Lost Benchmade Griptilian - Need Recomendations for a Cheaper EDC

[rolfeskj]

I'd like to know also!

Same hear guys, any real reason not to go with the Buck? I am looking at it hard.

If I don't want to spend another $100+ on a Benchmade.

And I am not crazy about the thin grip on the Spyderco knives, I do like them just not the best feel on my original 20 year old Endora.

I am not crazy about the assited open on most Kershaws. I have my "backup" knife, SOG Flash II which is assisted and I hate. Has way too much side to side and up and own play in the blade. Also poor grip with your thumb behind your pointer figner.

I feel like if I was only gong to spend $50-$60 on paper the Buck Vantage Pro with S30V steel seems hard to beat.

 

[highestpoint]

Get a H&K axis folder in D2. You'll love it

 

[aquaman67]

There's a new brown G-10 Tenacious out.

 

[cchu518]

Another vote for the Blur in s30v.

 

[cchu518]

Why are there so few fans of the Buck knives? I rarely see a Buck in top 10 lists but me the Buck Knives 0347 Vantage Pro, seems like a ton of knife for the money. But if no one else really likes them compared to the go to Kershaw and Spyderco there has to be a reason.

I'm a huge fan of Buck, love their designs, their history, how bad ass and evil the 110 was to me fondling my bog brothers... So I have a soft spot for Buck, that said - their ff stinks sometimes lol.

 

[Hackenslash]

I have to echo the call to just get another Grip...

But, if you want to really go out on a limb and save money, check out the RealSteel H6-S1. I think it might be the BEST $35 knife made.

Don't laugh. Check one out.

 

[Duane Sanders]

AVOID modern Buck, Gerber, Schrade as they are all made in China from relatively low quality steel copies. (my opinion but then I test knives quite thoroughly and I would put an Opinel @ $12 apiece against any Buck, Gerber or Schrade post 2003 all day any day and win the bet)

I doubt you thoroughly test your knives. If it were the case you would have tested the knives you mentioned. The Buck vantage is made in the USA and their Bos heat treated 420HC easily beats "better" steels. Their version of S30V treated by Bos as well is even better. Opinel of any model would not last very long compared to a vantage. It's just not built as tough and Bucks vantage in 420HC holds a better edge. Thoroughly tested side by side working outside a lab test would show you that.

If you're going to spend $12.00 on a knife and want it to be tough and keep an edge you're better off getting a mora.

 

[Kwon Kwang]

Get a Cold Steel Voyager or a Spyderco Endura FFG. Those are definitely your best bet. the former is way stronger, with different blade shapes available; the latter is thinner and lighter with better edge retention and rust resistance. I've got these and a Griptilian and I consider both of them to be better unless you just like to play with the Axis lock.

I'd also recommend a Buck 110 because it's awesome, but I know not everyone wants to carry that weight for EDC.

 

[pinnah]

I doubt you thoroughly test your knives. If it were the case you would have tested the knives you mentioned. The Buck vantage is made in the USA and their Bos heat treated 420HC easily beats "better" steels. Their version of S30V treated by Bos as well is even better. Opinel of any model would not last very long compared to a vantage. It's just not built as tough and Bucks vantage in 420HC holds a better edge. Thoroughly tested side by side working outside a lab test would show you that.

If you're going to spend $12.00 on a knife and want it to be tough and keep an edge you're better off getting a mora.

My #1, #2 and #3 most commonly carried knives are (in order): Opinel #9 Inox (12C27), Buck 500 (440C) and Buck 110 (420HC).

Big folders by Pinnah, on Flickr


I can't tell any difference in the Opinel's 12C27 and Buck's 420HC. I can tell a very large difference between Buck's 420HC, Cases's 420HC (much softer) and Bucks 440C (toothier).

Opinel's 12C27 and Buck's 420HC are both hardened to 58Rc. Both handle fairly thin edges without rolling, both dent before they chip when abused, and both are a dream to sharpen. Steel to steel, I can't tell them apart.

In terms of blade performance, I find the flat/convex Opinel blade to be more versatile than Buck's (or anybody's) hollow grind. The flat grind is heads and shoulders better than the hollow grind for slicing. The Opinel also handles wood working much better, which noticeably less diving. Buck's hollow grind handles meat (which self separates) a tiny bit better, but I would much rather cut meat with the Opinel than work wood with the hollow grind. YMMV.

In terms of durability/functionality of the knife, particularly the joint, there are pros and cons with each design but short version is that the Opinel is much, much, much tougher than any lockback I've owned. The Opinel design appears to be impervious to developing any lateral or vertical play. The Opinel design won't foul when choked with sand or dirt. But, the Opinel will get finicky if used in wet environments and won't clean up from blood and fish guts as easily or as well. The Opinel also won't produce that soul satisfying "clack" like a nice lock back will.

I think the Buck Vantage is an excellent suggestion for the OP.

 

[rolfeskj]

This↑↑↑↑↑

Benchmade is where it's at.

My original Benchmade was a combo edge steel blade.

1. How well dose Benchmades black coating stay on?

2. Is a plain edge the way to go? I used the combo edge some times but there is also something nice about having a full plain edge.

Thoughts?

 

[Caviness]

Just my .02. I just bought a small buck vantage select ($20). Fit and finish were very good. Only problem out of the box was the factory sharpening was quite dull. Fixed that very quickly though. I would defiantly recommend one.
My favorite thing about it is the clip. SUPER deep carry. Not the fastest or easiest opening, but this isn't a tactical knife that needs to be super easy to open or that fast. (Disclaimer, if you catch the flipper right, it can be quite fast, but the flipper is quite small and smooth).

