Mini Reptilian 555 or 556?

[Retlawman590]

Hi,

I'm looking for a smallish, lite blade to carry inside the waistband of my gyms shorts. The gym is the only place I don't carry my firearm, because I refuse to wear a fanny pack. I did wear one in the 90s though. LOL. I've decided to go with the Benchmade 555 Sheepsfoot or 556 Drop point as my first Benchmade. I like both blade shapes. Does anyone have any experience with either or both of these? I do have Spydercos, so I like the Spydie hole, but I like thumb studs also. Which of the two has the better, cleaner, faster action. I know the steel is SV30, which is good by me.

Thanks for any advice

 

[Retlawman590]

Should I take this post to general discussion? No movement here?

 

[mouseshadow]

I only have their full size counterparts, and my sheepsfoot has a slightly better action. Some of this will come down to how you adjust your pivot, what lubricant you use (KPL Heavy for me these days), practice time, etc. We could probably have an obsessive discussion about how the hole allows more surface area engagement versus the stud, but in actual use the two methods are both excellent. If weapon attributes are a focus, go with the drop point. You can always polish the washers during disassembly, then drill endlessly to wear in the action. Don't forget to practice the reverse draw (I saw Michael Janich do it drawing an Endura to reverse grip position) where you roll your hand for the draw stroke. If you are interested/haven't seen this one, think about turning your hand so that instead of your thumb being between knife and body, your fingers land there and your thumb lands on the clip. Draw, then do a downwards inertia opening into reverse grip. This will be harder the closer to centerline you carry, but always a fun trick at parties.

 

[Retlawman590]

I only have their full size counterparts, and my sheepsfoot has a slightly better action. Some of this will come down to how you adjust your pivot, what lubricant you use (KPL Heavy for me these days), practice time, etc. We could probably have an obsessive discussion about how the hole allows more surface area engagement versus the stud, but in actual use the two methods are both excellent. If weapon attributes are a focus, go with the drop point. You can always polish the washers during disassembly, then drill endlessly to wear in the action. Don't forget to practice the reverse draw (I saw Michael Janich do it drawing an Endura to reverse grip position) where you roll your hand for the draw stroke. If you are interested/haven't seen this one, think about turning your hand so that instead of your thumb being between knife and body, your fingers land there and your thumb lands on the clip. Draw, then do a downwards inertia opening into reverse grip. This will be harder the closer to centerline you carry, but always a fun trick at parties.

Thanks. I have a folding Lionsteel Karambit I've been practicing with. That actually deploys very quickly from IWB of my gym shorts, but it's a little too heavy and long at 4.3 oz. and 5" L with the ring. Thanks for the tip on Michael Janich.

 

[Benchmade]

Hi,

I'm looking for a smallish, lite blade to carry inside the waistband of my gyms shorts. The gym is the only place I don't carry my firearm, because I refuse to wear a fanny pack. I did wear one in the 90s though. LOL. I've decided to go with the Benchmade 555 Sheepsfoot or 556 Drop point as my first Benchmade. I like both blade shapes. Does anyone have any experience with either or both of these? I do have Spydercos, so I like the Spydie hole, but I like thumb studs also. Which of the two has the better, cleaner, faster action. I know the steel is SV30, which is good by me.

Thanks for any advice

For gym shorts the Bugout is nice because it is super light weight and thin. Otherwise you can't really go wrong with the 555 or 556 (personally I like the 556 better)

 

[amngwlvs]

I would assume the action between the two would simply come down to tuning because they're essentially the same knife. I've never had the 555 but have enjoyed my 556 for years and have never had any issues with a fast deployment if the action is tuned as such. For light shorts like gym shorts though I gotta agree with Jimmy, it'd be a Bugout or Mini Bugout for me for 2 reasons - thinner and lighter.

