Benchmade Griptilian Review - To Fail or not to Fail...

[srenken85]

I'm needing to buy a new multi-function EDC blade, Love the Review, would like your opinion between this Benchmade Griptilian and the SOG Aegis... just an overall opinion which you would choose for edge retention, functionality, ergo's, and toughness...

[Cr0cket20]

@srenken85 really like and own both. Aegis has a very nice but delicate tip. Griptilian has a much stronger tip. Aegis has AUS 8 while Griptilian has 154cm. I like both steels but 154CM will have much better edge retention.

[blackhatch46]

@srenken85 i have both and the sog failed on me on a deployment. UNSAT! the sog is more complicated in the locking mechanism, and thats why i think it failed. and its made in china, buy US when you can! benchmade is US!

[SkyControl4]

This video was so good it made me spend money lol. Just got a mini-griptilian from cutlery shoppe for $60. Loving the AXIS lock so far!

[Cr0cket20]

@SkyControl4 Good to hear. The axis lock functionality is one of my favs.

[mbarkn]

Excellent Review Crocket. I love the Griptilian!  As a matter of fact, as a medic I ordered mine with the modified sheepsfoot. However, I'm really liking the looks of that drop point you have in this review. So, now I'm going to have to get one too!

Probably should wait a bit though as I just bought the 915 Triage for work which hasn't even arrived yet. Don't think the wife will be too happy if I get 2 new Benchmade's in one week.

I'm running out of excuses with 4 Benchmades already.

[Cr0cket20]

@mbarkn LOL! You're going to be sleeping on the couch soon. At least you'll have your benchmades ; )

[WeaversofEternity]

Awesome video man. The axis lock and omega springs on the griptilian have gotten so much criticism for being weak, but clearly you've shown that this locking system performs exceedingly well under abusive conditions, therefore it's more than adequate for edc and moderate/light duty use. Thanks for sharing!

[allenhane]

had mine for years and would recomend to anyone! so tough it survived iraq (opening M.R.E.s mostly)and random house and woods use. i've never sharpened it! you can send it to benchmade for sharpening if you can part with it. the thing is indestructable! i've got the thumb hole version and never go anywere without it! seriously you won't break it!

[oregonnich]

the intro with the knife defense handling made me laugh. . . in a good way.

[slopothacrop]

best folder by far, like better that my kershaw assistied open

[slopothacrop]

the pawn shops new owners were not going to be selling knives any more so all knives were 70% off the asking price was 78.99 @ 70% off came up to 23.00 and some change

[oregonnich]

@slopothacrop wow, that's great.

[slopothacrop]

got mine at a pawn shop for 20$!!!!! black handle ss blade 1/2 serrated

[SexyParty154]

Hey Crocket! Love your vids man! Great to watch you on your channel and also with Nutnfancy!. Quick question, on the BladeHQ video I saw you backpack at the end.... is it a Badlands?

[shanwade]

Whewww! Just ordered my new Benchmade Griptilian 551 Olive drab and plain black blade. Piad 80 dollars with free shipping. Going to be my edc knife. Thanks Crocket.

[Cr0cket20]

@shanwade Nice. Hope you enjoy. Where did you purchase it from? I'm always trying to find the cheapest places.

[shanwade]

@Cr0cket20 i got it on eBay, from Whitemountainknives. They shipped the same day (from New Hampshire) and I made a offer, which was accepted and the price was 80 dollars, with free expedite shipping. It's my first Benchmade and I'm 44 and had all kinds of gear and guns, but your review helped me decide.

[CdnLifeguard71]

Good review Crocket. The lock disengaged rather than failed and only disengaged due to a bit of excessive use. Definitely looks like a winner. Thanks

Nate

[scooter17568]

I've been attracted to this knife for a while. You've pushed me over the edge.

[ScoutsNOA]

Benchmade has got to be proud of this knife after seeing this stellar review. You clearly pushed this knife well pass it's capabilities and the knife stood up to the challenge hands down. Way to show us how a folder can do the function of a fix blade with out fail, great review and knife.

[anonymousanamoly]

If you want a ridiculously strong locking mechanism on the blade try one of Cold Steel's TriAd lock models. I have the most recent version of the AK-47 and I swear it's every bit as strong as a fixed blade.

[hial22]

Good honest view of the product. So many choices.

[CampfireTalk]

That blade flips out with authority! Great review buddy

[AppalachianFreedom]

Good lookin' knife Sir! Great review!

[TheBoredITGuy]

Crocket, sorry this is OT. Ribzwear.com is running a clearance sale on camo ribz packs. Buy 1 get two more free. I confirmed with i

[xL3G3NDARYGAMINGx]

where can you buy this in canada

[PROxFIGHTER13]

this knife or a spyderco manix 2?

