Tell me about the Benchmade Gravitator (Wharncliffe profile)

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May 19, 2003
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After coming to the realization that the Gravitator is an offshoot of the Yojimbo, it's become of interest to me.

Can anyone who owns one (Wharncliff) offer comments on what they like or dislike about it?

I'd be particularly interested in comments from anyone who owns a Gravitator *and* a Yojimbo.

Thanks
 
I owned both , I regret selling the Gravitator . Much better ergos and comfort than the Yo . The compression lock is theoretically stronger than the Gravitators modified liner , but mine was plenty strong . One of a very few liners I trusted . The Gravitator is a better improvised ippact weapon than the Yo . I found it better for EDC chores , much more comfortable in the hand . The Yo being flatter , is a bit easier to carry , but less hand friendly .

Chris
 
I used to have both, still very fond of them.

The Gravitator was a knife I loved from the first time I saw a picture of it. The design really struck me. I felt it was a very good knife, very well made. One thing I wasn't crazy about was the thumb serration on top of the blade. I wished they'd been a bit less aggressive because I often caught the side of my hand on them when reaching into my pocket for something other than the knife.

As for the Yojimbo, it had one of the best grips I ever found on a folder. Just felt really locked in, super secure. The blade was nice - again, a striking design - but would have liked a bit more length and less height. Loved the tip up carry. Loved Spyderco's blue G10, great color and great texture.

Both had nasty points, the Yojimbo especially.

The Yojimbo had much more feeling of a weapon, whereas the Gravitator was a nice but aggressive looking piece.
 
I wished they'd been a bit less aggressive because I often caught the side of my hand on them when reaching into my pocket for something other than the knife.
I second this...it's the one reason my Gravitator doesn't see more carry time. The triangular shape of the blade's spine gives it a fairly wide profile when folded; you get punished for reaching into your pocket. Sometimes I just carry it unclipped and tip-up (spine to my pocket seam) just to avoid the thumb ramp grooves. Other than that, it has the stoutest liner lock of any liner I own, almost as thick as a Kershaw Leek's frame lock. For a wharncliff, it has a fairly thick tip.

I cannot comment on the Yojimbo, not having ever owned or handled one, sorry.
 
I'm with the last two members. The deeply serrated thumb ramp was an absolute chainsaw in the pocket. It really killed the knife for me, and I'm a wharncliffe fanatic. I really wanted to love it, but had to sell it for being unpocketable.
 
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