Benchmade Mini-Grip & Grip

JeffLrrp · January 3rd, 2008, 11:48 AM

Stupid question for everybody:

The Mini Grip and larger Griptilian aren't autos or ao's, are they? I have a chance to buy a slightly used one from a friend for about $45, and I was wondering if they were manual opening or not.

Does everybody like theirs? I know its a pretty popular model.

Betty · January 3rd, 2008, 11:58 AM

The button on the Griptilian is the Axis lock mechanism, so they are manual knives. I don't believe they made an auto version. I bought the Mini for my father a few years ago. It's a good smaller knife; the thumb hole allows for swift opening. Older models have oval holes and the new one has a round one.

stmcelroy · January 3rd, 2008, 12:04 PM

That is a great price on an Axis lock knife. I love the Axis lock and plan on owning many more.

nasm · January 4th, 2008, 04:46 PM

I love my Benchmade Mini-Grip. I have bought two so far (gave one away as a gift) and if I came across one for that price I'd buy it for sure. As has been said they're not autos. Buy it for sure. I do prefer the thumb studs rather than thumb holes, but that's just preference.

Take care,

nasm

cockedlocked01 · January 4th, 2008, 07:24 PM

I believe that Benchmade does (Or did) make an axis lock auto, but not in the Griptilians model.

As to axis lock in general, you can practically open it as quick as or quicker than an A/O. You can use the thumb hole or stud (Depending on the model & year of the knife), or you can flick them open & close quickly while manipulating the axis lock knob.

I think the axis lock system is very nice in 2 ways. It's very strong & allows for a relatively easy opening pressure. It's also not a problem carrying one of them tip-up. That's my preferred method of carrying a folder, but some knives don't come that way &/or open too easily to do so safely.

If it's in good condition, $45 is a very good price for a Grip. If that falls through, though, check out B/M's HK 14200 series & the 720, as well as the large (But "small" carrying) 710 D2.

oilman · January 4th, 2008, 08:18 PM

Yes the Griptilian has the axis lock (at least mine does!). No it is not an auto.

http://www.benchmade.com/products/pr...px?model=550HG

sourmash · January 4th, 2008, 09:23 PM

Benchmade knife's are some of the best around, I've carried two since '97. No problems. That's a great price on a great knife.

Jason_G · January 7th, 2008, 12:24 AM

Here's mine. It's a good knife, although it doesn't look as good as the pic anymore.

Jason

BOOM-STICK Holsters · January 8th, 2008, 03:32 PM

As others have said, it is not an auto. It is a great knife. One of the best knives out there for the money. They used them exclusively for the defensive knife classes I took. Worked well under the pressure of scenario training. They have a training blade model which is a real plus in my opinion. I'd say get it.

roadrat52 · January 8th, 2008, 10:52 PM

I carry my Gritillion every day and love it.
Best edc knife I own.

January 3rd, 2008, 11:48 AM	#1
JeffLrrp Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 220	Benchmade Mini-Grip & Grip Stupid question for everybody: The Mini Grip and larger Griptilian aren't autos or ao's, are they? I have a chance to buy a slightly used one from a friend for about $45, and I was wondering if they were manual opening or not. Does everybody like theirs? I know its a pretty popular model. __________________ “Laws that forbid the carrying of arms . . . disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes . . . ----- Thomas Jefferson NRA member

January 3rd, 2008, 11:58 AM	#2
Betty Assistant Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Nashville Posts: 2,743	The button on the Griptilian is the Axis lock mechanism, so they are manual knives. I don't believe they made an auto version. I bought the Mini for my father a few years ago. It's a good smaller knife; the thumb hole allows for swift opening. Older models have oval holes and the new one has a round one. __________________ "Americans have the will to resist because you have weapons. If you don't have a gun, freedom of speech has no power." - Yoshimi Ishikawa Broodings, Blunders and Broadsides: The Betty Blog (Friends only - Email me through there to let me know who you are first!)

January 3rd, 2008, 12:04 PM	#3
stmcelroy Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington State Posts: 231	That is a great price on an Axis lock knife. I love the Axis lock and plan on owning many more. __________________ www.RKBAholsters.com Check it out for quality reasonably priced leather *Pocket Holsters*......

January 4th, 2008, 07:24 PM	#5
cockedlocked01 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: S. California Posts: 943	I believe that Benchmade does (Or did) make an axis lock auto, but not in the Griptilians model. As to axis lock in general, you can practically open it as quick as or quicker than an A/O. You can use the thumb hole or stud (Depending on the model & year of the knife), or you can flick them open & close quickly while manipulating the axis lock knob. I think the axis lock system is very nice in 2 ways. It's very strong & allows for a relatively easy opening pressure. It's also not a problem carrying one of them tip-up. That's my preferred method of carrying a folder, but some knives don't come that way &/or open too easily to do so safely. If it's in good condition, $45 is a very good price for a Grip. If that falls through, though, check out B/M's HK 14200 series & the 720, as well as the large (But "small" carrying) 710 D2. __________________ "Use human means as though divine ones didn't exist, and divine means as though there were no human ones." Baltasar Gracian Integrated Close Combat NRA Member Para Ordnance LW LTC Glock 19 Kahr PM9 Kel-Tec P-32 S&W 442 Dan Wesson 14-2 AMT SA .380 Back-up

January 4th, 2008, 09:23 PM	#7
sourmash Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Gilligan's Island Posts: 70	Benchmade knife's are some of the best around, I've carried two since '97. No problems. That's a great price on a great knife. __________________ LIBERTY TAX SERVICE, CELL PHONES FOR SOLDIER'S

January 4th, 2008, 04:46 PM	#4
nasm Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: MA, USA Posts: 43	I love my Benchmade Mini-Grip. I have bought two so far (gave one away as a gift) and if I came across one for that price I'd buy it for sure. As has been said they're not autos. Buy it for sure. I do prefer the thumb studs rather than thumb holes, but that's just preference. Take care, nasm

January 4th, 2008, 08:18 PM	#6
oilman Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 222	Yes the Griptilian has the axis lock (at least mine does!). No it is not an auto. http://www.benchmade.com/products/pr...px?model=550HG

January 7th, 2008, 12:24 AM	#8
Jason_G Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 21	Here's mine. It's a good knife, although it doesn't look as good as the pic anymore. Jason

January 8th, 2008, 03:32 PM	#9
BOOM-STICK Holsters Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Southern Missouri Posts: 534	As others have said, it is not an auto. It is a great knife. One of the best knives out there for the money. They used them exclusively for the defensive knife classes I took. Worked well under the pressure of scenario training. They have a training blade model which is a real plus in my opinion. I'd say get it. __________________ Jeff Wright BOOM-STICK Holsters West Plains, Mo _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice Doggy' until you can find a big enough rock.

January 8th, 2008, 10:52 PM	#10
roadrat52 Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: OKC Posts: 91	I carry my Gritillion every day and love it. Best edc knife I own.

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