Recommendation - Griptilian Alternatives

[TreesNoDummy]

I wanted to see if I can get any good recommendations for alternatives to the benchmade griptilian. My best friend is godfather to our next child, and I will be getting him a gift. I bought him a benchmade griptilian before, but he lost it. He really liked it, and that's a fine option, but I wanted to see if there were any other good alternatives in the sub 200 range (buying from the forum is fine) that are comparable. Required specs:

- about 3.5 inches long
- under 4oz
- thumbstuds
- no flippers

So far, the best I have come up with is the TRM Atom. His other knives are also ones I've gotten him - the adamas and yojimbo. But he really liked the the griptilian drop point with the thumbstuds as a daily carry for normal tasks.

 

[irsh]

Hogue Deka?
That's a 3.25" Clip or Wharny though...
In Magnacut, 20CV or 154CM.

 

[jmgruber]

+1 for the Deka

 

[Another Shepherd]

-1 for the Deka. I have the 20CV version. The Deka scales are very angular and less chamfered that on the Griptilian. Some people find the Deka scales slippery on the Magnacut version. The Griptilian handle is far more comfortable to my hand, and the scales provide excellent traction. The Deka thumbstuds are sharp and need to be filed or sanded down.

The TRM Atom is a liner lock. If somebody likes the Benchmade axis lock, a liner lock is a big step down.

If flippers are out, I do not know of a good alternative to the Griptilian. Maybe WE Culex, but it's a bit over your price range, and I have never handled one.

 

[jmgruber]

Another Shepherd - good perspective

I think Kershaw and CKRT both released a sliding bar lock this year.

 

[irsh]

-1 for the Deka. I have the 20CV version. The Deka scales are very angular and less chamfered that on the Griptilian. Some people find the Deka scales slippery on the Magnacut version. The Griptilian handle is far my comfortable to my hand, and the scales provide excellent traction. The Deka thumbstuds are sharp and need to be filed or sanded down.

The TRM Atom is a liner lock. If somebody likes the Benchmade axis lock, a liner lock is a big step down.

If flippers are out, I do not know of a good alternative to the Griptilian. Maybe there is a Civivi with thumbstuds.

That's good to know. The poly scales keep me from buying the Magnacut version. Hoping to see a G-10 Lava from someone (DLT?). Perhaps the G-10 scales would be better. If not I'd certainly bevel them myself.

 

[MadeOnABench]

The Presidio 2 checks every box on your list except its a bit over your weight limit as it has full liners.

 

[dryflytrout]

The Hogue RSK.

 

[Another Shepherd]

The Presidio 2 checks every box on your list except its a bit over your weight limit as it has full liners.

Excellent choice, but the Mini Presidio II is under the weight limit and in stock online.

 

[TreesNoDummy]

The presidio and hogue deka are great choices - thank you! I should have mentioned that I was also eyeing the mini crooked river. It's not too far over the price range and would be very nice.

 

[Corton93]

Sorry, lots of pics..

I would highly reccomend both the Hogue Ritter RSK and the BM Mini Presidio 2 as mentioned above. I would also recommend the BM Freek/Mini Freek. Dont currently have an Atom, but the Neutron 2 is still my overall most carried folder of the last couple of years..

Love all of mine, with a slight overall edge going to the Neutron 2 then the Ritter..

 

[TreesNoDummy]

I should have also mentioned that it needs to be American made. The presidio looks really good so far. I’m not as familiar with the line - is it a lot like a griptilian but with better materials?

 

[Chowser]

Deka or RSK, as mentioned. The Atom is nice, too. I think everything mentioned so far, minus the WE, is made in the US.

 

[pholder]

Benchmade North Fork

 

[MadeOnABench]

I should have also mentioned that it needs to be American made. The presidio looks really good so far. I’m not as familiar with the line - is it a lot like a griptilian but with better materials?

I would say the Presidio is more like a bigger Bugout with thicker scales and full liners. This really helps it fill out the hand better, much like the Griptilian does. The materials aren't anything different from Benchmade's other offerings, but the full liners really make it feel much sturdier. It's definitely one of Benchmade's most underappreciated models in my opinion.

 

[AlpacaWrangler]

Hogue RSK.

 

[TreesNoDummy]

I would say the Presidio is more like a bigger Bugout with thicker scales and full liners. This really helps it fill out the hand better, much like the Griptilian does. The materials aren't anything different from Benchmade's other offerings, but the full liners really make it feel much sturdier. It's definitely one of Benchmade's most underappreciated models in my opinion.

This is helpful, thank you. He liked that the griptilian filled out his hand. Obviously, I can just get him the griptilian. It's a great knife and I know he liked it. But this is an opportunity to step it up a bit with something he might like even better.

I will also say that I appreciate that the presidio comes stock with a more deep carry. I should have added this to the list. Deep or deep-ish carry is ideal. If I was going to get him the griptilian, I was going to order a new clip from lynch.

 

[Reswob]

BM full sized Barrage or Stryker if you can find one. Kershaw Blur or Launch.

 

[TreesNoDummy]

How is the quality on Hogue? I don't really know much about them outside of their gun parts. I have hogue parts on my 870. My buddy is a 2A enthusiast, so that's a nice angle. And yes - I vaguely know about the whole story with Benchmade along these lines - probably don't need to dig it up here.

 

[Lawilli2]

Get Deka in g10, pretty easy to find, or get the basic, and buy some aftermarket scales, ie bladescales.