Which Benchmade for an edc - Griptilian? Thoughts on where to purchase?

scotchleaf

scotchleaf

Joined
Oct 23, 2006
Messages
2,232
I am attracted to the the Mel Pardue designed Griptilian 552 and the ordinary Griptilian 551 for an EDC. I am looking for advice on:

  1. Which blade shape to buy (I don't want a tanto), and;
  2. the advantages of the steels used,
    552 is S30V
    551 is 154CM or Coated D2
  3. which blade color/coating to obtain (I like the look of steel colored, non-coated blades but I'm open to your thoughts)
  4. the other differences between the 551 and the 552

Also, what about the other sub $100 Benchmade knives, like the Pika, Pika II, Eisen, Nitrus Stryker? Any of them better as an edc than a Griptilian?

Finally, I'm kind of limited to buying on ebay because I don't use a credit card: any sellers to avoid (fakes?) Any got a good reputation?

Thanks everyone for your help.
 
Last edited:
well I have the MiniGrip in sheep's foot blade in 440c (old) and I absolutely love the blade shape, I have the combo edge.

I really like the OD handle and black blades out right now in D2 but can't bring myself to get one.
 
i have the HG 154 cm with the thumbhole, and couldnt be happier! i would reccomend it to anyone looking for a good knife.
 
I have the 551S (full-size grip with partially-serrated blade) in the 154cm...have had it about one year, hasn't needed sharpening, and has seen some pretty hairy stuff (figuratively, of course) in the Tetons & Yellowstone while backpacking.
 
knifeworks.com has them for in the $60 range....avoid your usual retailers who are still peddling these for >$100...I just ordered a knife (Cold Steel American Lawman-a gift, I'm a BM guy) from knifeworks.com and the service and shipping was excellent.
 
I own a 556 mini-griptilian in 154cm steel. I love this knife for an EDC. It's just a smaller version of the 551.

154CM is truly stainless, will hold an edge well, and is fairly easy to sharpen
D2 is not stainless, and will require more care, plus it only comes with a coating in the griptilian (cabelas version), it holds an edge better than the other steels, and is harder to sharpen (especially if you let it get dull)
S30V is kind-of in between, it's still stainless, holds an edge better than 154cm but not as well as d2. It is also quite a bit more expensive.

Whether you like coated blades or not is really an individual thing. Benchmade's coating is really tough, but still after a lot of use it will begin to wear off, and some people don't like the look of worn blade coating, while some people love that look.

Overall I would recommend just going with the basic: plain edged, uncoated, 154cm 551 model. Though you really can't go wrong with any of the variations.
 
The 550 or 551 would be a great choice, in either 440C or 154CM. The Ritter is overkill, thats why I have several :D. Really, I have cut out everything, except for Reeves, Striders, a Spyderco Military and my Ritter Grips. If I come across a 440C 550/555 or 551/556, I am picking them up. Then again, I also want an M2 Ritter, both sizes.
 
BoxANT said:
+1 Ritter Grip :thumbup:
Click to expand...

I chose the mini ritter grip and I am very happy! I love the bladeshape, it is awesome. And the grind is high and thin! I don't like low saber grinds as much. If you have the money, then go for it.
 
i have a mini grip and love it, it has 154cm steel and the OD green handle its great for EDC. i also have a full size nitrous stryker with D2 steel and love it also. they are both great knives. you cant go wrong with either.
 
i have a 556 in 154CM and was less than satisfied with the edge as it came. i reprofiled it (which took off some of the coating) and now it cuts like a laser.

griptilians are great knives.
 
scotchleaf said:
I am attracted to the the Mel Pardue designed Griptilian 552 and the ordinary Griptilian 551 for an EDC.

Finally, I'm kind of limited to buying on ebay because I don't use a credit card: any sellers to avoid (fakes?) Any got a good reputation?

Thanks everyone for your help.
Click to expand...

I think roger @ knifeworks.com takes Paypal.
 
Well, I think everyone pretty much said it, but I believe the 550s are the sheepsfoot with thumb-hole models with 154CM. I like them myself because of the narrowness of no thumb-studs & I like the sheepsfoot blade shape, but that's me. The 552s are the thumb-stud drop-point models & the Cabela version is the same blade shape as the 552, but with a coated D2 blade. D2's great, holds an edge very well &, while not a SS, doesn't rust as easy as other carbon steels. The 553s are the tantos, which I believe you said you didn't like.

The Ritter Grips are the S30V blades with a different grind. I think S30V will hold an edge just as well as D2, if not better, & is more stain/rust resistant than D2 (But probably not as much as 154CM).

