[barta]

It's a rather practical design, all things considered. I gave one to my brother, and interested my son in one. He bought one of the new vendor-exclusive red-handled versions with a blackened blade made of CPM-20CV Stainless Steel.

I picked up one of the Mini Grip's after I retired, with a 154CM sheepsfoot blade. I got a good deal on it ($65?) because it had a pink handle and the cop shop who had it on display was having a hard time selling it, on display in their case of all the dark 'tactical' folders.

My son gave me an older Bugout (Olive handle, S30V blade) which he didn't like because of the thin handle, and how the thin Grivory scales felt 'soft' and flexed in his grip. It had been used hard, so I disassembled and cleaned it out, and restored the edge and replaced the bent clip. The slim blade makes it seem more of a slicer, and the slim handle lacks the 'heft' of the Griptilian ... but I've found myself slipping it into a front pocket quite often. The slim handle makes it a bit more comfortable in the front pocket (especially when seated). I wouldn't pay the going freight for a new one, though. Maybe if it was priced closer to $100-$125.

I'd sooner buy a Hogue Deka, with a clip point Magnacut blade. I prefer the blade shape of the clip point Deka, and the handle, while on the small side, still has a bit more heft in the handle and feels more secure (less flex, under pressure). I missed a sale on a Deka for $114 after Christmas, and will keep an eye on them through the major vendors as tax time sales approach. I still have some other folders on my list, anyway, including some attractively priced 'budget' Civivi folders.

I had an older griptilian years ago. Broken tip wore out, lose clip. They repaired the entire thing for $5. Very good company. Picked up my new one when I toured the shop in Oregon. Cool place.

 

[J. Parker]

My collection a few years ago. I have more now.

 

[J. Parker]

ZT folders are sharp!😂😂

 

[fastbolt]

I had an older griptilian years ago. Broken tip wore out, lose clip. They repaired the entire thing for $5. Very good company. Picked up my new one when I toured the shop in Oregon. Cool place.

I tend to think the basic Griptilian is a better bargain than the Bugout in some potentially significant features, like the typical price point; how the grip is more hand-filling and secure; the blade thickness; and the blade shape options.

I also think the company is overall quite good, even if some of their products may be a bit over-priced. One thing that has occasionally bugged me is how quickly and often they Discontinue some of their models. This may affect their ability to repair an older model, which happened to me. They offered me a replacement value toward anything in their current catalog, though, which I was able to use to receive another folder without spending more money than the replacement value they'd assigned to the old folder. I didn't even have to ask. They offered it. (They said they would keep the older model in exchange for getting the new one, though.)

 

[timd554g]

Spyderco PM2 or Manix 2.
Or Stretch, Endura, Endela, Delica, Native 5, Caly.

You will spend over $200 but Benchmade is worth it. It is a Knife that lasts and can be handed down.

 

[warbow150]

You will spend over $200 but Benchmade is worth it. It is a Knife that lasts and can be handed down.

If you want to go that route, heirloom, I’d be looking at Sebenza, Mnandi, XM18, etc.

I think Benchmade makes some very fine knives, I’ve owned half a dozen or so, but I wouldn’t classify their basic production as any better than US or Taiwan made Spyderco. Frankly the Taiwan factory is turning out excellent stuff.

 

[sciolist]

And at schools when I was in high school (class of '81)! Not today!

Same here. Guess times change.

 

[racer88]

Same here. Guess times change.

People changed.

 

[sciolist]

People changed.

Yup. Sure did.

 

[rlewpolar]

If you want to go that route, heirloom, I’d be looking at Sebenza, Mnandi, XM18, etc.

I think Benchmade makes some very fine knives, I’ve owned half a dozen or so, but I wouldn’t classify their basic production as any better than US or Taiwan made Spyderco. Frankly the Taiwan factory is turning out excellent stuff.

Agreed. Try a Taiwan Taichung made Spyderco Kapara for example You will be very impressed with the build quality. It’s as close to a custom knife as a production knife can be


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Bren]

A knife is a piece of steel with a sharp edge. I can't see any reason to pay $200 for one- I'd just get mad when Iose it. My favorite EDC knife is my Bestech Swordfish. Opens faster and easier than a switchblade.

 

[sciolist]

A knife is a piece of steel with a sharp edge. I can't see any reason to pay $200 for one- I'd just get mad when Iose it. My favorite EDC knife is my Bestech Swordfish. Opens faster and easier than a switchblade.

From an actual performance standpoint, geometry, heat treat and chemistry are probably the big 3, roughly in that order. Then there's the man-jewelry aspect, which tends to detract from performance while adding to cost.

 

[Bren]

From an actual performance standpoint, geometry, heat treat and chemistry are probably the big 3, roughly in that order. Then there's the man-jewelry aspect, which tends to detract from performance while adding to cost.

Man-jewelry is a misnomer a lot like "man-purses" - men don't really carry them.

 

[sciolist]

Man-jewelry is a misnomer a lot like "man-purses" - men don't really carry them.

IDK, man. The "tactical folder" has penetrated a lot more deeply than the murse.

 

[fastbolt]

Man-jewelry is a misnomer a lot like "man-purses" - men don't really carry them.

Gentleman's Pocket Jewelry.

 

[bykerhd]

I had a CRT Ripple that was a very nice piece of "Gentleman's Pocket Jewelry".
I dropped it one morning and the blade flipped open and stabbed me in the side of my big toe.
Ouch ?

After bandaging the toe, cleaning up the blood trail, I got dressed and headed to work.
After work I gifted the "disloyal" blade to my son-in-law.
No complaints from that quarter.

 

[SDDL-UP]

The Hogue Doug Ritter RSK Mk1 gen. 2. Yes, it's close copy of the Benchmade Griptilian, but the blade shape is FAR SUPERIOR. I own both and I'm blown away at what a difference the blade shape makes.

 

[PEC-Memphis]

Scallion

Leek

Launch 11

Launch 6

 

[Supersquatch]

I just stick with my old Buck 110 for the most part.
Sometimes I strap on a nice Damascus blade but those are more akin to BBQ guns. Wear them on weekends where I probably won't use it for more than cutting the tape on a box or trimming toe nails.

 

[SLOGlock]

ZT folders are sharp!😂😂 View attachment 1154774

I know the feeling ....