Mel Pardue

Benchmade 530 / 531 Review

Last Updated: July 28, 2019
Shopping on Amazon for knives is a dangerous endeavor. Not only can you find a nearly endless variety of blades, but your account also has a nasty habit of learning your interests. You might not notice it at first. A simple suggestion, “I noticed you like Spyderco. Have you heard of Benchmade?” and suddenly your limited understanding of quality production knives enters a larger world.

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It was during the earliest stages of my newfound fanaticism for knives that Amazon did its now dreaded, “get yourself a little something,” and I saw it: The Benchmade 530. It had come up in my searches before. Like an expert hypnotist, the online shopping site had long implanted it in my psyche. I was drawn to the clean lines, the spear-point blade, and the overall symmetry. Benchmade’s Axis lock system and sparkling online reputation caught my attention. Also, I had been really good lately. So I succumbed to the siren’s call: I “got myself a little something.” I purchased the Benchmade 530 and fell one more step down the rabbit hole.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Benchmade 530 sports a 3.25” blade and an overall length of 7.42”. The knife is designed by Benchmade’s champion Mel Pardue. Those familiar with Pardue will recognize him as the designer of the Griptilian. Under the hood this knife shares some similar design traits with the Griptilian: reinforced plastic handles, partial liners, and the use of 154CM steel. I tend to view the 530 as a sort of companion piece to the Griptilian; a more elegant and svelte cousin to the rough-and-tumble Grip.

The 530’s blade is a satin-finished or black coated spear point with a long flat edge that terminates in a short and narrow belly. There is also the option to add a semi-serrated blade if it is your preference. The thin blade is ground into a dagger profile with a huge swedge dividing the blade evenly down the middle. This style is very similar to the stiletto style found on some of Mel Pardue’s custom offerings.

To the unfamiliar this blade may appear to be double-edged, but one side has been left unsharpened as a faux edge. Just as well, because a double edge would be illegal to carry in many states. The shape has led many uninitiated people to refer to the 530 as a switchblade, a comparison that is figuratively double-edged. On one hand the knife is probably intimidating enough to repel a would be mugger. On the other, flicking the blade to open a bag of beef jerky might raise some eyebrows at the mall. Just something to consider.

On paper this blade may look impractical for every-day-carry purposes due to the small belly and dagger grind, but in practice the performance is pleasing. 154CM steel is a staple of Benchmade’s, and for good reason. It is an American mid-range steel that is a good all around performer. The blade’s dagger shape serves several purposes. The deep swedge softens the feel of the back of the knife allowing you to rest your thumb more comfortably on the spine. If you have handled a Spyderco Dragonfly you will have a pretty good idea of how a swedge can bring a little more comfort.

The blade stock is already very thin at 2.29mm, but the grind on this knife makes the blade even more narrow and light while maintaining a strong tip. Because of this, it is a good slicer and excellent piercer. One thing to note about the blade is that it is so thin that it is possible to flex it ever so slightly, but not enough to be troubling for your every day tasks like opening packages or breaking down boxes. That said, I would be cautious to use this knife for hard use activities and it certainly wouldn’t be the only knife I’d bring along on a serious camping trip. While knives with swedges tend to slice a little more poorly than a full flat grind this knife is ground so thin that it seldom has any issue. Still, if a dagger grind isn’t your cup of tea, Benchmade also makes the 531 which sports a full flat ground drop point instead.

All in all, I like the 530’s style. It is what drew me to the knife in the first place and it has proven to be far more practical in practice than one would think.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle on the 530 is a fiberglass-reinforced nylon called Grivory. Benchmade has received both praise and criticism for similar handle materials in the past. Some people find the plastic cheap and flimsy. I happen to find most FRN handles to be lightweight and deceptively durable, the 530 being no exception. If you aren’t like me and you dislike plastic handles Benchmade again has your solution in the 531, which has handsome gray G10 handles. The 531 weighs a little more than the 530 because of this, but I would think hardly enough to be noticed.

The handle is coffin-shaped; meaning the blade of this knife is relatively straight and nearly symmetrical. Again, like the blade, the handle is deceptively functional. The plastic handles are hollow, but reinforced by bands of plastic segmenting the inner spaces. The back of the handle is mostly of closed construction with only a little bit of flow through where the frame peeks out. It is quite spacious; I can get a four-finger hold on the knife and still have room to spare. I wear a medium sized glove, so I think all but the very largest of hands will be accommodated in full. The plastic handle flares out on every corner, creating a convenient guard that locks the hand in place. These flares create a short finger ramp for exerting more pressure on the blade if required. Because the knife is flared on both ends, it is equally comfortable and functional in a reverse grip.

Some gently notched jimping is cut into the partial frame that is exposed almost exactly like on Pardue’s Griptilian, and like the Griptilian this jimping is appreciated but not particularly effective. There are also grooves set into the handle, light contouring to improve grip, and a very small divot where the thumb stud protrudes when closed that functions as a tiny choil when open. There was some gritty texture on the handle of my example around the chamfered edges. I am not sure if this is to make the knife more grippy or if it was a flaw, but I didn’t like it. Eventually I took some light grit sandpaper to it and it smoothed out easily. This leads me to believe that it probably would have smoothed out with time anyway.

