Benchmade Griptilian
The Griptilian is one of Benchmade's longest-running and best-known knives. It is a Mel Pardue design introduced in 2001, with a textured nylon handle and the AXIS Lock.
The 550 has a sheepsfoot blade and the 551 has a drop point. The Mini Griptilian (555 sheepsfoot, 556 drop point) is the smaller version. All are made in Oregon City, Oregon.
Benchmade Griptilian Specs
| Model number | 550/551 (Griptilian), 555/556 (Mini Griptilian) |
|---|---|
| Designer | Mel Pardue |
| Blade length | 3.45 in (Griptilian), 2.91 in (Mini Griptilian) |
| Overall length | 8.07 in (Griptilian), 6.78 in (Mini Griptilian) |
| Weight | 3.88 oz (Griptilian), 2.68 oz (Mini Griptilian) |
| Blade steel | CPM S30V |
| Handle | Glass-filled nylon (Grivory) |
| Lock / mechanism | AXIS Lock |
| Made in | Oregon City, Oregon, USA |
Lengths and weights are for the most common version we stock. Handle material, steel and weight vary by version, so check each product listing.
Benchmade Griptilian FAQ
What is the difference between the 550 and 551?
The 550 has a sheepsfoot blade and the 551 has a drop point blade. The same applies to the Mini Griptilian 555 and 556.
Who designed the Griptilian?
Knifemaker Mel Pardue.
How big is the Mini Griptilian?
It has a blade of about 2.9", compared with about 3.45" on the full-size Griptilian.
Also see: Bugout, Barrage, Freek, or all Benchmade knives.