Which one would you choose?

Although I like the look of the Cold Steel, I have to go with the Benchmade Griptillian. Benchmade has a much better reputation
 
gajinoz said:
Which one of these knives would you choose, and why?

I'm not looking for other suggestions, just which one of these two.

This one.

or

This one.
Click to expand...

I get the pee shivers at the idea of paying $70 for a knife with an injection molded plastic handle. Walmart merchandise at mini-bar prices, Neither seems like a good choice to me. Save some dough and buy a CRKT.

Drew
 
The Griptilian is flat-out a great knife, no doubt in my mind. It has an excellent grip, really hand-filling, but I've seen people with smaller hands than mine hold it easily, too. The steel is somewhat better than the Cold Steel AUS 8A. The blade shape may seem strange at first, but it's fine for a variety of tasks. The axis lock is hard to beat.

The Ultimate Hunter is probably a fine knife, too, although I prefer the hard plastic of the Griptilian to the softer Kraton that Cold Steel uses. I think the Pendleton fixed and folding knives are some of the best designed that Cold Steel has come out with recently, in real world working terms. Their lock backs have been totally reliable, in my experience.

If you buy either one, you should be happy with it, but on balance, I would have to recommend the Griptilian.
 
I'd go with the Griptilian as well. I've gone through a bunch of high-end production knives, but for a pure user/beater, it's really hard to top the Griptilian in terms of features all around, particularly at that price point.
 
Go the Griptilian, axis lock is great, personaly prefer the 551 blade shape, and in D2 from Cabellas would be even nicer.
 
I don't think it's even a close comparison. The 550 is flat out better...and it's cheaper! You can get a Grip in D2 for the price of that CS. I do not believe CS makes a stronger lock than the Axis, and that stuff about super special secret heat treat is probably hype, something CS is known for. Also, no way that CS zytel handle grips better than the 550...that's why Grip is in its name! I do like the shape of the CS blade and think it would probably be a decent knife in the $30 range. All my opinion.
 
The Griptilian. The CS isn't even close. Why?

Axis lock
Better steel, inc. D2
It has "Benchmade" written on it!

maximus otter
 
Only the Benchmade

I get one a few weeks ago and it really is a very strong, reliable folder with a very sharp edge and cutty blade. Theit 440C is pure fun.

From a design aspect, this knife is build very nice. An ideal relation between handle and blade, fits to the hand and the blade design fits to every cutting task.

It is a knife with expression even though it doesn´t apear agressive.

Now i know why people were longing for an improvement in handle materials and honestly the 520 is not as well designed as this one.

Great knife, great lock, little price.
 
The price for the CS is the manufacturer's price, not a dealer, which is the price given for the BM. You can't compare em.

Between the two knives, it would depend upon what you will use the knife for. The CS is definitely a hunter and will clean easier and the high flat grind will probablly be more useful for hunting. In addition, the lock back construction, especially from CS is rock solid. The axis can fail and will get pretty dirty in a bloody deer. I've never heard of a CS lock back failing. Mine has had severe abuse.

The blade steels 440C vs. AUS8 are similar. I've never had any BM 440C, but the CS AUS8 is great. Holds a reasonable edge, good stainless and sharpens readily. My CS AUS8 blade has been severly abused and came back easily and still kicks butt.
 
Get the (551) Griptilian or the (556) Mini-Griptilian. Why?...Because I own one of each.:D.
 
Ilovetoolsteel said:
I get the pee shivers at the idea of paying $70 for a knife with an injection molded plastic handle. Walmart merchandise at mini-bar prices, Neither seems like a good choice to me. Save some dough and buy a CRKT.

Drew
Click to expand...

are you kidding? I guess that's like saying you wouldn't buy a Z06 for a sports car because it uses balsa wood in the floor. Damn wooden cars - I thought we gave up on those a long time ago! :p

Right material for the right job. Noryl GTX is incredibly rigid and "grips" like nothing else.

Griptilian all the way.
 
Well, I guess that about decides it. My intention was to get a BM but when I saw the CS I thought I'd ask you guys mainly because there was bound to be people who owned them and I could get a few opinions.

I think I'll get myself a Griptillian.

The only problem now is 550 or 551. I like the hole in the 550 but I think I prefer the 551 blade shape. I'll have to give this a bit more thought.
 
And the Benchmade has the added advantage of not having anything to do with the owner of Cold Steel, who seems to feel the same about everybody else.
:grumpy:
 
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