Overall, the handle is functional and comfortable, but do not expect Spyderco or Griptilian-level ergonomics. Honestly, I don’t think anyone would consider this knife if they were just looking for good ergos. Rather, this knife’s charm lies in the thinness and lightness of its construction. This is achieved with a partial steel liner that only extends halfway down the hollowed handle and by the lightness of the blade. This guy is seriously svelte at 1.88 ounces, and with a handle of a mere 0.37th of an inch. You barely even feel it, yet it has a full-length intimidating blade.

By comparison, a Victorinox Alox Cadet is only 0.28 ounces lighter and shares roughly the same width. That being said, one of my favorite uses for this knife is when I go out for a run. I can clip it to my basketball shorts pocket and it doesn’t affect me, nor does it threaten to come loose and fall out. I imagine this knife would also be useful to pack-weight conscious hikers and climbers as well as for those looking for an unobtrusive defensive/practical tool to slip into a purse or pocket.

The 530 uses a standard Benchmade split arrow style pocket clip that is painted black. The handle is tapped for tip up, right or left side carry. The clip holds the knife on the pocket, but beyond that I do not like it. It does not bury the knife deeply in the pocket at all. I’d say that roughly ¾ of an inch of the handle sticks out over the edge of the pocket. Deep carry isn’t a huge issue when I pick a knife, but on this one it seems inappropriately shallow. I don’t like that it is simply painted either. It tends to chip and look tacky fairly quickly. The arrow shape is also problematic in my eye. It kept catching the hem threads on my T-shirts and tearing them out as well as slipping into the loops of my pocket stitches and loosening them. On my knife I felt the clip held too tight.

Ultimately, I didn’t want to let a knife I loved be brought down by a clip I didn’t. I contacted Benchmade through email and they immediately sent me a new polished deep-carry pocket clip without charge. I have to commend them on their great customer service. The new clip arrived in a couple of days and I popped it right on. Some slight adjustments later (ie, squishing it between two 2×4’s) and it was 100% perfect. Every issue I had with the old clip was resolved and I have never looked back.

Lastly, I will mention that this knife has a lanyard hole. It is situated on the corner of the butt closest to the closed side of the handle. It appears to be functional (I have never personally seen a need for a lanyard on this knife) and capable of fitting a single run of 550 paracord.

The handle on the 530 is light, relatively tough, and functional. I’d say that it is fairly no nonsense while still complimenting the same overall feel of the blade. That said, I don’t think that this is a knife that would be comfortable for long periods of hard use, but that falls in line with design intent anyway. And it sure looks nice.

Deployment and Lockup

The Benchmade 530 makes use of the company’s proprietary Axis Lock system with dual thumb studs and bronze phosphor washers. The axis lock is quite possibly my favorite design of locking mechanism for a lot of reasons. It is strong, reliable, fast, smooth, completely ambidexterous and incredibly elegant. It keeps one’s fingers free of the blade’s path during closing, which is great for the absent-minded fiddling I tend to do with it. I will note that unlike a lot of Benchmade’s axis locks, the lock bar studs on the 530 are a kind of concave cupped design as opposed to a more convex stacked shape. Unfortunately I have noticed that the cup style is less comfortable, having more of an edge to dig into the fingers. Fortunately, if this is an issue for you, the 531 has you covered, having the standard design. I think that the cupped studs are an attempt to keep the knife profile low and they don’t really bother me, even if I wish they were more standard.

Another thing of note is the so-called “landing gear” style of thumb studs. These reflect the overarching goal of this knife to be slim, as they are only about as wide as the handle at its thickest point. Some people have complained that the thumb studs make this knife hard to flick open. I had issues with this at first as well, but through use I found that if I used the groove leading up to the stud as a guide as I flicked my thumb I could deploy the blade quickly every time. If you can do that, this knife will be a smooth operator for you as well.

Benchmade 530 – Final Thoughts

The 530 is a knife not without its quirks. It is an ultra light, ultra thin EDC option that could easily be pressed into an emergency defensive role if needed. The knife is sturdy enough for regular use, but not quite as robust as some other offerings. If a harder use blade is your preference I could easily recommend better Benchmade models for the task, but I feel like the 530 fills a nice role in their line and for one of the most moderate prices in their catalogue: just under 100 dollars on Amazon.

I really love the 530 because it fills that same unique role in my collection and it has some killer good looks, but in all honesty the 531 is probably a better knife. It seems like it addresses most issues customers may have perceived in the 530. Still, I am not at all disappointed in my purchase and I would easily recommend the Benchmade 530 for anyone looking for a lean, mean knife.

