Love my Mini Griptilian, what should I get next?

S

sjm1580

Joined
Jun 6, 2015
Messages
42
I really like my mini grip, but in an ideal world it would be 1/2" larger. I like the shape of the knife and the axis lock. The knife is as smooth as butter on a hot day, now I want a Benchmade that is as smooth as butter on a really, really hot day.

Since there are no Benchmade dealers near me, please give me an idea of what direction I should be looking for my perfect knife?

Thanks,

Steve
 
You got Mini covered well. Now you need the classic 710. I held off a long time on one because I thought it was too big. It does not feel big in the pocket at all. What more can you say about the knife that started the Axis Lock. I had a 943, but like the 710 more. Never had a 940 though. So many to choose from :rolleyes:
 
sjm1580 said:
I really like my mini grip, but in an ideal world it would be 1/2" larger. I like the shape of the knife and the axis lock. The knife is as smooth as butter on a hot day, now I want a Benchmade that is as smooth as butter on a really, really hot day.

Since there are no Benchmade dealers near me, please give me an idea of what direction I should be looking for my perfect knife?

Thanks,

Steve
Click to expand...
So as far as the 1/2" larger goes, are you talking about the blade length, handle length, or overall length? If you're looking for something with 1/2" of extra blade, the full size Griptilian is in that range. I have a mini grip with the hollow grind and the thumb hole, and I really love it. Not sure how that translates to the full size version, but it'd be interesting and a change from the ordinary.

Also in that size range are the 940, 943, and 940-1. I love my 940 and 940-1, and if you're looking for something smooth you definitely won't be disappointed here. The Griptilians have that smallish steel liner and polymer handle that results in the "hollow" sound when you open/close it. With the 940 series you won't get that, and it just feels like better quality. Plus with the 940 blade shape you get a knife that really flicks open quickly. It's super fast to deploy. If you're a Benchmade guy, you pretty much have to own at least one 940 at some point.

The Axis Stryker and the Nakamura Axis come in above and below your criteria, respectively. But from what I've heard they are both very solid knives. There are also a few assisted axis locks in that size range, but when you said smooth as butter I disregarded assisted knives.
 
940s are nice but they are barely bigger than a Mini-Grip.

If you like the Mini Griptilian but want something a bit bigger, the obvious choice is a Large Griptilian.

Also consider getting custom scales for your Mini-Grip, or for a Large Griptilian if you get one. The scales on the normal Grips are not terrible, but getting nice G10 (or CF, Ti etc...) scales totally transforms the knife into something much better.

You should also look at Ritter-Grips. They are a special version of the Griptilian that use M390 blades and a broader blade shape and are a perfect candidate for scale upgrades. A large RitterGrip (with or without custom scales) will offer you a larger version of the knife you already like, but with enough differences to make it distinct from what you already have.

If you want something different, not another Grip, look at the 710. It is the original Axis lock knife and to this day one of the best folding knives, period. It has a lot of blade for the handle, making it easy to carry but with the cutting edge length of much bigger, heavier knives. It is *THE* classic Benchmade. Depending on what you mean by "half an inch bigger", the 710 might be longer than you want, but it is worth looking at.

If you are a Benchmade fan, the 940 and 710 are both classics that you should at least consider owning, but if you get a 940 you will have two small knives, and it sounds like you want something bigger. So seriously consider the 710 and possibly even the slightly more expensive 710-1401. Also the Rift; it is about the same size as a Large Grip, but comes with G10 scales.

To be honest, while the 940 is "nicer" than the stock Mini-Grip, putting custom scales on a Mini-Grip (or better yet a Mini RitterGrip) you end up with something even better than a 940. I just like the dimensions and appearance of the Grip more than the 940, but that's just me.

If you end up with a Mini-Grip, 710, and an 940 as your first three Benchmades, you'll have a great start! Those are pretty much the 3 most popular Benchmades ever along with the Large Grip.
 
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Hair said:
940s are nice but they are barely bigger than a Mini-Grip.

