Benchmade Griptilian - G10 or not?

M

malkkis

Joined
Dec 27, 2010
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Hi everyone!

I'm dead set on my next knife, I want to get Benchmade Griptilian, and perhaps get another for my father. I'm just wondering how people feel like G10 scales compared to the regular nylon scales, is it worth springing for those? From what I've heard, the scales make Griptilian pretty light knife, am I right to assume G10 scales won't add too much weight? I'm mostly wondering this in the terms of grippiness and how sturdily they're made, since I tend to favour knives that don't feel "cheap"(okay, this might be bit subjective but I don't want to feel like I could break the knife by using it too heavily, similar to some cheaper knives) when handled.
 
In my opinion, definately G-10, micarta or similar. Not enough weight added to be concerned with and the knife is much more substantial feeling and solid.

I prefer after market or non-BM scales; but I am a little biased.
 
Definitely G-10 (or carbon fiber...) ;) over the stock plastic scales. The minor addition of extra weight gives the knife a better balance and feel. This is my S30V hybrid, and it makes a good knife a great knife:



 
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I personally want one with upgraded grips.
Saw one with titanium grips
Others with putnam scales?

They're awesome! I'm in love
 
What are you using it for? If it going to be used in wet conditions or with blood (dressing game) I would prefer the nylon scales for EDC around town I would go G10.
 
The G10 is largely an aesthetic choice as they'll add a feeling of solidity and will flex less. No performance advantage, though. As a gift I might spring for the G10 to get it into the recipient's pocket more often and confer that solid feeling to them, but on a user for myself I wouldn't bother with the extra money.
 
I am in both camps. I like the light weight of the nylon scales but I am also curious to see what the new G10 scales are like.

I bought a Ritter Grip with aftermarket Wilkins scales and found I actually preferred my original. But others feel differently. I think the Wilkins are pretty chunky compared to other aftermarket scales though.

The new 20CV version has slim-line G10 scales though, so I'm thinking those will be a good compromise. Happily, I have one on the way so I will soon see for myself.

Cost is also a factor. The G10 versions cost more, no matter which route you take. I still believe the standard Ritter Grip in M390 is the best all-round option you can get.
 
I never bought an original Grip for myself until the G10 cpm20v model dropped, I own two of them now. Cpm20cv is worth the price upgrade, and the g10 with steel liners give it a real working knife feel. Also I personally like the contrast of the blue standoffs and liners against the gray g10.
 
On the new grey/blue g10 grips, I really like the blue grey but I think it would be cool if they changed up the color scheme every year. For 2017, come up with two different colors and phase out the Blue grey. You could kind of date your knife 20 years down the road "first version of the g10 grip was blue grey"............Benchmade would make some major coin from people wanting to collect the different colored versions from collectors and for a user, if someone didn't like the given years color scheme, they could just wait a year to see what was offered.
 
Buffalohump said:
I am in both camps. I like the light weight of the nylon scales but I am also curious to see what the new G10 scales are like.

I bought a Ritter Grip with aftermarket Wilkins scales and found I actually preferred my original. But others feel differently. I think the Wilkins are pretty chunky compared to other aftermarket scales though.

The new 20CV version has slim-line G10 scales though, so I'm thinking those will be a good compromise. Happily, I have one on the way so I will soon see for myself.

Cost is also a factor. The G10 versions cost more, no matter which route you take. I still believe the standard Ritter Grip in M390 is the best all-round option you can get.
Click to expand...

I had a similar experience. I bought a Mini-Ritter and an aftermarket set of grips to make my ultimate EDC and hated the aftermarkets because they were bulky. I currently have a 551-1 and it's a great knife all around. I don't think you can go wrong either way. I will say I prefer the G10 in the full size but only the feeling in hand. The "plastic" Grip is tough as hell and light weight.
 
I had the chance to handle both a couple of weeks ago.

For the fullsize Grip, i can confirm that the G10 feels a little more solid. It is a little heavier and feels sturdier.

For the Mini Grip however, the difference wasn't enough to justify the purchase (i originally thought about buying it). For me, it's almost the same. That might be due to the full steel liners in the Mini. Plus, the G10 on the Grips doesn't feel like Spydercos G10 on the Para2 or Tenacious etc. It feels almost polished, very smooth. I remember, that someone said in a forum something like "finally Benchmade gave us G10 on the Griptilians, but they made it feel like nylon/GTX". As I already own a standard Mini Grip, it is not enough for me to upgrade.

If you don't own a Grip and you appreciate premium materials and you have the money (and like the colors), I'd say go for the G10 on the fullsize Grip. But from a real-world, EDC perspective, it doesn't make much of a difference...
 
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