When we asked readers about which knives they carry, a couple of brands and models stood out. One of them – the USA-made Benchmade mini Griptilian.
As the name suggests, Benchmade also makes a line of Griptilian folding pocket knives that are larger than the mini version. I haven’t tried the Griptilian yet, but I have owned a Benchmade blue mini Griptilian (555HG series) for a couple of years now.
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When I bought my mini Griptilian back in 2010 nearly 5 years ago, I had searched quite a few forums and saw that the mini version was more strongly recommended as an everyday knife. It’s smaller, without being too small, and large enough to be quite practical.
The mini Griptilian isn’t a very flashy knife. And for around $90, sometimes for less, I wouldn’t expect it to be.
Benchmade’s mini Griptilian is available in several styles and with different handle color options. You get your choice of a thumb stud or thumb hole for blade deployment, and a plain edge or partially serrated blade. Basic handle color options include blue, yellow, pink, and black.
The blade shape is a little different on the thumb hole and thumb stud versions.
There are a couple of premium versions of the knife, such as with coated blades. You can also build a custom mini Griptilian on Benchmade’s site, where you can customize almost every aspect of the knife, but it’ll cost you well over $100 to do so.
Check out some of our other knife reviews here!
The Quick Take
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The mini Griptilian is a very unassuming knife. It’s designed in collaboration by Mel Pardue, who Benchmade says designs knives that offer great utility to the everyday knife user while at the same time presenting an upscale distinction.
If not for its stellar reputation, I might never have ordered one. This knife certainly does not have the same instant appeal as other knives I own, such as the Spyderco Techno I recently reviewed.
But it would be a mistake to pass over this knife. It’s lightweight, easy to use, relatively slim and comfortably pocketable, and quite capable.
This is one of the best all around knives I have ever used, and certainly one of the best USA-made offerings for under $100.
Features & Specs
| Benchmade Mini Griptilian (555HG, 555HG-BLU) |
|
|---|---|
| Deployment | Thumb hole |
| Length | 6.78″ Open 3.87″ Closed |
| Blade Thickness | 0.100″ |
| Blade Length | 2.91″ |
| Weight | 2.56 oz. |
| Blade Material | 154CM 58-61 HRC hardness |
| Blade Style | Plain edge, hollow ground, modified sheepsfoot |
| Lock Style | “AXIS” |
| Handle Material | Valox resin |
| Pocket Clip | Left or Right Tip Up |
| Made in | USA |
| Street Price | $90 |
Knife Opening, Closing, Ergonomics
The mini Griptilian is a very comfortable knife, despite its simplicity. Its resin handle looks a little cheap, but it’s comfortable, and that’s what matters.
It opens via an ambidextrous thumb hole. The mini Griptilian is also available with a thumb stud, but after some debate I thought the thumb hole would better suit my preferences. I’m still not sure if I’m right about that, but I have yet to regret my purchase choice.
The knife can be opened slowly with a rotation of your thumb, or quickly with a flick. I generally open it casually. No need to slam the knife into the blade stop unnecessarily.
I have seen some Benchmade users hold down on the Axis lock spring and flick the knife open, but I don’t see a reason to do this, as the mini Griptilian opens speedily enough with my thumb. Using the thumb hole is probably also the safer way to deploy the blade.
Benchmade’s AXIS lock is unlike any other folding knife locking mechanism I have seen before, and it works well. It’s also ambidextrous, and consists of a small spring-loaded metal stud that you pull back on to release the blade before closing.
There’s jimping on back of the blade, and around the top of the handle near the AXIS lock, giving the knife a nice sized gripping area for your thumb.
You also get a gently grooved finger curve at the bottom of the handle. Don’t mistake this for a liner lock it’s not. These steel liners offer some structural reinforcement and strength within the lightweight Valox handle scales.
It’s quite common these days for a knife to open smoothly and fluidly, but rarer for a knife to close as quickly or easily. Sometime after I received my new mini Griptilian, I put together a quick video showing how easily the blade closes.
Yes, the video is a little goofy, but the mini Griptilian still remains one of the few knives I am able to closed with one hand. This way, I can hold onto what needs to be cut or pierced, open the knife, use the knife, close the knife, and put it back in my pocket, all without having to release whatever my other hand is holding.
Even if my other hand is free, it’s still great to be able to open, use, and close a pocket knife all with one hand.
Modified Sheepsfoot Blade
Benchmade offers a couple of different blade options, including a pointed tanto blade on custom mini Griptilians, and a partially serrated blade on some regular models.
I opted for the plain edge blade, as plain edges are easier to sharpen and often better suited for general purpose use.
The modified sheepsfoot blade profile makes the mini Griptilian an excellent slicer. It can be used for limited piercing applications, but it’s really designed for slicing-type tasks. It’s the slight upwards curve of the point that makes this a modified sheepsfoot blade, compared to a regular sheepsfoot shape.
The blade is hollow ground, which means the grind is slightly curved inwards. This makes the cutting edge thin and sharp. The shape and grind of the blade allows for good control of the tip for higher precision cutting tasks, at least from what I have found.