[FFJabarr]

@PROxFIGHTER13 I'd go with the manix 1 before the manix 2 as it features a locking system similar to that of cold steels Triad, the Manix 2 downgraded the steel on the blade and changed to the locking system you see here.

However, thats my opinion.

[TheLateBoyScout]

I absolutely love my Mini-Grip, and seeing what this one can take, I'm itching to pick up a full-sized as well.

[sicarii1138]

I've been debating getting one of these for a while, you just made up my mind to do it. Thanks!

[SnowLobo95]

This has been my favorite "looking" folder from Benchmade. After seeing this review, It shows me that this knife is probably worth the money. Great in depth review. I like seeing some of the abuse tests even though a folder really isn't mean't for that. However like you said, it inspires confidence in the knife. Take care my friend!

[Cr0cket20]

@SnowLobo95 Hey Snow. I really like this knife. Definitely worth it in my mind.

[icedreams5]

@Cr0cket20 I read this somewhere but idk if its true, Can you really send Benchmade knives back to have them sharpened for FREE?

[Cr0cket20]

@icedreams5 check their website but I believe that is true. May not apply to serrations though.

[Beprepared1000]

Hey crocket, Great vids on the Griptilian! It's easy to watch a knife revirew on Youtube and think 'Yeah I want it' I think that about almost every one!!!

Watching you test this out was great, really well put together vid, great location, great getting to see the knife in action. The feedback you cover here together with the test vid really helps to give me an insight into the knifes capabilities. This was a top knife review for me, I love the 2 part format: on location test and tabletop!

[Glockster42]

Great knife review. Just ordered mine, thanks man.

[shanwade]

I used to be a total fan-boy for Coldsteel knives, but the new designs look gimmicky. I miss the old school design ten years ago.

[Austinhasaraptor]

Personaly i would preffer a kershaw skyline because of size weigjt and certainly the price

[markshmily]

Great review... price is a bit on the high side for me right now. =\

Thanks

[jackjetpilot]

The Griptilian was my first 'quality' knife purchase a couple years ago. It still is one of my favorite 'Go to' knives. I have the 550SHG, I like your model and blade shape much better. I just might have to pull the trigger and grab one. Thanks for the review.

[sanantoniospurs9]

WHAT..you didnt stick it between two bricks and jump on it. not a true test unless you do that. all the cool kids are doing it. lol ive been looking at them for a while. Thanks for a "real and practical" test and review man. When is that ESEE 4 test/ review coming i saw a few vids back. Really looking forward to hear you thoughts about it. My drop point version is tearing up the Texas hill country cedars like nothing right now with our 70degree winter we're having

[dawgpoundsoldier]

Thoroughly enjoyed your 2 part series on the griptillian. Been a die-hard spyderco man, but about 6 months ago I purchased a mini grip. Have liked it so much I purchased a 2nd. It's all I have carried. Why? Weight, ease of deployment & closure, and excellent blade steel. Thx for the vids and hope all is well with your little ones.

[jackjetpilot]

@dawgpoundsoldier I was thinking about the mini-grip as well. Looks like a great blade for that size factor.

[shanwade]

Hey Crocket, outstanding review, I just purchased a 4Sevens Quark AA2 flashlight and I'm looking for a solid, high quality EDC blade to accompany it. I have always loved benchmade products, but never owned one yet. Thanks for all your great videos! They are unique and creative and I enjoy them after a hard day at work.

[Cr0cket20]

@shanwade Nothing like a good flashlight on hand. Thanks for watching and glad you enjoy.

[SwitchbackOutdoors]

BTW - Awesome review!

[SwitchbackOutdoors]

My coldsteel recon 1 has zero play. Thing feels like a fixed blade. You guys were beatin the hell out of that knife. lol I'm impressed. Not a benchmade fan, but that may be changing.

[jackjetpilot]

@SwitchbackOutdoors I love my Coldsteels too!

[simplymy2sense]

Very well done Crocket! I now want this knife.  I might put it under a steam roller just to see how it breaks.......

[Cr0cket20]

@simplymy2sense LOL! great test the steam roller ; )

[BillyInnes]

watched both vids Great review great test how would you put it to the recon1 I'm assuming you own it too. Because I was interested in a large kickass folder.

[Rockmutt]

Great video this is my next edc blade

[DesertKnifeGuru]

Great Job Crocket !!! DKG

[weez82]

This blade did everything but fail. Great review man!

[newtubetubetube]

The axis pin probably moved back because of the vibration. Each baton hit pushing it back a little until it disengage.

The axis lock is mechanically like having two pins through the tang. Ignoring all but solidity, it is second only the the balisong.

[nycbike73]

What model is that?

[sanantoniospurs9]

@nycbike73 its in the title, its the benchmade griptilian

[Cr0cket20]

@nycbike73 Benchmade Griptilian 551.

