Also, so I've owned my benchmade gritillian sheepsfoot folder for a little over a year now. It had a hollow-ground 154CM blade that is a respectable thickness. I haven't abused it ever, just slicing and such. I never re-profiled the edge, and in general cared for it as well as benchmade could wish. However, today I was in the back yard splitting small logs for kindling. The log started at 2", i split it in half with the RD7 and grabbed one of the halves (only about an 1" thick by this point). I had the benchmade with me, so I thought "what the hell, they advertise these knives to the military, whats the worst that could happen?". So I got through the log, and went to examine the blade. Of course, the damage was obvious. A huge section of the blade had chipped out.



I guess I'm posting this because its further evidence for my burgeoning theory that benchmade knives really aren't all that they're cracked up to be. Or at least for survival use they're not. One might claim that this is not this particular knife's intended purpose, but considering how much hype there is about benchmades in the military, I was kinda shocked and disappointed. I may try and claim a warranty, just because the knife was about $70.

Some further conclusions:

-the axis lock IS definitely all its cracked up to be, it never failed during the process
-Hollow grinds are good for razors, bad for utility knives IMO
-if you've got a fixed blade on hand, don't reach for the folder just cuz it seems like it might be fun to use.

What should I do concerning warranty, etc? I'd welcome your thoughts and responses about the business in general, even if you're reminding me that batoning with a folder isn't the best plan (lesson learned)<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" />

hollow ground= great slicing power but weak and thin edge
I love my grip but you and sharp both have done this to your griptilians in the past and I think it is the way you two use your knives not the knives themselves
small folders with hollow ground edges is for cutting
needless to say I will be picking up the flat ground ritter grip in s30v

a better choice for folders for you guys would be the buck 110, its the toughest out there
it doesnt look tactical but it can handle it

woah! thanks for the heads up

Wow, so I guess we've learned not to baton through stuff with our grips. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" />

Though we can conclude that a hollow ground blade from benchmade is not made for anything else besides slicing.

I've batoned through a 4-5 inch cherry wood branch with a Rukus and the edge was fine. So you really can't say they're just hype.

I hear lots of people complaining about the grip on the BM forum not being up to par with what they expect.

I think BMs purpose of the grip was to bring the fix grip grips to a folder and the axis lock to the average consumer. Knowing that the average consumer won't be abusing it and won't be buying a 300 dollar knife.

its still a great folder

Really? Thats actually pretty impressive considering the blade is only 4" long. But anyway. You're right that we've had some good experiences with them. Your CSK is very tough except for the handle, and the nimravus seems good. And you're right about the grip, it IS the budget model. But i still expect a decent heat-treat out of a major company like benchmade.Its kinda like any sales scheme: get first-time buyers hooked on a product (the axis lock) and then they'll be more likely to buy better models... except for me, who's off benchmade for the foreseeable future. I'm a ZT man all the way... I sent a message to warranties, we'll see if anything comes of it.

im gonna get the drop point now that i have seen this

I would have stuck with the RD7. Maybe the heavier Skirmish could have taken it, but I am still leary of using folders that hard. Sorry about your blade, bro.

IMHO...

with folders, the primary grind will be so thin that unless there's some kind of safety-razor shortage out there, a hollow grind is unnecessary. The key with folders is to just have the edge crazy sharp, and you're fine. Go with the drop point and a flat-grind if they have it. my 2c

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.

it seemes to happen tooo much if some wood is doing that to it.
(both yours and sharps)
come one!
I've used tons of even thinner hollow ground folders for batoning stuff and never has anything (I did get a little tiny tiny chip once with my scallion, but it might have been a dent even, it's so tiny I can't tell) like that happened.
I think its the steel and heat treat.
def.
no way does a problem like that have to do with the grind... really it will do the same thing with different grinds, just more extreme with some than other. (just meaning you won't get a chip with one grind and only a dent with another... well I guess you COULD actually)
and I would say a buck 110 isn't the way to go for you guys.
it's not extremley tough like the folders they already have.
it probably doesn't even compare.
it's still an awesome knife though.... and a classic.
I actually made the lock fail (and break) on a buck 110 too.
but I guess a hard stab will do that with any folder really.

but, I just think this is some crappy heat treat and steel combination that they have going there.
idk, thats what I think.
I might get... "flamed" (I really don't know any forum talk, I hope thats right) for saying that though.

excuse me emf but it is the way that they use their folders like fixed blades
and buck 110's are the tough stuff
I dont know how you got a 110 lock to break, you sure it was a 110?