Benchmade 556 Mini Griptilian 154CM v.s. Ontario Rat II AUS-8

L

Lasador

Joined
Sep 11, 2019
Messages
310
I've got a Benchmade 556 Mini Griptilian with 154 CM steel and an Ontario Rat II in AUS-8 steel, and to be honest, the Mini Grip can't get any pocket time. Why? Well, the Ontario Rat II in AUS-8 has no blade play whatsoever. The Mini Griptilian has both horizontal and vertical blade play. The Rat II came with a razor edge, and the Mini Grip came sharp as well, but their edge holding capability appears to be about the same. The Rat II sharpens faster and easier. The Rat II is slimmer and easier to carry than the fat Mini Grip.

I mean, the Rat II is definitely better bang for your buck and that's a big factor as well. Honestly I'm struggling to find an area where the Benchmade is superior. I'm trying, but I just don't see where the Mini Grip beats it in any category except for maybe ergonomics a little bit, and perhaps the axis lock is better, but with all the blade play, it sure doesn't feel like it. All and all, it's a no contest for me. The Ontario Rat II is the better knife---all things considered.
 
Benchmades LifeSharp service will take care of the blade play and not cost you a dime. As far as blade steel, 154cm should be superior to AUS8 in every way. It sounds like either the edge geometry is too thin, or they heat treated the blade too soft. I would let Benchmade know that as well. The Rat2 is a good budget knife, but the Mini Grip is normally in another class.
 
There is no denying that the RAT knives are excellent. Your observations on the steel? Aus-8 is fine, just fine. 154CM is also fine. In terms of blade play - BM has an ugly reputation for QC, but it does not seem to bother them much. Draw your own conclusions.
 
Lasador said:
I've got a Benchmade 556 Mini Griptilian with 154 CM steel and an Ontario Rat II in AUS-8 steel, and to be honest, the Mini Grip can't get any pocket time. Why? Well, the Ontario Rat II in AUS-8 has no blade play whatsoever. The Mini Griptilian has both horizontal and vertical blade play. The Rat II came with a razor edge, and the Mini Grip came sharp as well, but their edge holding capability appears to be about the same. The Rat II sharpens faster and easier. The Rat II is slimmer and easier to carry than the fat Mini Grip.

I mean, the Rat II is definitely better bang for your buck and that's a big factor as well. Honestly I'm struggling to find an area where the Benchmade is superior. I'm trying, but I just don't see where the Mini Grip beats it in any category except for maybe ergonomics a little bit, and perhaps the axis lock is better, but with all the blade play, it sure doesn't feel like it. All and all, it's a no contest for me. The Ontario Rat II is the better knife---all things considered.
Click to expand...
If you like the RAT for value, have you tried Cold Steel products? ;):p:D

If the play on the grip is impacting the performance enough to notice a difference between the two, and you can't adjust it out of the grip, , I'd send it in to BM. Same with the steel. In my use, I can absolutely tell the difference between AUS8 and 154cm. If you can't, there might be an issue. The difference isn't mind blowing but noticeable if you use your knives a lot. I've got a mini grip with a little bit of play, but the only time I notice it is if I check for blade play. No performance impact what-so-ever. I guess if all I did was fiddle with the knife, and that was its purpose in life, a tiny bit of play would be bothersome but since I use it I don't notice it at all.

Me? I'll take the grip all day long. Ease of OHO and closing is enough, but the steel upgrade and handle ergonomics are important too.
 
Lasador said:
I've got a Benchmade 556 Mini Griptilian with 154 CM steel and an Ontario Rat II in AUS-8 steel, and to be honest, the Mini Grip can't get any pocket time. Why? Well, the Ontario Rat II in AUS-8 has no blade play whatsoever. The Mini Griptilian has both horizontal and vertical blade play. The Rat II came with a razor edge, and the Mini Grip came sharp as well, but their edge holding capability appears to be about the same. The Rat II sharpens faster and easier. The Rat II is slimmer and easier to carry than the fat Mini Grip.

I mean, the Rat II is definitely better bang for your buck and that's a big factor as well. Honestly I'm struggling to find an area where the Benchmade is superior. I'm trying, but I just don't see where the Mini Grip beats it in any category except for maybe ergonomics a little bit, and perhaps the axis lock is better, but with all the blade play, it sure doesn't feel like it. All and all, it's a no contest for me. The Ontario Rat II is the better knife---all things considered.
Click to expand...
Let's break it down.
Price: RAT II
Blade Steel: Mini Grip
Lock: Mini Grip
Ergonomics: Mini Grip
Service/Support: Mini Grip
Point of Manufacture: Mini Grip
Handle Material: Tie
Value: Given the results above, Tie.

I guess we can all agree that the Ontario RAT II costs less than a Benchmade Mini Grip, which is what you're really saying.

If you wanted a "slim" knife you should be comparing it against the Mini Bugout which is also a better knife.
 
Thought a pic would be appropriate for this thread. I hang out mostly in Traditions where we're big on pics. You guys over here don't seem to be big on pics.

