Benchmade 556 Mini Griptilian Review

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556 Mini Griptilian

The 556 Mini Griptilian knife from Benchmade is designed for general everyday use. With that in mind you get some configurations when ordering your knife. Firstly, there are a few different color handles to choose from, and while most people prefer a black finish, some people opt for a colorful orange or yellow. Having a bright color handle can help with visibility when using your knife outdoors and placing it down on the floor among leaves and other debris. Secondly, you can choose between a partially serrated blade edge, or just a plain edge.

The handle on this Mini Griptilian knife fits into almost any hand like it was molded to do so. This is because the 556 has a finger-choil with ridges all along the outside of the handle. This means your fingers have a good grip round the handle, while not being able to slide into the cutting line.

The blade looks as good as it performs, constructed out of 154CM stainless steel you are not going to find an Every Day Carry(EDC) task too big or too small for the Mini Griptilian 556. Easy to clean, resistant to rust and with a limited lifetime warranty you can rest assured the Mini Griptilian 556 is going to be at your side for a long time.

Understanding the importance of safety, the 556 comes with a Axis lock which is quite unique. I have never heard of a fault or complaint regarding the Axis lock, the blade always deploys smoothly and locks firmly while engaged. What makes the Axis lock different from some of the more conventional locks is the two springs either side of the cylindrical lock. The tension helps to keep the blade firmly in the handle, and when open wedges the blade into the stop pin.

Whether you are buying a Benchmade Griptilian Mini 556 for yourself, or as a gift, people who received one always talk about how well presented they are. The knife comes in a strong box, sealed in a plastic bag, cushioned in a foam surround and finally can be found in a silk carrying bag.

Being part of the Benchmade Griptilian range of pocket knives you can be assured you are investing in a quality product. Benchmade as a company were founded in 1988 and have been consistently producing some of the highest quality knives on the market. Slowly expanding and gaining new customers, while keeping a loyal base of existing customers, you will find positive feedback all over the internet for Benchmade products.

The Blade

While writing this Benchmade Mini Griptilian Review I couldn’t find a negative word about the blade. You will see from the pictures it has a modified drop-point shape, and towards the tip there is enough belly for any EDC task.

You can open the blade one handed using the thumb studs, couple this with the Axis locking system and you have a blade ready to deploy instantly at a moments notice. The blade has a stonewashed finish, this disguises small scratches helping the blade keep a long lasting new look.

If you chose the serrated blade you can glide through ropes and other tough materials, while the straight edge will take care of all the other cutting or piercing needs.

The Handle

If you didn’t take notice of the word ‘mini’ in the title you’ll take notice when you handle this knife. It fits snug into the palm of your hand with your fingers wrapping around the finger-choil. The handle is made out of Valox – an extremely tough plastic, with stainless steel liners making it one of the most durable handles on the market.

There is plenty of additional grip with a checker-board type pattern on either side of the handle, with groves along both edges also. The pocket clip is simple, quick and easy to use. It is of lightweight steel construction and will attach anywhere on clothing keeping the knife secure.

The Pros

A snapshot at some of the pros to the 556 Mini Griptilian!

• 100% ambidextrous design
• Ready to use straight out of the box
• Unique Axis locking design for increased safety
• Choice of handle colors to suit you
• Easy to clean and rust resistant
• Comfortable finger-choil for exceptional grip
• 154CM stainless steel blade
• Easy to sharpen and keeps its edge well
• Lightweight at only 2.56 oz
• Robust construction, quiet to use and carry with no rattling

The Cons

Nothing is perfect, here are some areas to consider:

• The brighter color handles can dull over time
• There are cheaper pocket knives on the market for casual users
• Remember that the 556 is a mini, if you have large hands you might find it a bit too small
• The scaled grip on the handle can damage soft pant’s pockets
• Owners of larger Griptilian pocket knives find the Mini inferior

Tips if You Are Going to Buy the Benchmade 556 Mini Griptilian Pocket Knife

If you have owned a Benchmade Pocket Knife before then I do not need to tell you about the quality of their products, excellent customer service and limited lifetime guarantee. If you have not owned a Benchmade knife then you should have read enough here to know you are making a great choice.

But don’t just take my word for it, if you are interested in buying this knife you will find the best up-to-date prices at Amazon.com, additionally you can browse dozens of reviews and read user-feedback.

So What’s the Verdict on the Benchmade 556 Mini Griptilian Pocket Knife

With 70 5 star, and 10 4 star reviews on Amazon.com there really is not a bad word to say about the 556 Mini Griptilian. Whether you consider yourself to be a novice backpacker or an expert survivalist, having this knife in your side pocket is going to give you the confidence to tackle any EDC task… while looking pretty good as you do it. This just might be the best pocket knife for you.

CLICK HERE to get the latest price on the Benchmade 556 Mini Griptilian