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My First Benchmade

Hair said:
A Griptilian is a great intro into BM Axis knives.

But if you can afford it, I'd suggest just going for a higher-end model right away.

You are probably going to love the Griptilian and then want a 710, Rukus, AFCK, Swithcback etc... anyways. So I feel it might be better just to get a 710 or whatever now.

I got a Griptilian first and don't regret it, but I can't really see a reason why one should make their first Axis lock knife the cheapest one when they can afford (and want) a better one. Yes, in general it is smart to start off cheaper to see if you like it before spending more money, but the difference between a high-end Grip and a 710 isn't really very much, and the Axis lock isn't much of a risky bet.
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Just to add my two cents to this and similar comments, I decided I wanted a BM with Axis Lock, and thought I'd go with the Griptilian just to get the monkey off my back. However, knowing myself and that if I liked it I'd get another one for a lot more money pretty quickly, I decided to skip the preliminary step and go with the HK 34 right out of the chute. At New Graham Knives and AAPK Blades Store these cost about $115 which is a GREAT value for this knife, which has MSRP of about $200. In a nutshell I couldn't be happier with this knife and my decision.

I'm not recommending you spending more money or anything, I just wanted to give you the benefit of my personal experience.

Regardless of what you get, I don't think you can go wrong with a BM with Axis lock. I've heard great things about the Griptilian as well as all the rest of them.
 
And I have to counter longbeachguy's experience.

I'm finding that I'm disapointed in knives costing double and sometimes triple the cost of the Griptilian. It's such a good knife and not much can be compared to it. There are many $115 knives I've bought only to trade away and throw the grip back in my pocket. They are a great quality, made in the USA, knife with an awesome lock and indestructable handles.

Ya just can't beat 'em.
 
Since I've never used a Griptilian I concede your point. I feel the same way about the Spyderco Delica, i.e. it beats many many knives which cost much more money.

That being said, I still LOVE my HK 34. :D
 
Joe Dirt said:
Ya just can't beat 'em.
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I think the 710, AFCK, Rukus, Switchback, HK knives, and Resistor beat the Grip very soundly.

But it's just a matter of opinion.

My point is that if you want a high-end Axis lock knife, just get a high-end Axis lock knife and don't spend the money on the Grip just because you think you have to buy something cheaper first. You can always get a Grip later.

The Grip is a bargain, but I don't think the more expensive Axis knives I listed above are even close to being beaten by it.

People usually think that when trying something new they need to start at the entry level. This is usually a good idea. When someone tells me they want to learn guitar and ask for me to suggest a guitar for them, I tell them to get something cheap since they don't know for sure if they are going to stick with it or not. It wouldn't make much sense for a new guitar player to save up for months and months to buy a $5,000 PRS Private Stock.

But with Axis lock knives, the difference between a Grip and a 710 is probably either one paycheck, or not any additional saving up at all, and it is a pretty sure bet, so it's not a risk.

If someone wants a Grip more, of course they should get it. But I don't suggest getting a Grip just because it's the cheapest Axis lock folder. Yes it is a bargain, but I think few think it is the actual best.
 
Saw the Benchmade, mini-pika and monochrome in a store today. Packaged so I couldn't handle them. The Mini Pika is about as big as I thought the regular pika would be. Looked good enough, I'll order one for 20$. Make a nice general use folder that I won't be too concerned about damaging. Still don't know what I'll go for when I buy a nicer knife by them. Oh well.
 
I just got a 525, and I think you'd like it. The blade is a hair under 3 inches (actually it's exactly 1/32" shy of 3"). The handle is aluminum, so it has some heft (doesn't feel cheesy like the Grip's handle). I usually carry a larger knife (3.5" - 4" blade, like an Emerson or a BM 710), but recently have wanted something a little smaller. This 525 is perfect!
 
The 525 looks superb. It's a little more than I want to be spending on a knife right now though with skateboarding season in swing. :)

I'll be putting away some money for whenever I feel like buying more knives, so maybe this one will be one to save up some for. Looks real slick.
 
I like the Benchmade 10400SB model. Very cool looking and doesn't break the bank.

http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=10400SB

I like the AFCK models but then you are talking hundreds of dollars. A Benchmade that is similar in shape to the AFCK's but has a lock back lock (like Endura, Delica, etc.) is the older Ascent model like the 835 or 845 models. These are super knives in 154-CM steel, grippy handles, light weight, great locks, and light weight for EDC (they feel to me like carbon fiber knives in that respect).

http://www.precisionarms.com/Pages/Knives/AscentPage.htm
 
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