Never heard of Benchmade until a couple of months ago...

A

Adk.IBO

Joined
Feb 28, 2014
Messages
13
First impressions: are they crazy?..for a pocket knife?
Second: why? Why so much? Must be a reason!
Third: kept looking, researching, searches all internet. Not very popular around these parts.
Next: ordered my 557 mini grip with Tanto blade
Waited: ...I hope I like it...it'll be easier to justify...
Justified! Love the axis lock, love the one handed operation, love the clip- all things I've never had before!
Not a 100% on the Tanto blade yet, no objections, but it will take a little getting used to. In my 56 yrs this is only my 3rd EDC pocket knife and it has been EDC.
So, 2 months ago complete ignorance, hopped up on the fence, stayed for a little while, and one evening late I caved, now an advocate! I've always liked quality.:)
John
 
You can't go wrong. I've been carrying a benchmade daily for 5-6 years. I got this one Monday.
It's a full size griptilian with a partially serrated 154 CM blade
image.jpg
 
Welcome to Bladeforums,

If you can't get use to the Tanto blade style Benchmade will replace it with a standard drop point blade for $25.00 and that price covers return shipping too. I have owned only one Tanto style blade and never liked it, never used it, and never bought another Tanto. I guess if you like to punch holes in steel barrels it would be useful, but not much for everyday use.
 
Yes. All the blade shapes; drop point, sheepsfoot, tanto will all fit your existing handles.
 
Welcome to your new "addiction" ;)

As you have noticed, AXIS lock is something you can not beat. One handed ambidextrous open / close folder is something no other folder knives can't do it. IMHO, ball cage or arc lock is poor imitation of AXIS lock.

The BKC's customer support is nothing but outstanding. Their selection of blade steel, the craftsmanship and warrantee for the life of the knife are something other company doesn't do it anymore.

About blade swap, they "exchange" the blade for you. Better yet, why don't you order some other knife? Try full size Griptilian, may be at local hunting / sports shop before you buy?

I personally enjoy handle longer than 4.5", but YMMV.

MFL
 
MobileFireLord said:
Welcome to your new "addiction" ;)

As you have noticed, AXIS lock is something you can not beat. One handed ambidextrous open / close folder is something no other folder knives can't do it. IMHO, ball cage or arc lock is poor imitation of AXIS lock.

The BKC's customer support is nothing but outstanding. Their selection of blade steel, the craftsmanship and warrantee for the life of the knife are something other company doesn't do it anymore.


MFL
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Well said.
 
MobileFireLord said:
Welcome to your new "addiction" ;)... Better yet, why don't you order some other knife? Try full size Griptilian, may be at local hunting / sports shop before you buy?...
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Use a little caution here. The 551 (full size Griptillian) is pretty much an up-sized Mini-Griptillian with a little more aggressive checkering and is a nice knife and handles well - I own two regular 551s and two Ritter 551 models. But... it does not have the "solid" feel that the mini has. On the inside of the handle (scales) it uses three-quarter length liners and is "honeycombed" and that causes a "hollow" feel that the mini does not have. As I said it is a nice knife, but it does feel different. I would advise you to look and handle the 551 in person before purchasing it.
 
Congratulations on your new score :cool:

The large size Grip is cool but I prefer aluminum or G10 scales to the plastic ones. It might be worth your while trying to score one of the recently discontinued Presidio 523s (aluminum scales) if you dig the tanto. Prices are discounted considerably and you get a knife size equivalent to the large Griptilian. Same goes for the recently discontinued Bone Collectors with standard blade shape (G10 scales).

Good luck in your hunt. Benchmade and Axis rule. :thumbup::thumbup:
 
Adk.IBO said:
Good to know, do you get to keep the Tanto blade?
John
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You do NOT get to keep the blade your sending in for a swap. If that was what you were asking and policy hasnt changed recently.

Welcome to the madness. Late to the game myself, Coming off of years w/ Buck and SAK's...I too have found the light.

What were your EDC's before BM, if you dont mind sharing...

Again, welcome. (Addicts like company)
 
I couldn't agree more with Harris. First bought a full size grip with the sheepsfoot blade my first impression when I unpacked it was what a cheap hollow feel for a higher end knife, couldn't get past it, and within a week I gave it to a friend for helping me move. I was so turned off I didn't go near the grip line for almost a year, bought a 707 and a 860. So fast forward ahead and was looking for a new knife for work to give my spyderco native a break and decided to take a chance on a mini grip because of price and popularity ( try not to carry real expensive folders at work). So got the 556 and was surprised that the scale felt so much more solid. Love that knife and never looked back. There is definitely a big difference in the feel of the scales between the full size and the mini grip.
 
