Not as nice as I thought it might be.

gajinoz

gajinoz

Joined
Sep 2, 2003
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I got a chance today to actually touch and feel a BM mini stryker, (with axis lock.)

The axis lock worked just fine and I like the fact that it works just fine left handed too. Opening was smooth and the knife seemed well made but it just didn't grab me. My first impression was that it seemed flimsy, but that isn't the word I really want. It's a small knife and I don't want to be unfair but it just didn't strike me as a sturdy EDC user, if you know what I mean. At the same place was a Spyderco Native and while they're not really the same knife the Native impressed me much more.

The only reason I mention all this is that I'm seriously considering buying a 550 Griptillian. I'm glad I got to see an axis lock in the flesh, I'm much more comfortable with that now, but I'm hoping the Grip is a more substantial knife. Has anyone had the chance to handle both the mini Stryker and the Grip? If so, can you tell me how they compare?
 
I had a gripster...they are a fine user grade knife. Makes a great hard use knife, with a who cares if it gets scratched attitude.
 
hardheart said:
stryker with axis lock???
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Hmmmmmmmmmmm.... I just had a look at one on the BM site and it doesn't have an axis lock although the knives looked very similar. Maybe the knife shop had it labelled wrong. I'll go back tomorrow and check.

Is it possible they may have made such a version or maybe they used to or something?

A little mystery to solve ...
 
Ack! What an idiot I am sometimes. My apologies for leading you astray.

The knife shop had some knives on the wrong stand. What I think I was actually looking at was the BM Mel Pardue Model 722.

I think I was half asleep at the time!
 
The Grip fills four fingers very well. I like it very much for it´s weight, strength sheepfoot blade and grip.

It sounds like a plastic handled knife but that shouldn´t be a surprise.

The lock is more reliable than any other production lock.
 
I have handled a mini-Grip and I own a big Grip. The mini Grip was actually surprising - it was extremely solid and felt very durable. It had absolutely no blade play and the handle was rigid, particularly so for an FRN handle. The mini-Grip actually seemed a bit more robust than its big brother, but I prefer the more substantial blade and handle of the larger.
I have handled a 722 and, while it was a very nice knife, I think the mini Grip I checked out felt more subsantial and strong.
I don't think you will go wrong with the mini Grip. :)
 
I hate it when I get my hopes up! I have actually, in the past, contacted Benchmade about the possibility of a Stryker with an Axis Lock. They said they had no plans to produce one. That blows. :(
 
I think that maybe it was the Pardue 530 that you handled.
I think it does feel very flimsy and weak.

But not the 722!
There's no way the Native could have seemed more substantial than the 722.

The 722 is one tank of a knife with dual steel liners, tanto blade, and rather thick G-10 scales.
I even think the 722 (and the 720 and 721 variations) are stronger than the 550 and 551 Griptilians--although the Grips are more comfortable for me to use.

What was the asking price of the knife you handled?

Allen.
 
allenC said:
I think that maybe it was the Pardue 530 that you handled.
I think it does feel very flimsy and weak.

But not the 722!
There's no way the Native could have seemed more substantial than the 722.

The 722 is one tank of a knife with dual steel liners, tanto blade, and rather thick G-10 scales.
I even think the 722 (and the 720 and 721 variations) are stronger than the 550 and 551 Griptilians--although the Grips are more comfortable for me to use.


Allen.
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I agree 100%. I have (and EDC) a BM 721s, and it is ALOT more substantial a knife than the Native EVER thought of being, (and I've owned quite a few Natives). The 721/722 are TANKS of a folder. Look again.:).
 
Stryker WOULD be great in axis-lock. But I surmise BM is looking ahead, not backward, as evidenced by thier current new investments in great designs by great makers.
 
I'm going back in to the knife shop today guys to try and find out exactly what knife I was handling.

This shop mainly deals in kitchen knives and other household/kitchen items with a few other knives and SAKs more or less on the side so the person working in there is not a knowledgeable knife person which probably explains why things aren't always on the correct stands.

I'll figure it out and let you know.
 
OK boys and girls, I finally worked out what is going on here.

The knife I was looking at is, in fact, a BM Mel Pardue 721S

The "flimsy" one is the Stryker.

The 721S is a much sturdier, and larger, knife and about the only thing I didn't like about it was the combo edge, I prefer one or the other.

I did like the axis lock but, on this one at least, it was a little stiff to operate but not excessively so.

I think I'll continue with my plan to get the Griptillian.

As far as prices go, the shop I was in, King of Thieves err... Knives, wanted $AUS295 which is around $US206.

I can get one from New Graham, including shipping, for around $US126 or $AUS180. Just a teensy bit cheaper than King of Thieves!
 
i have a 940 Osborne and it is one sweetie of a knife.. the axis lock will "break" itself in and then it is easy opening all night long :D
haven't had a problem yet.. the griptilians are nice and light, but aren't the quietist (spelling??) knives to flick open. either way, you can't go wrong with a benchmade

My 2 cents.. :cool:
 
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