Ordered my first two "real" knives

L

lacrosse11attack

Joined
May 24, 2010
Messages
319
So I own a SS spyderco poliwog already but its a bit too slippery for my liking. So I ordered a Blue Benchmade mini griptillian and a blue FFG spyderco delica.

Any thoughts? how'd I do?
Anything I should be warned about?

A couple people have said that the benchmade will likely be dull out of the box :grumpy:
 
Not bad. You basically got two benchmarks of the two company.

I don't think there is much to warn about, but the Benchmade blade being "dull" is probably an exaggeration. Let's just say it probably won't be razor sharp. It might pop a FEW hairs, but the Spyderco blade will be more impressive in terms of sharpness.
 
charlOOsi said:
Not bad. You basically got two benchmarks of the two company.

I don't think there is much to warn about, but the Benchmade blade being "dull" is probably an exaggeration. Let's just say it probably won't be razor sharp. It might pop a FEW hairs, but the Spyderco blade will be more impressive in terms of sharpness.
Click to expand...

The idea was that since my hands are always sweaty I more or less need a grippier knife to work with to prevent injuries in the future.

I had a bunch of knife suggestions but the griptillian and the delica were two of the most suggested and the most in my price range to give them both a whirl. I had the money for both so I figured ah what the heck.

I figured that the benchmade would be a little less sharp then the spyderco but I shouldnt have said dull sorry about that. need to watch my wording a little better.
 
well sounds to me like you need to do a comparison " mini grip vs delica "

both seem like nice knives, I had a delica but dont know the mini grip very well.
i can attest to spyderco comming sharp out of the box. i cant help but think benchmade probubly comes just as sharp, it should .
 
bada61265 said:
well sounds to me like you need to do a comparison " mini grip vs delica "

both seem like nice knives, I had a delica but dont know the mini grip very well.
i can attest to spyderco comming sharp out of the box. i cant help but think benchmade probubly comes just as sharp, it should .
Click to expand...

Thats one of the reasons I bought both :D
I couldnt decide between the two. I wish tomorrow wasnt MLK day though cause I want them now!
 
...btw, both of those knives are popular with the guys that do custom scales.
Dammit!!! See, that's how it all starts!
 
Nice choices. Yes, Benchmade puts a horrible edge on their knives. But it's a moot point since you should be able to put a better edge on your knife than any factory edge anyway.
 
MConstable said:
...btw, both of those knives are popular with the guys that do custom scales.
Dammit!!! See, that's how it all starts!
Click to expand...

DAMN YOU. I already have a dip addiction and now I think I'm in too deep for this one. Ah what the hell. Might as well embrace it. Any way you could get some images of the custom scales?
 
Alright guys so a bit of news
The blue mini griptillian with the thumb studs was out of stock so I switched it to the modified sheeps foot HG blade with the thumbhole. Good or bad decision?
 
Tsujigiri said:
Nice choices. Yes, Benchmade puts a horrible edge on their knives. But it's a moot point since you should be able to put a better edge on your knife than any factory edge anyway.
Click to expand...



Really? I've never been able to get a better edge than a quality factory edge. Maybe I need some schooling?
 
MrPres said:
Really? I've never been able to get a better edge than a quality factory edge. Maybe I need some schooling?
Click to expand...

What sharpening system are you using?

OP, I personally prefer thumb studs to opening holes, but if you like opening holes better, that sounds like a good choice. Plus, the hollow grind should make the blade thinner at the edge, which will make it slice better and easier to sharpen.
 
Tsujigiri said:
What sharpening system are you using?

OP, I personally prefer thumb studs to opening holes, but if you like opening holes better, that sounds like a good choice. Plus, the hollow grind should make the blade thinner at the edge, which will make it slice better and easier to sharpen.
Click to expand...

http://smithsedge.com/products/product.asp?id=33&cid=21
This one

I figured a hollow grind was better but I prefer thumbstuds and i thought it'd be a bit easier to compare the two knives if one was a thumbstud and one was a thumb hole.
 
Hmmm, you should be able to get a good edge using that... Perhaps you're not keeping the angle perfectly constant or you're pushing too hard? Also keep in mind that a burr will form on the side of the blade opposite of the one you're working on, so it's important to switch between sides.

I personally use the Spyderco Sharpmaker. I bought a stone at first because the Sharpmaker seemed too expensive, but I went with it eventually. I'm really glad I did, because it's proved well worth it for me. With additional ultra fine rods, I can split hairs, shave, and slice paper. But even without the rods I got a better edge than factory.
 
When you're doing the fine work, very little pressure works best. By switching I mean grind one side of the blade, then the other, to remove the burr that builds up. Another possibility is that the grits on that sharpener are too coarse... ideally, the edge should look a little shiny.
 
lacrosse11attack said:
How much pressure should i apply?
what do you mean switch between sides?
Click to expand...

I have that system except mine also came with a fine arkansas stone. I assume you have a the course diamond and fine diamond, 350 grit and 750 grit, respectively. You will be able to put a very very sharp edge on a knife with that. I just did one of my knives and I can take a swinging clean cut through paper and process a cardboard pizza box with little to no effort.

What the other guy was saying about switching sides is, dont just do one side of the blade for a long time then do the other, then move on to the next stone. Do one side until you can feel a burr on the other side then switch, remove the burr on the other side and sharpen until there is a burr on the previous side. I try to do that with decreasing increments until there is no burr on either side. A little practice and you will get edges that are more then just workable sharp. OH and not a lot of pressure is necessary, if I can quantify it a couple pounds maybe? Your holding the system so nothing where its hard for you to hold up or the knife is not staying in place. Start slow and deliberate get the feel if it difficult for you and you will be flying through it in no time.

I had a full grip and a cara cara. I liked the grip and the handle was just fine in traction for me with the light usage I put on it. I know the cara cara is a lesser spyderco line (byrd line) but I assume the FRN traction is similar. It was also grippy, probably more so then the griptillian. Once again though, light usage with dry hands. The knives you picked are made well and have good reputations BUT IF you needed a lot of grip I would have went with a para military wich I feel is definitely more girppy than either knife you ordered. Also cold steel's folders, the Recon 1, american lawman, and AK 47 are very aggressively textured G-10 that sweaty hands shouldnt have a problem with. Then again Cold Steel knives are not for everyone.

In the end, you picked good knives and hopefully they serve you well. And with your smiths kit you should be able to put a better edge on the grip and tune up the delica when it goes dull (if not put a better edge on).
 
Oh i think I found my problem. I've been doing like 20 on each side and putting a good amount of pressure.
I've actually been looking at some of those knives but where I'm from the only real knife laws are no switchblades and it has to be under 3 inches. After I enlist I play on giving those knives a whirl but these two knives are more are less my "gateway knives"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top