Benchmade 531 Axis

HIGH-QUALITY: The 154CM stainless steel blade is tough, rust resistant, and holds an edge well. The G10 handle is durable, impervious to moisture, and stable under extreme temperatures.
WELL-DESIGNED: Benchmade's AXIS lock is exceptionally strong and fully ambidextrous. The 531 is a manual knife that can be opened and closed with either hand.
ALWAYS READY: The 531's lightweight design and one-handed opening make it easy to hold and use. The reversible pocket clip offers ultimate accessibility.
VERSATILE: The 531's drop-point, utility blade style and all-around functionality make it ideal for everyday carry.
SERVICES AND BENEFITS: For information and terms regarding Benchmade's Limited Warranty and LifeSharp Service, please visit Benchmade's website.

I recommend purchasing the Benchmade 530 at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

This was a guest review by Jacob Vandenberg. Jacob is a regular reader and all around good guy.

Ontario Utilitac 2 8904 Review

by Benjamin Schwartz 6 Comments

Last Updated: August 26, 2019
Some knives never quite get their due. The community only has so much bandwidth for new product every year, and the criteria for making the transition from flash in the plan to fully qualified classic are hazy. We see not so good knives getting attention they don’t deserve, and good, even great designs collecting dust in obscurity a year after their release.

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While the fate of the Utilitac II isn’t quite that tragic, it seems like it’s well on its way to being forgotten. Which would be a shame, because it is a really good knife. Without even looking that closely, it checks a lot of boxes: great price, a lot of options, and a custom maker pedigree. But when you look closely, you see a knife that is thoughtfully designed, bringing a ton of consideration and character to budget knife design.

One thing to note: the Utilitac II comes in a variety of configurations, some of which are so different as to essentially be different knives. There are two different blade shapes – a tanto or a clip point – and two different handles – rounded or coffin-shaped – to choose from. You can get either blade shape with either handle. My Utilitac II has the clip point blade and the rounded handle.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Utilitac II has a blade length of 3-7/16”, a handle length of 4-5/8”, and an overall length of 8”. It is made in Taiwan for Ontario Knife Company. The Utilitac II weighs 5.6 oz., which puts it firmly in the Mid-Size category. For me, this is about as big a knife as I’m likely to EDC. I don’t mind the Utilitac II’s dimensions. It’s an integral part of its character. You either like this size and shape of knife, or you don’t.

The Utilitac II was designed by Joe Pardue, son of Griptilian designer Mel Pardue. The younger Pardue’s design style is more flamboyant than his father’s, but still conveys the same overarching commitment to functionality that makes the Griptilian so likeable. The most eye-catching element of any version of the Utilitac II is the blade. Both the tanto and the clip point have exaggerated comic book proportions. The clip point is wide and curvy. It is almost reminiscent of the blade on the Spyderco Rubicon, albeit with a more aggressive tip and a slight recurve.

I’m not crazy about recurves in general, but the one on the Utilitac II is inoffensive. And it does make the belly extremely aggressive. Combine this with the excellent overall grind and very competent edge bevel, and you get a great mid-size cutter. The Utilitac II chews through thickish media with ease. Cardboard, foam, plastic – these are the sort of cutting tasks the Utilitac II is made for. In delicate cuts it is less impressive, but by no means bad.

AUS-8 is good stuff. Anybody can sharpen it. It ls one of few steels that I feel genuinely confident with every time I take it to the stones. It offers reasonable toughness and reasonable edge retention. High end steels are pretty much all good, but in the budget realm AUS-8 is a good steel amongst merely acceptable ones. And on the Utilitac II, AUS-8 is really allowed to shine. The grind emphasize its good qualities and minimizes the bad. I have no complaints about the steel, and wouldn’t even if the Utilitac II was twice the price.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

For all the character in the blade shape, the Utilitac II’s handle is comparatively quiet. However, ‘quiet’ does not equal ‘bad,’ and while the handle won’t change your life, it’s certainly acceptable. The finger groove is big enough to be comfortable, and it transitions into the finger guard in a gentle way to avoid feeling cramped. If anything, it reminds me of Emerson’s handle designs – which is no bad thing at all.

I find that what material a handle is made of is less important than how well that material is executed. This must be why people hate on the standard Griptilians’ plastic scales but don’t seem as bothered by the Delica’s FRN. The Utilitac II’s plastic scales are done right. The stepped, three layers of texturing are all tactile, and make the handle feel contoured even though they aren’t. I like the visual interest that the faux bolster imparts to the design.

Pardue and OKC also nailed the width on this knife. I don’t think that thinner is always better in pocket knives. Sometimes, a design works better if it’s a little thicker, and that’s certainly the case here. The thickness of the handle functions as a counterbalance to the beefy blade, and gives you some exact and intuitive control over your cuts.

Of course, there is one way in which the thickness is less ideal, and that’s in pocket carry. As someone who doesn’t really carry anything else in my knife pocket, I don’t mind the chunkiness, but some certainly will. On the other hand the pocket clip, also a very Emersonian design, works well. In the tip down configuration (the way the knife comes), it travels just far enough across the knife to keep it stable in carry.

Deployment and Lockup

There really is no excuse at this point for pokey deployment on a knife, no matter the price. Obviously corners will be cut on budget knives, but the Utilitac II is yet another argument in the ongoing case that a good pivot is never something that needs to go. A simple phosphor bronze and Teflon washer setup and a punchy detent combine to give the Utilitac II a glass-smooth, lightning quick, and immensely satisfying deployment.

