Benchmade 555HG Mini Griptilian

Reviewed 02/03/2011 by rwasham

-Price Paid: $75.00
-Used for Light Duty/General
-Owned for Greater than 1 year

Comments:

Benchmade has long held an industry standard with the Griptillian knife line. This knife was my first really nice one. Mine is in 440C. I like the blade quite a bit and have used it for close to 6 or 7 years I would guess. The axis lock is incredible and is one of my favorite designs on a folding knife. My only two complaints are that Benchmade charges extroidinarily high prices for what you get, and I feel the opener hole is probably an infringment on spyderco's spyderhole pattern.

Reviewed 04/08/2010 by loonybin

-Price Paid: N/A
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for Greater than 1 year

Comments:

This knife is a surprising value. It may be one of the least expensive blue-class Benchmade knives, but it is far from the cheapest (quality-wise).

I've had my 555HG for almost 2 years now, and it has been in my front pocket almost every day, sharing the spot with my 585 mini-Barrage.

This knife fits the hand very well, and the opening hole is very easy to use. The 154CM steel holds its edge quite well and is easy to sharpen. Blade shape is an excellent modified sheepsfoot design that provides a great range of usefulness.

The only downside to the mini-Griptilian is also one of its most handy features -- the Valox handle scales. The handle scales have a great gripping pattern, providing plenty of traction when using the knife under pressure, even when wet. Valox is very durable and tough, but the handle scales sound hollow when opening the knife with a wrist flick. The knife would be improved dramatically if it came with G10 scales.