Danzo
04-12-04, 04:55 PM
Hi folks
Three weeks ago I was indulging in some late night knife porn self indulgence over the Benchmade 630 Skirmish over on New Grahams site and deciding I couldn't afford it when something else caught my eye.
It was the Benchmade 551 Griptilian AXIS lock. Plain Edge.
www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=551
I've never paid much attention to Griptilians before as I associated them with an oval opening hole in an ugly bump that just didn't do it for me, but the 551 has thumbstuds and a blade much closer in style to the 9130 Stryker automatic. I really liked the look of the knife and was shocked when I saw the price.
$59.37!
:yikes:
Well, you know what happened of course and I've had it since Tuesday.
:rolleyes:
It is really quite superb, and for the price one of the all time bargains IMHO.
The blade is an out of the box shaving sharp 440c steel. Not the current Pop Idol steel, but perhaps more a Motorhead of a steel; bl**dy good when it began and just the same now, regardless of trends. The blade design is aesthetically almost perfect to me. It is clearly very functional but just tactical enough to ward off the imaginary pirates.
There is a good thumbgroove on the spine which flows into another double groove either side of the cutout for the AXIS lock. This allows for considerable control. The angle of the top of the blade towards the tip allows for a practical grip with the forefinger along the spine for fine carving work.
The handle is Noryl GTX which is some sort of high impact plastic which feels 'good quality plastic' in the same way that Lego does. It is 'bobbled' for grip along most of its length, although smooth around the AXIS lock.The handle is very well put together with black torx screws and a typical solid Benchmade clip that is ambidextrous and removeable by means of three small torx screw on a slightly recessed platform. The handle ergonomics are really well thought out and it is very comfortable in several grips. The substantial choil, similiar to the one on my BM 520 is very reassuring.
The AXIS lock is, as I have come to expect, absolutely rock solid and a delight to play with. It has the phospored bronze washers or bushes which most people accept are the superior type. The blade is heavy enough to open with a good flick when holding the AXIS pins but it will NOT open through gravity.
It is simply a great knife. It is a good strong workaday EDC that handles smoothly and cleanly but feels strong and reliable
This knife cost £30 plus £3 postage, as New Graham use the good old reliable USPS. I did pay a piddling amount of VAT but no HM Customs pound of flesh. New Graham are always a pleasure to deal with and will go out of their way to help you.
I've always said that the original Spyderco Native is the best value for money knife out there. To be honest, as it is made of more upmarket materials than the BM 551 it probably still is. However I do love AXIS locks and I do like slightly larger knives. This is perhaps my perfect EDC knife. For less than £40.
:approve:
Danzo
Three weeks ago I was indulging in some late night knife porn self indulgence over the Benchmade 630 Skirmish over on New Grahams site and deciding I couldn't afford it when something else caught my eye.
It was the Benchmade 551 Griptilian AXIS lock. Plain Edge.
www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=551
I've never paid much attention to Griptilians before as I associated them with an oval opening hole in an ugly bump that just didn't do it for me, but the 551 has thumbstuds and a blade much closer in style to the 9130 Stryker automatic. I really liked the look of the knife and was shocked when I saw the price.
$59.37!
:yikes:
Well, you know what happened of course and I've had it since Tuesday.
:rolleyes:
It is really quite superb, and for the price one of the all time bargains IMHO.
The blade is an out of the box shaving sharp 440c steel. Not the current Pop Idol steel, but perhaps more a Motorhead of a steel; bl**dy good when it began and just the same now, regardless of trends. The blade design is aesthetically almost perfect to me. It is clearly very functional but just tactical enough to ward off the imaginary pirates.
There is a good thumbgroove on the spine which flows into another double groove either side of the cutout for the AXIS lock. This allows for considerable control. The angle of the top of the blade towards the tip allows for a practical grip with the forefinger along the spine for fine carving work.
The handle is Noryl GTX which is some sort of high impact plastic which feels 'good quality plastic' in the same way that Lego does. It is 'bobbled' for grip along most of its length, although smooth around the AXIS lock.The handle is very well put together with black torx screws and a typical solid Benchmade clip that is ambidextrous and removeable by means of three small torx screw on a slightly recessed platform. The handle ergonomics are really well thought out and it is very comfortable in several grips. The substantial choil, similiar to the one on my BM 520 is very reassuring.
The AXIS lock is, as I have come to expect, absolutely rock solid and a delight to play with. It has the phospored bronze washers or bushes which most people accept are the superior type. The blade is heavy enough to open with a good flick when holding the AXIS pins but it will NOT open through gravity.
It is simply a great knife. It is a good strong workaday EDC that handles smoothly and cleanly but feels strong and reliable
This knife cost £30 plus £3 postage, as New Graham use the good old reliable USPS. I did pay a piddling amount of VAT but no HM Customs pound of flesh. New Graham are always a pleasure to deal with and will go out of their way to help you.
I've always said that the original Spyderco Native is the best value for money knife out there. To be honest, as it is made of more upmarket materials than the BM 551 it probably still is. However I do love AXIS locks and I do like slightly larger knives. This is perhaps my perfect EDC knife. For less than £40.
:approve:
Danzo