In a world of multipurpose gear, the Benchmade Mini Griptilian is single-purpose tool, which has been designed with immense attention to the details and with a vision to charm.
The Mini-Griptilian 556 knife is a knife that has been designed for general use, and is available in varied colors. The blade configurations of this knife are of two kinds: plain edge and partially serrated edge. The material used in the construction of blade is the traditional 154 CM stainless steel with a hardness of 58-60HRC. Rest, the knife is after all of the Benchmade family so it is supposed to be one of the durable and extremely reliable kinds. Here are the features and specifications of this knife, let’s check it out.
Specifications
- Length of the blade: 2.91 inches
- Thickness of the blade: 0.100 inches
- Material of the blade: 154CM Stainless Steel
- Blade Hardness: 58-60 HRC
- Blade Style: Modified Drop-Point; Ambidextrous Thumb-Studs
- Weight of the knife: 2.56 ounces
- Clip: Black, Reversible, Tip-Up
- Lock Mechanism: AXIS
- Overall Length of the knife: 6.78 inches
- Length of the knife when its closed: 3.87 inches
The blade:
The knife is bestowed by a razor sharp blade, and the opening action incredibly smooth. The locking mechanism glides into place with ease while providing a little amount of force when the blade is almost closed, causing it to completely shut. Opening the blade is quite easy, by using the ambidextrous thumb-stud openers located on either sides of the blade. Additionally, the clip attached to the blade is reversible, allowing the user to clip the knife in pocket, further reducing the chances of accidents.
The locking system is Benchmade’s traditional AXIS mechanism, which locks the blade in its place firmly, and can be unlocked by using just one hand. Usually, folding knives use a piece of spring steel, which cracks in line behind the knife when it is opened by rotating. This spring bends when the ends are pushed towards each other. Eventually, with enough pressure, this spring lock will clip, allowing the knife to bend beyond its range of motion. Whereas, the Mini Griptilian locks the blade in an open position with two pins, providing incomparable strength between the folding blades. Unlocking the knife is almost as easy as locking the knife. In addition to the lanyard hole at the rear of the handle, there is a clip that can be used on a belt, web strapping or a pocket. The clip has been made out of metal and quite strong.
Portability:
The Mini-Griptilian, as its name says, fits into the hand very well, especially for a small knife. The spine of the blade and the exposed parts of the liner on the top and bottom of the handle has ridges for the thumb. The large reversible clip does not make it uncomfortable to hold the Mini-Griptilian; moreover, it aids in gripping the knife while closing the blade.
The handle:
The handle is made out of a glass-impregnated nylon, which is an amalgamation of awesome strength and abrasion resistance with low weight. The plastic body is beneficial while camping in the winter, when it gets difficult to touch metal for any duration. The handle is made from aluminum and has a textured grip on about 3/4th of either sides, this facilitates the grip of the knife even when it’s wet.
The Pros:
Pros to this knife are very easy to list out, because there are so many of them. The quality of the knife is incomparable, and the sharpness is commendable as well. Colors are bright and varied, so customization can be done. Small size and weight make it ideal for an everyday carry. Plus, it has an easy one handed opening. The locking mechanism is very impressive.
The Cons:
The only thing you might not like about the knife is the satin finish on the blade. Most things that are cut with the knife will seem to stick to the blade. But, a quick wipe with a towel or a tissue is enough to clean the blade.
Our Verdict on the Benchmade Mini-Griptilian 556 knife:
To conclude, Benchmade has created what can be considered as the best folding pocket knife available in the market. This is a great knife for everyday carry as well as backpacking or hiking. The knife is light weighted enough to carry anywhere but is also commendably strong and has a big enough blade to be useful in a variety of applications. The blade seems to keep its edge well and re-sharpens quickly. The AXIS lock mechanism is very strong.
All of these features combined create a knife unique in the knife industry: it is light weighted, highly visible, has exceptional build quality and ambidextrous locking mechanism, its ergonomic dimensions, the textured thumb pad, and has a reversible clip. If you are looking for a reliable everyday carry knife, then the Benchmade Mini-Griptilian 556 knife is your hero. Hence, we heartily recommend this knife for you, but at the same time, would like to caution you while using it as its razor sharp blade can be hazardous.