Recommend a Benchmade!

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eswordko

Joined
Feb 12, 2015
Messages
2
Hello!

I'm (female) looking to purchase my first Benchmade for EDC, or potentially SHTF situations. I've been reading reviews but can't seem to make a decision, though I've narrowed it down to the following choices:

1. Benchmade 530
2. Benchmade 551 Griptilian
3. Benchmade 556 Mini-Griptilian

Also, should I get serrated or not?
Any thoughts or suggestions are gladly appreciated! :)
 
If you want one that's slim and virtually disappears in the pocket, the 530 is what you want. The grips on the other two are fat in comparison.

But really, any of those three are fine choices. You might also want to consider the 707 Sequel; small and easy to carry with the same great blade steel as the others (unless you are looking at one of the other versions of the Grip and Mini Grip).

Serrations are a matter of taste. Very few of mine are serrated simply because I generally don't need it and the plain edge is much easier to sharpen.
 
I was just talking with a lady at the LGS about this last night and what she came down to was:

556 Mini-Griptilian

707 Sequel

485 Valet

or

484 Nakamura

In no particular order there, but she seemed to really like the Valet but the Grip would be the cheapest of the bunch.
 
Of the choices mentioned... I'd take the 551. Mini-grip is too small for my taste. Same with the 707. Very nice, but a little too small. Not comfortable in my hands. I've carried the 940 since the day I got it. I like Benchmade knives, but depending on what kind of shtf you're talking about an axis lock might not be my choice. Small fixie like an Izula would be bulletproof. Easy to carry in casual dress. Not so much in business attire. As for folders, frame locks are what I trust the most. Compression lock on my PM2 seems pretty durable as well.
 
knives_in_nature said:
Why do people never mention the 940 anymore? It's basically the best edc blade of the past decade!
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I love my 940-1 and 941, but they are a bit longer and from what I heard that lady saying last night... their pockets are smaller than most guys pants so that becomes an issue possibly. But, if it fits, then yea the 940 is a great option!
 
I have a handful of Benchmade's and actually the 556 Mini Grip is my favorite of all of them. It is pretty darn small and I believe would be a good choice for you.
 
eswordko said:
Hello!

I'm (female) looking to purchase my first Benchmade for EDC, or potentially SHTF situations. I've been reading reviews but can't seem to make a decision, though I've narrowed it down to the following choices:

1. Benchmade 530
2. Benchmade 551 Griptilian
3. Benchmade 556 Mini-Griptilian

Also, should I get serrated or not?
Any thoughts or suggestions are gladly appreciated! :)
Click to expand...

How will you edc the knife? In a pants pocket? A purse? That may determine the best size. If you're wanting one for purse/bag carry that could potentially work for SHTF times, then either the 551 or the 950 Rift.

[video=youtube;pKol-A0fX7E]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKol-A0fX7E[/video]
 
abizdafuzz said:
I love my 940-1 and 941, but they are a bit longer and from what I heard that lady saying last night... their pockets are smaller than most guys pants so that becomes an issue possibly. But, if it fits, then yea the 940 is a great option!
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Good point! If you can't fit a 940 in your pocket's I'd try out a Emissary. That is of course if you want to get a Benchmade.
 
I bought my wife a Ritter mini-Grip and she loves it, or so she tells me. If you buy the pink one, a percentage of the sale goes to breast cancer research. Excellent knife either way!

I would avoid serrations myself. I dont have a single carry knife with serrations and never feel the need for them. If your knife is properly sharpened it will cut anything you need.

I would also look at the Emissary, it is small and has opening assist, which you may like.

Another option is the mini-Barrage which has M390 - an excellent steel. The Barrage is also an assisted opener.

You could also look at the 484 Nakumura which also has M390 and now S90V too. Or the 940 Osborne in CF and S90V. Awesome EDC right there.

Of the Mini-Axis Stryker II in drop point. Another great EDC.

With Benchmade there are no shortage of options! In fact, if you have smaller hands you actually have MORE options than most fellas.
 
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Welcome to the forums. I think for shtf I would pick the 551, my wife has a bug out bag and that is what she keeps in it. Check out youtube there are a few good knife reviews on the 551 . Good luck.
 
The mini grip was my first BM and it has served me (female) well. I wear med ladies gloves. It's light, comfortable in the hand and pocket. It is used often for edc ex opening bags of mulch, cutting down cardboard, opening boxes, letters, packages etc. I even did some light pruning in the yard. The FRN is not as visually appealing to me as some of the other handle materials but it has grip. Smooth handles on knives are a little more difficult for me to deploy. I hold the knife slightly differently than a male due to longer nails. If you have the opportunity to handle the knives I'd recommend that. Some of the knives that are popular are great but not a good fit in the hand for me. Long nails do have an impact on grip and deployment.

I also really like the Emissary. It disappears in the pocket so you can wear it with almost anything and is very light weight. It is also very easy for me to deploy quickly as it is an assisted knife. I prefer other handle materials to the aluminum. It's done well but it can scratch. It's also a texture issue for me but that's just a personal preference.

The 940-1 is awesome and light weight. It is bigger though so it's not going to disappear as well as the Emissary in pants.

My newest addition is the Valet. Love, love, love this knife. Its classy, light, neutral color, great steal, beautiful blade shape. With the G10 scales it will stay looking good for a long time. I'm on a mission this week to find an attractive small flashlight and a pen to make an elegant work/dress edc set. BM really hit the ball out of the park with this knife.

On my key chain I have a Spyderco Bug. It was a novelty purchase for me but now that I have it I really do get quite a bit of use out of it.

I prefer a plain edge as it's easier to sharpen. All of these are great choices for light/med duty edc. Another consideration is maintaining the edge. The mini grip is easy to maintain.

Not sure what SHTF situation you are considering but if I broke down and had to walk home, camp out, grid down, I'd want carbon steel fixed blades such as an Esee 4 and 6 with me. They would be too heavy for edc but easy enough to pack into a 72 hour kit for your car. For lighter weight a Mora or Opinel are other good options. If you are seeking something defensive a knife would not be my first, second or third choice. No way.
 
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Thanks for your input! ...and another set of kudos for the 485 Valet. Among the offerings/suggestions the 585, 940 (in it's variants) and the Valet, maybe the 556...all are good choices.
 
I recommend you skip the 530 and look at the 531, basically same knife with really nice textured g-10 scales which means much less FLEX which the 530 is notorious for and it slips in the pocket to be forgotten until you need it, I carry mine at work frequently for the low key look.
The griptilian or mini-grip have to be the highest bang for the buck knife out there and you can pick you steel preference, color, and customize it on Benchmades site at the build your own location, or just shop the web and you can find standard grips for around $70 new, or hit the forum here. Good luck.
 
floridaclipper said:
If you have the opportunity to handle the knives I'd recommend that. Some of the knives that are popular are great but not a good fit in the hand for me. Long nails do have an impact on grip and deployment.
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This ^^^. Whatever you select should be comfortable and controllable in YOUR hand. Ergos may not be everything, but they trump whatever's second IMO.
 
the mini-grip is a fantastic little knife, easy to carry, will do any job you ask of it. I usually carry in the 3.5 inch range, but i have a tanto mini-grip for those days i need something a little more inconspicuous.
 
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