You kick off this satisfying deployment via ambidexterous thumbstuds. Another small thing that the Utilitac II absolutely nails is thumbstud placement. Holding the knife naturally, your thumb is exactly where it needs to be to flick the blade open. And once you deploy the knife, your thumb comes to rest exactly where it needs to be the use the knife. It sounds like a small detail, and it is, but anytime a knife can break down a time tax between you needing to cut something and getting that something cut, it should be pointed out and lauded.

This big and beefy knife uses a fairly thin liner lock, but one that has been utterly reliable in the four months I’ve owned and carried this blade. There was no play the day I got it. A little horizontal play, easily fixed by tightening the pivot, is all there is to report as I write this review. The liner travels over a fair distance, locking up at about 60%. I know that it isn’t a universally-held belief that early lock up is better, and that some makers favor late lockup on liner locks. I wonder if the late lockup here has something to do with its stability.

A generous cutout on the show side scale makes accessing the liner easy. One issue I have with the lock, however, is the jimping on the locking leaf. It’s pretty sharp and can start to irritate your finger if you’re opening and closing the knife a lot. The cutout is so effective on its own that this toothy jimping is redundant anyway, so if they ever updated this knife I’d like to see it go.

Ontario Knife Company Utilitac II Review – Final Thoughts

Judging by YouTube reviews and dusty old forum posts, the Utilitac II seems to have enjoyed a brief time in the spotlight before the knife community moved on to other knives. This is a shame because I would hazard to guess that this knife is outright better than just about any budget offering released this year (besides the Pro-Lite).

It’s likely better than any budget knife that came out last year, too. And I’ve never used a RAT 1 but I can’t imagine it being a substantial improvement over the Utilitac II. When it comes to visuals I think Joe Pardue’s design has the RAT 1 beat easily. The number of meaningful variations it’s offered in is also pretty impressive, even years later.

If you haven’t tried one, and if you can work with the mid-size EDC philosophy, I encourage you to give the Utilitac II a try. It’s actually a thoughtfully designed knife, and thoughtful design is refreshing at any price point. I don’t think that it’s been officially discontinued as of yet. Either way, it is still widely available, and well worth your time for any price under $40.

Ontario Knife Joe Pardue Utilitac II

Crafted from the highest quality materials
Built for performance and durability
Made in Taiwan
3.5 inch plain edge blade
Knife Closed Length: 4.5-Inch

Editor: I recommend purchasing the Ontario Utilitac II at Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for checking out the review.

Benchmade G10 Griptilian 551-1 Review

by Dan Jackson 29 Comments

I wasn’t one of those guys that had a big issue with the plastic handles on the original Griptilian. I always thought they were light and durable. Maybe not the sexiest choice of materials, but certainly practical. But for many the plastic handles of the Griptilian were a source of contention at best. At worst they were a deal breaker.

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So for the longest time if you wanted a Griptilian with G-10 handle scales, you had to go to the after market. This market was pioneered by ex-pat Kevin Wilkins. His line of WilkinsGRIP aftermarket scales were the enthusiast’s best choice if you wanted a G10 Griptilian.

Benchmade finally came around in late 2015 and released both the 551-1 Griptilian and 556-1 Mini Griptilian with G-10 handles. This is arguably the most exciting thing Benchmade has done since the 940-1 Osborne.

This knife was provided to me free of charge by the fine folks over at KnifeArt. In no way has this impacted my impressions of the 551-1. I think the people over at KnifeArt are good guys, I think they run a quality website, and I appreciate their letting me check out this 551-1. Now on to the review.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The 551-1 has an overall length of 8.07″, a 3.45″ blade, weighs 4.17 ounces and is made in the USA. The G10 version is almost an ounce heavier than the original Griptilian, but it does not feel heavy for it’s size, and seems significantly lighter than my WilkinsGRIP equipped BM 552 / Ritter Griptilian.

The 551-1 has an identical drop point blade to the original Griptilian and is offered with your choice of thumb stud or thumb oval. I always preferred the look of the thumb stud version of the Griptilian, so that is what I got.

When I compare this blade to my original Griptilian the only difference I can detect is that the blade has been given a bit of a stonewash. Of course, the 551-1 features a new blade steel, and I will talk about that below. But beyond that you have the same excellent blade shape of the original Griptilian, with a saber flat grind, and swedge. This classic drop point shape has served me well for many years now.

Besides the switch to G-10 scales, the biggest news about the 551-1 is change to CPM-20CV blade steel. This is a steel that I was previously unfamiliar with. Manufactured by Crucible Industries, CPM-20CV is advertised as a steel with high corrosion resistance and wear resistance, and good toughness. Chemically it is similar to M390, which is an excellent steel. CPM-20CV has an extremely high chromium content, which results in its corrosion resistant qualities. From what I can gather, this appears to be a good choice for a folding knife. It may not have the toughness of a steel like 3V, but I think the extra corrosion resistance is a nice trade off here. My regular 154CM Griptilian has been through the ringer, and it occasionally shows small spots of rust if I forget to clean it.

