I just became a

[J Smith]

Benchmade fan.While I have had several of thier knives none has really impressed me.

Well that was until today.I just recieved a 555 O.D. mini grip.I love everything about it.Smooth,strong,tip up,axis lock and O.D. scales.The clip is one of the nicest I have seen too.This one will sure not replace Spyderco but it will see a good bit of carry time.

I was going to beadblast the clip but the wear on the clip on this knife looks good,just seems like it is suppose to be that way,matches the scales very well.

If Spyderco would do a Native in O.D. PE I would buy at least 3.



<img src=http://techhelpers.net/e4u/drink/trink36.gif

[AllenETreat]

Jeff -

I'm a Benchmade fan from way back ( had their &quot;Spike&quot; ; a switch, but well made!)
I also had a mini Griptillian 556 w/thumbstud &amp; CE. It became a victim of
my disaster in FLA.

That's okay, Mike @ BestKnives will oblige
and I'll get another!

BTW - Check out their website :

www.benchmade.com

They even have a forum there too!!!

AET

Let me win your hearts &amp; minds, or I'll burn your damn huts down!

Edited by - AllenETreat on 3/30/2004 11:43:50 AM

[J Smith]

I joined the forum there too but they nver sent me a password.
Anyonr know the model # for the large grip in O.D. with the oval hole?

<img src=http://techhelpers.net/e4u/drink/trink36.gif

[The Saint]

What does O.D. stand for?

[J Smith]

Olive Drab

<img src=http://techhelpers.net/e4u/drink/trink36.gif

[timlara]

Looks like it's the 550OD:

&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.asp?model=550&quot; target=blank&gt;http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.asp?model=550&lt;/a&gt;

[Ted]

I've handled one once, and it was indeed smooth, but, 440C steel?
I prefer Spyderco's choice for S30V or VG-10...
And I wonder where Benchmade they got their idea about a clip <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Ted

[thombrogan]

J Smith,

Their forum's support person is sometimes overwhelmed; maybe you need to register again?

I'm going the opposite direction as you. The axis lock is very great, as are some of the knives containing it (551, 806D2, and 921 are my favorite Benchmades, but they certainly offer a ton of great knives). I'm really enjoying Spyderco a lot better than Benchmade, though.

The single most important factor is that Sal listens and responds to fans, critics, and fence-sitters alike. If Spyderco isn't going to consider a consumer suggestion (such as my constant whining for O1 or 3V versions of the Temperance), Sal comes right out and says why they won't (fear of the w/r department becoming the rust-removal department in this case) instead of the typical &quot;we'll take your idea into consideration&quot; blowoff speech. That alone would put a ClipIt in my collection.

As it is, I'm a whiny lefty and this Spyderco place makes all kinds of knives that fit my handedness, uses, desires, and budget. They even have special-treat knives like the ATR/Salbenza and those cute little Dodos. When I saw a little Dodo with black G10 squawking around the pet store, I just had to take it home. Mom saw it and said I had to get one for Dad, too.

For left-handed folks, Spyderco makes lockbacks, Compression Locks, Ball-Bearing Locks, Phantom Locks, and has a balisong or two in the works. They also make their product upgrades often and awesome. They tell you how strong their locks are and, if asked, what the weak-points and kinks are. They won't put out a batch of knives unless they're confident with the expected results (and it's driving donutsrule crazy!).

In contrast, the 710's omega-springs are the weakest in the axis lock line even after at least 5 years of knowing about the problem (though they did do better scale milling).

Spyderco also respects intellectual property rights and gives credit where it's due. Very impressive these days.

Either way, I'll see you at that other place.