Griptilian

[Oliver]

I'm looking at purchasing my first EDC knife. I have never owned a decent knife, but am very much looking forward to owning a quality knife.
I have been doing a bit of research here and there, and have come to the conclusion that the Benchmade Griptilian 551 is more than an adequate EDC.
I am making this thread as a sort of "confirmation thread" to help me be more decisive in my decision. I have little to no doubt that the Griptilian is going to be a great EDC, but would like some input as, to me, it is a major decision.
I am looking at the Griptilian 551 in the Olive Drab with a serrated black coated blade.
I'm just looking for a bit of input on the knife and others comparable with it.
Thanks again for the input.

David O.

 

[Gamez235]

The Grippy 550 series is one of my favorite knives with the 557 getting the most pocket time. I remember a when they switched over from 440 to 154cm. I carried a Benchmade 557SBK and Emerson CQC-7 while in Iraq, both those knives have since been "retired" and live in a shadow box my family made for me when I got home.

These days I usually have a Benchmade 557 or Spyderco Delica in my pocket. I opt for the Delica more often, just cause I lose knives like crazy and it's cheaper to replace for me.

 

[riverman67]

The Grippy 550 series is one of my favorite knives with the 557 getting the most pocket time. I remember a when they switched over from 440 to 154cm. I carried a Benchmade 557SBK and Emerson CQC-7 while in Iraq, both those knives have since been "retired" and live in a shadow box my family made for me when I got home.

These days I usually have a Benchmade 557 or Spyderco Delica in my pocket. I opt for the Delica more often, just cause I lose knives like crazy and it's cheaper to replace for me.

What is your normal travel pattern ?
I am going to start looking for those delica's

 

[Gamez235]

What is your normal travel pattern ?
I am going to start looking for those delica's

Somewhere between Fort Wayne and Crown Point there is about 4 of them somewhere from this year..

 

[riverman67]

Somewhere between Fort Wayne and Crown Point there is about 4 of them somewhere from this year..

just mesiing with you
I have lost my share
I usually lose whatever slip joint I'm carrying . I seem to use them more often than my larger folder

 

[Sheltie]

I think it's a great choice other than the coated blade. My Grip is what I carry the most even though I have other knives that cost much more. My wife carries a pink mini-grip.

 

[ArmedProgrammer]

I carry a mini-grip... After working with them both though, I've come to the conclusion that I prefer the straight (as opposed to serrated) blade. I just keep it sharp and it does whatever I ask of it.

 

[Oliver]

As for the blade coating, I just like the look of a black blade. I've read more than once that other don't like the blade coated. Is there any reason for this or is it simply a personal preference thing?

 

[EvilElmo]

As for the blade coating, I just like the look of a black blade. I've read more than once that other don't like the blade coated. Is there any reason for this or is it simply a personal preference thing?

I carry a 551 as my EDC and I thought the same thing about the black blade. I liked the look, but it scuffs and scratches very easily. I used it to pierce a some corrugated fibrous material that was used as during construction of my house. It was about 1 inch thick and the blade went in very easily so I didn't think anything of it. But now I have several permanent scuffs the length of the blade from a material that I could have put my fingers through with some effort.

I am NOT impressed by the coating. Otherwise the knife has been great. If I had to do it over again I'd buy the stainless.

 

[Oliver]

Thanks evilelmo. That's kind of what I assumed regarding the coating. I may opt for the regular blade.

 

[tyler34]

any type of coating on a blade that will help prolong the life of the blade, I'm all for. scuffs don't mean jack to me but a longer lasting blade does.

 

[Sheltie]

Oliver I thought a couple pics might help you with your decision. This was my first Grip until it was stolen.

Since this blade I no longer want coated blades or serrations, however it was a good experience.

The black Grip is what I normally carry at work and my wife carries the pink one of course. She does favor a partially serrated edge, fwiw.

 

[tradertator]

Great choice in knives. The griptillian has proved to be one of benchmades most popular blades.
I'm a fan of a coated blade. Who cares if it gets scratched? This is a knife that is designed to be used, not collected.
As far as the edge, I would strongly suggest you go with a plain edge. Serrated edges are trickier to sharpen, which is not a good thing if your new to knives. There is no advantage to a serrated edge over a sharp plain edge.

 

[drbarnes]

I carry mine daily (154cm tanto black coated blade) and it got quite a bit of use when I was landscaping, cutting anything and everything from sod to weedeater line to ***** on the mower blades, etc

for all the use its gotten the blade coating is still in decent shape. If I had a camera I's take a pic for you, but its a great knife and everyone I show it to likes it.

as a side note, I also carry a ESEE izula around my neck and its more stout and cheaper, slightly shorter blade but if I was only allowed to carry 1 it would be the ESEE

 

[cubby]

grippy good.

krylon good.

losing knives bad.

 

[dieselman]

the griptilian is a great knife.. mine is a tanto point. actually looking for it as we speak. seem to have misplaced the little guy.

 

[randyb]

I have a griptillian and love it. The best carry knife I have. I would like an endura edge for comparing, but I really like the easy open/close and the lock is very solid.

 

[tyler34]

of all the knives I have I still EDC my griptilian over all others, it's just that good.