Benchmade Valox

K

KnifeCo.1216

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Dec 1, 2013
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Hey guys, I'm really interested in purchasing a Benchmade Mini Griptilian. The only thing I'm skeptical about are those Valox handles. If anybody has this knife please let me know how the handles feel. If they feel cheep and plasticky I won't buy it. But if they feel decent and not like they'll fall apart I'll buy it.

Thanks!
 
They dont feel that bad to me. I personaly Dont see any difference then spydercos frn material
 
They have full steel liners that are as big as the scales so this knife doesn't feel flimsy at all. Spyderco's frn feels a little "softer" to me if that makes any sense. Benchmade valox feel harder when you run your fingernails over it. But both are a plastic.
 
I don't think they feel cheap at all. Plastic feel...maybe. But as txman said, no different than FRN, or even some g10 handles. I debated between the Ritter Griptilian and the Ritter Mini Grip because people said the larger handles felt cheaper. Ended up getting the larger based on blade size and like it a lot more than the mini I once had.

I think a lot of people may equate "lightweight" with "cheap". Add the fact that the handle is lightweight but still has a big hand-filling grip, and it makes it seem cheaper. Check this out:

[video=youtube;bkRr7452KmI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkRr7452KmI&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DbkRr7452KmI&app=desktop[/video]
 
They actually feel nice, but very light. I think I'd prefer mica RTA or G10 but a grip feels nice in the hand. Can you try one before you buy? Decent number of places around me sell BM including REI.
 
The large grip feels hollow and a little less solid because it doesn't have any liners to speak of, just the bare minimum to support the axis lock. The mini grip definitely feels more solid than the large grip.
 
Kyle78 said:
The large grip feels hollow and a little less solid because it doesn't have any liners to speak of, just the bare minimum to support the axis lock. The mini grip definitely feels more solid than the large grip.
Click to expand...

This is just not true at all. The full size does not have full liners, but they take up a large portion of the handle all the same. Please explain your statement further?

I've had both, and while the mini feels more solid for its size, it isn't as beefy as the full size. I sold the mini because I was underwhelmed, yet when I bought the full size it was almost as light, with a beefier handle and blade.

The mini is great for office EDC, opening packages etc. The full is better for heavier work/duty.
 
I've used my Griptilian a lot, and it still functions flawlessly, so the materials do hold up.

It's plastic, and it does (in my opinion), feel cheap. As does FRN, grivory, cellidor and all that similar stuff. I use knives with those handle materials because they're practical: tough, lightweight, afford a good grip and aren't expensive. From a purely utilitarian point of view, I've no complaints.

Anyway, there are several makers who offer custom scales fro Griptilians in different materials, you can get a pair of those if you can't warm up to the plastic handle.
 
Handle feels very dense as far as plastic goes. FRN is almost twice as dense as HDPE, so I guess that makes sense :) I love my mini grip, and I prefer its grip over any G10 knife I've ever owned or handled.
 
RemyKaze said:
This is just not true at all. The full size does not have full liners, but they take up a large portion of the handle all the same. Please explain your statement further?

I've had both, and while the mini feels more solid for its size, it isn't as beefy as the full size. I sold the mini because I was underwhelmed, yet when I bought the full size it was almost as light, with a beefier handle and blade.

The mini is great for office EDC, opening packages etc. The full is better for heavier work/duty.
Click to expand...

This is what you get for liners with the large grip, not much. It's not a bad design and does keep the knife lightweight but sacrifices rigidity.

large

gripstrip005nq3.jpg


mini has full liners

minigrip3.jpg
 
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the handles are plenty strong enough to do the job
but they do FEEL cheap nd plastcky, at least to me
 
Honestly, your best bet is to grab some custom scales for the knife. Take a fantastic usable design and make it look really sweet, and you have the perfect EDC. I went that route with the full sized Grip, got myself a set of polished black linen micarta scales from Cuscadi. Weight is about the same, but it feels as good as it look now. It's my favorite folder I've ever owned, and it hasn't left my pocket once for months.
 
Kyle78 said:
This is what you get for liners with the large grip, not much. It's not a bad design and does keep the knife lightweight but sacrifices rigidity.

large

gripstrip005nq3.jpg


mini has full liners

minigrip3.jpg
Click to expand...
It isn't a fixed blade. The only issue that liners need address is the pivot and lock area of the knife, basically the area where blade meets handle, as that is where the flex would be. They need only extend down into the handle on a knife with this of lock far enough to support and strengthen that area. In this regard they are roughly the same size as the mini grip liners, for the same lock size. The handle and blade are just larger by comparison.

It sounds like you are parroting what others say without actually putting it through the paces. That is pure opinion on my part, however, as I don't know whether you have or have not. Agree to disagree?
 
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What part of "Ankerson stood on an opened Griptilian" don't people understand?
 
I don't have the full sized Grip, but I do have 3 mini grips and a Sequel. The Sequel has somewhat smaller aluminum handles and the blade is the same size as the minis. I use the minis for dropping in my pocket out in the yard, while the 707 Sequel is a comfortable EDC. The handles feel solid in Valox, but I don't buy a knife to jump up and down on it as in the video. Knives are for cutting stuff. The GP run of mini grips with M4 steel is my favorite, by far.
I prefer the feel of Benchmade's plastic to Spyderco FRN, but I own more Spyderco knives. The Valox is just another form of FRN, and I have FRN handled knives that have held up fine for more years than I want to mention. I wouldn't worry about the handles on minigrips, as they are stronger than you are likely to need. If you need a stronger knife, get a fixed blade.
 
All this complaints simply do not make sense to me personally. If compare apples to apples: Valox on Griptilian with FRN on similarly priced Endura or G10 on Cold Steel Talwar (a bit more expensive) - it all looks and feels about the same, I mean different but nothing comes out in this comparison like a better class. I am not a great fan of Griptilian because I do not appreciate how it carries, not because its handle feels "cheap" or something. Mini-Griptilian from my point of view is just excellent the way it is! And it is a cheap knife: if purchased from the right Internet shop it will cost you about the same as much simpler Delica (a great knife too). But anyway, for each his own: you do not have to buy it if you have doubts or concerns, do not like the design or materials or are not happy with the price! So I say: buy something else!
 
^ thats true, there are a ton of good choices out there. I was never concerned that it would break on me, but purely from a "user experience" perspective the griptilians' handles will flex a bit and feel "cheap". I don't care for that trait, but it has never stopped me from enjoying an otherwise great blade! Go to REI or somewhere else that physically has one and decide for yourself!
 
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