Couple serious questions though, and maybe it's the Canadian in me, but since a knife is seemingly only necessary at the gym for self defense - 1) is having a self defense tool on you at all time necessary and/or 2) wouldn't there be much more effective self defense tools at a gym beyond a knife with a <3" blade? Genuinely curious, because I've never really think of my knives a self defense tools and would certainly leave whatever knife I had on me in the locker when I was at the gym.

 

[Retlawman590]

I would assume the action between the two would simply come down to tuning because they're essentially the same knife. I've never had the 555 but have enjoyed my 556 for years and have never had any issues with a fast deployment if the action is tuned as such. For light shorts like gym shorts though I gotta agree with Jimmy, it'd be a Bugout or Mini Bugout for me for 2 reasons - thinner and lighter.

Couple serious questions though, and maybe it's the Canadian in me, but since a knife is seemingly only necessary at the gym for self defense - 1) is having a self defense tool on you at all time necessary and/or 2) wouldn't there be much more effective self defense tools at a gym beyond a knife with a <3" blade? Genuinely curious, because I've never really think of my knives a self defense tools and would certainly leave whatever knife I had on me in the locker when I was at the gym.

Thanks, Ill check out the Mini Bugout. As for having a SD tool at the gym, that is just something I always had when I was a police officer. I carried it in a fanny pack made for firearms. I've seen my share of physical fights at several gyms throughout the years. It usually involved steroid rage. I still remember about the mass shooting in an LA Fitness gym in Pittsburg. There have been quite a few throughout the country over the years. It has usually involved and ex spouse or boyfriend that goes berserk.

 

[Benchmade]

Thanks, Ill check out the Mini Bugout. As for having a SD tool at the gym, that is just something I always had when I was a police officer. I carried it in a fanny pack made for firearms. I've seen my share of physical fights at several gyms throughout the years. It usually involved steroid rage. I still remember about the mass shooting in an LA Fitness gym in Pittsburg. There have been quite a few throughout the country over the years. It has usually involved and ex spouse or boyfriend that goes berserk.

Look at the 417 or 4170

 

[amngwlvs]

Thanks for the reply, that's a fair enough thought process. I've fortunately never seen a fight at the gym though I suppose given your (old) profession you've probably seen some things. While I haven't owned a Mini Bugout (it's on my list) I do have the full size in Ranger Green and it's a pleasure to carry with thin shorts. Good luck in your decision!

 

[dalefuller]

To answer your original question, I have both a 555 and a 556 in the 20CV & grey G10 versions. The Benchmade minis are a tad small for me to operate comfortably. Of those two, I prefer the 555 for the opening hole. It's a little more dependable than the small thumb stud on the 556. Understand, though, that my hands are 73 YO, stiff and somewhat arthritic, so the knives may fit you better than they do me. At any rate, I prefer the 550/555 series to the 551/556 models because I like the opening hole on the Grips regardless of their size. I'll also second Jimmy's suggestion about a Bugout as an alternative to the mini-Grips. One of the G10 versions from SMKW or BHQ is always within my reach these days, even if I'm carrying my well loved K390 Para 2.

 

[Artyh]

Hi,

I'm looking for a smallish, lite blade to carry inside the waistband of my gyms shorts. The gym is the only place I don't carry my firearm, because I refuse to wear a fanny pack. I did wear one in the 90s though. LOL. I've decided to go with the Benchmade 555 Sheepsfoot or 556 Drop point as my first Benchmade. I like both blade shapes. Does anyone have any experience with either or both of these? I do have Spydercos, so I like the Spydie hole, but I like thumb studs also. Which of the two has the better, cleaner, faster action. I know the steel is SV30, which is good by me.

Thanks for any advice

I have both knives and a number of Benchmades. I greatly prefer the hole for opening and the sheepsfoot blade cuts better than the “normal” style. Frankly, I often pocket the blade with the hole, but haven’t used the others. Both of mine are in 154CM.

 

[Ironbut]

I think the Mini-Grip was the first modern folder I ever bought and I put a lot of miles on that knife. A few years ago my wife discovered how pocket friendly they are, and she's had it ever since.