If you like the Mini Griptilian but want something a bit bigger, the obvious choice is a Large Griptilian.

Also consider getting custom scales for your Mini-Grip, or for a Large Griptilian if you get one. The scales on the normal Grips are not terrible, but getting nice G10 (or CF, Ti etc...) scales totally transforms the knife into something much better.

You should also look at Ritter-Grips. They are a special version of the Griptilian that use M390 blades and a broader blade shape and are a perfect candidate for scale upgrades. A large RitterGrip (with or without custom scales) will offer you a larger version of the knife you already like, but with enough differences to make it distinct from what you already have.

If you want something different, not another Grip, look at the 710. It is the original Axis lock knife and to this day one of the best folding knives, period. It has a lot of blade for the handle, making it easy to carry but with the cutting edge length of much bigger, heavier knives. It is *THE* classic Benchmade. Depending on what you mean by "half an inch bigger", the 710 might be longer than you want, but it is worth looking at.

If you are a Benchmade fan, the 940 and 710 are both classics that you should at least consider owning, but if you get a 940 you will have two small knives, and it sounds like you want something bigger. So seriously consider the 710 and possibly even the slightly more expensive 710-1401. Also the Rift; it is about the same size as a Large Grip, but comes with G10 scales.

To be honest, while the 940 is "nicer" than the stock Mini-Grip, putting custom scales on a Mini-Grip (or better yet a Mini RitterGrip) you end up with something even better than a 940. I just like the dimensions and appearance of the Grip more than the 940, but that's just me.

If you end up with a Mini-Grip, 710, and an 940 as your first three Benchmades, you'll have a great start! Those are pretty much the 3 most popular Benchmades ever along with the Large Grip.
Click to expand...

Great, Great, Great information. Thanks!
 
Hair said:
940s are nice but they are barely bigger than a Mini-Grip.

If you like the Mini Griptilian but want something a bit bigger, the obvious choice is a Large Griptilian.

Also consider getting custom scales for your Mini-Grip, or for a Large Griptilian if you get one. The scales on the normal Grips are not terrible, but getting nice G10 (or CF, Ti etc...) scales totally transforms the knife into something much better.

You should also look at Ritter-Grips. They are a special version of the Griptilian that use M390 blades and a broader blade shape and are a perfect candidate for scale upgrades. A large RitterGrip (with or without custom scales) will offer you a larger version of the knife you already like, but with enough differences to make it distinct from what you already have.

If you want something different, not another Grip, look at the 710. It is the original Axis lock knife and to this day one of the best folding knives, period. It has a lot of blade for the handle, making it easy to carry but with the cutting edge length of much bigger, heavier knives. It is *THE* classic Benchmade. Depending on what you mean by "half an inch bigger", the 710 might be longer than you want, but it is worth looking at.

If you are a Benchmade fan, the 940 and 710 are both classics that you should at least consider owning, but if you get a 940 you will have two small knives, and it sounds like you want something bigger. So seriously consider the 710 and possibly even the slightly more expensive 710-1401. Also the Rift; it is about the same size as a Large Grip, but comes with G10 scales.

To be honest, while the 940 is "nicer" than the stock Mini-Grip, putting custom scales on a Mini-Grip (or better yet a Mini RitterGrip) you end up with something even better than a 940. I just like the dimensions and appearance of the Grip more than the 940, but that's just me.

If you end up with a Mini-Grip, 710, and an 940 as your first three Benchmades, you'll have a great start! Those are pretty much the 3 most popular Benchmades ever along with the Large Grip.
Click to expand...

Any scale manufacturers you can recommend? I have looked a Wilkins, but they are pretty pricey? I love the idea of an upscale Ritter Mini!
 
Keyman and DeathOfAllThings are both on the boards here and both have extensive experience with BM aftermarket scales. I was also going to suggest a 940 or 710 but those bases are pretty well covered. Here's an alternative... try the 300 or 300-1. It'll be slightly larger and beefier than the mini-G, and it's an AXIS flipper. The ones I had were smoother than any of my mini-Grips have been.
 
