To WIlkins or not to Wilkins? G10? Aluminum? Titanium? Steampunk...?!?!

Comeuppance

Comeuppance

Fixed Blade EDC Emisssary
Joined
Jan 12, 2013
Messages
4,765
I just nabbed a 550HG Grip with a black blade and tan scales in what was overall a pretty good deal - good enough that I wouldn't feel too silly getting some second-hand wilkins grips to finally experience the magic that is a Griptilikin. I eschewed the Ritter Grip version, despite the better blade steel options, mostly because I like the sheepsfoot hollow grind blade that much more than I like the wear resistance of M390 (hey, wear resistance doesn't matter if you don't want to use the knife...)

For reference, it looks like this (not my picture):

550BKHGSN_1024x1024.jpg


So, I'm staring hard at the Wilkins website, and there are a lot of options (that are all way too expensive for me):

G10:

235.jpg


Aluminum (with G10 inlays):

259.jpg


Titanium (with G10 inlays):

270.jpg


And then, finally, Titanium "steampunk":

338.jpg



I've heard from many people that the plain Aluminum or Titanium Wilkins grips are practically inferior due to the inherent slickness of the handles, so that's why I'm looking at the inlaid versions (which would also fill up the palm a bit better, it would seem). The Steampunk ones are gorgeous, but I'm not likely to find a set of those on the secondary market anytime soon. So, out of the versions that people actually buy and then might later part with, which should I be looking at? Also, where should I be looking for second-hand wilkins grips aside from eBay (ecch) and the exchange?
 
I've been considering picking up a grip and doing the same thing. Have you checked out some of the custom scale makers here on the forum? Deathofallthings is doing some pretty nice ones for the grips. It will be interesting to see what you find out. I would love to get a set of Wilkens, but I agree with you that they are pricey.
 
I've looked at Wilkins and his ads many times. Have never convinced myself to pay more for grips than for the knife...
That's like buying a car for the leather car-seats...
You would probably have more fun...with your skill...if you started "making" your own grips...
 
I live in an apartment, so machining equipment is a bit beyond my capacity. I go back and forth on the axis lock all the time, honestly. I carried a 530 for months and then got big into flippers again, so away it went. My more recent bout with automatics has gotten me used to reaching for a lock on the upper-right-hand portion of the handle, so it's pretty natural for me at present.

I think it might just be that I have only held a few axis locks that were -perfect- and those were on knives that I didn't like for other reasons (Adamas, too thick. Onslaught, too big. 771-BC1, too small.) This 550hg is probably the best balance I've found, with a sheepsfoot blade and smooth pivot action and solid lockup.

Do any of the other custom grips have that "totally different and almost custom" feel that Wilkins are famous for? That's why I haven't really even considered the other makers - I want that super-solid feeling, as I definitely don't like the hollow *CLACK* the stock handles make.
 
I have had many different models of grip scales and I agree with Onojoe that deathofallthings has some of the best scales, plus most of his models have the rounded swell to the side like the factory shape to fill your hand more than the insert models, most of the flat side models are nice to look at but the in hand "feel" is very poor. I would really recommend looking at deathofallthings gallery his material options are huge, price varies with upgrades, but shipping is very fast compared to other companies. One of my favorites was plain green micarta scales, almost warm to the hand and develops a nice worn look with a little use.
 
Sonnydaze said:
I've looked at Wilkins and his ads many times. Have never convinced myself to pay more for grips than for the knife...
That's like buying a car for the leather car-seats...
You would probably have more fun...with your skill...if you started "making" your own grips...
Click to expand...

^^^^This.

Unless you are obsessed with the grip, if you add the price of the knife and the price of the scales, you're into much more interesting knife territory.
 
I think upscake grips on a grip would make for a worthy knife, but along with price is consideration of the shape. Most aftermarket scalemakers duplicate the oem shape whereas Wilkins gives a new shape to the handle, which many people serm to find greatly beneficial.
 
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Good call on getting new scales for it. I hated mine, and never rotated my griptilian as edc just because of the Fischer Price scales. Got some amazon scales, and now love the knife.

Whatever scales you get, youll be happy.

My vote is for the titanium you posted.
 
Here's the original.......




Here's the footed or square end....




However, this is my favorite shape...



Of coarse then again maybe your crazy about suface texturing?..........

 
What's that second one? I thought it was micarta at first, but I think I see CF? It's a bit teensy on my phone.
 
While I do like some of their designs, and the quality seems to be top notch, but I can't bring myself to spend $110-$200 just for handle slabs. I'd have to really really love the knife, and really really hate the stock handle. Some of those inlaid ones are very impressive. Also for those prices I'd have to handle one before buying.

If I got a really good deal on the knife and loved the blade I might give it a go. After all you could spend another $150 on the handle and probably still have significantly less into it than any mid-tech would charge for something similar.
 
I had 3 and i much prefer them on the minis.
On the regular it felt a bit too blocky.
On the minis on the other hand they are great but i would go with G-10 over the ti ones.
The Ti grips look awesome but they add too much weight to the knife in my opinion.
I sold them all a while back but been warming up to the idea of buying me another mini Ritter with some G-10 scales.
http://noknifenofun.blogspot.com/2013/03/griptilian-rsk-mk1-e-kevin-wilkins.html
 
I love that steampunk one, but being brass it might be heavy. I emailed kevin to see how much they weigh.He says they are 6.3 oz which is about 1 oz less than a zt0200,add the knife and hardware and it gets closer to 7oz. I don't want it to be like a buck 110 or a boat anchor,but im very tempted to get them.
 
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I've had the swimming pool green G11 for years on my griptillian and it's been one of my favorite go to knives. It's kind of pricey but consider how much a full custom would cost. I'd love to get a mini in titanium
 
I've had Wilkins Ti scales on my Grips.
At the time I thought it was my grail.
They turned out to be too heavy for me.
The combo is definitely tank proof though.
I prefer my python micarta scales for comfort and weight (4.0 Oz.)
 
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