One ends and the next one begins...

This post has three purposes--first as an overview of the Custom Griptillian service offered by Benchmade, second to show off the cool giveaway item, and third to announce the outlines of the next contest.

I ordered Joseph Wain, the winner of the logo contest, a custom Mini Griptillian.  It is one of my favorite knives, an excellent buy, even in the stock version.  The custom service offers you the chance to pick quite a few options on the knife.  Here they are, with Joseph's choice in bold.

Knife (I chose this both because I like the smaller knife and there were some budget constraints):
Griptillian
Mini Grip

Blade Shape:
Drop Point in FFG
Tanto in FFG
Sheepsfoot in a Hollow Grind

Opener:
Thumb Stud (Drop Point or Tanto only)
Thumb Hole (Sheepsfoot only)

Handle Scales:
Dozen colors, Joseph chose orange

Blade Steel (no choice, I picked the blade steel because I really believe it is that much better):
154 CM
D2
N690
S30V

Hardware:
Satin
Black Oxide

Clip:
Standard Clip
Standard Clip Black Oxide
Standard Clip Black Paint
Spilt Arrow Clip
Split Arrow Clip Black Oxide

Images can be applied and I dropped Joseph's sweet logo on to the knife.  I wanted it to swap out for one of the two logos already on the knife, but I had a sneaking suspicion that would not happen.  Its placement is fine, as it is.  I had to change the order because Joseph changed his mind and opted for the thumb hole (good idea) and Benchmade was great about it.  The call was easy, the process was seamless, and the shipping was lightning fast.  I cannot recommend the service enough.  I love all of the options.  I called them this past Monday.  The custom knife arrived yesterday.  I took it out, snapped some pictures and sent the knife to Joseph today.

Here is a close up of the one spec that really matters:

IMG_0005


Here is a shot of the knife over all:


IMG_0009

Here is a shot of the knife with the split arrow clip installed (I really like that clip over the standard clip):
IMG_0004


And the money shot, Joseph's logo on his brand new knife:


IMG_0008

Overall, I think Joseph chose perfectly.  This is one hell of an EDC knife, all of the great ergos of the original Mini Grip with a truly great blade steel.  I would dare say that this is the best version of the Mini Grip available, better even than the Ritter version, as I truly believe that the thumb hole is superior to a thumb stud.  And, for Joseph, the price is unbeatable--FREE.

This leads me to the third topic, the next giveaway.  The AdSense revenue is averaging around $30-40 a month, which is not bad.  I would like to build up $100 and use that to purchase some items for review, specifically a Kershaw Cryo and a EagleTac D25a (those will also be given away, in due time).  After that, I would like to store up the cash for something big: a McGizmo Haiku.  That would probably take until the end of 2012, but that would be a hell of a giveaway.  The rules would be simple: you would need to write a review using the 20 point scale for either a bag, a multitool, a knife or a light, and submit it.  The review would need to be something I have not previously reviewed.  I would also like the person to have owned and used the item for a while before the review.  All of the reviews will be published, provided they meet a certain level of detail and coherence.  I will pick the best article and that person will win the McGizmo.  The entry period would start around March or April.  The end would be whenever the AdSense revenue reaches $500 (the price of a McGizmo Haiku).  I will let you know for sure.   Again, the AdSense revenue is key.  My wife would scalp me if I gave away $500 of our money, but for some reason the AdSense revenue is okay. 

So be thinking about what you want to review.  All things equal--the cooler the product the higher I will rank the review.  A review of a Hinderer XM-18 will beat out a review of a Buck 110 all other things being equal.

Congratulations again to Joseph Wain.