Benchmade Mini Griptilian AXIS Lock Knife Gray/Blue G-10 (2.91" Satin) 556-1

This was my first Benchmade, and the first time I had held a mini-grip. And like others have mentioned, its a lot smaller than you would expect. But I got used to that fast, and the three and a half finger grip I can get on it is super comfortable for my large hands (though my father can't stand it, so to each their own). The axis lock is amazing (though one of my omega springs has broken, and I need to send it in for warranty, hence the 4 stars). The CPM-20CV steel really is an amazing accomplishment. It gets super sharp and stays that way for a very long time. The problem is getting it sharp; like other super steels, it can be a bear to sharpen, so if you don't have a good sharpening system, or aren't experienced, but like a sharp knife, you might want to look elsewhere. The G-10 really is an improvement over the plastic handles. It feels better, and looks better, to the point that I've used this knife as a mid-range dress knife as much as an EDC. If you can afford it and can sharpen it, I think the 556-1 is a great improvement over the normal 556, in basically every regard.

Here are some things to be aware of with the Benchmade Mini-Grip 556-1. I bought it online instead of at retail store and never held it before purchase. One reason why to buy in person instead of online but it is what it is. Here is what I learned after I opened up box. It is smaller then what I envisioned from videos, and specs where it felt more petite when compared to my other 3in blades that I collect. I have small hands for an adult male so I would have thought the mini grip would have been the one I would have liked best but after a few days I opted to return it for either the larger 551-1 or maybe even a different knife design. If it would have been at least 1/2inch bigger overall length it would have fit my hand better. Another point that I would have liked to have known is that the G-10 surface is pretty smooth/slick which feels good to rub your finger across but in the real world made me apprehensive that I wasn’t securely able to hold onto it. Wish it had a little more scuff to its surface. The combination of it's small size and the one handed axis lock operation with the ease of flipping the blade open and closed added to fear of flipping it out of my hand. Overall I like the Axis lock feature where this is my first Benchmade and the 20CVsteel is the best attribute of this knife. I am really impressed with its edge out of the box and it reflects that “super” steel look and quality.

Hey Guys, I've been into knifes for just over a year now. And since I've started to look at them, I've always wondered what was all the hype about the mini-griptilian. I was not fond of the plastic handles so I promised myself the day they have one with G10 scales, I'll definitely buy one. .. and I did. .. and I still don't know what's all the fuss about this knife and yet.. I love it and I'm about to buy a whole lot of them. The feel in hand is great. The axis lock works as advertised. I do have to say that the out of the box the blade was not centered properly. Honnestly, it doesn't matter to me. However after flicking it for a couple of weeks,it started to have some blade-play when closed to the point where the blade could easily touch the liner when opening with the thumbstuds. Opening was still smooth and the lock was tight and weirdly, no blade-play when opened. I tightened the pivot screw to the point where there was no blade-play at all and I was still able to flick the knife opened and now all is good. If you don't have some yet, I do recommend you buy some Loctite along as apparently there are none on the pivot screw and I'm pretty sure mine will get loose again in a couple of days. Now I'm just waiting a few months but I'll probably have another mini-grip by the end of the year.. Maybe bright yellow with a DLC-coated Sheepfoot blade..!! Cheers.