I will probably look at a Dragonfly next, but a Buck Vantage with S30V is also now on my list as well.

 

[darks]

My original Benchmade was a combo edge steel blade.

1. How well dose Benchmades black coating stay on?

2. Is a plain edge the way to go? I used the combo edge some times but there is also something nice about having a full plain edge.

Thoughts?

I prefer a plain edge, a normal finish, and I avoid recurves when I can. I keep my knives shaving sharp, so having a serrated section just makes it more difficult to sharpen and gives me less of the cutting edge I use the most and recurves just make it more difficult to sharpen (with my KME sharpener). As far as the coating, it really depends on your use. If you go around cutting aluminum cans and batoning tree limbs every day, I wouldn't count on it holding up too well. If you're a casual user it should last a long time as long as you take care during sharpening (an arkansas stone or diamond stone will wreak havoc on coatings like that).

 

[rolfeskj]

Just my .02. I just bought a small buck vantage select ($20). Fit and finish were very good. Only problem out of the box was the factory sharpening was quite dull. Fixed that very quickly though. I would defiantly recommend one.
My favorite thing about it is the clip. SUPER deep carry. Not the fastest or easiest opening, but this isn't a tactical knife that needs to be super easy to open or that fast. (Disclaimer, if you catch the flipper right, it can be quite fast, but the flipper is quite small and smooth).

I will probably look at a Dragonfly next, but a Buck Vantage with S30V is also now on my list as well.

I think that is where I am at this point. Either get another Benchmade for $100 or get the Buck Vantage Pro for half the money and not worry about losing it as much.

 

[Firestrike]

My original Benchmade was a combo edge steel blade.

1. How well dose Benchmades black coating stay on?

2. Is a plain edge the way to go? I used the combo edge some times but there is also something nice about having a full plain edge.

Thoughts?

I never buy serrations, and to date out of my 11 various Benchmade's none have coatings. Not much help to you I know.

 

[19-3ben]

Check em out- as well as Kershaw - AVOID modern Buck, Gerber, Schrade as they are all made in China from relatively low quality steel copies.

Really? I can't speak to Gerber and Schrade as I'm just not familiar enough with their product lines. But many many Bucks are made right here in the USA. In fact, almost all of their most popular knives are made in USA, including even the inexpensive 673 and Paklite models. Of course their most popular knives like the 110, 119 and 124 are also domestic.
They do have some of their slip joints, the Selkirk, and a couple other blades made in China, but many if not most of their product line is made here. Please don't spread misinformation. It doesn't do anyone good and only undermines the credibility of any other point you make.

 

[Hackenslash]

I just received a Buck small Vantage Select today and it has the worst fit and finish of any knife I've ever gotten from a known brand. It's a joke. I can't recommend the Buck Vantage to anyone.

 

[19-3ben]

Why are there so few fans of the Buck knives? I rarely see a Buck in top 10 lists but me the Buck Knives 0347 Vantage Pro, seems like a ton of knife for the money. But if no one else really likes them compared to the go to Kershaw and Spyderco there has to be a reason.

Very tough to say. I feel (and this is just my opinion) like Buck kind of lives with the reputation of being "dad's knife company." They have plenty of modern offerings, but when people think buck, I'd bet they think of brass and wood. I think Buck just doesn't have the modern, sexy image going for it even though they produce great stuff across a pretty broad spectrum of knife categories.

 

[Duane Sanders]

I just received a Buck small Vantage Select today and it has the worst fit and finish of any knife I've ever gotten from a known brand. It's a joke. I can't recommend the Buck Vantage to anyone.

This means exactly every single one is just like yours.

My brother ordered a sweet little Spyderco in zdp189 and it came with no screws. Not a single one. We have no clue how it stayed together during shipping. Oddest thing I ever seen.

The replacement had the worst fit and finish. It's no big deal. He has a bunch of Spyderco knives and even bought one for me for a gift and it is one of the nicest build knives I've ever owned.

My buck vantage came with perfect fit and finish and still locks up tight after lots of hard work.

Return it to the retailer or (quickest resolution) or send it to buck to be fixed. These things happen, it's not that big of a deal.

 

[TMorita]

Just remembered another one which is a good candidate:

Kershaw Cryo 1555Ti - about $25 on Amazon

For a cheap knife, it has good build quality. Recommend highly.

 

[Hackenslash]

This means exactly every single one is just like yours.

My brother ordered a sweet little Spyderco in zdp189 and it came with no screws. Not a single one. We have no clue how it stayed together during shipping. Oddest thing I ever seen.

The replacement had the worst fit and finish. It's no big deal. He has a bunch of Spyderco knives and even bought one for me for a gift and it is one of the nicest build knives I've ever owned.

My buck vantage came with perfect fit and finish and still locks up tight after lots of hard work.

Return it to the retailer or (quickest resolution) or send it to buck to be fixed. These things happen, it's not that big of a deal.

This isn't my first Buck to come "less than right". It does mean something. So do the numerous comments from other knife knuts about poor fit and finish from Buck. I certainly understand that the exception can happen, as in your Spyderco above, but in my experience with the Vantage, good fit and finish IS the exception.

I could send it back, but it's a $40 knife. Is that worth it? It's far easier for me to learn from a mistake and stop buying Bucks and not recommend Buck Vantage to others.

Be happy! It means more Bucks for you!