I have the same knive, and never had any problems. all steels can have problems in their matrix, it happens; it doesn't mean they are bad blades. it's even happen here, with SR-77. Benchmade has an excellent warranty, call, email and see what happens.

So many people have griptilians and very few have problems, that must mean something. but you should test all your steel, no matter who makes it, if you want to trust it in the field, better to know at home than when you need it out there.