My 551-1 came razor sharp from the factory, and this 20CV seems to hold an edge well. So far I have used the knife to break down a few boxes, open mail, etc. I haven’t wailed on this knife like my original Griptilian and so far have only needed to gently strop the knife to maintain its edge. No corrosion or complaints thus far, but I am not 100% convinced that this steel is worth the price premium over regular 154CM to me.

Still, it’s an interesting steel and I intend to keep this knife for long term testing and evaluation. I’ll update this review as I “gather more data points” and use the knife in the coming years. So far so good.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

Obviously the handle is the main event here for the 551-1, and is basically the entire point of this knife. I am pleased to say that this new G10 handle has been beautifully executed. It is fully 3-D machined, and features bright blue liners and anodized blue backspacers beneath gray overlays. I am not sure if the gray-blue combo would have been my first choice, but the blue certainly “pops” here and my handle has been flawlessly executed. I am hoping Benchmade will roll out some other color combos in the future.

Like the original Griptilian the 551-1 features partial nested steel liners. That is about the only similarity with the handle construction of the original Griptilian. Even the hardware has been upgraded on the 551-1. This new handle is a totally different animal and it transforms the look and feel of the knife.

My favorite aspect of the new handle is how they shaped it to match the contours of the original Griptilian. If you handle aftermarket scales for a Griptilian, they are usually very big and boxy. These aftermarket handles change the ergonomics substantially and add additional weight. That is not the case for the 551-1. Here you get a feel in hand that is very faithful to the original FRN Grip. Of course there is a little extra weight, and the G-10 does feel slightly different, but the overall profile and hand filling nature of the original model has not been lost in translation. Benchmade did away with some of the extra texturing on the handle, and the diamond pattern here isn’t quite as grippy as on the original knife, but there is plenty of grip here for me and I’d go so far as to say that this is an improvement over the original knife from an ergonomics perspective.

Benchmade decided to include a deep carry pocket clip on the new 551-1 rather than their original spoon clip. I like this deep carry clip. It makes for a discrete knife that I have actually worn with slacks at work a few times now. This is a proven clip design. I think the 551-1 carries well for what it is. This is a larger knife, and it is heavier than it’s FRN predecessor, but this is still something that normal guys can carry and use and I think this is a viable EDC option (although admittedly the mini-551-1 is really all you will need for 99% of your EDC tasks).

Deployment and Lockup

Benchmade has equipped the 551-1 with an impressively beefy set of phosphor bronze washers. Because you have an open back design, the washers are very prominent on this knife. The blade flicks open effortlessly. This is a satisfying knife to open and close. Whether you decide on the thumb stud version or the thumb hole version I don’t think you will have a problem accessing the blade.

Of course for lock up you have an axis lock here. I have discussed the axis lock for years now. It remains one of my favorite locks as it is fully ambidextrous and allows you to easily open and close the knife with one hand. I find that the use of G10 handle scales adds a lot of structural rigidity to an axis lock knife and the 551-1 is no exception. It feels solid, and may inspire more confidence in the end user than FRN.

Blade centering is perfect on my knife, as I would expect from a nearly $200 folder.

Benchmade 551-1 Review – Final Thoughts

I must admit I was somewhat skeptical about this knife given the enormous price premium over the regular FRN verion, but the 551-1 has been beautifully executed, and I can see where the extra money went. They didn’t just slap some G10 on this thing and call it a day – every single facet of the original Griptilian has been re-considered and in someway upgraded. It’s clear Benchmade spent a lot of time and effort to dial in the 551-1.

Compared to its FRN predecessor, this new 551-1 is simply a superior tool. If the original FRN scales drove you up the wall, then the 551-1 cures that ill handily, and if you are a Griptilian fan I’d say this is basically a “must buy”. I was skeptical at first, especially given the price point, but the 551-1 has exceeded my expectations.

Benchmade - Griptilian 551-1 Knife, Drop-Point Blade, Plain Edge, Satin Finish, Gray Handle G10 Handle, Made in the USA

HIGH-QUALITY: The CPM-S30V stainless steel blade is extremely well-balanced, offering superb edge qualities and rust resistance. The glass-filled nylon handle is tough yet attractive, making it ideal for hard jobs and everyday carry.
WELL-DESIGNED: Benchmade's AXIS lock is exceptionally strong and fully ambidextrous. The Griptilian 551 is a manual knife that can be opened and closed single-handedly.
COMFORTABLE: The 551's lightweight design and handle grips make it comfortable to hold and use. The reversible pocket clip offers ultimate accessibility.
VERSATILE: The Griptilian 551's drop-point utility blade style and all-around functionality make it ideal for everyday use, outdoor activities and even tactical applications.

I recommend buying the 551-1 at Amazon, or BladeHQ, KnifeArt.com. Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Benchmade Mini Griptilian 556 Review

by Dan Jackson 26 Comments

Last Updated: November 30, 2019
As much as I enjoy discussing the latest and greatest knives, sometimes we need to stop and appreciate the modern classics. As someone who tries to stay on top of all the new stuff coming out, I can tell you that the knife world moves at a breakneck pace. Companies are constantly introducing new and exciting models vying for our attention and dollars.

