To Griptilian or not to Griptilian?

Some time back, at the huge sharp things section in a local sporting goods store, I was talking with a south Alabama custom knifemaker while perusing the Benchmade cases. He asked me if I liked the Grip - I said it was my first ever and least favorite BM knife. I metered my remarks by revealing that I loved the ergonomics - jimping - SS skeleton - AXIS lock, etc. Not fond of two things - my 551 in 440C had been, new in the box, so dull that it needed heat to cut butter - and I wasn't so fond of it's FRN handle. I added that I eventually got a Spyderco Sharpmaker - and, after some effort, I had re-edged it. Sadly, I had about two dozen other BMs then - thirty-odd now - so it doesn't see much action. Still, it's a keeper. The knifemaker I was talking with was Mel Pardue himself - BM's senior knife designer - and designer of the Grips.

Back to the OP's question - I like knife edges. I have saws for times in which they are advantageous. My pocket knives are knife-edged. That is a personal taste. Get the one you want, not necessarily the bargain. The price of a good knife is soon forgotten - the price of a less than optimum knife is a constant reminder of it's folly.

Happy New Year!

Stainz

PS I traded with Mr. Pardue before Christmas and got one of his fine custom knives! Wow... I'm not worthy!! Check his site out...
 
To those who compare the edges of Benchmade to Spyderco 30* - it doesn't take long to change that - when you sharpen it put a 30* edge on your Benchmade. That's what I've always done ( topped off with a 40* microbevel). ;)
 
Yo Mama said:
Ha! Because we have an opinion in a forum discussing knives and options for purchase, all of a sudden I'm a fanboy? Come on.
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No. That has nothing to do with it. When a member asks about a SPECIFIC knife, I think the replies should stay on track with that. If a person doesn't like Benchmades, or has had bad luck with them, that is fine, but leave other manufactureres out of it, unless they are specifically asked for..
 
Myself, I quit rationalizing to get something just b/c it was cheap a long time ago, end ever since I quit, I regret less purchases. If you aren't 100% sure or happy, don't get it. Get what you really want for $20 more.. it's like 4 beers (out).
 
I woudnt I feel there are better options in that price range. Good luck to your decision!!
 
I got my first BM years ago. It was a 705 with an ATS-34 blade. I really enjoyed the knife and had zero complaints about it.
When my wife got me my first Mini Grip, I thought, this thing just feels cheap.... Plus it had a partially serrated blade, which I really don't like.
Not wanting to return it, I gave it a chance. I ended up carrying that knife everyday for about 5 years, and used the heck out of it.

It soon became my favorite folder. I got over the cheap feel, and really like the way it feels in hand. I did actually use the serrations, but I still don't buy a new knife that has them.
I think the Mini Grip is one of the best buys there is. I decided I liked the Mini so much, I would check out the full size Grip.
Nope... Didn't care for it. It just didn't have the same feel.

I would try one, and if you don't like it, you can resell it for almost what you paid for it.
 
I have a mini grip combo tanto blade.
Carry it everyday. Really like it.
Can't find anything i don't like about it.
 
I would say to get it. The Griptilian is a great knife, especially at that price. I'm not really a huge fan of handles that aren't G-10, Carbon Fiber, Titanium, Stainless Steel, Micarta, etc, but the Grip is an excellent knife that fits the hand like it was meant to be there. Carries relatively light in the pocket, and cuts like a champ.

However, I don't like serrations and that's why I never picked up the same knife you're talking about. I have carried serrated knives, used serrations, and just do not like them at all. So I would spend the extra $20 and get the Plain Edge.
 
If you are OK with sharpening serrations: with the type of stuff you cut half-serration will be just fine. That is if sharpening them afterwards will not be a challenge for you.
 
Spend a little more $ and check out gpknives.com. They offer a griptilian in CPM M4 blade steel that is coated black and is drop point. M4 will out cut most anything.
 
M.FREEZE said:
Spend a little more $ and check out gpknives.com. They offer a griptilian in CPM M4 blade steel that is coated black and is drop point. M4 will out cut most anything.
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Those sold out a few weeks ago
 
338375 said:
No. That has nothing to do with it. When a member asks about a SPECIFIC knife, I think the replies should stay on track with that. If a person doesn't like Benchmades, or has had bad luck with them, that is fine, but leave other manufactureres out of it, unless they are specifically asked for..
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I'm not a fanboy at all. My recommendation is to skip it because the knives have always been less than sharp. I have a few other BM's that have been fine but not the Grips I've tried.
 
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