Poor quality custom S30V griptilian?

N

Nogorn

Joined
Nov 29, 2012
Messages
77
I payed just over 160$ for a custom griptilian with S30V steel and a sheepsfoot blade. The opening hole has a huge notch running from one side to the other facing frontward. there is a random line cut out of the top of the blade almost as if the jimping failed at some point. Also for being S30V it kinda sucks. I put a fresh hair popping edge on it and after just cutting through a balled up paper towel half way its noticeably duller. Im a little ticked off because i waited over a month for this thing to ship to me and payed 160$ for it.
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Interested in trading it? It's like my EDC. I've been looking for another one in a different configuration. Let me know.
 
no i think im gonna keep it. Maybe my expectations of S30V were a little too high. but seriously. Dulled after cutting a napkin?
 
Yeah im considering it. i just got it and i really dont want to send it off again. S30V isnt supposed to be that soft is it...
 
S30v is known to lose it's hair popping edge fairly quickly , put holds a good working edge, I don't see a napkin dulling properly HT s30v , either something is wrong with the heat treat or maybe you had a wire edge? If your not happy call benchmade tell them the knife is Brand new and dulled on you after you cut a napkin, and you believe the heat treat may be off, Their customer service is great and they will fix you up, yea it sucks to send off a brand new knife, buuut, would you rather keep it and sharpen it several times a day or send it in and get it fixed???
 
I think your expected level of fit & finish is a bit high, but perhaps for $160 perfection should be the norm. :confused: I could live with the slight imperfections but I would notice them just like you did.

About the blade dulling when cutting tissue... I suspect you may have left a burr that folded over. Go out and use it for a while and see how it really performs.

I was kinda overly picky with my first few high-end knives but now I just use them and try to stop obsessing over the little things. ;)
 
the two visual things wouldn't be enough to make me send it in, IMO. Unless that notch in the hole is irritating to open. Unfortunately it's coated, otherwise if that notch was a bother I would smooth it out a bit with an abrasive.

The edge holding... I'd attempt to sharpen it again, check really closely for an existing burr/wire edge when you think you are done, that's the only way I could think of it dulling that quickly unless they just REALLY botched the HT.

BM customer service should be good enough to handle any of those issues if they are an issue enough to send in. It's up to you.
 
I spent 2 hours re sharpening the edge to be super careful. 400 to 800 to 1500 ceramic then hit the strop with green polishing compound untill it was hair popping then a little more very light passes. It fixes right up after i cut something within 20 passes on the strop but i dont want to have to strop after every time i use it. I really don't know if i should send it back or not. the nick in the opening hole doesn't really bother me nor the jimping. I was more ticked off at the edge retention. So far its holding up about as well as any 60$ Walmart knife. Maybe a tad bit better but not much.

Also im new to sharpening. I dont feel a rie edge or burr on my knife but the way i sharpened it was on an edge pro apex and all my strokes from the stone were coming towards me. never back. Could that have messed something up?
 
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Is it possible for HT to be screwed from the factory? More likely you had a wire edge. Just put on a microbevel.

I understand the appeal of wanting a customized knife, but $160 for a Griptillian is steep. I didn't know they charge that much. There is a Limited Edition Griptillan with M4 for sale on this forum for not too much more than that.
 
I have a mini grip from the Custom program with an S30V blade. I haven't touched the edge since I got it, and it will still shave.
I think for it to be a HT issue, it would have to be WAY off. I'm leaning towards a wire edge like others have mentioned.

They are expensive for a Griptilian, but it is nice to have one done the way you want. Personally, I think the issues with yours would drive me nuts.
There are no perfect knives, even at 5 times the cost, but those flaws are really out of character for Benchmade. I would send it back, and get it fixed.
If you are like me, you will always see those flaws, and they will still bother you.
 
I agree with Mike,send her in for a new blade.I'm sure B.M. wants you to be a happy camper and a returning customer.
 
Sharpen again and get the burr on both sides of blade then put that secondary edge on it or let Benchmade take care of it.
 
I have to agree with Mike and skyhorse, that one slipped by QC. I understand not wanting to ship it back and be without it, (the waiting sucks) but it will always bother you and BM will surely fix it for you.
 
Production quality control and a faulty heat treat sounds like something they should respond to and fix for you. Between a soft S30V edge and that 'notch' in the thumbhole I'd suggest sending it in under warranty conditions. Call them at 800-800-7427 and ask for Customer Service.
 
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