Benchmade 555-1 mini griptilian review năm 2024

If you’ve been following ToolGuyd’s knife reviews, you might have already seen my review of the Benchmade mini Griptilian knife.

I have reviewed the mini Griptilian before, but this one’s different in very notable ways.

This one, Benchmade 555-1, new for 2016, is made with a far better stainless steel – CPM-20CV vs. 154CM – and is has a more complex handle that’s made from more premium materials (G10).

Features & Specs

Benchmade Mini Griptilian (555-1) Deployment Thumb hole Length 6.78″ Open 3.87″ Closed Blade Thickness 0.100″ Blade Length 2.91″ Weight 2.90 oz. Blade Material CPM-20CV 59-61 HRC hardness Blade Style Plain edge, hollow ground, modified sheepsfoot Lock Style “AXIS” Handle Material G10 Pocket Clip Deep carry Left or right Tip Up Made in USA Street Price $166 Check Price: via Amazon | via BladeHQ | 555HG older style

What’s New? Blade Steel and Handle Materials

The older Benchmade mini Griptilian design, shown here with a blue handle, features a 154CM stainless steel blade. 154CM is by no means a “bad” steel – it’s actually a quite good material. It’s a step up from the alloys used in a lot off knives and multi-tools.

154CM is one of the most popular knife blade alloys out there. You’ll even find 154CM being used in some of Benchmade’s more premium knives.

The new Benchmade 555-1 mini Griptilian has the same blade shape, but is made from CPM-20CV, a heavy duty stainless tool steel. According to the datasheet (PDF), this steel has very high corrosion and wear resistance.

In other words, once sharp, CPM-20CV should stay sharp for a long time. That probably also means it’s a hassle to sharpen.

This is a knife you might want to hone every now and then, to maintain the edge.

The new handle is made from G10, with anodized aluminum spacers.

It’s a little grippier, but I need more time with the knife to know for sure. This version of the mini Griptilian is also a little heavier, and while the numbers say it’s a very slight difference – ~1/3 of an ounce going by specs – it seems to feel better in-hand, with better balance. Maybe it’s my imagination.

But, undoubtedly, the G10 handles on the Benchmade 555-1 certainly do feel nice in-hand.

The Blade Shape

This version has a thumbhole, for opening the knife, and modified sheepsfoot-style blade shape.

There are a few other blade options right now, including partially serrated, and with a black finish. If thumbholes aren’t your thing, you can opt for the thumbstud version, which features a drop point knife blade.

I prefer the plain edge blade, as plain edges are easier to sharpen and often better suited for general purpose use.

My experiences with my blue-handled mini Griptilian have cemented my opinion that the modified sheepsfoot blade profile makes this knife an excellent slicer and all-around EDC knife. It can be used for limited piercing applications, although it won’t handle such tasks as well as some other knife shapes.

Compared to regular sheepsfoot knofe blade shapes, it’s the slight upwards curve of the point that makes this a modified sheepsfoot blade. The blade is hollow ground, making the cutting edge thin and sharp.

G10 Handle Scales

The handles of these CPM-20CV mini Griptilians are dressed up a little nicer.

While functional, the handles on my other mini Griptilian do look a bit cheap. The G10 grips on this one do feel sufficiently grippy, and – again it might be my imagination – a little weightier for better balance.

Some of Benchmade’s other knives have some great G10 patterns, so maybe we’ll see some better aesthetics in a couple of months or even next year. The grey G10 color is pretty bland looking.

The handles have somewhat of a more solid feeling, if that makes sense.

The Perfect EDC Knife?

One more thing to point out is that the 555-1 mini Griptilian, and presumably the other new mini and full-size Griptilians, have deep carry pocket clips.

Here’s what the non-deep-carry pocket clip looked like:

It seems to carry well. Sometime after I posted my review of the 555GH mini Griptilian, I requested a deep carry clip from Benchmade, and they happily sent it over. I’ve heard that they’ve done the same for others as well.

The knife comes in a little pouch that I’ll repurpose for something else.

This is what I look for in my ideal EDC knife, in no particular order:

• Blade under 3″
• Strong lock
• Easy opening
• Lightweight
• Convenient and comfortable carrying options
• Comfortable, secure, and safe grip
• Infrequent maintenance needs
• Good looks

My new mini Griptilian satisfies all of these requirements, but that’s no surprise, as my other one does too.

I don’t think the upgrade is worth it for the blade steel alone, but the different handle – I’m hesitant to say improved, although it is better – contributes to this being a more premium knife worthy of the bump up in price.

