Ok, so is the Griptilian about the best buy for $60ish?

I am one of those that just don't see what is so great about the Griptilian. Other than the Axis lock which rocks, I don't really like anything about. The one my dad has which I have used is the 440c black which is not impressive. The blade shape is average and not as well designed as some Spydercos for use. The handle is metal which I am not a fan of. It does somehow have a plastic feel to it. After being carried for a while, it looks like crap. The paint on the handle chips away and looks ugly.

Check out some of the Spydercos before you buy. The Delica 4, Endura 4 and Native are all less money than the Grip yet I think they are better knives. I am not a fan of the design of the Native but some people really like it so it is more a matter of taste.
 
kgriggs8 said:
The handle is metal which I am not a fan of. It does somehow have a plastic feel to it. After being carried for a while, it looks like crap. The paint on the handle chips away and looks ugly.
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Are you sure you're talking about a Griptilian? It has a Noryl GTX handle, not metal. It's a variant of FRN over metal liners. No paint to chip off.

Unless you're talking about just the clip.

Phil
 
mkjellgren said:
Which is exactly why I will never buy a BM with a round hole. To me a BM with a round hole is not truly a BM despite spyderco's authorization of its use. For instance, the AFCK with the hole was actually intended to be a beefier spyderco police. If i'm buying a BM its going to be a thumb stud with an axis lock and if I'm buying a spydie its going to have a round hole and probably a back lock.
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Did Spyderco give authorization? I heard that Spyderco was unable to protect the round hole anymore. I would be glad if Spyderco is getting something from BM. Afterall, BM isn't sharing that axis lock.
 
phatch said:
Are you sure you're talking about a Griptilian? It has a Noryl GTX handle, not metal. It's a variant of FRN over metal liners. No paint to chip off.

Unless you're talking about just the clip.

Phil
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I am going to see my dad tonight so I will check that. From what I can remember, it has a black painted aluminum handle. It is 440C so I think that makes it an older one. I am not 100% sure so I will have to check it out tonight and see if I remember right. I have been known to make a mistake before, once.:D
 
anthony cheeseboro said:
Did Spyderco give authorization? I heard that Spyderco was unable to protect the round hole anymore. I would be glad if Spyderco is getting something from BM. Afterall, BM isn't sharing that axis lock.
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You know, that is a good point. If Benchmade would let Spyderco use the Axis lock and Spyderco would let Benchmade use the round hole, I think we as the consumer would benifit.

I think the Axis lock is probably the best lock out there. Spyderco doesn't have a lock that is as handy even though they are working on it. Benchmades would be better if they all had the round hole as that is the best way to open a blade from what I have seen. It is a simple thing but it works great.

Let's face it, wouldn't we as knife lovers want the best of both worlds? If Spyderco and Benchmade would work together a little, it would make them both stronger. I think bothof their sales would increase and some of the other competitors would suffer.

Could you imagine an Axis lock on a G-10 flat ground Police from Spyderco? How about the Osborne series having the round hole? There would be a bunch of great knives produced.
 
spinynorman said:
That's abject nonsense. I have, carry and use both.

You might prefer the Grip, but that's merely your opinion, not a statement of fact.
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The Axis lock cinches the deal. The mentioned spydercos don't come close to that function and reliable lockup. They're good but not nearly as good for the price.
 
Really? You can provide data showing that an axis lock is more reliable than a good back lock or a compression lock? Please do share. (I agree that the axis lock does exactly what it needs to, and that it's a kick in the pants to fiddle with, but I do not concede that it is particularly better than any of several other locks at its main function: locking the blade of the knife).
 
The only Spyderco I can get by on with looks is the Military, and I will probably pick one up at some point. I can't stand the way most of them look.
 
I would say that you can't go wrong with either the griptillian or the delica series mentioned. I have the mini-grip and I liked it so much that I went out and bought a second one in s30v. I also have the delica wave which is thinner. I find myself carrying the delica around when I wear sweat pants or around the house. It sits better in soft clothing. When I go out in say jeans or other heavier pants than sweats, the griptillian comes with me.