May I suggest de-assisted Volli? Since you like mini grip & would like to have slightly bigger blade, regular Griptilian comes to mind. However, aside name & shape, grip & mini grip feel very different knives in many aspect. I like Griptilian as itself, but when I think of it as simply a larger version of mini grip, not much so. It doesn't ride in pocket or feel in hand like mini grip. On the other hand, Volli without assisted opening mech is just right.
My rec are:
1 De-assisted Villi
2 mini presidio
3 94x Osborne (if legal)
4 586 Barrage
 
Okay youve got the mini Grip covered. Getting the key icon Benchmades out of the way first is how I started my collection. It sounds like you want an REI Big Grip and any 710. To me the 710, which was my first Benchmade, is still the best Benchmade ever. The only way either the REI Grip and the 710 are going to get any smoother and faster is to polish the washers. I polished the washers AND pivot on my vanilla 710 now it is the fastest opening knife with the sweetest most well balanced action Ive ever experienced. Used Never Dull. Worked fantastic and fast. Polish just to when the metal starts to shine ONLY any further and youll be removing metal. After all that the 710 has zero lock rock even still.

Forget the 940 for now they are actually pretty small and I never found the action any better than any other average Axis BM. 300 is a GREAT suggestion! I love the thick chunky blade on my 300. Ergonomics are 1st rate. Unfortunately it does not flip without putting your wrist into it the blade is just to short to truly flip via the flipper tab only. I like my 300 so much though still that I dont mind having to throw my wrist into the flip. The blade shape is great for cutting tasks that you need to really dig into.

Still cant stress enough the importance of the 710. The only other way youre gonna be able to carry a 4 inch blade around as unobtrusively as the 710 is the Al Mar Eagle HD. 710 is so much blade in such an easy to carry package that its easy to forget you even have it on you. Regular D2 710's average $150. If you hunt around enough you can find as low as $137. Then there is the available Knifeworks exclusive 710-1401 in glorious M390 steel and blue/black G10 for $165.

The best big Grip that is non custom that you can get is the REI exclusive S30V green/black G10 model. I consider mine to be one of the best knife purchases Ive ever made. The regular big Grips are just a bit to thick for comfortable EDC and the loud clickety clack sound of the cheap plastic Noryl handle drives me nuts. The REI is still on the thick side but its G10 scales are beautifully contoured. The S30V blade fires out as fast as an automatic. Its $200 though. Good luck
 
CelticCross74 said:
Okay youve got the mini Grip covered. Getting the key icon Benchmades out of the way first is how I started my collection. It sounds like you want an REI Big Grip and any 710. To me the 710, which was my first Benchmade, is still the best Benchmade ever. The only way either the REI Grip and the 710 are going to get any smoother and faster is to polish the washers. I polished the washers AND pivot on my vanilla 710 now it is the fastest opening knife with the sweetest most well balanced action Ive ever experienced. Used Never Dull. Worked fantastic and fast. Polish just to when the metal starts to shine ONLY any further and youll be removing metal. After all that the 710 has zero lock rock even still.

Forget the 940 for now they are actually pretty small and I never found the action any better than any other average Axis BM. 300 is a GREAT suggestion! I love the thick chunky blade on my 300. Ergonomics are 1st rate. Unfortunately it does not flip without putting your wrist into it the blade is just to short to truly flip via the flipper tab only. I like my 300 so much though still that I dont mind having to throw my wrist into the flip. The blade shape is great for cutting tasks that you need to really dig into.

Still cant stress enough the importance of the 710. The only other way youre gonna be able to carry a 4 inch blade around as unobtrusively as the 710 is the Al Mar Eagle HD. 710 is so much blade in such an easy to carry package that its easy to forget you even have it on you. Regular D2 710's average $150. If you hunt around enough you can find as low as $137. Then there is the available Knifeworks exclusive 710-1401 in glorious M390 steel and blue/black G10 for $165.

