Wanting my 1st Benchmade

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Agrsiv

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Apr 14, 2019
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I am wanting a BM mini griptillion for edc. My dilemma (that maybe you can help with) is a black s30v is about $98. A custom color 20cv or M4 steel is about $150. First are the better steels worth the price difference? Second, for edc is 20c or m4 better? I currently carry a SOG Twitch 2 and I am tired of constantly needing to sharpen the AUS-8 blade and the ergos just don't work well for me (or I just want a new knife). I want it to hold an edge as long as possible because I don't enjoy sharpening knives. I will actually probably send the new knife in to be sharpened when it needs it, if it's to difficult.
 
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The S30V should serve you fine if you want to keep it around $100. You will definitely not have to sharpen it as much as Aus 8. Griptilians pop up on the blade exchange quite often, you can probably snag one off of there for a little cheaper.
 
Agrsiv said:
I am wanting a BM mini griptillion for edc. My dilemma (that maybe you can help with) is a black s30v is about $98. A custom color 20cv or M4 steel is about $150. First are the better steels worth the price difference? Second, for edc is 20c or m4 better? I currently carry a SOG Twitch 2 and I am tired of constantly needing to sharpen the AUS-8 blade and the ergos just don't work well for me (or I just want a new knife). I want it to hold an edge as long as possible because I don't enjoy sharpening knives. I will actually probably send the new knife in to be sharpened when it needs it, if it's to difficult.
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20cv is among the best steels for an edc folder and will hold an edge very long without being overly difficult to touch up.

I slightly prefer m4 but it is not stainless so you might want to get a DLC coating on it. M4 is a little bit tougher than 20cv so if it’s a knife you plan on doing some really serious cutting with I give the nod to m4. 20cv is still very capable as a hard use steel, you can’t really go wrong with either.

S30v I don’t personally love but a lot of people do. It is a great steel for keeping a working edge but in my experience it loses its razor edge faster than some other steels. I have heard this can be prevented by using diamond stones for sharpening s30v.

On any of these 3 steels diamond is probably what you want for any coarse sharpening work.
 
I just ordered a Grip and Mini Grip. I got S30V for the Grip and 154CM for the Mini Grip. My reasoning is that the Mini is too small for anything serious so 154CM is just fine for steel. The Grip is planned for anything more than opening boxes.

I've been using a Kershaw Cryo as my edc most of the time for the past 10 yrs and that has 8cr13mov and has been fine for almost everything I needed it for.
 
Love me some M4 but the 154 is plenty good enough for the money in the mini and suits me just fine.

Bought my daaughter one from the custom order page and felt no need to upgrade the steel.

Edit: Bottom line is I would stay closer to $98 than $150 in this fine platform.
 
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Unless you are planning on doing some serious cutting and ultra edge retention is necessary, S30V will do anything you need it to and plus some. S30V is a well balanced steel in terms of edge retention, corrosion resistance, and it is relatively easy to sharpen.
 
Coated m4 blade, if you don't want the one that will hold an edge the longest. It is a beast to sharpen though once dull. Really any of these 3 steels are awesome and will seem even better after going from aus-8.
 
Keep an eye on the Exchange and get one. They show up all the time.

Even the 154CM version is adequate for the Mini.

Great way to save some cash.
 
Mini Griptilian is a fine choice, but the cheaper steels are more than adequate for EDC.
 
This partly depends on how you intend to use the knife and also a bigger portion (IMO) on how you intend to care for your knife. S30V and 20CV are stainless enough that, under most EDC circumstances, you will not likely have rust issues. M4 has less than desirable-to-poor corrosion resistance, depending on who you're asking. A DLC/coated finish can help if that is an issue for you. Your body has a different chemistry (sweat and oils) that might affect these steels to a more noticeable degree vs what John Smith, or John G might experience. Corrosion is probably the biggest factor to worry about, as all of these steels will hold their edge noticeably longer than AUS-8 and all perform stellar as EDC knife steels. IMO they are absolute overkill for most for real EDC chores and tasks, so if you want to stop reading here, save your money and buy the S30V if you've not experienced "super" steels before. You can always sell that knife to fund an M4 or 20CV (or "better") steel of your liking in the future :thumbsup:.

S30V starts with a very sharp edge and fades to a "working" edge (quite toothy) very fast. 20CV is similar in that regard, but will hold its edge longer before absolute dulling over S30V. M4 can take and hold a sharper edge throughout its life until it gets dull. M4 and 20CV will differ in how long depending on heat treatment. I'm not familiar with Benchmade, but I doubt they're pushing these steels to an optimal hardness for their production (or even semi-custom) knives.
 