I say get the grip first because you will fall inlove with the axis. Than, you can try a lockback from spyderco. Either route you go, you will not be dissapointed.
 
I like both the Grips and the Delica/Endura series, so for me there's no either/or. I've liked the Grips since they first came out, and have several variations in both sizes; same with the Spydercos. Sometimes I prefer one, then other times I'll like the other more.

I find the Delica/Endura are generally more comfortable to clip if wearing lighter-weight clothes, or just to drop into the pocket and be almost unnoticed. The Grips, esp. the mini-versions, tend to really cause wear on the pocket when clipped there. But if I do a little heavier cutting chore, I tend to lean towards the Grips. (I do not own the new Endura/Delica 4 versions yet).

The Griptilians were never made with aluminum handles. The poster who earlier mentioned that was probably talking about another Pardue design that had a clip-point blade and black-coated alum handle; another version had G-10 handles and a tanto blade(forget the model #. I have the clip-point version, but can't currently find it). It was discontinued sometime ago.

Some feel the plastic handles on the Grips feel weak, but I find the knives hold up very well under my general use, and don't feel like they are straining at the pivot under heavier use like some other knives I own.
Jim
 
I have one Mini Grip and Delica---too small for my tastes.

I have several each Endura's and Grip's---carried Spydies for years--when I bought my first Grip last summer--it pretty much retired my Endura's to the sock drawer.

Recently got a BM 5000 auto and have been trying it out for the last week or so---pretty heavy and stout--might go back to the Grip for size and legal reasons.
 
I got to look at my dad's mini-grip. It is aluminum, just plastic. I have seen so many stinking knives that I must have got confused. I'm not sure what BM I saw that had a painted handle but it wasn't the mini-grip.

Still, other than the Axis lock, I just see what makes the Mini-Grip special? What am I missing on this one? What is it that is so appealing about this knife? Is it that it is a good all around knife for the money? I have to admit, the Axis lock probably the best thing that BM has going for it. It is a great lock no question.
 
I have a whole bunch of Griptilians and love them all!

Benchmade's heat treating of 154CM is very good. :thumbup:
 
For me, what makes the mini-Grip (esp. the 556) special are the fine ergonomics, the blade shape, fine cutting geometry, smooth action, etc. No, it isn't 'pretty' and doesn't contain titanium, G10, carbon fiber, or whatever. It's meant as a user, period. And sometimes there is beauty in functional simplicity.
But like any design, it will appeal to some and not to others. All in the eye of the beholder.
Jim
 
spinynorman said:
Really? You can provide data showing that an axis lock is more reliable than a good back lock or a compression lock? Please do share. (I agree that the axis lock does exactly what it needs to, and that it's a kick in the pants to fiddle with, but I do not concede that it is particularly better than any of several other locks at its main function: locking the blade of the knife).
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I have read that when tested the BM axis lock is able to withstand in the 800 pounds of force before it will fail. Currently the only stronger lock is the arc lock from sog which maxed the testing machine at 1000 pounds. :cool:
 
builderman0924 said:
I have read that when tested the BM axis lock is able to withstand in the 800 pounds of force before it will fail. Currently the only stronger lock is the arc lock from sog which maxed the testing machine at 1000 pounds. :cool:
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Which models from Benchmade and SOG were tested (I would think the Rukus would be stronger than the Grip, but could be wrong)? Where was the force applied in relation to the pivot? If you apply it very close to the pivot the lock doesn't need to be nearly as strong as if you apply it out towards the end of the handle. Also, was a Spyderco Manix or included in the test? I know they are noted for their extreme strength, also.

Mike
 
Today's carry is a BM558, which I like a great deal; I am NOT slagging the Grip, but I AM disagreeing with those who say that the axis lock, on a knife like the Grip, is really far superior to all other options. An all-metal handled BM might withstand a great deal of force before the axis lock fails. I doubt that the axis lock IN A GRIP (FRN, nested liners) is a lot stronger than the backlock on a Delica, and I think (this is opinion) the Delica/Endura handle has better ergos overall, making it safer for certain kinds of hard use.

Again, I use and like both knives, a lot.
 
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