Personally, I like the 550 & 555s because of the sheepsfoot blade shape. However, I really like D2 & S30V blade steel. They aren't too bad to sharpen, if you don't let them get dull, otherwise because of their hardness, they'll tend to take more work to sharpen.

B/M Grips are a great value, $wise, because you're getting premium blade steel (On ANY of the models) & B/M axis-lock, which works great & is ambidextrous.

Good luck.
 
I've had the Mini 555 with hole and sheepsfoot 154 for about 2 years. It has held up really well. For me the Spydie hole is the fastest draw. Hard to beat 154 for an all around blade steel.
 
While I like the Mini-Grip, the rough texture on the scales is tough on pants fabric. I can't see EDC without it tearing the snot out of my pocket. That is, of course, assuming carrying it clipped in the pocket. I prefer my Leek which is thinner and smoother.
 
CL01 said:
The 552s are the thumb-stud drop-point models & the Cabela version is the same blade shape as the 552, but with a coated D2 blade. ...
Click to expand...

The standard Mel Pardue-designed drop point knife in 154CM steel is the 551 (Mini is 556). The Cabela's variants in D2 tool steel are the 551D2 and 556D2.

The 552 and 558 are the RSK Mk1 and Mini RSK Mk1 with S30V blades designed by Doug Ritter and sold through Aeromedix.

I have most of the Griptilians (but would never buy a tanto :barf: )




There isn't much between the available knives, although the High Speed RSKs are (were) something else!!

I recommend that you go with the 552.. or the 551..or the Cabela's 551 :o
 
PKFan said:
While I like the Mini-Grip, the rough texture on the scales is tough on pants fabric.
Click to expand...
I just started EDCing a 556 (Mini-Griptillian, plain edge, uncoated, 154CM) and have noticed the same issue. It seems more pronounced with thinner pants material.

PKFan said:
I can't see EDC without it tearing the snot out of my pocket. That is, of course, assuming carrying it clipped in the pocket.
Click to expand...
It seems a possibility. I'm going to give it a go. Only time will tell. I would've thought that if it was truly an issue, it would have been a well-known issue by now?

PKFan said:
I prefer my Leek which is thinner and smoother.
Click to expand...
I'm partial to my Spyderco Delica 4 for the same reasons, so far. Plus I'm used to tip-down carry and you can't do that with the axis-lock knives. Still: I've got to give this Mini-Grip a chance to grow on me. I figure all those (Mini-)Grip owners out there can't be wrong, right? ;)

I like the way the knife operates and I like the modified drop-point blade profile. It'll be interesting to see how the 154CM compares in edge-holding and re-sharpening to the VG-10 to which I'm accustomed.
 
I've had a 551 (440C) for years - finally got it somewhat sharp - not a hair popper. It took a while with my Spyderco 'Sharpmaker'. It came, just like my only other BM, a fixed blade 201 Activator+ (D-2), sharp enough to cut butter - if you heated it up a bit. Seriously, they could take a lesson from any of the other US makers I support - and continue to buy from (Bark River, Buck, Kershaw, Spyderco, etc.). I only buy US-made, as limiting as that is.

The 551 - like that fixed blade 201 - is nicely made, well thought out, and a great 'feel' in the hand. The blade shape is perfect, too. Safe opening and closing. The Axis Lock is secure, too. That 201 is nice - as is it's sheath. It's just a real mood killer when you open that package the first time - and find a knife that dull... it shouldn't happen. Two for two has pretty much made my mind up. You could perform surgery with a $20 KaBar (Taiwan) 4062 Dozier-designed folding hunter - new. A $40 Wally-World sourced Spyderco Native (USA) in S30V was a shaver right out of the box - and stayed that way for a year before meeting it's brother, the Sharpmaker, for a 'touch-up'.

I guess that would be my recommendation over the B-M 551 - get a Spydie Native in S30V - complete with that hole in the blade. Seriously, in the 16+ months I have carried that thing, I haven't been nice to it - great feel - tight lockback. The blade is as thick as the 551, but of my favorite blade steel - S30V. It has a fg choil - for working tight to your work, if desired, although it does mean the edge is ~1" shorter than the B-M. The handle is less palm filling, both in length and thicness, than the B-M - not always a problem.

I have to admit - I like the physical/mechanical attributes of the B-M better - it is a larger knife - if it just was delivered sharp. That Native was a shocker. It remains secure - impressive. I seldom EDC my Buck 110s - or Kershaw Blurs/Leeks now.

Sorry for the 'negative waves' re the B-M.

Stainz
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top