New Knife for an Old Dog....

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phlatinum

Joined
Dec 8, 2001
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156
Figure I've waited long enough to get me one of those new fangled One-Hand pocket knives, but it's taken some time to catch up on what's out there. I know I ain't seen it all yet, but can't wait any longer to get my feet wet. I've narrowed it down to just 2 knives to choose from, and they both happen to be Benchmades. (Even though I sure do like the idea behind those big Spydie Holes.)

The 2 contenders are: the Model 551 Griptilian and the Model 720BT Axis Lock. We have no real knife shops within a million miles or so, therefore .... your opinions of these two knives would be appreciated. I would be using the knife for edc, mostly outdoors ... for about anything imaginable. Which would be the most fun to own for my purposes, do you think?

(and hey .... thanks!)
 
I have handled the BM 720 a bit before I gave it to my Dad for Christmas last year. A great knife. I also looked at the 721 version which has the G-10 scales instead of aluminum. Good blade shapes in a fairly traditional style handle (kinda) with a very good lock. I am not sure if you are really an old dog, but my Dad is and he likes the 720 alot.
 
I was in your position six months ago.
Just looking.
Like you, I live where there are no dealers close by, so I surf the cyber shops.
Believe me - this leads to wanting more!
In the end the only restriction is financial.
I now have quite a few knives and lusting after customs!
The first one I got was a BM 550 Griptillian (with the hole).
Very good buy - you can't go wrong.
Or
You can take a shortcut and spend the money up front and get yourself a William Henry or Sebenza first up.
 
You can't go wrong with either, but I'd go with the 720 for the extra money. It's a great overall carry knife with a very useable blade shape, and made with top-notch materials.
 
Thanks for weighing in, Ed. I've heard almost nothing about the 720 in the way of personal experience. Many seem to like the feel of the Griptilian, but the 720 just looks like it might be a little more hand-filling (?) and I've never owned a stainless knife other than 440C, so that's a bit of a draw for me, too. (Then again ... the Griptilian looks to be a real bargain.) Wish I could see them up close and personal.

Btw, I'm not yet at that age where I can hide my own Easter eggs, but I'm past the half-century mark (barely), and have had a few "senior moments" already :o . My kids find that amusing. Glad your dad likes his Christmas knife!
 
Wow ... Two posts slip by while I poke along here ...

Appreciate your input, knifenerd and oupa. As far as taking the shortcut to the customs, Sebenzas, etc., guess I just don't feel worthy of such finery at this point, and am enjoying my slow sojourn into knifery (is that a word?) anyway. Btw, if I bought a Randall, Mayo, William Henry or whatever right off the bat, I doubt that I would be forever satisfied from that point. (I'm such a pig!) :D
 
phlatinum,If You travelled a million miles to the knife store You went past My house at least twice and I never have any trouble buying too many knives! The two You mentioned are very nice knives indeed But My first one hand openers are My Favorites.Buy Yourself Spyderco Endura and a Delica.One knife for heavy cutting and one for Sunday School.Trust Me.tom.;)
 
deputy tom ... The Spyderco Endura was on my very short list, along with the full-sized Calypso, which I guess has been discontinued. Great looking knives, imo, but I have a tendency to prefer chubbier handles. Not hard to imagine the Chinook finding a place in my drawer, though .... a little heavy, but neat! And I think the Spydie holes are a far better design than thumb studs, especially on a "tactical" type folder. Slick!
 
I looked around as well and found that the BM550 had the chubbiest handles going.
The most comfortable knife I own now - is the Emerson CQC 7A.
Tuff as anything as well.
 
oupa ... I've never handled an Emerson, either, but they sure look nice on the website. Are they all liner locks? For now, I'm kinda partial to fixed blades, lock backs, axis locks, and frame locks (and maybe compression locks, one day).

What's the "wave" thing with the Emersons? :confused: I'm such a babe in the woods! Btw, thanks for your patience, everyone.
 
Hi phlatinum, If you like the opening hole and the Axis lock, then the 550 (oval opening hole)is the way to go, especially for the price. Another option that has both of those features is the newly released Benchmade 806D2 Axis AFCK. The 550 has a larger handle than the 720/721 series but both are comfortable. The Benchmade model 555 is a smaller version of the 550. You can get the 550 in plain edge or partially serrated, or as the 550RT with Realtree Hardwoods camo (sheath included with that model). Another option is the 550SBT with Benchmade's BT2 black teflon coating and partial serrations. Benchmade will also release a 550T (dull training blade) version this year.
 
One thing that's really captured me recently is the SpeedSafe mechanism by Ken Onion. If you want something that's very useful (especially with gloves) and has a "doo-hickey" factor to it, check out the Kershaw Boa. The knife is aesthetically pleasing (to me) and has gotten good reviews as a worker knife. And opening it is just plain fun!

The Wave is a notch that catches your pocket and opens the blade. I don't have one so I can't really elaborate, but I'm sure the Suspects will chime in sooner or later.

Good luck!
Zero
 
Heritage,
The Spydie hole haunts me. I love 'em. If the 550 had a 3.5" clip point, I'd have one. The 555 is a little smaller than I'd like. Now then .... the 806D2 Axis AFCK trips my trigger in a most unusual way! Gorgeous, and I'd love to have one, but it would be a little unwieldy for many of my daily needs.

I am VERY tempted to go with the 814 Mini AFCK (thinner 3.25" blade of 154CM) even though it lacks the Axis lock that I would like. I love that look and the Spydie hole, and it would give me the tip DOWN carry mode that I prefer. Anyone have any experience with this one?

Zero,
Must concur .... the BOA is a shapely lass! A real temptress, but I must focus!! I need a more pedestrian blade type for my hugely boring tasks. (It does have some cool looking holes in it though!!) :D The Whirlwind actually comes closer to what I had in mind.

I THINK (entering dangerous territory here) what I really want is an 806D2 with that .125" thick blade shortened to 3.5", and that nice long handle left as is (unless they could make it of black micarta), and with the pocket clip on the other end for tip down carry. Seen any? :rolleyes: On second thought, do I really need, or want, the full .125" thickness on my edc?

No doubt, the Griptilian 551, or the 720, or the 814 Mini AFCK would each give me reason to be happy ... don't mean to grouse, and that Mini even has a hole in the blade ......
 
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