The best big Grip that is non custom that you can get is the REI exclusive S30V green/black G10 model. I consider mine to be one of the best knife purchases Ive ever made. The regular big Grips are just a bit to thick for comfortable EDC and the loud clickety clack sound of the cheap plastic Noryl handle drives me nuts. The REI is still on the thick side but its G10 scales are beautifully contoured. The S30V blade fires out as fast as an automatic. Its $200 though. Good luck
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Can't thank you enough for your insight. Unfortunately the only way I can check out knives without quite a drive is over the internet and receiving information from knowledgeable collectors like you.

Looking at the 710, my eyes are opening wider, I might just go for the knife Works special offering, really like the look of the scales and the shape of the knife. I really like the 300 as well, but a little apprehensive about the fit of the grip in my hand. I truly need to find a Benchmade dealer and touch this knife.

Thanks again for your for your help, these type of responses sure help me from making purchases that I may regret!
 
The only drawback with the Knifeworks 710-1401 is that the long flat centers of the blu black scales are perfectly flat and have next to no texture in other words using the KW 710 with sweaty/wet hands is very difficult which is a shame since the M390 blade is so good. With the regualr D2 710 the basic black G10 has a good bit more texture and is much easier to hold onto when doing heavier cutting tasks where your hands may get sweaty or wet. The D2 on the 710 has a bad habit of forming tiny rust spots if you dont care for the blade religiously. Using things like Tuff Cloths and Flitz wax helps greatly though. I just got my D2 710 back from BM for a warranty blade replacement due to rust spots. I immediately cleaned the blade with a Tuff Cloth, buffed it dry then hit the blade with Flitz blade/gun wax buffing it to a mirror shine. I have since waxed the blade 2 more times now not even a fingerprint will stick to it so I feel much better about it not rusting.

I may jut put the M390 blade into my vanilla standard G10 handle just so I can finally really get to use the glorious cutting power of that M390. In the end $165 for the KW 710 is an amazing price considering they used to be $200. In the end should you go standard D2 710 by all means also purchase the Flitz Gun and Knife Care Kit which includes cleaner, a very large Flitz buffing/drying rag and gun/knife blade wax. Ive waxed my KW 1401 just to do it and really make it shine but its the D2 710 that really needs it. Waxing the blades is very simple. I stay very on top of any stains or smudges that may show up on my D2 blade after a days EDC and buff them out with the Flitz cloth.
 
I've been into Keyman's photobucket folder he has nice examples of everything. Scales vary in price but start around $75 and up.
 
710 will be the thinnest knife to carry out of the 710 big Grip and 300. 300 is the thickest. REI G10 big Grip has an awesome S30V blade that doesnt require all the maintenance of BM's uncoated D2. The REI's G10 handle is thick but not as thick as the standard big Grip and not as thick as the 300 handle. It doesnt vanish into your pocket like the 710 does you definitely are aware its there. The action of the REI Grip is the best out of the 710, REI and 300. Brand new any decent thumb stud flick rockets the blade open with an impressive balance. The REI Grip just feels much better in the hand because the contoured G10 handle has healthy weight to it so opening and closing and just plain using the REI feels much more natural and well balanced. Its still pretty expensive though but was worth it to me.

As long as you dedicate an entire pocket to nothing but the 300 youll love it. It is pretty thick for a shorter than the 710 and REI knife. Healthy jimping on the thumbramp helps you dig into heavier cutting tasks. The knife feels great in the hand. Filling but not to much. Then again there are Zero Tolerance knives with near 4 inch blades that still dont have handles as fat as the 300.
 
300-1401
WIN_20150614_111206_zpso7tupr8e.jpg

REI
WIN_20150614_111331_zpsxkvjb3wm.jpg

710-1401
WIN_20150614_111528_zpsezuq8vjp.jpg

D2 710
WIN_20150614_111634_zpsp7dgsbqx.jpg
 
Yep,

The 710 looks like the one for me. My front pockets are my briefcase so I have wallet, keys, smartphone etc, so the 710 would be a better fit.

Thanks for the information!

Steve
 
Its totally your call. You can go to the knife maker supply shops online a d pick out a material, ask for a difft colored liner etc...
 
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