Tomcat vs Griptilian vs Sequel --> EDC?

M

MikeX

Joined
Feb 8, 2007
Messages
29
Hello!

Which of these would you recommend as an EDC and why?
SOG Tomcat 3.0
Benchmade 551 Griptilian
Benchmade 556 Mini-Griptilian
Benchmade 707 Sequel

Basically the SOG is the biggest and heaviest of all, but has the best steel and better (?) lock, no annoying clip and a nice nylon pouch.
The 551 Griptilian is nice, but has a cheap handle material, but mich lighter than the SOG.
The 556 has a better handle than the 551, but is smaller. Maybe too small for EDC?
The 707 is small and has a very thin blade. VERY light. I guess will be the most comfortable to carry, but maybe it's not durable enough for everyday use?
 
I own a 707 and rotate it in my EDC occasionally. I dont consider it too small for everday use. What do you plan to use it for? It sounds like you want/need a larger/stouter knife and blade. The 707 is plenty for opening boxes,cutting carboard, and other chores. Do you have larger hands? I prefer my military and other larger knives because I have wide hands.
 
These are all great knives IMHO.

The Tomcat 3.0 appears like it would be more comparable to the 551, as where the 707 appears like it would be more comparable to the 556.

The Tomcat looks like it would be the toughest. An imediate drawback the the design would be that there's no pocket clip. Other than the Arcitech, which is grossly over priced IMO, this design is my favorite in the entire SOG line.

The 551 and the entire Griptilian series are some of the best value-to-price knives you'll get in the industry (though there are some great competitors). The difference between the 551 and the 556 other than size is that the larger Griptilians don't have steel liners behind the entire area of the handle like the smaller Grips. This tends to bother some because they "feel" cheaper, though I'm not one of them.

The 707 is probably the most elegant of the bunch. Great design and worth the price. Definitely not a super hard user, but would be enough for most of the things I use my EDCs for. It's not delicate either, it'svery well made and designed and you shouldn't be worried about it holding up. Be more concerned that it's the design that best suits your needs.

The 556 is the cheapest and yet is a great value. If a 3" blade is more like your style and saving $$$ matters, this is the knife for you.

My choice would probably be between the 707 and the Tomcat. I generally prefer larger folders, but I really like the design on the 707. After getting into Spyderco's Endura and Salt series knives, I stopped carrying my Griptilians, as much as I still liked them (including the Ritter Grip).
 
I have a 707s that has seen a fair amount of pocket time, it is a great edc. Light, fairly thin, but sturdy for a knife of its size- and the axis lock is rock solid. If I had to choose between them, my preference would be the 707.
 
@ignoramus: thanks for the huge post. That's exactly what I was thinking. ATM I prefer the Tomcat, because I like large folders which feel very tough.

Man, the new SOG Vulcan looks so NICE :thumbup:... but too much time until it becomes availible.
 
I have both the BM 556 and BM 707. I like the mini grip better than the larger regular sized grip because it carries better for me. You can't go wrong with either though. They are a lot tougher than you think. However my mini grip is seeing less pocket time due to the 707. The 707 is my perfect edc. It is thin, has an amazing blade (it cuts like a much bigger knife), has excellent steel and is extremely tough. You will be satisfied with any of those but the 707 gets my vote.
 
Those seem like an apple and oranges choice to me. The Tomcat 3.0 would be on the opposite scale from the 707 Sequel, as far as size and weight goes. I guess the Grip would be closer in size to the SOG. The only thing that keeps me from jumping on the Tomcat 3.0, besides money;) , is the lack of a pocket clip. I am definately a pocket clip guy. But I do love the look of that Tomcat!! Maybe a nicely made leather sheath with an open top would make the idea of no clip a bit easier to swallow.....................something to think about.

As for the question I guess I would go with the Tomcat. I just like a slightly larger knife and am comfortable with a 4.0" blade or slightly longer. If belt carry is not a problem then the Tomcat would seem able to handle more difficult chores than the other 2 and look dang good at doing so!
 
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