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As much as I can appreciate their desire to shower us with awesome new products, I try to occasionally pause and reflect on the real classics in the world of modern folding knives.

Without a doubt one of these classic knives is the Benchmade Mini Griptilian. The little brother to the full size Benchmade Griptilian, the Mini Griptilian takes a lot of what makes the full size so great and shrinks it down into a package that is perfect for urban EDC. For most people this knife is everything you need, and nothing you don’t.

Lets take a closer look at this “modern classic” knife, and see what the Mini Griptilian is all about.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Mini Griptilian has a 2.91″ blade, an overall length of 6.78″ and a weight of 2.5 ounces. These dimensions make the Mini Grip ideal for EDC. This is a knife that is small enough to comfortably carry, friendly enough to use in public without questions, and still big enough actually get some work done when you need it to.

However, if you need something that is capable of bigger tasks can also work as a defensive knife, I recommend checking out the full size Griptilian. Here’s a size comparison between the two:

The blade on the Mini Griptilian is a classic drop point shape. This is a timeless design that features a hollow grind and a swedge. This gives you a nice tip for piercing and detail work, along with plenty of belly for common utility tasks. You have a choice of a satin finish (shown here) or a black coated blade. Benchmade also makes a tanto version of the knife and a sheepsfoot, and you have your choice of plain edge or partial serrations. All in all, you have an excellent blade here, with tons of options to make it your own.

The steel on the Mini Griptilian is 154CM. This is a nice all-around steel. It’s not quite a super steel by today’s standards, but definitely a mid to high end steel. I like how it is easy to sharpen and how it holds a nice edge for a good amount of time. 154CM is a proven blade steel that still gets used. Benchmade also offers this knife in S30V. Benchmade’s S30V is excellent, but I find little reason to upgrade from 154CM.

In practice, the Mini Griptilian performs great. I’ve carried and used mine for years. It has performed countless daily tasks. Whether that’s breaking down a box, or helping out with a car or construction project, the Mini Griptilian can get it done. When the edge eventually dulls, it’s easy enough to bring back on my Spyderco Sharpmaker.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Mini Griptilian has a solid handle made of fiberglass reinforced nylon (FRN) over full stainless steel liners. Just so everyone is on the same page, FRN is fiberglass reinforced plastic. I have no problem with this handle material, although many consider it to be inferior to G10. It’s a lightweight and strong material that I have had a lot of experience with and have never had any issues (at all).

If the FRN bothers you, then pick up a G-10 Mini Griptilian. It’s more expensive, but a great upgrade if you have the money.

Underneath the FRN we have nested stainless steel liners. This is a solid handle design, with no flex. All the parts line up flush and are of high quality. Everything is bolted together for easy take down. Like the full size Grip, this is a closed back design.

Ergonomics on the Mini Griptilian are good for a small EDC knife. With larger hands I was able to get a firm 4 finger grasp without an issue. It’s a tighter fit than the full size, but it’s definitely doable (and remember, this is the Mini). Of course, being a Griptilian, this thing is tricked out in the texture department. Benchmade included tons of jimping, a nice thumb ramp, a good choil, and a tight diamond pattern on the handle scales. This knife isn’t going anywhere – in forward or reverse grips.

The pocket clip is the exact same clip found on the full size Griptilian, which is great. I am a huge fan of this clip, it’s a good size, offers good retention and buries deep. Benchmade gives you the option of ambidextrous tip up carry. The attractive flat black coating will wear off with use, but if you ever send this knife into Benchmade for service (or just email em) they will hook you up with a brand new clip.

As far as actual carry goes, the Mini Grip is effortless. The knife is fairly slim and at 2.5 ounces you will hardly feel it. This is a knife that you will want in your pocket every day. Here is a photo of what the knife looks like in your pocket:

Deployment and Lockup

Like the full size Grip, the Mini comes with either thumb studs or a thumb hole. I like the look of the thumb studs (plus it matches my full size Grip) so I went with that. Both options provide near effortless ambidextrous deployment. There are large phosphor bronze washers in the knife that account for the incredibly smooth deployment. Both my full size and Mini Grip rank the fastest deploying blades in my collection. Also, blade centering is perfect.

Here’s a size comparison with a Spyderco Delica and Spyderco Endura:

As far as lockup is concerned, the Mini Grip makes use of the now legendary Axis lock. I’m a huge fan of this style of lock because it is incredibly easy to operate with either hand, is strong and is incredibly elegant. Hands down this is my favorite style of lock. The axis lock on the Mini Grip has been flawlessly executed.

If you live in the US or Canada I really cant think of enough nice things to say about the Axis lock. However, if you are an international reader, you may need to consider that if the spring on the axis lock breaks (which has never happened to me), you would have to send in the whole knife for repair. This would be a hassle, and rather expensive. That is the only downside I can see to the axis lock.

After owning dozens of axis lock knives for years and years, I’ve never had an issue with an Omega spring breaking. But I do occasionally get comments from international readers saying that this has happened to them. It would be great if Benchmade reconsidered their policy in these conditions, and just shipped out a new Omega spring.

