. While the aluminum handle will not have the absolute grip of the Noryl or G10 handle, for my use I think it will be fine. Also, as with most things in life as I get older, I really get to appreciate a finely crafted well handling tool which I think the 943 would have over the standard Griptilian. Also, the more I look at reviews and videos of the Griptilian, the lack of full liners is kind of turning me away from it for the point of the feeling of that finely crafted precision type tool.

Also with what I've said above, I feel the 710 would be too much knife for me - I would not be able to utilize the larger blade at all.

I've sold a couple odds and ends from my other hobby to purchase my next knife, but this will be it for a while. I want to get it right with this purchase. I am sure there will be more in my future as I can set aside some money and the 710 will likely be the next one.

Once again I want to thank everyone for their input and opinions. This is so hard without being able to hold these knives in my hand - if I were able to do that the decision would probably be obvious right away.
 
Here's the next best thing I can give you to actually holding the knife in your hand - pictures!

This is my 940, I bought it for myself about two years ago, and have used (and abused) it every day since. I did drop it once, ended up with one dent on the top of the scale, and some scratches on the spine of the blade. The knife really lends itself to a light grip, as well.
I personally found the full size grip to be too big... which is why I ended up with the 940 (not to mention s30v over 154cm, personal preference.)

The handle scales mostly just got smooth... No real "wear" in my opinion. They still offer a surprising amount of grip.
TgnSIIW.jpg


I didn't care for the painted clip that came on it, so I removed the paint. The clip has only had some light scratches since.
q8b1PHl.jpg


Small dings on the tip from when it fell out of my pocket onto concrete while I was running to catch up with some friends.
ODzcrOC.jpg


Some dings on the butt end.
KuY8zrl.jpg


The worst of the bunch. :( I smoothed out the jagged dent with my strop (Bark River black compound) and it is just a silver spot now.
0u9ViUX.jpg


The only other "wear" that has shown up is the anodizing has rubbed off of the bumps on the back spacer. It still has a lovely purple color, just my camera can't pick it up.
qCJjnH7.jpg


I hope I helped! :)
 
inheritthefire - this is a big help - thanks for sharing the big pics. It really helps me get a good idea of the handle shape.

And for carrying this knife everyday for 2 years, it looks to have worn well. And what you say about the aluminum handle being more "grippy" than it looks is the same as many others have said.

Thanks!
 
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