Thank you everyone for your replies. I decided to go with the majority of the suggestions and ordered one with s30v. It's not like I won't be buying any more knives. By the way, THANKS A LOT! I went 45 years without spending over $50 for a knife. Lurking and joining this forum has already put an end to that, and I am already looking for what to buy next. I hope you are proud of yourselves. ;)
 
Agrsiv said:
Thank you everyone for your replies. I decided to go with the majority of the suggestions and ordered one with s30v. It's not like I won't be buying any more knives. By the way, THANKS A LOT! I went 45 years without spending over $50 for a knife. Lurking and joining this forum has already put an end to that, and I am already looking for what to buy next. I hope you are proud of yourselves. ;)
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I think I'm only a few years younger than you and I agree, I had a $50 mental limit for pocket knives and $100 for fixed blades (for camping mostly). I've been eyeing the Griptilian for almost 10 yrs and finally pulled the trigger on 2. I mentioned the steel choice in my previous post but I got the mini grip today and it's a S30V version. I contacted the seller and basically said to keep it unless I really wanted 154CM. The full sized should be here in a couple of days and that should be S30V too.
 
Agrsiv said:
Thank you everyone for your replies. I decided to go with the majority of the suggestions and ordered one with s30v. It's not like I won't be buying any more knives. By the way, THANKS A LOT! I went 45 years without spending over $50 for a knife. Lurking and joining this forum has already put an end to that, and I am already looking for what to buy next. I hope you are proud of yourselves. ;)
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You've opened a Pandora's Box! We'll be more than happy to help you spend money on more knives!

You'll be just fine with the S30V Grip. Unless you're willing to pay to upgrade the scales, 154CM or S30V fit the stock plastic handles just fine. The 20CV upgrade makes sense only if you're going to pay for the G10 upgrades with the -1 models.
 
I will give you my advice. My very first benchmade was a used griptilian with a plastic handle and 154cm steel.

Then I bought my grey blue grip.

Steel wise, s30v will do you well, the reason that I love and use my grey and blue grip is all about the handle. Much much better handle in it, and the one I would recommend to anyone.

Now if you found a beater s30v grip for super cheap.... that could be a really good knife to use, but I would still get the g10 one first
 
I will give you my advice. My very first benchmade was a used griptilian with a plastic handle and 154cm steel.

Then I bought my grey blue grip.

Steel wise, s30v will do you well, the reason that I love and use my grey and blue grip is all about the handle. Much much better handle in it, and the one I would recommend to anyone.

Now if you found a beater s30v grip for super cheap.... that could be a really good knife to use, but I would still get the g10 one first
 
I like that you're wanting a better knife than what you currently carry. For similar prices and a much better overall knife, may i suggest a WE?

Agrsiv said:
I am wanting a BM mini griptillion for edc. My dilemma (that maybe you can help with) is a black s30v is about $98. A custom color 20cv or M4 steel is about $150. First are the better steels worth the price difference? Second, for edc is 20c or m4 better? I currently carry a SOG Twitch 2 and I am tired of constantly needing to sharpen the AUS-8 blade and the ergos just don't work well for me (or I just want a new knife). I want it to hold an edge as long as possible because I don't enjoy sharpening knives. I will actually probably send the new knife in to be sharpened when it needs it, if it's to difficult.
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Wanting my 1st Benchmade
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mini griptillion
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When I saw the title and before I opened the thread I was going to suggest the Mini Grip.

I am a huge fan of M4 . . . 20CV is plenty good to. S30V will certainly be a pleasure after fighting AUS8.
Buy what you like to look at to. I don't care for gray knife handles so I didn't go with the 20CV (or is that just on the full size Grip?).

Personally I have the full size Grip in the Ritter M390 (same as 20CV alloy wise).
In the Mini I have the 154CM that's good to !
 
I view benchmade knives as nice knives for people who don't know knives (and people who like nostalgia). They could sell like hotcakes in the nicer truck stops around the country.

It's like reebok vs. brooks or Hoki One One running shoes. Some brands are good to great and affordable. Other brands are simply acceptable and recognized by the masses and not crazy expensive. Go into a running shoe specialisty store and they may have some reeboks, but the people there will point you to better shoes for better prices. Some people are just nostalgic for the reebok name and will recommend them because of that, not that they would be terrible or anything. But those looking to point you to the best bang for the buck wouldn't recommend reebok, and i won't recommend benchmade. Others, if they were honest, wouldn't either.
 
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Care to elaborate? I got a Bugout for my first knife that was over $20 and love it. Already wanting a grip or the od Bugout
Someone1 said:
I view benchmade knives as nice knives for people who don't know knives (and people who like nostalgia). They could sell like hotcakes in the nicer truck stops around the country.

It's like reebok vs. brooks or Hoki One One running shoes. Some brands are good to great and affordable. Other brands are simply acceptable and recognized by the masses and not crazy expensive.
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