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Posted: 10/21/2013 6:46:28 PM EDT
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I finally bought my first Benchmade - a full size Griptilian (The 550HG, thumb hole with sheepsfoot blade). I don't love it quite as much as I thought I would but I think I just have to get used to a few things that I'm not quite used to on a pocket knife. I have a couple questions and I figured you guys know more than I do.
Is there a secret to one handed closing with the axis lock? I still have to flick my wrist just right to get the blade to swing closed after pulling the lock down, and if I don't time it perfectly the blade either closes too hard and bounces back open, or I let go of the lock too early and the blade doesn't close all the way. I feel like this might be too dangerous to even practice because I could easily lose a finger if I don't make a conscious effort to make sure all my fingers are out of the way before closing it like that. Will it get better after I break it in a little more? My Spydercos will close by gravity alone and no wrist flicking as soon as I press the lock. I thought I had to have one finger on each side of the axis lock and pull down on both sides, but I just noticed that if I only pull down on one side of it it unlocks just enough to let the blade move. Is this uneven pressure going to cause anything to break prematurely or is it designed so that only one side needs to be pulled down? Are there any aftermarket deep carry pocket clips for the Griptilian? I've been completely spoiled by the clip on my Kershaw Cryo and would love to have a deep carry for this knife. |
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Get some triflow and spray the axis bit. Will allow the knife to close easier. Might need some break in also. I have the mini axis griptillian and love it. Thumb hole and sheeps foot. I was opening and closing it while I was writing my post and it has already gotten a lot smoother. I'll try adding a little lube too. |
| I'll chime in...I think you just need to keep opening and closing it as well as some lube and with a little practice you'll have it down. You can also pull down on the axis lock and flick your wrist to open it if you do not want to use the thumb hole, that's another option for you....as far as the uneven pressure, I do not believe it will cause anything to break prematurely and if it ever did Benchmades customer service rocks and they would fix you up...I just looked at my 810 Contego side by side with a 551 Griptillian and by the looks of it, it does look like you could put the 810's clip on the 550...you might want to ask Benchmade customer service about the fit, I'm sure they will let you know....don't get discouraged with Benchmade on one knife, there are plenty of other Benchmades out there which will fit your needs, plus you are supporting a U.S. company....I'm up to 10 different Benchmade models...8 folders, 1 fixed blade, and the 172 Killian tomahawk. |
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I'll chime in...I think you just need to keep opening and closing it as well as some lube and with a little practice you'll have it down. You can also pull down on the axis lock and flick your wrist to open it if you do not want to use the thumb hole, that's another option for you....as far as the uneven pressure, I do not believe it will cause anything to break prematurely and if it ever did Benchmades customer service rocks and they would fix you up...I just looked at my 810 Contego side by side with a 551 Griptillian and by the looks of it, it does look like you could put the 810's clip on the 550...you might want to ask Benchmade customer service about the fit, I'm sure they will let you know....don't get discouraged with Benchmade on one knife, there are plenty of other Benchmades out there which will fit your needs, plus you are supporting a U.S. company....I'm up to 10 different Benchmade models...8 folders, 1 fixed blade, and the 172 Killian tomahawk. Thanks for replying! I carried it all day today and it's already growing on me. BM's official stance is they can't sell replacement clips and they don't support putting a clip from one knife onto a different one so they won't answer any questions about which clips will fit. The way around is to tell them you have a certain knife but need a replacement clip and they'll send one right out, but if you mention anything about putting it on a different knife they won't send anything. I'm going to request one for the 810 and see what happens. |
| Glad it's growing on you! I'm not surprised, the Griptilian, is IMO in the top 3 for edc blades...you just cant go wrong with them...add to the fact that you can customize one to your likings on the Benchmade website and it's just a great all around knife. No harm in trying to get an 810 clip, in fact I'm 99% sure they are going to send one to you...speaking of the 810, if you get a chance, get your hands on one...its my second favorite Benchmade I own..the action is like butter, opens and locks with a flick of the thumb, plus it's an Osborne design, so you know it's a great blade. Enjoy! |
| I broke down and bought a mini Griptilian. Its lighter than my SOG mini Vulcan but doesn't sit as low in my pocket. It doesn't open or close as quick and smooth as the SOG. The Griptilian doesn't feel as good in my hand as the SOG. The BM does have a non threatening light blue handle but also has marks that look like tool marks on the blade but I can't feel anything. Maybe that's just the steel. Considering BenchMade's reputation I'm disappointed. |
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I broke down and bought a mini Griptilian. Its lighter than my SOG mini Vulcan but doesn't sit as low in my pocket. It doesn't open or close as quick and smooth as the SOG. The Griptilian doesn't feel as good in my hand as the SOG. The BM does have a non threatening light blue handle but also has marks that look like tool marks on the blade but I can't feel anything. Maybe that's just the steel. Considering BenchMade's reputation I'm disappointed. The Griptilian isn't made to open like an assisted or auto knife. Gimmicks aside, from a functional stand point, I would bet the Grips axis lock is superior to the arc lock of the SOG. |