Benchmade offers the mini Griptilian with a 154CM stainless steel blade. Alloy aficionados might consider this to be a common alloy, but it’s a tried-and-true American-made steel that offers a good balance between corrosion resistance, toughness, and edge retention.
The mini Griptilian is A-OK as a workhorse – it’s a big step up from lesser stainless steels and can handle heavier duty use.
No, 154CM is not as fancy as Elmax and other premium powder metallurgy alloys (which really are fantastic, by the way), but you’re also not paying premium alloy knife prices for a mini Grip.
Carrying Options
There are two ways to carry the mini Griptilian. Each knife comes with a plain and large pocket clip, which can be moved to the other side of the knife if desired, and there is also a lanyard hole.
I just use the clip. It’s kind of bulky, so one day I might just knot up a piece of paracord and use the lanyard hole.
Size and Carrying
Don’t be fooled by the name. The mini Griptilian is anything but tiny. If you ask me, it’s the perfect size for EDC (everyday carry). Not too big, not too small.
It’s big enough to be practical, small enough so as to not draw stares if you need to use it in public. The bright colored handles help to give the mini Griptilian the same sort of public perception as a small Swiss Army Knife. Plus, the smaller size makes it easier and more comfortable to carry.
Where to Buy?
I bought mine from BladeHQ back in 2010, and recommend them, but there are plenty of other authorized dealers. Amazon also carries the mini Grip, but right now it’s only through 3rd party sellers.
As of the time of this review, the MSRP is $105, and the street price is around $90.
Price: $89.25
Buy Now(via BladeHQ)
Buy Now(via Amazon)
If you want a knife like this one, you’ll want to look at model 555HG, as that refers to the ones with thumb holes and hollow ground modified sheepsfoot blades. If you want one with a partially serrated blade, look for model 555S. And if you want one with a thumb stud, you’ll want to look for 556 and 556S.
The mini Griptilians with thumb studs feature a modified drop point blade, which is a little different from the modified sheepsfoot shape of the knife reviewed here. Both have subtle pros and cons. If you ask me, base your purchasing decision on whether you want a thumb hole or thumb stud for opening the knife.
Conclusion
The Benchmade mini Griptilian is a simple knife, but not unappealingly so. It’s a solid performer, and its reinforced resin handle makes it a lightweight and comfortable knife to carry.
This is a fantastic folding pocket knife, and a near-perfect EDC knife at that. Why only near-perfect? The mini Griptilian price has increased in recent years, without any obvious changes to the design. I also wish that the pocket clip was designed for deep-carry, as I’ve become accustomed to this.
If you’re looking for a good EDC knife that’s made in the USA, the Benchmade mini Griptilian is a great choice. It’s one of my favorite knives to carry and use, and I definitely recommend it.
Do you think the mini Griptilian’s ~3-inch blade is too small? If you’re interested in a discussion of the larger Griptilian, a reader sent in a review of it shortly after buying one. But if you ask me, the mini Griptilian reviewed here is going to be a better starting point for most casual users, unless you know you want or need a folding knife with a ~3.5-inch blade.
Derek
I have been using this for a few years as EDC. My only complaint, which is probably true for most knives, is that I feel like I can’t use the pocket clip. I walked past my car once in a tight garage and bumped into it with the clip and left a scratch. I don’t carry that way any more but have noticed several times that it could have happened. If the clip was resin or carbon fiber then it would be lower hardness and unlikely to scratch.
On a related note, the paint on the edges of the metal clip starts rubbing off immediately so it looks worn within 6 months but then doesn’t get worse.
Pete
I hate tip up carry. With tip down i can grab with my thumb and index fingers and pull up and then immedietly open the knife within a second.
Tip up i always feel like i have to reposition my grip to get a purchase on the thumb stud.
Btw i like thumb studs better than holes. And i love kershaws speed safe system.
Try the kershaw blur, i also like the skyline for a light+thin knife with g10 style scallops.
Willard G. Scheidt
Yea i am agree with Peter. Same think wanna happen with me for this issue. Thanks again.
Pete
I watched you video. That knife would drive me crazy. The closing system is bonkers, it works but you have to reposition your whole grip to close it! I love liner locks, really try a kershaw blur in a tip down carry. Its fast as heck. I can unpocket, cut and close then repocket with one had within two seconds and never reposition my grip. Ya the knife is heavy and a bit thick but im a man and i need a mans knife!
JG
The clips are painted black with sharpies, mine has no color left on it.
Still – a perfect workblade. Sheepfoot for example allows to cut through straps on packages very quickly without damaging the box (if that’s something you do a lot of at work – go get one). My Grip ended my adventure with high end carry knives, it has proven to me that “cheap” knives can outperform HEC blades in many cases.
Here’s my Griptilian after 7 years of mild abuse, the back is a bit chipped after applying a hammer for those hard cuts. No bladeplay in any direction, omega springs still stock.
http://i.imgur.com/4bU2YGJ.jpg
Jerrick
Benchmade has excellent customer service. You can send your knife back to them for free and they will sharpen the blade, replace the belt clip, and replace any other screws or springs at no charge to you.
