This knife is a true rarity.
How often do you find an American made one-hand folder, with excellent blade-steel, with one of the strongest locks in the industry, designed by a master knife craftsman, and all at a price that the average "working Joe" can afford?
A very rare find indeed.
One thing becomes obvious when you get your hands on the 551:
it is more than the sum of its parts.
The parts themselves, while totally serviceable, are decidedly not the creme de la creme.
Noryl GTX instead of G-10
410 SS liners instead of titanium
440C instead of S30V or BG-42 (or whatever the latest and greatest blade-steel is at the time)
However, Benchmade and Mel Pardue certainly make the most of these parts and created one terrific knife.
The Blade:
Some folks will spend hundreds of dollars (sometimes thousands) and search far and wide for that "Holy Grail" of blade-steel. A steel that does not rust or tarnish or stain. A steel that can obtain a razor-edge and never lose that edge no matter what you cut or how much you cut.
440C is not that steel.
But it is a very good steel that accomplishes alot of the "Grail" requirments.
It is very resistant to rust and corrosion.
It can be honed to a razor-sharpness.
And, with the proper heat treatment, it will hold an edge for a long time.
Benchmade does an excellent job with the heat treatment (58-60 HRC) for their 440C.
I have used several knives with 440C from Spyderco, Benchmade, and Boker.
I like this steel because it holds its edge for a very respectable amount of useage yet it is'nt too difficult to resharpen.
It also holds up extremely well to the humid Carolina summers without showing signs of rust.
I also like the blade design of the 551.
Mel Pardue certainly knows what he's doing when it comes to blades.
The 551 has a beautiful drop-point with plenty of belly. Combine that with the flat-grind and it makes a great slicer.
And the tip of the blade is strong enough for any task that requires a knife.
The dual thumbstuds on the blade (in conjunction with the amazing Axis-lock) work with the greatest of ease.
They are not too long or too short. And they are not too rough (like the CRKT M16) or too smooth.
And they don't get in the way when sharpening.
The pocket-clip works very well, and with the help of the handle texturing, will keep the knife in your pocket even when running and jumping.
The clip can be moved for left-handers or right-handers but only allows for tip-up carry.
The Axis-lock is simply amazing.
It's hard for words to describe just how secure and strong yet simple to operate this lock performs.
If you don't have an Axis-lock knife then you really are missing out.
A forum search of the Axis-lock will give you alot more information.
The handle:
I both like and dislike the 551's handle.
I like how the handle fills the hand. In fact, it's one of the most comfortable one-hand folders that I've ever used.
The checkering on the sides of the handle may or may not be helpful (except to assist the pocket-clip in keeping the knife in the pocket). Since the pocket-clip rests against my palm, only my fingers actually come in to contact with the checkering.
I think the real security-of-grip comes from the grooves and ridges on the top and bottom of the handle, and from the slight intergrated guard.
What I don't like about the handle is the hollow sound and plastic feel.
From the lock upwards, the knife feels bulldog tough.
But from just below the lock and downward to the butt, the knife feels much less substantial.
Mind you, I say "FEELS" less substantial.
And it is just that--a feeling.
Actually, the entire handle is very tough and rugged and can take about whatever you can dish out.
I sometimes wish that Benchmade would release a G-10 Griptilian, but then I think "would there be a real performance advantage when used in a folding knife with dual steel liners?".
Maybe and maybe not.
Maybe I would only want G-10 because it would "feel" better.
G-10 aside, I think the 551 is one of the very best one-hand folders that is affordable to the average guy.
I bought mine from a local hunting store and paid $65.oo dollars.
After using the knife for a while, I think I got a real bargain.
So if you're looking for a full-sized one-hand folder, with great blade-steel, a terrific lock, excellent blade design, tough yet comfortable handle, at a great price, then check out a Benchmade 551 Pardue Griptilian.
Thanks for listening,
Allen.
