Replacement Griptilian parts/ Griptilian Identification

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knifecollector73

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Jan 15, 2013
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I own a 551 and 550 griptilian. I was wondering where i could find replacement handles for them. Got maybe a tad bit tired of standard handles. I was also wondering about replacement blades without sending them back in to Benchmade. Both grips are serrated and I'd prefer to have at least one of them as a plain edge. Thanks for any help!

P.S. Does anyone know how to tell apart a black class grip from a blue class. I may have a black class grip on my hands. Not the fist owner so i'm not sure. Thanks!
 
knifecollector73 said:
I own a 551 and 550 griptilian. I was wondering where i could find replacement handles for them. Got maybe a tad bit tired of standard handles. I was also wondering about replacement blades without sending them back in to Benchmade. Both grips are serrated and I'd prefer to have at least one of them as a plain edge. Thanks for any help!

P.S. Does anyone know how to tell apart a black class grip from a blue class. I may have a black class grip on my hands. Not the fist owner so i'm not sure. Thanks!
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On replacement scales, there's a guy on the Forum here named Keyman that does excellent work, I'm not going to do a link here, you have to run a search.

On blade replacements, you're out of luck having them sent out to you. As a rule, Benchmade will not send out parts. Want a new blade? You have to send the knife in and pay for the swap, and they keep the original blade from your knife, they're not returned.

On the difference between black and blue class; regarding Grips there are no black class models, only blue.
 
Black class in what catalog and which year? And you're welcome on the rest.
 
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Try Cuscadi Scales,http://www.cuscadi.de/english/ they are located in Germany, great service and solid email communication regarding updates to my order. I just purchased 3 scales sets (2 for BM grips and 1 for a 91mm Victorinox). The fit is as good as factory and the scales look awesome.

P1010286a.jpg
 
Page 32/33 of the 2012 catalog reflect our NSN knives. While most of these knives are our black class, all Griptilian and Barrage series are blue class. There is no difference in build quality between our blue and black class other their final intended use. Having blue class product as NSN models just goes to show you that even its its a blue class model it can be used in tactical situations.
 
My point is; the Griptilian series have always been in the catalogs as Blue Class, not Black...I suspect folks in the sales department marketed these specific models with an NSN number, and added the 551SBK in the mix as a Black Class knife. In the bigger picture there isn't any difference between Blue and Black class knives. The fit and finish and quality of materials used across the board are superb as we all would expect. I hope this makes sense to you guys.
 
knifecollector73 go to my profile and hit me up with a PM or an email.
I would be happy to help.
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My Ritter grip come in a black class box? Is it still considered a blue class then? I would look through the catalog myself but my computer won't load it for some reason.
 
Benchmade said:
Page 32/33 of the 2012 catalog reflect our NSN knives. While most of these knives are our black class, all Griptilian and Barrage series are blue class. There is no difference in build quality between our blue and black class other their final intended use. Having blue class product as NSN models just goes to show you that even its its a blue class model it can be used in tactical situations.
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thanks for clarifying.
 
There are others that make scales, but keyman does great work as you have seen. Wander over the the custom section in the KnifeMakers market. A few people have running posts about work they do. DoAT did some for a mini grip and I really like it.
 
I first purchased a set of Cuscadi micarta scales for a mini grip and they looked good but it appeared that the center pivot holes where off just slightly because once reassembled it was very stiff to open and I bought a brand new griptilian for these scales and this was not my first time assembling and cleaning. The center pivot had to be loosened quite a bit to allow for one handed opening but it then had a lot of side to side play which is not how I like my knives. I also didn't want to try to return them, they where $130 but the time from Germany was almost 2 months after ordering. I'm sure plenty of people have had good experiences, I haven't heard any one else complain. I would love to try some Kevin Wilkins scales (G10,aluminum, titanium) but that requires another order from Europe.
I do have a pair of micarta scales from DOAT and they are incredible, price is comparable to all makers currently, its made here in America, and the wait is pretty minimal. He does full size and mini griptilian and Benchmade 940/943, you should look him up he has a link with all his patterns and prices.
 
I prefer to buy American.
Keyman or Death Of All Things "DOAT"
Or if you like blocky but solid. Putnam.
 
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