But in the $150 to $175 price range, there is so much more is out there. Take the Zero Tolerance 0450 for example. The Spyderco Techno and Spyderco Domino are two other knives we reviewed and can recommend that are within this price range.

In this price range, despite the better CPM-20CV knife blade steel and G10 handle scales, the new Benchmade mini Griptilian seems a little less special, at least compared to the older versions. The older version is one of the best knives you could buy for under $100. This one is among very many great knives, some perhaps better, that you could buy for under $200.

I called the older version a near-perfect EDC folder. This one comes with a deep pocket clip, which was one of only two reasons that kept the previous one from being perfect. The other was price, another factor that keeps this from being the perfect EDC folding knife in my eye.

So I guess that, aside from the price, this should be the perfect EDC knife. But then again, the knife should serve me well for a long time, long after I forget exactly how much I paid for it.

Conclusion

I bought this knife at its full retail price, mainly for review purposes. Do I regret it? No. I think that this is a great EDC (everyday carry) knife that I will enjoy using, and one that I can absolutely recommend.

The mini Griptilian’s blade shape is fantastic, and its handle is great, and the new version is made with more premium materials.

I plan to use this knife a lot more, and will report back as to whether my stance changes. It’ll be some time before I can put that CPM-20CV steel’s wear resistance to the test.

I was curious to see how much the 555-1 mini Griptilian improved upon the similar design of my 555HG mini Griptilian. Would the different materials contribute to a different and potentially better user experience? Yes, they do.

If my review makes this knife sound a little underwhelming it’s probably because I knew exactly what to expect. It’s a great performer without surprises, pleasant or otherwise. Most of my new knives offer new user experiences, but not this one. It was like trading up to a new model year car of the same one I’ve been driving for years.

Still, the handle does feel better, in terms of grip and balance, and on paper the blade steel is certainly better. Whether it proves to be better in real life will take a lot of use, and with this knife being every bit the workhorse as the other version, it will definitely be a regular part of my EDC rotation.

The new Benchmade 555-1 mini Griptilian is also made in the USA.

Should You Buy One?

Well, looking at the big picture, the new Benchmade mini Griptilians are safe bets. They’re tried-and-true designs that are sure to provide you with reliable and consistent performance.

I bought Benchmade’s first flipper knife, and it sucks. Sorry, there’s no nicer way to put it. It has great comfort and ergonomics, and a good blade shape, but it doesn’t open very quickly or securely. The blade kind of just flops out unless you flick your wrist, which you shouldn’t have to do with a good flipper folding knife.

But the mini Grip? It’s a fantastic and bulletproof design.

If you’ve got $150-$200 to spend on an EDC knife, you have lots of great options, and still even more great knives for under $150.

But how do you know what you like? I bought and used a couple of folding knives before I realized what I liked and what I didn’t.

You could lean on online reviews, but I found that just because a particular model is popular with reviewers or on enthusiast forums, that doesn’t mean I will like it.

I would say that this, and the less premium 555HG knives, are about the safest best you could find, if you can budget for them. The blue-handled 555HG shown in this review for comparison purposes is currently priced at $90.

It’s almost guaranteed to serve you very well. It’s a great knife that won’t disappoint.

Which style should you buy? I made a calculated guess that this version would work to my liking, and it worked out. But maybe the thumbstud and drop point version works better for you. If you’re unsure, stick with this style (555). And if you don’t like it, return it or sell it, and try again.

Is the Griptilian worth it?

Giving the Benchmade Griptilian a Total Knife Life Score of 84/100 isn't much of a surprise. It's a solid knife capable of far more than the average pocket knife. It's comfortable in hand, built to last, and ready for the rigors of life.

Is Benchmade better than Spyderco?

So have a think about your preferences for opening and closing mechanisms. We've also noticed that Benchmade knives are generally a bit slimmer and sleeker and Spyderco knives are a bit wider and more eccentric. Taste is also a deciding factor when you come to choose between one of these two top brands!

What is a mini Griptilian for EDC?

The Benchmade Mini Griptilian is the smaller version of Benchmade's most classic knife design of all-time. This compact EDC knife is perfect for smaller hands, or for someone who doesn't want to draw unwanted attention while using their knife. It is offered in tons of different blade styles and handle colors.

Where is the Benchmade Mini Griptilian made?

We mill and machine handles in-house to the most exacting specifications, and every knife is hand-assembled and sharpened by highly trained technicians bringing to bear over thirty years of manufacturing excellence in our state-of-the-art factory in Oregon City, Oregon.