How often do you find an American made one-hand folder, with excellent blade-steel, with one of the strongest locks in the industry, designed by a master knife craftsman, and all at a price that the average "working Joe" can afford?
A very rare find indeed.
One thing becomes obvious when you get your hands on the 551:
it is more than the sum of its parts.
The parts themselves, while totally serviceable, are decidedly not the creme de la creme.
Noryl GTX instead of G-10
410 SS liners instead of titanium
440C instead of S30V or BG-42 (or whatever the latest and greatest blade-steel is at the time)
However, Benchmade and Mel Pardue certainly make the most of these parts and created one terrific knife.
The Blade:
Some folks will spend hundreds of dollars (sometimes thousands) and search far and wide for that "Holy Grail" of blade-steel. A steel that does not rust or tarnish or stain. A steel that can obtain a razor-edge and never lose that edge no matter what you cut or how much you cut.
440C is not that steel.
But it is a very good steel that accomplishes alot of the "Grail" requirments.
It is very resistant to rust and corrosion.
It can be honed to a razor-sharpness.
And, with the proper heat treatment, it will hold an edge for a long time.
Benchmade does an excellent job with the heat treatment (58-60 HRC) for their 440C.
I have used several knives with 440C from Spyderco, Benchmade, and Boker.
I like this steel because it holds its edge for a very respectable amount of useage yet it is'nt too difficult to resharpen.
It also holds up extremely well to the humid Carolina summers without showing signs of rust.
I also like the blade design of the 551.
Mel Pardue certainly knows what he's doing when it comes to blades.
The 551 has a beautiful drop-point with plenty of belly. Combine that with the flat-grind and it makes a great slicer.
And the tip of the blade is strong enough for any task that requires a knife.
The dual thumbstuds on the blade (in conjunction with the amazing Axis-lock) work with the greatest of ease.
They are not too long or too short. And they are not too rough (like the CRKT M16) or too smooth.
And they don't get in the way when sharpening.
The pocket-clip works very well, and with the help of the handle texturing, will keep the knife in your pocket even when running and jumping.
The clip can be moved for left-handers or right-handers but only allows for tip-up carry.
The Axis-lock is simply amazing.
It's hard for words to describe just how secure and strong yet simple to operate this lock performs.
If you don't have an Axis-lock knife then you really are missing out.
A forum search of the Axis-lock will give you alot more information.
The handle:
I both like and dislike the 551's handle.
I like how the handle fills the hand. In fact, it's one of the most comfortable one-hand folders that I've ever used.
The checkering on the sides of the handle may or may not be helpful (except to assist the pocket-clip in keeping the knife in the pocket). Since the pocket-clip rests against my palm, only my fingers actually come in to contact with the checkering.
I think the real security-of-grip comes from the grooves and ridges on the top and bottom of the handle, and from the slight intergrated guard.
What I don't like about the handle is the hollow sound and plastic feel.
From the lock upwards, the knife feels bulldog tough.
But from just below the lock and downward to the butt, the knife feels much less substantial.
Mind you, I say "FEELS" less substantial.
And it is just that--a feeling.
Actually, the entire handle is very tough and rugged and can take about whatever you can dish out.
I sometimes wish that Benchmade would release a G-10 Griptilian, but then I think "would there be a real performance advantage when used in a folding knife with dual steel liners?".
Maybe and maybe not.
Maybe I would only want G-10 because it would "feel" better.
G-10 aside, I think the 551 is one of the very best one-hand folders that is affordable to the average guy.
I bought mine from a local hunting store and paid $65.oo dollars.
After using the knife for a while, I think I got a real bargain.
So if you're looking for a full-sized one-hand folder, with great blade-steel, a terrific lock, excellent blade design, tough yet comfortable handle, at a great price, then check out a Benchmade 551 Pardue Griptilian.
Thanks for listening,
Allen.
I also have a 556/drop point/PE and between it and my Delica, they are probably my most used.