One year of dabbling with Benchmade

J

jec88

Joined
Mar 6, 2012
Messages
833
I'm more of a traditional knife guy, really like Case and Buck and I have a few not so traditional side, I have 5 Spydercos that I really like. I got my first Benchmade (a 555 mini partially serrated) last year at Christmas. It has been carried most days, along with usually a Case or Buck. The more I carry it, the more I like it.
I also bought a 940 at a gun and knife show, but it just hasn't clicked with me. Mostly because I actually prefer the nylon, or frn, or whatever the grip uses. I grew up carrying a Bucklite, and as much as I want to carry a wood or bone scale knife, I usually go back to the frn type of knives. My only dealing with the Benchmade customer service was concerning a deep carry clip for my 940, and they sent me that free of charge in about 4 days!

About a week ago, my grip started to feel not so smooth no matter how much I washed it out so I took it apart ..............I thought I might have broken a spring. The spring was fine, it was just extra dirty. This is the first knife I had ever taken apart. I had it apart and cleaned in less than 30 minutes. First up close look at axis lock and I couldn't believe how simple it is. I like things that can be repaired, and aren't disposable when you are done with them. I like the idea that if I really had to, I could pretty much keep this going forever all by myself .(blade swap, guitar string)...............not that I would have to with Benchmade's warranty and customer service.
I know people say a grip isn't a hard use knife, but mine has been used for hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, food prep, in the office opening stuff, around the farm, deer camp, gardening. It works just fine. I know if you read on the net, the word is that you have to use only a fixed blade for game and an axis lock will get dirty cleaning game, but I grew up using mostly an old timer stockman and a bucklite for getting a deer from the field to the freezer. So far, I have used my mini grip to completely clean 1 deer this season and it was more than enough.

So to sum it up, I'm really impressed with my mini grip. I wish I wouldn't have gotten the partially serrated blade. I think I'm going to pick up a non serrated. I'm just trying to decide between the mini and full size. I like the hole over the stud, but if I go with a thumbstud I'm leaning toward a Cabelas D2.

Anyone have any long term griptilian edc stories?
 
I too grew up carrying and using slip joints, and still do at 54 years old. I've never cut myself on one from misuse of the knife, because I use them as they were intended to use... That said, I've been carrying and using BM's for roughly 16 years now, and have never had a warranty issue.

The Axis lock is great, and very simple. For those that say the Grips are not made for hard use, they are uneducated about the knives.
There are a few good torture test videos on the web, where people have abused and tried to destroy them, and they will take a ridiculous amount of abuse.
Contrary to popular belief, the scales are not cheap or fragile. They are very strong...

I got my first 556 Mini right after they were released, and I carried and used it every day for roughly 5 years. It was not babied, and many days it saw what would be considered hard use. It never failed, and all things considered, the 440C blade held a good edge. I still have 8 different versions of the Minis.

If you can look athe the full size Grip before you buy, it might be a good idea. They feel totally different than the Mini does. Many people love it, but I didn't warm up to it.
 
OP,

I share a similar path with you and most here on this site of growing up with traditionals. Men in my family and that I knew either carried a Case or wanted too. Old Timers and Uncle Henry's were a plenty as well. I thought that I was a knife nut when I found this place. I didn't understand paying $100 for a knife and had never even consider steel as part of my knife choice; I really only knew stainless or carbon and usually carried a Kershaw or Case. I have owned many knives made by Benchmade and have bought Spyderco to Chris Reeve and I find that the Axis lock is my favorite lock. I like it because it is very serviceable and Benchmade offers wonderful CS. I don't have long term stories yet but I will one day.

Also, you can send your Grip in and have them put a plain edge blade on there for $30.
 
I would like to recomend the large ritter grip. Good blade steel, great ergos and can be had with orange scales so You wont lose it.

Good luck and thanks for sharing Your story.

Rob
 
I also grew up with 'Traditional' knives like Buck and Case. In my beyond 50's have always loved and carried something from my collection every day. Yes, agreed, next time get your knife non-serrated. For a small model like the Mini-Grip the Combo edge does not leave a lot of plain edge to work with. And If you like the knife as you say, would also recommend buying the larger 551. These are great knives.

BTW - 'bout 10 years ago I saw my first Benchmade, an M2 bladed 710HS, at a client's home and knew I had to own one. Still do and many more. Thanks for your story!
 
I've been a Benchmade fan for years. Although I carry and use other blades that fit me, I cannot think of a single bad thing to say about any knife or experience I have had with Benchmade. Nothing but professional products from professional people. Never owned a Griptillian, but hear a ton of people love em. I carried an Adamas for a while, and that thing could go to hell and back unscathed.
 
Yep, another guy who started with traditionals about 60 years ago. I still like 'em and own a big box of slipjoints. Everybody used Old Timers when I was a kid, very few carried Case knives. I've always like knives of all types and brands, mostly low priced ones since we didn't have a lot of money when I was growing up (still don't). As an adult, I really got into knives seriously with one of the original Spyderco Enduras with the molded plastic pocket clip. I bought one of the first available and carried it for a decade or more. I still love Spydercos and own a passel of 'em. I carry a little Dragonfly every day no matter what else is in my pockets.

My first Benchmade was a Griptilian. Bought it about 10 years or more ago and I carried it for a couple of years before going on The Quest. You know, looking for the perfect carry knife. I tried the Mini Griptilian but found it a bit too short in the handle area. But that was long ago and I might try one again to see if I was maybe a bit hasty in my previous observations. Actually, I didn't get into Benchmades heavily until this year. I've bought several, some models in multiples. What originally attracted me to Benchmades was the narrower profiles compared to Spydercos. The 710 is a favorite for that reason. But the 710 is a little too long in the blade area for some people--I had to not carry it on a recent trip to Colorado due to a law limiting blade lengths to 3.5" or less. Another favorite is the Axis Stryker, both the 908 drop point and the 909 tanto. Tantos have never been a favorite of mine until the Stryker. I own both combo and plain edge models and they really can be excellent everyday utility knives--I usually carry one of the Strykers these days. I have a 940 but I haven't warmed up to it that much.

For a small knife that handles well (a longer grip than the Mini Griptilian), I really like the Mini Presidio Ultra. It doesn't get a lot of mention around here being one of the lower cost Benchmades yet it feels great in the hand, carries easily and the 440C steel is a workhorse and easy to keep super sharp. Since the plastic grips have a full steel liner, the handle doesn't share the "cheap, hollow" feel many describe about the Griptilian.
 
I also grew up on traditionals, but that was only 25 years ago. My dad carried a SAK as did I, but I also owned and carried many Schrade traditionals as well. I didn't get a Case until I was almost 20 in the year 2000. I started with Benchmade in 2003 by buying a Mini Griptilian. I loved that knife and carried it for a long time. It went through an awful lot. My couple of warranty experiences were related to broken Axis Omega springs, but they always fixed me right up. My current BM carry knives are a Barrage and Mini Barrage. I carry the Mini to the office and swap out for the full size Barrage every day when I get home. Just like with my Griptilians, these knives do everything I ask and they do it better than pretty much any other knife I've owned.
 
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