Hi guys,
I'm very much a newbie when it comes to "nice" knives. In the past month or so I've purchased a Microtech LUDT auto with a partially serrated blade, a BM 551S Griptilian, and a 580 Barrage. I like my Benchmades so much that I also just bought a NIB 921 Switchback for my Dad's Christmas gift. (I'm going to send it to BM so they can lasermark the blade for him.) My Barrage is awesome, but I think I prefer the blade and grip of the Griptilian. If I were designing my own "signature" Benchmade model, I'd love a spring-assisted Griptilian. I wonder what the chances are of Benchmade building that?

I don’t think they’ll do an assisted Grip. The grip is Benchmades most popular model with an unlimited number of styles and colors when you add the mini-grip. Its action is so smooth and quick that nothing good can come from changing such a successful design. I don’t know the numbers but I’ll say that the Grip is their best seller for what I think is over 10 years now.

Adding a spring mechanism in the pivot area would require a lot of redesign and added parts. Two springs, manual safety, and maybe a blade alteration. It would also increase the price and require more customer service.
There was a blade alteration in the auto Rift that made the blade more narrow to accommodate the safety. It looks odd at first but I would have no problem getting used to an auto Rift. Just an example.

I’m just guessing based on what I have seen in the past few years. It is an interesting idea however.

I can certainly see why the Grip is such a great seller. I just love mine.