Customer Reviews

Benchmade Pardue Design Mini-Griptillian Combo Edge Knife with Olive Drab Handle

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the first Benchmade knife I have own, and I must say, after going through lots of decent quality knives (like CRKT and Buck) because of blade chipping and whatnot, I am very happy to have a top quality knife. This is the perfect size for everyday use and is small and light enough to stay out of the way. After a couple of years of daily use this knife still hasn't chipped or noticeably dulled.

I have this knife in all-black. It's been my EDC for at least two-years now and I love it. I'm a lefty and like carrying in my left back pocket, tip-down. Easy one-hand operation -opening and closing. Keeps an edge well. Black on blade eventually wears a bit. Top marks for a great knife.

I had a bit of difficulty receiving this item. status said delivered but it was not at my residence. I do not know exactly what happened but Amazon customer service was wonderful and shipped one out to me promptly. After a week with this item I can definitely see the difference in quality and functionality that higher end knives like Benchmade provide. Great ergonomics and I love the way it rides low in the pocket. This knife is so light and easy to carry. My previous knife would constantly weigh down my pocket. Great knife, I look forward to years of duty with this fine tool.

-------1.I recently bought this knife from REI. First I must say that I bought this knife after owning the Gerber F.A.S.T. knife for about 3 years. What a difference. It isn't the heavy and the plastic seems to be stiff and holds together well. The thumb studs work perfectly and the axis lock allows for quick, smooth opening and closing movements.
-------2. It has full steel liners, and a reversible, tip up, pocket clip. I believe that the screws are T6 and T10 torch designs. There is jimping on the top and bottom of the knife. It is only where the thumb is rested and at the bottom where the pointer finger is placed. This doesn't exactly grip, but it is better than nothing. The bottom jimping is perfect and your finger will not slide forward at all.
-------3. The blade is NOT sharp out of the factory, but in no way should this turn you away from this knife. It has 154cm steel. Once properly sharpened, the blade should hold an edge well. It is also coated in a black substance that, when dry, makes the blade have a matte finish.
-------4. ^^^ This is my only gripe about this knife. The first day I had it, I cut into an orange and the side of the blade has been stained ever since. Also, others have said that after a while, the black begins to show wear lines. Serrations are VERY sharp and I expect them to hold for at least the next 3 years, like my last knife.
-------5. The Pocket clip is coated black with the Benchmade logo punched into the metal. It has three screws on it, ensuring that it will hold it's place. The lanyard hole is one of the biggest you'll find on this sized knife, which is a good thing. 550 paracord might fit, but my 350 paracord does.
-------Summary: All-In-All, this is a perfect first knife to have. I fell in love with it the second hour I was holding it. It is just a great knife. I plan to buy another Benchmade by the end of the year. Spend the money, you won't regret any of it.
-------I RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT

Great knife, I could shave with it right out of the box. Superb quality and this is the best knife I have ever owned. One regret: should have gotten the bigger knife, not the mini.

I'm a sucker for knives. I can't help it, I've always been that way. But dropping serious coin on a high quality blade has always been difficult. Plus, when you lose them every year or two, OR forget to take it off your pocket right before you get on a plane and the TSA people freak out on you and take it, it's harder to spend the money for a higher quality knife. Bottom line, the most I'd spent to this point was $50 on a Kershaw Ken Onion knife that I lost twice and the second time for good.

So this set the stage for my knife search. I looked, I looked, and looked. I looked at Spyderco, Cold Steel, Kershaw, CRKT and Gerber. I looked at each seriously, and of the last 3 I have had multiples of each. Any time I look at knives I prefer to do it at a counter, talking to someone who knows what they're chatting about, and to have a chance to handle the piece for myself.

A buddy of mine had the Benchmade Griptilian (full size) he had let me fiddle with and while I liked the look of it, it was just too big for what I needed on a daily basis. Then I saw the Benchmade Mini Griptilian (or mini Grip) at Jax Mercantile Co. It literally had everything I wanted in a knife. Pocket clip with the locking hinge at the bottom instead of the top (reversable for right or left handed users), powder coated blade, speed opening thumb stud, half serrated blade, stainless steel lined grip/handle and a GREAT reputation for making quality blades. To top it off, Jax had the knife for $69.99, which was the best price of any I could find, even better than Amazon!

To top it off, Jax had a deal going where if you bought ANY Benchmade knife new in the store you'd receive a Benchmade hoodie for FREE! They claimed a $40 value on the hoodie but it's easily nicer than some I paid more than that for. The "Axis" locking system (click the link for more info on the Axis system. They explain it far better than I ever could!) Benchmade includes isn't actually a speed or auto open type mechanism but that doesn't mean it's not fast... or secure. The more use it gets, the more fluid and smooth it gets and the easier it is to open with the thumb stud. Now just because it opens easy doesn't mean it's a pushover. The lateral stability on this knife is incredible as the guts on this knife appear to be even as well made as the exterior presentation. Even though I was hoping for a half serrated tanto blade, alas there were none in stock. I love how strong and thick tanto blades are, but I haven't been depressed by the quality of this drop point style blade designed by Mel Pardue one bit. The edge that comes on the knife is the sharpest of any I've ever owned. When I say sharp, I mean scary sharp. I've already used the serrated portion to cut through heavy plastic, carpet and even vinyl siding!!!

Though I haven't had to use it yet, I understand Benchmade's warranty is second to none, and they'll even put a new factory edge on your blade if you send it to them and just pay for the shipping. I personally don't trust myself to sharpen my own blades and refuse to get the cheap "speedy" sharpeners we see infomercials on.

Did I mention they're made in the USA? Well, if I didn't I am now! Right here in Oregon City, Oregon! At $69 it's a steep purchase for anyone on a tight budget, but the investment is surely to pay itself back in the form of years of cheap knives you never have to buy!

I've had this knife now for 5 months and love it. Very good quality, light weight, every day knife.

Bought one for myself, then another for my son who is deploying to Afghanistan. Super smooth opening, extra sharp, feels great in the pocket...what more could you want?

Own one of these with black handle and one with green handle - and a mini with tanto blade.
They're great knives.
Very serviceable.
You should know that you can get a little surface rust on the blade if you're not cautious. It's easy to remove.
Black finish will wear off, but blade can be re-blackened using a gun-bluing pen if you worry about that kind of thing.
Takes and keeps a good edge.
Ambidextrous locking mechanism is excellent.
Clip can be moved to either side of the handle supporting either right- or left-side carry.

Be careful - you could cut yourself with these things!

The knife was just as shown.A great product,would order again if I needed another one.