Fake Griptilian?

brberan · Mar 11, 2015

Hey guys,

I decided to get a the 550HG Griptilian recently. Its my 1st Benchmade purchase, and I bought it from a dealer on eBay.

After looking at photos of other 550HG's it seems as though the "154CM" is printed in a different location than where mine is presented.

The knife itself came in all of the Benchmade packaging like you would expect.

I would appreciate any more experienced insight you all may have.

Thanks

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9blades · Mar 11, 2015

I haven't seen any really convincincy griptillian fakes. Also laser markings changing is something that happens. Everything else looks normal to me...I wouldn't be worried about it, personally. Welcome to blade forums by the way

Kirby

TheBladeMerchant · Mar 11, 2015

What dealer on Ebay did you buy it from? I will check my inventory in the morning and see but I believe that the marking for 154CM should be above the Hole.

brberan · Mar 11, 2015

The merchant was United Outdoors. It shipped from the Chicago area

jonearlt · Mar 12, 2015

I have some BMs with the steel above the designer. Yours isn't fake.

bleedingfinger · Mar 12, 2015

Looks real to me.

Captain Howdy · Mar 12, 2015

Not a fake. I have seen the steel type printed over the designers name before. Mostly the ones that come out of benchmades custom shop.

TheBladeMerchant · Mar 12, 2015

United Outdoors is not a Benchmade Dealer so it is possible that they are sourcing them from someone that is selling fakes to them. I went and checked all of my 550HG models in stock and every one of them has the blade steel type located up by the gimping and not by the Mel Pardue logo. This includes older stock and ones that I have received within the last few days. The other thing is that the laser marking looks too dark as well.

DAVE_M · Mar 12, 2015

Looks funny to me.

Redmasta · Mar 12, 2015

Why not just buy from a reputable dealer instead of playing fake knife roulette on eBay?

bleedingfinger · Mar 12, 2015

Redmasta said:
Why not just buy from a reputable dealer instead of playing fake knife roulette on eBay?

If you by on eBay from some one with hundreds, or thousands, or hundreds of thousands positive feedback you're good to go. The op has a genuine knife and probably saved $$$$ . I look at dealers sites and am amazed people pay those prices when you can get the same knife for 20-50% less. Just my opinion. I've also never been burnt on eBay. And have a 400+ transactions feedback (mostly buying)

BITEME · Mar 12, 2015

Never have heard of a fake grip,It looks authentic and I have a few of them.

db_sharply · Mar 12, 2015

My custom 550 grip has similar marking as yours. Mine is s30v but the placement is the same.

Redmasta · Mar 12, 2015

bleedingfinger said:
If you by on eBay from some one with hundreds, or thousands, or hundreds of thousands positive feedback you're good to go. The op has a genuine knife and probably saved $$$$ . I look at dealers sites and am amazed people pay those prices when you can get the same knife for 20-50% less. Just my opinion. I've also never been burnt on eBay. And have a 400+ transactions feedback (mostly buying)

Checked out that seller on eBay and the prices on Grips were the same as from well known Benchmade dealers. Even if it was just a little less not worth it for me.

Only time I go to eBay is as a last resort when looking for a disco'd model. I will never buy a Spyderco on eBay though as the amount of blatant fakes on there is ridiculous, even from sellers with positive reviews.

brberan · Mar 12, 2015

Thanks for the feedback guys. I appreciate your insight.

338375 · Mar 13, 2015

IIRC I read something recently about the marking being moved on the Custom order knives, so perhaps they are phasing it into all of the knives. Not sure why they felt the change was needed though.

freemano · Mar 13, 2015

Looks like regular mini grip.

SugarSkulls · Mar 13, 2015

338375 said:
Not sure why they felt the change was needed though.

From a production standpoint, it's an easier process to put them all in on area. Could just be that they are streamlining their production process.

Also, it could be that the markings pass thru the handle and were wearing off, so moving then out would prevent the wear from opening/closing.

Stays Sharp · Mar 13, 2015

United Outdoors, they may not be an authorized dealer but they have been selling Benchmades (among other popular brands) on Ebay for years and years with hundreds of thousands of feedback. While I also recommend going with authorized dealers first, I doubt that they are selling any fakes.

Just checked: 429,003 feedback and they are 99.4% positive. Take it for what it's worth.

k_ozdragon · Mar 13, 2015

Benchmade recently underwent some changes in the way it does its markings and product boxes. The old boxes slid apart (top was kind of a sheath that the inside slid out from; like Spyderco does their boxes) and now they have black foam inserts and are normal style boxes with a top and bottom. The other change is the marking you specified as well as the darker laser etch. That said, it might cost you a few dollars more from a dealer, but at least you can sleep well at night. I get a fake in my shop at least once a month - a fake that cost the owner well over any savings he got by buying online. This time it might just be a slight scare and a lesson to be learned, next time might not be so lucky. I talk from experience.