[Badbunny]

I've looking for a replacement for my fixed blade field knife and am looking at a plain edge Griptilian (http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=550) or a clip point Recon 1 (http://www.coldsteel.com/recon1.html). I intend to carry the knife on camping/hiking trips, not in everyday use, so weight or size aren't going to be problems. On the contrary, I like the knife to have some weight so it can be used as some kind of hacking tool if necessary.
I'd appreciate any comments on the mentioned knives. I know they are probably both good choises, but I'm having problems making up my mind.

[Atticus]

I have a Griptilian and like it alot. The name is well deserved. It fills the hand nicely and has serations in the right places. I've only had mine a few months, but I will be carrying it over the next hunting season. A "slippery when wet" knife is a dangerous knife.

[Greymoor]

I have a both the Griptilian and Mini Griptilian with the plain sheepfoot blade. These make nice work/utility knives. The Griptilian uses 440C vs. the 440A on the Recon 1. 440C is a tougher steel while 440A is a bit more rust resistant. The Griptillian has a very grippy surface texture. The synthetic handles are pretty durable. My plain sheepfoot blade sharpens easily.

I am not sure if either knife would be very good for chopping. Neither of these knives have a lot of weight to them. They also are not really all that long to get chopping momentum from them. Personally I would get a Griptilian for the knife type tasks, cuting, slicing, and skinning, and a small camp hatchet for the chopping, splitting, and stake pounding tasks,. Right tool for the job.

[Badbunny]

Thanks for the comments.

I rarely need a genuine chopping tool, and as I hate to carry extra weight, I think I'm not going to be putting one in my backpack. My field knife (a M95 Sissipuukko (http://www.canit.se/~griffon/knives/m95/sissipuukko_m95.html)) has been adequate for the job so far. It's a great knife, and I'd be really happy to find a folder that performs as well. My only problem with it is that it is hard to carry with a pack.

Maybe I'll stuff the knife into the pack and clip the folder into my pocket.

[bad LT]

I own a Mini Griptilian and a Recon 1. I think that you are asking too much for a folding knife - it is probably better to get a nice short fixed blade knife for your camp needs.

[Rupestris]

If you go with the Griptilian, get the D-2 model.
I carry a Mini-Griptillian w/440C. its nice but doesn't hold an edge like D-2.

[Greymoor]

However do not forget that D2 is not as rust resistant as 440C. It is also much harder to sharpen. With D2 keep the diamond "stones" around. That or make sure you touch it up frequently.

[Billmanweh]

in the last year and a half or so, I've had all kinds of production knives, a couple of Striders, Sebenzas, and a custom Kit Carson/Mike Obenauf folder, and this is the only folding knife I have now...

http://www.aeromedix.com/index.php?_siteid=aeromedix&_sessid=cb34208f040770a7261172d86e3d806c&action=sku&sku=bmrsk

[Greymoor]

S30V is a nice steel. A griptilian with such a blade would work out very nicely. More rust resistant that D2, longer edge life than 440C, and not terrible hard to sharpen.

Good combination. . .