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I broke down and bought a mini Griptilian. Its lighter than my SOG mini Vulcan but doesn't sit as low in my pocket. It doesn't open or close as quick and smooth as the SOG. The Griptilian doesn't feel as good in my hand as the SOG. The BM does have a non threatening light blue handle but also has marks that look like tool marks on the blade but I can't feel anything. Maybe that's just the steel. Considering BenchMade's reputation I'm disappointed. I think with the Grip and mini Grip you're mostly paying for the good steel in the blade (and the name of course). The fit and function of them is at the bottom end of Benchmade quality but it's still excellent for the price. |
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The Griptilian isn't made to open like an assisted or auto knife. Gimmicks aside, from a functional stand point, I would bet the Grips axis lock is superior to the arc lock of the SOG. Quoted:
Quoted:
I broke down and bought a mini Griptilian. Its lighter than my SOG mini Vulcan but doesn't sit as low in my pocket. It doesn't open or close as quick and smooth as the SOG. The Griptilian doesn't feel as good in my hand as the SOG. The BM does have a non threatening light blue handle but also has marks that look like tool marks on the blade but I can't feel anything. Maybe that's just the steel. Considering BenchMade's reputation I'm disappointed. The Griptilian isn't made to open like an assisted or auto knife. Gimmicks aside, from a functional stand point, I would bet the Grips axis lock is superior to the arc lock of the SOG. The SOG isn't an auto or assisted open knife. There are still one of two BM's I want to buy. I had higher expectations, thats all. |
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If you have some TORX bits, loosen up the pivot bolt.
Mine came very tight from the factory. I removed my blade, lubed everything up well and then replaced with the tension I wanted (not loose, but just with a decent friction). Be sure it use some BLUE Loctite or other thread locker to keep it from coming loose. |
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Benchmade customer service is usually pretty good. The axis lock one handed close will come to you after practice. I'm used to liner locks and it felt weird with my mini barrage when I got it. Now it's no big deal to close it. use a torx driver and loosen the hinge screw up, and tighten it up in very small increments until the blade will drop free from gravity when you release the lock from an opened position but there is no blade wiggle. once i did this to my full size grip, i was in love. i can sit and play with the things for hours. also, BM customer service takes a few days for an email response sometimes, but they are great. Try calling if you want an immediate answer |
| Quick update. I emailed Benchmade again last week and the next day they responded saying a clip was in the mail to the address I provided. I got an envelope in the mail yesterday and they sent me two clips - one black and one silver, with 3 matching screws for each one. My Griptilian now looks and carries 100% better and I'm a happy camper. |
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When I first started reading your thread my immediate thought was, should have bought a spyderco. Then I kept reading lol. Just stick with Spydies friend and everything that's right in this world will continue going. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile Honestly the Spyderco Tenacious I got around the same time feels like a better knife in my hand, but I know the steel in the Benchmade is an order of magnitude better. They both make awesome knives and they both have earned their place in my carry rotation. |
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Don't lube or adjust your pivot. Not yet. Open close open close open close all you can for a week or so. You'll get used to the axis lock and have it down easy, and the knife will "break in". I had similiar experience with my first Benchmade and not it's like glass.
Glad you got the clip you wanted. I emailed them asking where I could buy one, they emailed me back same day asking for my address and that they'd send one right out. Great people. Enjoy your new knife. |
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Did you get this sorted out? I just got a custom Mini-Grip in the mail from Benchmade. It was pretty tight, I couldn't close it one-handed. I put a drop of Nano-Oil on each side of the blade, worked it back and forth a bunch of times and then opened and closed it for about 10 minutes and now it'll close one-handed with the Axis lock.
I'll have to make a thread for mine..it's sweeeeeet! |
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Did you get this sorted out? I just got a custom Mini-Grip in the mail from Benchmade. It was pretty tight, I couldn't close it one-handed. I put a drop of Nano-Oil on each side of the blade, worked it back and forth a bunch of times and then opened and closed it for about 10 minutes and now it'll close one-handed with the Axis lock. I'll have to make a thread for mine..it's sweeeeeet! Yeah it got a lot better after some use. It's a great knife but I kind of wish I had gotten a Mini instead. Maybe after Christmas 
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New axis locks always suck, but get much better with use. Personally, I like Benchmade but think the Griptilian is pretty terrible. Only partial liners and cheap crappy FRN make for a clunky feel.
In time you should be able to engage the axis lock with one finger. I think the lock is solid but moved away from Benchmade specifically due to gloved use and closing it. Kind of sucks when the gloves you're wearing prevent you from closing it and you have to set it in foot and a half deep snow to take your glove off in the freezing cold to close it. 
I really wish they'd offer a nice model with a protruding bar instead of a button head for the lock lever. |
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