benchmade 551?

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Rothrandir

Rothrandir

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i've been carrying a no-name $4 pos around for quite a while, and am tired of the dullnes and wobbly blade.

i have about a $40 budget, but in talking to jtice and bart, they duped me into considering a $60(/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif!) knife. now i really can't afford it, but they're making me get one.

is this really worth it? can anybody with this knife provide feedback?

more importantly, does anyone know of the cheapest place i can get one? i think www.newgraham.com is my best bet, but would like to know if there is anyplace cheaper, or even if somone had one in good condition they'd sell for a decent price.

i guess i just need more convincing /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
 
I absolutely love my 555 and 556! The 551's blade is just a little too long for me...

Depends on how soon you want to get the knife. Post a WTB on the BST non-lights Forum and maybe something will pop up? That's how I got both of mine!

(I also really like the Gerber Harsey Air Ranger!)
 
thanks siggy /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

the 555 looks nice (didn't catch a pic of the 566), but i need a stud, since i have a <font color="red">superthumb</font>.
besides, i think i'd prefer a little longer blade

yea, i thought about bst...might as well try it /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon3.gif
 
I only got to handle them for a second or two but these are nice knives and lots of bang for the bucks. I would own one already if I wouldn't spend my money on other things. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ohgeez.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
thanks katie /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif (you never visit us crazy guys on chat anymore /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif )

i did make a post on bst. it's doubtful, but worth a shot i guess /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon3.gif
 
As a very recent first-time BM AXIS-lock owner, I can say with relative certainty, Rothrandir, you'll be amazed at this piece. My EDC, as in accord with my very light possible daily uses, is a Spyderco Howard Viele, and even compared against this relatively nice liner-locker -- and keeping in mind that I know that the Viele is NOT a "hard-use" tool -- my BM 772 BT-S is just simply awesome in terms of locking rigidity.

=)

And you'll have no trouble with New Graham's. Even some of my European friends love them for their service.

=)

Allen
aka DumboRAT
 
[ QUOTE ]
Rothrandir said:
thanks katie /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif (you never visit us crazy guys on chat anymore /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif )
(...)

[/ QUOTE ]

[OT]
The last months were messy, me staying here and there, no working computer at my parents' house - thus no chat and very reduced CPF time. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif I will be there tonight if you guys are there! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
[/OT]

Klaus. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif
 
Rothrandir,

Have you considered the 556 (Mini-Grip) from Cabelas with D2 steel? It's an exclusive only for Cabelas, so you won't find it anywhere else. Click here
to see it. Supposedly D2 steel is a little better (hardness and edge retention) than the 440C steel it normally comes with. D2 is supposedly a little harder to sharpen than 440C. Though the 440C is supposed to be just fine and be more rust resistant. That's why the D2 blade is coated.

I eventually got the 556 mini-grip D2 (plain edge) from Cabelas and am very happy with it.

I asked some questions over at BladeForums and you can see the thread here
here if you want to see what others thought.

You can go here , it's the 9th post down to see my impressions of the D2 mini-grip.

.
Mike
 
thanks for the links yam /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

i'm afraid the mini-grip is too small /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

it does seem like the 551 is the knife to get though /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
if anybody wants to make some monetary donations, don't hesitate to pm me /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif
 
I just got a BM 940 and if all the BM's are as smooth opening as this you'll be mighty pleased.
I'm very impressed with my first experience.
You won't go wrong dealing with NewGraham.

PM not sent

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Tom
 
hey yam

thanks for the link!

actually, somone pmed me with an offer i couldn't refuse /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I bought a Benchmade Griptillian drop point from New Graham. I did it after much research. Arguably the Axislock is the best way to lock a folder out there, the other being the Sebenza framelock. The only place to get an Axislock is Benchmade. And the cheapest Benchmade with an Axislock is the Griptillian series.

Let me put it this way. It is my most used non kitchen knife. And I haven't felt the need to buy another knife since I got my Griptillian, which was about a year and a half ago. I have Bucks, Gerbers, Kershaws, Camillus, Columbia Rivers, Cold Steels, a ton of Spydercos, Smith and Wessons, Emerson, SOG, etc.

It has a good feeling handle, it's super smooth, and has good (but not great) steel.

It's as good a knife as you can get for under $70. Go over to Bladeforums.com and do a search if you don't believe me. I wish it had the Wave and the Spyderhole to open it, but oh well....

Bruise
 
actually, i ended up getting a 730bt /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
i really love the thing. it slices through objects with an eagerness i've never experienced before.
i also registered with bf a couple weeks ago. i don't post much, but it's a pretty nice place /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

the modder inside me is already designing knives /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif
 
I have a BM942 and the next knife I buy will most likely be the 730. Welcome to the Axis Group.
 
I had a Benchmade 941BC1BL and it was fantastic. Kinda hard to find the BC1 coated osbornes though. Had to get rid of it so I could buy my Sebenza. Axis series has about the smoothest action out of all of them IMO.
 
D-2 has a reputation of taking on a lousy edge and holding it forever. Just ask Bob Dozier... he only works in D-2. As a matter of fact, the NY Custom Knife Show is this weekend. D-2 only has 12% chrome in it so it cannot be called stainless steel while 440C has (I think) about 15% chrome. Finishing D-2 is really tough too and you are best to leave it with a 320 finish. If you tried to go further and eventually tried to polish it, it will have a yellow hue.
 
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