[stompySharpNpointy]

you may dislike it when the spring breaks

[ratchowmein]

Yeah, I think it was just a combination of vibration and pressure that caused the closing. Just like picking a lock. LOL! To make the knife absolutely perfect for me, would be a flipper, as on the Kershaw Clash, but still, it's close enough. Great review and video.

[lenle01]

Not to take away from the giptilian but it would be nice to see a leatherman tested like this in the future.

[TheVAboss]

Love it. Interesting even though it's not designed for that. This just drives home the fact that hikers should carry more than just a folder, even a quality one like this. Hard and time consuming to make much of a fire with a folder.

[Cr0cket20]

@TheVAboss Definitely. A fixed blade will go a long way.

[totaldude155]

COME ON Crocket! Now I have to buy one ; )

[neonightkiller]

I've owned 2 but could never get use to the thick handle and the plastic CLACK that it makes when flicking it open.

I realy like the overall shape. I would like to see a gnarly G-10 handled version, THAT would be sweet.

[903lew]

@neonightkiller

You might want to check out the Benchmade 707 Sequel.

[Optionsaregood]

I really like the Griptillian, it's good to see that it will take a lot harder use than I put mine to.

[kstangent]

Also, those of you running firefox can download a free add-on called adblock plus. It blocks all the advertisements. I've always had it and didn't even know there were any!

[kstangent]

To me it looked like you had downward pressure on the handle and the vibration from the repeated pounding bounced the lock stud back. I've owned the mini griptillian years ago and now carry a benchmade 710. I lost the mini and still miss that knife!

[Cr0cket20]

@kstangent Hate loosing knives. I lost my Manix 2 awhile back.

[wolvee123]

Seriously an Obama commercial before the video? Change that crap.

[jackjetpilot]

@wolvee123 lol, I'm not sure we are the demographic base he's looking to persuade.

[intenseangler]

Now that's some solid testing prior to review! Good back to back look at this one man.

[Cr0cket20]

@intenseangler Thanks.

[Rasenkrieger]

The lock opened when the handle was against the tree, and you were pounding on the blade. True abuse. the exact same situation in which that Cold Steel Recon Scout was broken.

ok, just another comment.

[DocTacDad]

Great couple of vids

[xxbryan715xx]

i have broken the omega springs on an axis lock 5 times in the year 2011 alone

[Rasenkrieger]

you are not saying much, but giving a valid recommendation. Thumbs up on your style.

[sjerquinn]

I've thumped a little on my Mini-Grip and it is still running strong. It's my EDC and I had to process some kindling because I forgot my fixed blade at home when I went camping once. The Axis lock is awesome! It never folded up on me, but I wasn't thumping on it as hard as you were. Great vid, Crocket. Great knife. And the guys at Blade HQ are great. I've bought a few knives from them and will keep going back. They're friendly and know their stuff.

[cslr11]

this is a good follow up video to the other video with this knife. I do agree when you say this is a very cool knife. thanks for all the great info

[glock2026]

i am impressed how much the griptilian took , i may add 1 to my colection too.

[Cr0cket20]

@glock2026 Me too. What impresses me more is that the knife is still completely functional.

[Faceoffman14]

Great video! I also love the axis lock(presidio) and agree that it didn't fail.

[SergeantSonic]

Still <3 it! Thanks for another great review!

[Iam1uglyguy]

I understand the thumping you put on it, but every time you use it you will think about how it folded on you...at least I would.

[oldhairpin]

I think the vibrations of the baton moved the lock back so that it unlocked.

[Bigntactical1]

I bought one on friday and I am loving it my friend!! Great vid!!

[Jaiofspam]

lock failed due to the vibration from batoning the blade.... it bounced the axis bar off the tang :)

[SurviveToLife]

Nice review man. I really enjoyed the raw footage you put out before this review. Nice knife. I have seen that type of lock up fail. I am impressed that you took it to that extreme and it held up very well. Now I want one even more! Thanks for the review.

[Saalicious]

love it! On the wanted list!

[ironmonkeyz]

hmm do you find your Grip's axis lock a little sticky? Because mine is but i haven't used another so don't know if there's an issue or it just new to me. I guess I can just send it back to Benchmade.

[Cr0cket20]

@ironmonkeyz Not sticky at all. It did break in a little bit but was still smooth out of box. 

[ironmonkeyz]

@Cr0cket20 I got mine off eBay as lightly used so maybe that was a bit of a lie lol. Or it could just be an QC overlook. I'll send it back and see what they say. I like everything else about it. Even more now that I see the work load it can handle in your review. I was afraid to go crazy with it ;)

[beactivelife]

Love the Griptilian, it was between this knife and the Paramilitary 2 for my last purchase. I went with the Para 2, but still may pick up the Grip later on down the road because of the high value of it. Thanks for the review and testing.

[ironmonkeyz]

man YouTube is glitchy as heck today! anybody else noticing that?

[ironmonkeyz]

Woo hoo first! lol. good stuff crocket.