Here is a size comparison of the Mini Grip with a Kershaw Skyline:

Full Size Benchmade Griptilian vs. Mini Griptilian

Now if you are anything like me, you might be interested in the Griptilian series, but are unsure whether you want the full size or the Mini. To help you out I recorded a little video comparing the two knives. I hope this helps.

Benchmade Mini Griptilian Review – Final Thoughts

I originally published this review in 2012. In 2019 I performed a major update to the review, complete with better pictures, and updated thoughts after owning the knife for the better part of a decade. The Mini Griptilian is an outstanding knife, and it has remained in my daily carry rotation over the years. This smaller version of the Griptilian makes for a great discreet EDC. I have had zero issues with my knife. It has stood the test of time.

The Mini Griptilian is an absolutely fantastic EDC option. It’s lightweight, sturdy, and very well made. It should be no surprise that this is one of Benchmade’s most popular and iconic designs. Perhaps the only issue is the price. This isn’t a cheap knife, but it is wonderfully made and I think you get what you pay for. Plus, it’s made in the USA.

The Mini Griptilian is a knife with a proven track record and has earned its place as one of the Best EDC knives. I can recommend it without hesitation.

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I recommend purchasing the Mini-Griptilian from Amazon and BladeHQ. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Benchmade Griptilian 551 Review

by Dan Jackson 29 Comments

Last Updated: November 30, 2019
The Benchmade Griptilian is a household name in the knife world. It is one of Benchmade’s most popular designs and it appears in countless variations.

Buy the Benchmade Griptilian at BladeHQ

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For many, this will be their first “real knife”. A gateway blade into the world of high end pocket knives. It was one of my first nice pocket knives, so it holds a special spot in my heart. What’s interesting, is that I still have and use this knife almost a decade later. I originally wrote this review back in 2011, so this is a very long term hands-on review of the Benchmade Griptilian.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The full size Griptilian has an overall length of 8″, a 3.45″ blade, weighs 3.25 ounces, and is made in the USA. This isn’t a small knife, but Benchmade has managed to keep the weight down. By way of comparison, the Mini Griptilian has a a 2.9″ blade, an overall length of 6.78″ and a weight of 2.56 ounces.

If you are at all like me, you may be on the fence about whether to get this full size Griptilian or the Mini Grip. I actually purchased a Mini-Grip first, but I ended up swapping it out for a full size because I wanted something with a full size handle. I know a lot of people who prefer the Mini-Grip for an EDC knife. It’s all a matter of preference.

Depending on whether you are looking at the thumb hole version or the thumb stud version the knife will have either a sheepsfoot blade with a thumb hole or a drop point blade. Both blade shapes come in 154CM stainless steel and both blade types will have a long hollow ground edge with plenty of belly. The drop point edge is very attractive to me, so that is what I ended up purchasing. It has a swedge that finishes in a fairly stout tip – good for piercing tasks. The knife was extremely sharp out of the box. All in all this is a very nice blade which is great for EDC chores.

The standard Grip comes with a blade made of 154CM stainless steel. 154CM is a highly regarded stainless steel manufactured by Crucible Industries in the USA. While fancier (more expensive) steels have come on the market in recent years, I still appreciate 154CM because it takes a nice edge and is easy to sharpen. I actually prefer 154CM over S30V in many applications because 154cm is so easy to sharpen, while S30V can be stubborn to sharpen. 154CM is a proven steel and is a good fit for a working man’s knife like the Griptilian.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle of the Griptilian is made of Valox, which is an injection molded high density resin. It’s plastic. I know some people don’t care for the Valox handle because it has a lightweight and the plasticy feel. Personally, I think it is a practical choice for the handle as the material is both lightweight and tough, but I understand how fans of more substantial knives could be turned off by the product.

After years of people complaining, Benchmade finally issued a G-10 version of the Griptilian and Mini Grip in late 2015. I still like the original plastic handled version, but the G-10 version is beautiful and definitely an upgrade. Check out my review of the G-10 Griptilian here.

This handle has a closed back design, which means it is a little more difficult to clean than a knife with pillar construction. The handle is held together with screws and everything is nicely finished. Benchmade makes a ton of these knives and they seem to have their manufacturing and quality control protocols dialed in.

As far as ergonomics are concerned, the handle is chunky and covered with texturing. I would expect no less from a knife called the “Griptilian”. There is a run of jimping on the spine of the blade, and little jimping in the plastic placed strategically around the handle. The knife feels good in the hand and there is no lack of traction. I have used my Griptilian for years now and it continues to be a solid performer.

The Griptilian comes with Benchmade’s standard steel pocket clip. The clip is a classic no-nonsense design that has stood the test of time and can be found all over Benchmade’s lineup. The handle is drilled and tapped for ambidextrous tip up carry. All in all this is one of my favorite clips. It has great retention, buries deep and looks normal. The only potential issue is that the black finish will quickly began to wear like mine has. That is not an issue for me, and if you send the knife in for sharpening, Benchmade will include a new clip.

