The 0550 plays that role in my EDC regimen.
(I have an 0551 as well, slight change of G10 pattern and Elmax rather than S35VN.)
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I do love Benchmade's newest version of the Griptillian as well. The original was a great budget /higher end knife. The new version is more than double the price but is far more than double the value.
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I’ve been carrying a 551 Mini Griptilian I was gifted (thanks again @LSP552!) for a couple years now.
It’s been back to Benchmade once for a free sharpening, otherwise perfect. No issues and the blade steel and size work very well for me.
I’m a lefty and swapped the clip over. I use it all the time for all kinds of things.
I looked at the 551-1 and am hard pressed to spend the $ on the upgrade, nice as it looks.
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Nice knife, Rich. @LSP552 is a generous man in word and deed. We're fortunate to have him as a friend.
It's a subjective value for sure.
I have had a Grip mini and and a full size Grip for many years and they have done everything I needed them to do perfectly. They just don't "feel" like a quality knife. The new series is definitely more robust even if the original was more than functional. The newer version is, I believe just a tad slimmer than the original and that may account for some of the touchy/feely difference I perceive. But, in the end the upgraded scale material and blade steel are truly the only significant differences.
As I've said before, I rarely even come close to paying retail prices for my knives. I am absolutely positive that this jades my opinion. I probably would not have bought either the new ZT or the Grip 2 if I'd had to pay full retail for them.
I’m carrying the Benchmade Bugout, I hate the name but really like the knife. It replaced a Benchmade 530 that had been my edc for last several years. Both are ultra thin and light which is important to me for carry in slacks. I went to the Bugout over the 530 because I felt the blue handle and blade profile was a little more friendly to use at a Fortune 500.
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I don’t know if it’s just me but I don’t love Benchmade’s new blade shape.