Need help finidng a benchmade...

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Weaselbuck

Joined
Apr 9, 2010
Messages
25
Hi guys,

I'm pretty new here and new to knife collecting in general. The knives I have are a CRKT Drifter, Spyderco's P'Kal, Tenacious, Endura 4, and Urban (foliage green leaf blade). I have Kershaw's Skyline, Leek, JYD 2 (g10 handle) and I have a Zero Tolerance 350. Finally, I also have a Benchmade 551 Griptilian.
I really don't have a favorite and I'm starting to come to the conclusion that the best knife has to do with the situation it is being used for. I do prefer a few though and lately I have come to really appreciate the 551 Grip. It is probably my favorite combination of blade shape, steel material, locking mechanism (LOVE the Axis lock), lock-up (almost no side to side blade play), and deployment smoothness and speed.
Here is the problem though... I HATE the FRN handle (I think it's FRN). It is a little wider than I prefer and where the two handle pieces come together there is a crease that is very noticeable when I hold it. The handle isn't too grippy, but where it does provide good traction it is actually maybe too rough on my skin and is annoying. Finally, the handle just feels cheap compared to everything else about the knife. I am curious if there is another Benchmade that has all of the positives I mentioned about the knife (and oh yeah, I love the black, tip down carry clip and lanyard hole too) but with a handle with better fit and finish?
Sorry my post was so long, I just wanted to explain where I am coming from and also use this post as a meet and greet as I think it is my first bladeforums post :) Hi everyone!
 
I think you mean tip up?

Check out the 950 Rift. It is my favorite knife and Benchmade's best IMO. The 14205 is pretty great too.

Welcome to the forums.
 
FlaMtnBkr:

Yes, I do mean tip up, thanks. I will definitely check out those knives. Can you tell me what you like about them vs the Griptilian (ie. why you like them better)?
 
I was also thinking about the Rift because the handle kicks ass. The blade shape is not the same as the Griptilian, and I think the knife is wider overall but it's slightly thinner and less bulbous. Feels more substantial; in fact, maybe too substantial if you have small gnome-like hands as I do. I traded mine only because it was about 8% too large for my hands.
 
Check out my sig for why I think the Rift is so great.

Also, I just checked with my Griptilian and the Rift is definitely more narrow than the grip. I assume you are talking about the thickness of the handle when you say 'wider'?
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
Also, I just checked with my Griptilian and the Rift is definitely more narrow than the grip. I assume you are talking about the thickness of the handle when you say 'wider'?
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I meant this when I said "wider" (if that was directed towards me):
rift12.jpg


But I don't have the two side-by-side so I'll happily stand corrected if that's the case. :)
 
I was talking about the other dimension that is not length. I don't have the thumb stud version but the one with the round hole is actually a little wider where the hole is. The 551 is probably not as wide as the Rift but I bet it is pretty close.
 
FlaMtnBkr:

Does the Rift feel better in your hand than the Grip? If so, is it because of the feel of the material or the geometry of the handle, or both?
 
Weaselbuck said:
lately I have come to really appreciate the 551 Grip. .... the handle just feels cheap compared to everything else about the knife.
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The 551 really is an outstanding bargain in a Benchmade axis-lock knife. Though the grip feels a bit light and hollow vis-a-vis the blade size/weight.

One great thing you can easily do (as bearcut did and so generously gave to me!) is add a little lead to the inside cavity of the grip panels to move the balance of weight back from the blade more toward the handle of the knife. This makes the 551 feel more substantial, better balanced, and of higher quality. But it doesn't add terribly to the overall weight of the knife. Bearcut put some lead pellets in the inside cutouts of each grip panel and sealed it with epoxy. No evidence of this visually, but the knife just feels a lot better in the hand. An easy and fun little project. (A grateful thanks to bearcut for giving your grips to me for my 551!)
 
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I have six Grips and love every one of them. I can understand many people's reaction to the Noryl GTX handles, no matter how strong and light they are. That said, if there is such a thing as a 'just buy it, no regrets' knife, it would be the Rift.:thumbup:
 
I suppose I should mention that I am mostly interested in an edc blade and I feel that the grip is about the upper limit size wise for me and my edc needs/uses. If there are any other strong Benchmade recommendations I would definitely consider a knife that had a blade length as much as 3/4" shorter.

For people in the know, do all Benchmade Axis lock knives lock up very tight (note this is my favorite thing about my Griptilian vs and of my Spyderco's)? In my limited experience, my grip locks up better than my Kershaws which lock up better than my Spydercos. My ZT 350 locks up like a bank vault though :)
 
Weaselbuck said:
I suppose I should mention that I am mostly interested in an edc blade and I feel that the grip is about the upper limit size wise for me and my edc needs/uses. If there are any other strong Benchmade recommendations I would definitely consider a knife that had a blade length as much as 3/4" shorter.

For people in the know, do all Benchmade Axis lock knives lock up very tight (note this is my favorite thing about my Griptilian vs and of my Spyderco's)? In my limited experience, my grip locks up better than my Kershaws which lock up better than my Spydercos. My ZT 350 locks up like a bank vault though :)
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From my experience, all Axis Lock knives have that notable, secure lock-up.

Weaselbuck said:
What kind of blade is that Benya?
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Just ignore him, he is such a tease. I'll give ya a hint, half of it is S30V Ritter Grip. ;)
 
s30v... ahh me like :) Only two of my blades are s30v which is too bad because I love the edge retention! That ritter looks like a mini grip to me with just a funky blade shape. I actually really like the blade shape, but I'm guessing I'll still hate the handle.

OOC anyone have a yellow mini grip with a black coated blade? I think that combo looks so sweet. :D
 
Weaselbuck said:
That ritter looks like a mini grip to me with just a funky blade shape. I actually really like the blade shape, but I'm guessing I'll still hate the handle.
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Ritter grips are Griptilians, just with a different steel and blade shape. The handles on that knife posted are WilkinsGrips made of G10, which would probably solve all the issues you have with the standard grips (they aren't standard with Ritter grips).
 
I found a CF & G-10 replacement for the Wilkins handle. They're in the formative stage right now. I saw the CF prototype and it's awesome. Estimated cost $140 plus your outlay on the knife. Pricey!

I say donate all Griptilians to people with tiny hands. I had the clip off my full size Griptilian (don't recall why) and couldn't even open it with one hand. The ridiculous, bulbous handle butt kept popping out of my hand.

I had to put the clip on to snag my palm and allow purchase against the thumb-stud. :rolleyes:
 
Hmm it sounds to me like you feel like the grip's handle is just "too big for your hand" and you want a knife with a similar profile. The rift definitely will feel less hollow in the handle than the grip does but I'd try out the 940 if I were you. slimmer profile, aluminum handle, tight axis lock up, several different blade options, and it's pretty light (3-4 oz IRRC). and the 3.4 inch blade won't scare sheeple during EDC, it's one of my favorite knives.
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
I think you mean tip up?

Check out the 950 Rift. It is my favorite knife and Benchmade's best IMO. The 14205 is pretty great too.

Welcome to the forums.
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+1 from me too.

The Rift has a thinner blade and the 14205 is the better compromise considering weigth, if you would have looked at the 520.
 
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