I’ve used this service three times now and turnaround is very quick.
Bruce
I own a mini griptlian and the much more expensive 430 Emissary. The 430 has S30V steel, which is absolutely amazing stuff. Despite having a very thin and sharp blade, it puts up with all kinds of abuse that would snap a lesser steel. But I don’t carry the 430 unless it’s a special occasion, the strong assisted opening makes it less easy to close one handed.
The Griptilian has become my perfect carry knife for my current tasks. It remains sharp the whole week and is easy to sharpen after rough use. It’s small enough to not scare the bankers. It’s strong enough to abuse. The AXIS lock have proven less likely to allow the blade to close on my fingers. It also keeps them out of the way when closing the knife. It also sheds dirt very well. Lockbacks in particular can get crap in the locking mechanism and make them less secure. The AXIS system tends to push dirt and lint out of the way.
The hunt for the perfect EDC knife is one of the most enjoyable. I found mine here.
Dang
You get more for your money when you get a Leatherman Charge or an MUT or even a OHT. I’m really surprised when you asked your readers which knives they carry it was not a Leatherman Wave. They are extremely popular and very practical. Not much you can do with a Griptilian than cut things.
Stuart
Sometimes I carry a folding knife, sometimes I carry a multi-tool, sometimes I carry neither, and sometimes I carry both.
No matter how good the knife blade is on the Wave (which I reviewed here: https://toolguyd.com/leatherman-wave-multi-tool-review/), or Skeletool (https://toolguyd.com/leatherman-skeletool-cx-review/), or OHT (https://toolguyd.com/leatherman-oht-review/), or your other favorite multi-tool, a dedicated folding knife will often provide a superior user experience, even if cutting performance is even.
John
Jimping. My new word of the day.
Always learning something here.
RC
I purchased a Mini-Grip for Christmas two years ago and carried it exclusively for three months. It was a great little knife.
I ended up trading for a Spyderco Delica with a friend to try it out. For Me personally I prefer the look and functionality of the Delica. Not to mention You can purchase a Delica for around sixty dollars.
george
used to carry $$$$$$$ knives. now I just carry whatever $5-$10 knife I can find.
they work just as well and last years.
Nathan
I like it far better than those other options
Unlike Kershaw and ZT – Benchmade is a fully american company, or so it appears to be.
DanG
Leatherman is a totally American company, with the exception of most of their sheaths. Oh well guess they have to save somewhere
john
for me nothing beats a spyderco with the emerson wave.
It pulls out of your pocket while opening… one handed opening does not get better or quicker.
It is even faster than a switchblade.
Nuff said!
On a side note that thumbhole provides for an easy fix for auto opening with a zip tie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOiGkvdwlhs
John
If you add a ziptie to the thumb hole it will give it the Emerson knives wave feature (i.e. it will open when you pull it out of your pocket) Great little knife I have been EDCingthis one and its full sized counterpart for years.
JayT
I’ve been using a Mini-Griptilian as my main EDC knife for almost ten years and absolutely love it. Perfect size with smooth functioning and not a single issue. It’s a thumb stud version, which I personally prefer that to my thumbhole knives. The one-handed closing gets used often.
One thing that may be of interest. If you don’t like the 154CM steel, buy one from Cabela’s.– the Griptilian’s they sell all use D2 steel. I’m pretty sure that’s an exclusive contract for Cabela’s.
OM
I purchased a mini Griptillian from a now-defunct local knife shop, because I needed a new carry knife for a backpacking trip almost 10 years ago. I’ve rarely left the house without it since. Black scales, thumb stud, plain edge, about as plain jane as it gets, but elegant in its simplicity. The point up design allows me to be quick on the draw, with my thumb on the thumb stud as soon as I reach for it in my pocket. For as much use as it has seen, it shows very little wear other than a little missing paint on the pocket clip as some others have mentioned. Another feature I like is the fact that it can be completely dismantled for periodic cleaning with just 2 Torx tips.
Jordan
I contacted Benchmade and had them send me a free 870 Contego clip which has a deep carry design and fits the Mini grip perfectly. Now, I have a deep carry mini griptilian which took an already amazing knife to a whole ‘nother level. Easily my favorite pocket knife of all time.
Douglass McDougel
The Benchmade Mini-Grip (I carry the blade hole-opener rendition) is a superb, light weight carry folder. In my opinion, it is engineered better than its larger brother in that the full-length stainless liners provide better structural integrity and rigidity under heavy cutting stresses. My large Grip model developed vertical blade play, which was actually not a blade/pivot/lockup issue, but an issue where the partial liners were actually rocking back and forth inside the handles. I fixed it by applying some epoxy to the liner edges where they contact the inside of the handles at the stress points, but it is a design flaw nonetheless in my opinion of the large model. I’ve carried far more expensive custom knives in my time, but the Mini-Grip has them all beat in regard to its light weight, quick and ambi deployment, edge geometry, long-term reliability of the locking mechanism, everything. Well worth the price that some think is inflated, and a lot easier to EDC than a multi-tool, which can be stowed in a pack until needed anyway. Just my .02.