Ickythump said:
You do NOT get to keep the blade your sending in for a swap. If that was what you were asking and policy hasnt changed recently.

Welcome to the madness. Late to the game myself, Coming off of years w/ Buck and SAK's...I too have found the light.

What were your EDC's before BM, if you dont mind sharing...

Again, welcome. (Addicts like company)
Click to expand...

That is what I was asking, thanks.
My first EDC was given to me by my grandfather at about 10 years old and carried it into my late 20's, it was/is a Camillus (when the factory was still open) made Barlow. From my late 20's until a week ago it was/is a Snap-on 70th anniversary Kershaw 4100 Whiskey Gap with 24 carat gold laser engraving, long since worn off. I was a Snap-on dealer for 14-1/2 years and sold I would guess many hundreds of Kershaw knives. I have several of the Whiskey Gap's larger brethren with the laser engraving, never carried or used. My only other knife of interest is a LE Kershaw Damascus blade fixed dagger (for lack of another adjective) with some sort of stag handle in a presentation box, serial numbered. Went looking for the description/certificate that came with it and couldn't find it a few weeks ago, although I didn't look very hard.
That's my entire knife story!
John
 
Welcome to the Forum, looks like all the good stuff's been said. Hope more models find their way to you.
 
I am looking for two Benchmade knives right now. I have one and want more. A friend turned me onto them years ago and I really like them.
 
I ended up getting three different blade style offerings for the Grip, and I have to agree, the Tonto is my least favorite. Not because of any design flaw but just that the Sheepsfoot and the Mod.drop point are just so much more serviceable. I will admit that the Full size has a different feel, but I have moved to the Rift or a Contego as my EDC, and they have full liners. I think the Grip, in large or mini, is a great knife and would not hesitate to recommend it. Good luck with your new "Hobbie" as I find these Benchmades to be very addictive.
Frank.
 
There worth it, I knew as soon as I opened the barrage at REI that they were worth it, so fast and smooth no play in the blade and remember 154CM or SV30. Just wish they wouldn't of dropped there new pricing BS.
 
Ickythump said:
You do NOT get to keep the blade your sending in for a swap. If that was what you were asking and policy hasnt changed recently.

Welcome to the madness. Late to the game myself, Coming off of years w/ Buck and SAK's...I too have found the light.

What were your EDC's before BM, if you dont mind sharing...

Again, welcome. (Addicts like company)
Click to expand...



Hmmm.. I wonder what BM would do if you remove the blade and just send in the handle. Would they treat it as a replacement, or charge an extra maintenance fee, or just send it back as unservicable. Maybe I'll ask when I call on the ones I have in for repairs now.
 
harris2 said:
Use a little caution here. The 551 (full size Griptillian) is pretty much an up-sized Mini-Griptillian with a little more aggressive checkering and is a nice knife and handles well - I own two regular 551s and two Ritter 551 models. But... it does not have the "solid" feel that the mini has. On the inside of the handle (scales) it uses three-quarter length liners and is "honeycombed" and that causes a "hollow" feel that the mini does not have. As I said it is a nice knife, but it does feel different. I would advise you to look and handle the 551 in person before purchasing it.
Click to expand...

Captain Howdy said:
I couldn't agree more with Harris. First bought a full size grip with the sheepsfoot blade my first impression when I unpacked it was what a cheap hollow feel for a higher end knife, couldn't get past it, and within a week I gave it to a friend for helping me move. I was so turned off I didn't go near the grip line for almost a year, bought a 707 and a 860. So fast forward ahead and was looking for a new knife for work to give my spyderco native a break and decided to take a chance on a mini grip because of price and popularity ( try not to carry real expensive folders at work). So got the 556 and was surprised that the scale felt so much more solid. Love that knife and never looked back. There is definitely a big difference in the feel of the scales between the full size and the mini grip.
Click to expand...

I agree about the difference. I have 3 mini grips at the moment, and had another one some years back. Thinking it would be cool to have a full size grip, I checked one out at the local outdoor stores. Nope.... Not the same. Totally different feel.

jkarp_53 said:
Check out the Exchange. There are a lot of Benchmades both for sale and trade.
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Yep.



NorthernSouthpaw said:
Hmmm.. I wonder what BM would do if you remove the blade and just send in the handle. Would they treat it as a replacement, or charge an extra maintenance fee, or just send it back as unservicable. Maybe I'll ask when I call on the ones I have in for repairs now.
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I can't say for sure, but I think you would get charged for a blade, as well as an assembly charge. Maybe not though. It's worth asking.
You might also go to Benchmades website, and look under FAQ's. They answer quite a few common questions including blade replacement, and knives that have been disassembled.
 
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