My 1st BM....or care and feeding of the Reptile

wedgehead30

wedgehead30

Joined
May 16, 2003
Messages
20
I just received a Benchmade axis lock griptilian with a blacked out Mel Pardue blade and a slate gray handle. This is the first BM I've ever owned and this thing is sweeeet !!!!! It's so nice and it's marked "Limited Edition 17 of 100" that I hate to use it. But it just begs to cut it's so sharp. The axis lock is so smooth and fast it's almost like having an auto. I love this thing !!!!!!!!!!!!

What's the best way to keep this thing factory sharp????? I have both a Gatco and Lansky sharpening system. The Lansky works very well on my other knives. What's the best angle for my BM??? Any other Griptilian care and feeding tips??????

TIA,
Wedge
:D
 
Welcome to the club, is yours a 550, 551, 555 or 556? I have a PE blackhandled 556 and it's my EDC. Tinker with the pivot screw to maxmize ease of opening and minimize any possible play. About sharpening, learn how to sharpen on a stone and you'll be set for life.
 
It's a 551 BTGY to be specific. Thanks for the tips. I've just never had good luck freehanding on a stone. But maybe I'll break out one of my old knives and try it again. I have the pivot set perfectly. This thing just jumps open and closed with the lock released and a slight hand movement. So far so great.......

Wedge
:D
 
Well well welcome to the world of BM. The Griptilian is one awsome knife. Mine will be retired and sold because it has been replaced by an other BM that I love even more. But it has served me well and I loved it to death it just that my 710HS is such a good knife that I have subed my EDC's and need cash for limited editions coming out.

But the Grip has served me well and now it is going to a good home.

Stones are good, get one of those kitchen knife cutting edge straitners to help maintain that edge before you have to sharpen it. If you can keep the edge strait then you should not have to sharpen to often.
 
yeah welcome to the BM club.

i love my pre-production 555s that i've carried nearly every day for 18 months, solid little knife that really performs well. the action on mine is still smooth and the lock-up is 100% with no blade play at all.

i only buy stuff that i will use, rather than just collect. so personally i would use that knife and not worry about it too much. being a 'ltd edition' of a practical/user type knife would just broaden my smile when using it, not put me off using it at all.

whatever you use it for, good choice, enjoy
 
IMHO, I use the Lansky when I got a pretty dull knife, otherwise I use my spyderco triangle sharpeners. They keep my knives hair popping sharp.

Just a few strokes everyday will do ya !!!

What ever you use keep the same angle and dont remove too much metal.
I remember my grandfathers penknife where the blade looks like a sharpeded awl. WHY, because he sharpened it on a medium/course stone that removed more metal then was necessary.

I figure you paid too much money for that knife to ruin it by stoning it to death.

There are threads and forums all over about sharpening. Take a look at a few.
Good Luck and enjoy that knife
Jack
 
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