This was my first really good folder, bought after I started a thread on here years ago asking for recommendations.
Over time, I added more good quality folders (mostly Spydies), but this old Grip will always e the first.
Like an idiot, I bought a pull through sharpener, it was a Benchmade pull through, and it kinda screwed the edge up. After I bought a Sharpmaker, I tried to rehab the edge, but the stones that came with the Sharpmaker were taking too long for my taste. Finally, I recently got a set of the diamond rods and ultra fine rods for the Sharpmaker. Today, I went to work on the Griptillian, determined to get the edge back where I wanted it. Happy to report that it was a success and a knife that has a special place in my collection now has a hair popping edge on it again.
I knew so little about better quality knives when I bought it I didn’t really realize it was a benchmade with a Spydie Hole. I just knew it had a thumb hole and thought that was cool. When it comes to blades, I was kind of like the random idiot that managed to walk into a gun shop where the counter dudes really recommended G19s instead of some flavor of crap. I’ve learned a LOT since I bought that Griptillian! Like a good G19 though, if I’d never bought another knife after it, I’d have been in really good shape anyway.
I’ve been back and forth over this knife for months. The aluminum handle is textured making it actually useable and I love the anodized blue/grey look. It’s my first ZT and I’m very pleased with overall fit and finish. I was reminded why I don’t love frame locks though. My liner lock knives are much easier to close one handed. My hands are large enough that I have a tough time pushing the lock on this without my fingers pushing against it on the outside. Not a show stopper. This is only going to see carry as my official BBQ knife. Lol! Is that a thing? I figured I have a BBQ gun (in the pic) so it should have a friend.
They put it on sale for $220 and I couldn’t resist any longer.
https://www.knifeart.com/0920blublk.html
I finally grabbed a PM2 I’d been looking at during a recent sale. I am really digging the G10 scales and for a pocket knife on the larger size it carries extremely well.
Finally sprung for a Snecx/Hoback Buster collaboration. All I can say is Wow.
After some training knife work with Girl#2, we worked on deployment of live Emerson blades from various positions. Whoops. These are sharp.
“There is no growth in the comfort zone.”--Jocko Willink
"You can never have too many knives." --Joe Ambercrombie