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Benchmade 551 Griptilian Knife

$84.95

(11)

Item # 787255

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A cinch to use, the lightweight Benchmade 551Griptilian knife features a tough stainless-steel blade, molded handle and smooth AXIS™ locking mechanism.

Stainless-steel blade is strong and sharp enough to slice through food, wire and ropes with ease
Strong, spring-loaded AXIS locking mechanism adjusts smoothly for ease of operation
Ambidextrous blade is easily opened with a simple push of the thumb-stud openers
Molded nylon handle is lightweight and easy to grip; features lanyard hole for an alternate carry option (lanyard not included)
Reversible pocket clip makes storage and transport easy—just clip it on your pocket or belt and go!

Please Note: This product is not able to be shipped to addresses in New York.

Made in USA.

Item 787255

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Benchmade 551 Griptilian Knife Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Benchmade 551 Griptilian Knife

4.8

(based on 11 reviews)

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Smooth locking mechanism (11)
Durable (10)
Sharp blade (10)
Comfortable grip (8)

Cons

Best Uses

Camping (9)
Home (8)
Hunting (6)
Survival (4)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid adventurer (5)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (8)

Reviewed by 11 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-10

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Apr

2009

(10 of 12 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Amazing knife!

By Atlanta Aubrey

from Atlanta, GA

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy Open
Sharp Blade
Smooth Locking Mechanism

Cons

Best Uses

Camping
Hunting
Survival

Comments about Benchmade 551 Griptilian Knife:

I currently own 4 other knives/tools for multi-day/weeklong backpacking trips. I have 3 Gerber blades (Paraframe, LMFII ASEK, and the Obsidian) and a Leatherman Skeletool CX. I'm definitely not a knife expert, but I know what I need and what I like.

I got my roommate the Mini-Griptillian with the serrated blade for Christmas and really wanted a Griptillian myself after seeing how much he dug it. I just wanted a bigger handle and razor edge, well here it is.

This knife trumps all of the Gerber knives I own easily. The Obsidian has a similar opening system, but doesn't work like the Benchmade. When you hold the button down on the Griptillian and flick your wrist, the knife opens fully immediately. It is just as fast as a switchblade or an automatic knife in my opinion. It works smoothly with one hand, and no need to even use the thumbstud, just flick the wrist and bam, its open.

The blade is incredibly sharp. It cuts effortlessly through anything you throw at it. The handle grip feels great and its lightweight too. This knife is going to be the only knife I use now. It's weight replaces the LMF, its sharp blade and weight replaces the Paraframe, and its smooth opening system replaces the obsidian.

It comes with a small microfiber bag too, which is awesome.

Nothing bad to say about this great knife, get one!

Nov

2010

(6 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

One of the best around

By Kevin Hillstrom

from Hood River, WA

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable Grip
Durable
Sharp Blade
Smooth Locking Mechanism

Cons

Best Uses

Camping
Home

Comments about Benchmade 551 Griptilian Knife:

I have owned my Griptilian for almost a year now (sadly REI doesnt carry the other colors, light blue, yellow, pink and orange) its travels in my right pant pocket everyday.

This is one of the best every day carry knives you can buy I believe.

The deployment is smooth and extremely fast, and once you hear the distinct click you know its ready for business.

The AXIS lock is my favorite locking mechanism of all time. Very easy to manipulate. And there is no way it will close on you unless you push the Axis lock back.

Blade shape is wonderful, it covers many many tasks. Has a nice belly for cutting. It could cut smoother if the blade width was slimmer, but that would also make it weaker, so the choice is up to you.

Tip up carry is what I prefer, it makes for quicker and natural deployment, and I would not worry about the blade opening up in your pocket, it closes itself until you pass it to a certain point.

Complete disassembly is nothing to hard, I would not recommend it though for most users. The hardest part is lining up the blade and washers (slim disks that help for smoother blade deployment)

Also a note- the black coating on the pocket clip does not last long at all, I dont mind it though, personally I like the worn look. But its worth pointing out, the black will come off and under it is silver.

I have had no rusting in the internal metal pieces, and just slightly a little on the blade, but just keep it dry and even slightly oiled (use vegetable oil if you will be preparing food) and it will be fine. And if you are really worried about rusting and still want this model of knife, you are in luck (well mostly, REI doesnt carry it) Benchmade makes a X15 T.N stainless steel blade model, its a corrosion resistant material designed for water use. It is a little more expensive, but nothing crazy.

The black draw cord pouch that comes with it is a very nice touch!

Ok I better end this,
I love this knife.
Its extremely well made (what else do you expect from Benchmade?)
Blade material is above average.
Handle material is nice, with good grip (well the jimping could be more aggressive on blade spine, I am talking about the indents on the spine of the blade, it allows for better grip and control)
The weight (3.25oz) is not bad
the width is a little bulky, but it does allow for a nice hand filling grip at the cost of slimness. I love it.
Its a great size for harder work.

Ok I said I was going to end this review!

Its a wonderful knife, and it has served me without fail for nearly a year and still going strong.

One of the best.

Nov

2009

(3 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Best knife there is for under 100 bucks!