How does the Griptilian carry? While the Griptilian is lightweight for its size, this is a thick knife. At over half an inch thick you will likely notice it in the pocket. All said, it carries well. The standard clip is not a deep carry pocket clip, but it buries most of the knife into your pocket. Here is a pocket shot:

Deployment and Lock

Whether you opt for the version with thumb studs or the thumb hole, the Griptilian deploys with alarming speed. Seriously, this is one of the fastest deploying and smoothest opening knives I own and it’s one of my favorite features of the knife. I’ve taken mine apart for cleaning a couple times, and Benchmade has installed some of the biggest phosphor bronze washers that I have ever seen on a folding knife. No doubt this is part of the reason why deployment is so smooth.

The Griptilian uses Benchmade’s axis lock which I have written about quite a bit in the past. It’s an excellent lock and it really works well with the Griptilian. There is a lot of weight in the blade which makes it easy to really flip the knife out fast and it makes for a solid lockup. Also, the axis lock gives you a variety of ways to open and close the knife. I find myself playing around with the deployment of this knife a lot. It’s a durable locking system that allows the knife to easily be open and closed with one hand.

Benchmade Griptilian 551 vs. Benchmade 551-1 G10 Griptilian

As I mentioned in the handle section, Benchmade released the 551-1 G10 Griptilian in 2015. This was after years of people complaining about the plastic handles of the original 551. I have both the G10 and regular version, and wrote an in-depth review of the G-10 Griptilian.

Here is a picture of the original Griptilian, the 551-1, and a Doug Ritter Griptilian with Wilkins GRIP aftermarket G-10 handles:

The G-10 version is awesome, but it’s also about $100 more than the regular version. Naturally, people want to know if the G10 version is “worth it”. I can’t really answer that, because everyone is different and value is relative. Some people will see the value in the G-10 version, some people wont, and some people won’t even see the value in the regular FRN Griptilian.

I will say that the 551-1 is immaculate. Benchmade did an absolutely beautiful job with the knife, and I can easily see where the extra money went. They didn’t just slap on some G10 handles, they considered every aspect of the original Griptilian and tweaked it when building the 551-1. It’s a wonderful knife. If you have the money and interest, then my suggestion is to spring for the G-10 version. With that said, the original 551 is still as serviceable as it ever was, and remains one of my all time favorite pocket knives.

Benchmade Griptilian vs. Mini Griptilian

Ok, so you have decided that you want some sort of Griptilian. Often the hardest part is choosing between a full size and a mini. I recorded a comparison video for you to help make the decision a little easier:

At the end of the day, both the full size and Mini Grip are excellent knives. I can easily justify having both in my collection. With that said, if you have to pick one, then my blanket advice would be to buy the mini-grip if you plan on carrying it in a suburban environment (ie, if you plan to use it at work, and you work in an office). The full size Griptilian is a good size knife, and some will consider it threatening if you use it in public.

Here is a size comparison with the Mini Grip:

If you can get away with carrying a bigger knife and like bigger knives, then go for the full size Griptilian.

A Few More Comparisons…

Since the Griptilian is such an iconic knife, people can’t help but compare it to other knives. I’ve used it as a reference piece in a number of articles.

One obvious comparison is with the Spyderco Paramilitary 2. I actually wrote an entire article comparing the Para 2 with the Griptilian. Since I went into such detail in that article, I won’t re-hash it here, but it’s worth checking out if you want to compare the 2 knives.

Another interesting comparison is with the Benchmade Bugout:

I like the comparison because in many ways the Griptilian was the original lightweight folding knife, and the Bugout can almost be considered a refinement. The Bugout came out at least a decade after the Griptilian, and it benefits from a lot of refinements. It’s thinner, lighter, with blue anodized standoffs and a super thin blade.

The Bugout is a more expensive knife, but I really like it. I think it’s worth the extra money. Of course, there is room in my collection for both knives.

Benchmade Griptilian Review – Final Thoughts

The Benchmade Griptilian has a well deserved reputation of being both an outstanding pocket knife, and a modern classic. Benchmade started with a timeless and functional design, and built the knife to be lightweight, fast, and functional. The thickness of the handle and choice of plastic for the handle material will be turn offs for some, but personally I like how the the knife feels in hand, and have no problems with the choice of handle material. And these days we have the G-10 551-1, so if you don’t like the black plastic, go for the G-10.

My Griptilian has seen years of use, and it still finds a lot of time in my pocket. This is my highest form of endorsement. I have owned my Griptilian since 2011, and I still have it in my regular rotation. This is after reviewing hundreds of pocket knives. Over that course of time I have bought and sold dozens and dozens of knives. I still have my Griptilian and I still use it. That alone should tell you something.

I recommend the Griptilian if you are in need of a larger EDC knife or utility knife. If you are looking for a smaller knife, then check out the Mini Grip. Both are great. If you want something higher end, then go for the 551-1, or the 556-1. At this point there is something for everyone in the Griptilian lineup. You can’t go wrong with the Griptilian.

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I recommend purchasing the Griptilian from Amazon or BladeHQ. Buying anything through any of the links on this helps support the website at absolutely no cost to you. Any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.