What’s a reliable, high quality lockblade folder? Check out the Benchmade 551 Griptilian.
by Leon Pantenburg
Knivesshipfree is a Survivalcommonsense.com sponsor. The company did not supply a free knife for this review, and I was not paid to write this review.
I prefer to carry a rigid blade knife whenever practical, but there are times when a folder is the best choice. I don’t leave the house without a pocket knife, and which one depends on what I’m doing.
The Benchmade Griptilian is a sound choice for an all-around folding knife.
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The urban pocket knife may be called upon to slice a bagel, spread peanut butter, open mail etc. In my case, I’d add cutting the plastic bands that hold bundles of newspaper together. But my pocket knife must also work well outdoors in a wilderness setting.
My son Dan, a former Boy Scout, carries a knife every day also, but his knife needs are different. He lives in the Portland, Oregon area and plays in a band that tours regularly.
Dan uses a folder when setting up and tearing down the stage setups. One-handed opening is a plus, he says, when carrying gear and needing to cut something. His knife opens boxes, cuts duct and gaffer tape and does everything a utility needs to do.
We’re not the only ones who like this knife. The Griptilian is the recommended folder for several Search and Rescue teams, and these folks don’t mess around with gear that might not work in a pinch.
I also have criteria for picking a folder, based on years of use, experience and prejudice. If you’re interested in what I judge a folder on, click on pocket knives.
Here’s what I found out about the Griptilian:
Specifications
| Overall Length: 8.07″ Closed Length: 4.62″ Blade Length: 3.45″ Blade Thickness: 0.115″ Handle Thickness: 0.640″ Weight: 4.62oz. |
Pocket Clip: Tip Up, Reversible Lock Mechanism: AXIS® locking mechanism Blade Material: 154CM Stainless Steel Blade Hardness: 58-61HRC Blade Style: Satin Finish, Modified Drop Point |
Here’s the good things:
Handle: The 551 has a grip texture molded handle. The material doesn’t appear to transmit heat or cold. It also is comfortable in my hand, so extended whittling sessions are not a problem. The clip fits nicely in the hollow of my hand, and so far, it hasn’t caused hot spots and subsequent blisters.
It comes in a variety of colors, which is important for camouflage. My daughter’s Griptilian has a pink handle. It looks cute, and generally doesn’t concern casual viewers. Dan specifically wanted a high visibility orange handle, so the knife could be easily spotted if it was left somewhere. Besides, what gang banger wants to steal a knife that can be seen?
Blade design: The point is a modified drop point, and that is a good choice for a knife that will be expected to do everything. At 3.45 inches, the length is handy for small tasks, but still able to do hard work. It would work quite well as a small game and deer hunting knife.
The AXIS is one of the best blade locks on the market.
Blade lock: I don’t trust the safety on any firearm, or the lock on any folder. But the AXIS is one of the best blade locks on the market, IMO. It is smooth, locks up like a safe, and is easy to engage and disengage. With a little practice, the Griptilian can be opened and closed one-handed. With a little more practice, the knife can be opened as fast, or faster, than a flipper or assisted opening knife.
Dan’s Griptilian has had hard, extended use, and the lock is still tight, with no sign of wobble.
Steel: A pretty knife with crappy steel is a waste of money. The Benchmade Griptilian is made of 154CM and it’s excellent for this blade.
When Dan brought his Griptilian home after two months of hard use on the road, the blade was not particularly sharp. But all it took was a quick stropping to bring it back to hair-popping sharp.
Made in the USA: Benchmade knives are made in Oregon City, Oregon. This means the business and employees are state and federal taxpayers who contribute to their community. Support American small business!
The Griptilian retails for about $100. This is a fair price for a quality piece of cutlery that will last a long time.
Derrick Bohn, owner of Knivesshipfree, sells a lot of knives. He says the Griptilan gives the “best bang for your buck.”
“I suppose the best recommendation of these knives would be that when people come into our store and ask me to suggest a modern folder, I point to Benchmade — always,” Bohn said.
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