By Jack425

from Seattle, WA

About Me Casual Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Sharp Blade
Smooth Locking Mechanism

Cons

Best Uses

Camping
Hunting
Survival

Comments about Benchmade 551 Griptilian Knife:

Excellent knife for heavy duty common sense use. Blade is strong and the lock mechanism is amazing. One-hand open and close. Very solid construction, lightweight and dependable.

Apr

2011

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Best knife for the money - Bar none.

By MMiklasevich

from Dayton, OH

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable Grip
Durable
Sharp Blade
Smooth Locking Mechanism

Cons

Best Uses

Camping
Home
Hunting
Survival

Comments about Benchmade 551 Griptilian Knife:

I am a self proclaimed knife guru. I have been collecting pocket knives since my father first allowed me.

For the money I believe the Benchmade Griptillian is the best knife currently available for the price point. Sure you can get knives with better blade steels and more exotic grip materials, but those will undoubtedly come with a price to match.

My favorite part of this knife is the warranty that Benchmade has. Their customer service is the best in the industry. I sent my knife in to have it professionally sharpened, and not only did they restore the factory edge, but they cleaned it replaced the springs, and fitted a new pocket clip - now that's what I call service.

Don't be afraid to drop some money of a quality knife. This will last you years.

Aug

2011

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Very useful

By Guy123

from Sacramento, Ca

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable Grip
Durable
Sharp Blade
Smooth Locking Mechanism

Cons

Difficult To Clean

Best Uses

Camping
Home
Hunting

Comments about Benchmade 551 Griptilian Knife:

This knife is great as a utility blade. Used it as a backup blade. Used it on gutting and scaling trout, stripper, bass. Performed awesome there. Used it on field dressing. Performed good. It required sharping after cutting through thick hides and skin fats. However, goes through meat like butter. Great for small games, not so much for large game. Used it on small bushcraft tasks. It did good.

For a pocket knife, it is awesome. If it were the only knife on hand, I would still have confident in it. For survival, no. For day hikes, utility use, camping use, definitely a yes.

Would highly recommend this product.

Oct

2010

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Great single hand operation

By Durango Doug

from New Meadows, Id.

About Me Professional/Guide

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Sharp Blade
Smooth Locking Mechanism

Cons

Uncomfortable thumb grip

Best Uses

Great for constant use

Comments about Benchmade 551 Griptilian Knife:

This is the best knife I have ever used. The locking mechanism makes the knife. Incredibly fast one handed opening and closing. I use it mainly for wildland firefighting, and have put it through what I would call heavy use for two seasons. The black coating has mostly worn off the blade, but it still operates like new. The only feature I don't like is the thumb grip pattern. It's uncomfortable if you have to press into it for very long.

Dec

2011

5.0

razor.......

By pete556

from Albuquerque, NM

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable Grip
Durable
Sharp Blade
Smooth Locking Mechanism

Cons

Best Uses

Camping
Home
Hunting

Comments about Benchmade 551 Griptilian Knife:

right out of the box i could shave with it, the locking switch is clean and very smooth. This is the first Benchmade i have bought and it is now the stranded.

Dec

2011

4.0

Big Knife

By J-O-E

from CA

About Me Professional/Guide

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable Grip
Durable
Sharp Blade
Smooth Locking Mechanism

Cons

A little too big

Best Uses

Camping
Climbing
Home

Comments about Benchmade 551 Griptilian Knife:

This is a very solid well built knife. For it's size it still remains lite. I work in the outdoor industry and consider a knife to be an essential tool in the back country. I feel that even though this is a quality knife, for me it was a little too much knife. It just seemed bulky to carry in my pocket for hiking or climbing.

After a few days I returned it for the Mini Griptilian 556. I have been in love with the smaller 556 model ever since.

Oct

2011

5.0

Benchmade's flagship

By Kevin Hillstrom

from Hood River, WA

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable Grip
Durable
Smooth Locking Mechanism

Cons

Best Uses

Camping
Edc
Home

Comments about Benchmade 551 Griptilian Knife:

So wow, where do I start? this is one of Benchmade's best sellers for good reasons. The blade steel, handles and locking mechanism are excellent. I have owned one for a long time now and being a huge gear nerd... well lets just start this:

The blade - it's Benchmade's most commonly used blade steel 154CM. It has good edge retention, can become very sharp and has good corrosion resistance (i went swimming with this knife many times) The blade has a good shape for every cutting task you will need from a EDC knife (every day carry) The thumb studs work great also.

The handles - this is not a thin knife and because it's not it fits very very comfortable in your hand. They come in a lot of other colors also. The black clip on them will start to wear because its painted on so don't expect your clip to look like how you first got it, but it is a good clip it retains the knife in your pocket without worry.

Locking masochism - the Axis lock, wow do i love it. It is my preferred lock over all else. I absolutely love it. Its quick, its extremely sturdy and equally smooth.

Over all this knife rocks. I love it. Sadly I lost mine on the Appalachian Trail, but hopefully some lucky through hiker will make good use of it. I plan on buying another one.

Benchmade makes some wonderful knifes and I would recommend checking them out