Rtrm1TS.jpg


Anyway, of all the mini-Grips pictured above, only the combo blade mini-Grip had any blade play - side to side if I recall. A few minutes with a couple of torx bits fixed it up. As to the steel, it's been my experience that 154CM is an able performer and edges out AUS 6 and AUS 8 both of which I have on a couple SOG knives from the 1990s and both the AUS steels perform at an acceptable level.

If you've got a problem with your Benchmade, send it in for their spa treatment.
 
I can't add much here except to say that I sharpened my brother-in-law's RAT II once after he got done using it on some cardboard.
AUS-8 is just fine for what it is, but it's definitely some of the softer steel that I've encountered.
I told him if he wants to keep it sharp, use a box cutter on the cardboard.

See if you can get that blade play on that mini grip taken care of, put a fine edge on it, and then carry it for a week.
I'm thinking you'll like the Mini Grip a lot better.
 
Hackenslash said:
Let's break it down.
Price: RAT II
Blade Steel: Mini Grip
Lock: Mini Grip
Ergonomics: Mini Grip
Service/Support: Mini Grip
Point of Manufacture: Mini Grip
Handle Material: Tie
Value: Given the results above, Tie.

I guess we can all agree that the Ontario RAT II costs less than a Benchmade Mini Grip, which is what you're really saying.

If you wanted a "slim" knife you should be comparing it against the Mini Bugout which is also a better knife.
Click to expand...
That's a very well thought out and articulated opinion you got there. I'm impressed! :)
 
Modoc ED said:
Thought a pic would be appropriate for this thread. I hang out mostly in Traditions where we're big on pics. You guys over here don't seem to be big on pics.

Rtrm1TS.jpg


Anyway, of all the mini-Grips pictured above, only the combo blade mini-Grip had any blade play - side to side if I recall. A few minutes with a couple of torx bits fixed it up. As to the steel, it's been my experience that 154CM is an able performer and edges out AUS 6 and AUS 8 both of which I have on a couple SOG knives from the 1990s and both the AUS steels perform at an acceptable level.

If you've got a problem with your Benchmade, send it in for their spa treatment.
Click to expand...
Is the mini grip serrated for sale by chance? Absolutely the most favorite knife I've ever owned, but after it getting lost/stolen recently I've been shocked and disappointed they are not making them any more.

If you are interested in selling, please name you price. Thank you
 
sblak2242 said:
Is the mini grip serrated for sale by chance? Absolutely the most favorite knife I've ever owned, but after it getting lost/stolen recently I've been shocked and disappointed they are not making them any more.

If you are interested in selling, please name you price. Thank you
Click to expand...

sblak2242 sblak2242 - Here's the deal. If you'll buy a Blade Forums Gold Membership, I'll give you the knife. It's brand new but I don't have the box for it. When you buy the Gold Membership, send me a Private Message with your name and United States Postal Service (USPS) address and I'll get it in the mail to you.

If you have a problem figuring out how to purchase the membership and how to activate it, Spark Spark will give you a hand.

This offer will expire Monday, 17 July 2023.
 
Modoc ED said:
sblak2242 sblak2242 - Here's the deal. If you'll buy a Blade Forums Gold Membership, I'll give you the knife. It's brand new but I don't have the box for it. When you buy the Gold Membership, send me a Private Message with your name and United States Postal Service (USPS) address and I'll get it in the mail to you.

If you have a problem figuring out how to purchase the membership and how to activate it, Spark Spark will give you a hand.

This offer will expire Monday, 17 July 2023.
Click to expand...
I was just referred to this forum from a BM customer service rep just recently, and they spoke highly of this forum.

I will look into the membership now
 
Modoc ED said:
sblak2242 sblak2242 - Here's the deal. If you'll buy a Blade Forums Gold Membership, I'll give you the knife. It's brand new but I don't have the box for it. When you buy the Gold Membership, send me a Private Message with your name and United States Postal Service (USPS) address and I'll get it in the mail to you.

If you have a problem figuring out how to purchase the membership and how to activate it, Spark Spark will give you a hand.

This offer will expire Monday, 17 July 2023.
Click to expand...
Currently working on it, but my paypal is having issues. Is any other form of payment accepted?
 
I tried a RAT 2 because everyone seems to love it. I didn’t keep it long. It just felt like a cheep knife to me.

AUS 8 isn’t super, but I thought SOG did an acceptable job with it (years ago), so long as I had a Sharpmaker and a strop.

My first Benchmade was far from a QC masterpiece. I still have it and it’s proved to be an decent knife, but it soured me to the brand and it remains my only Benchmade. I’ve handled good ones and a fair share of bad ones at dealers since then.

I like what I get from Spyderco, for the most part. Their QC isn’t perfect either, so I guess it’s just personal preference.
 
I'm not much of a mini-version knife user, but I have both of the regular sized versions and would recommend both of them to anyone as hard use folders.
 
You are the man!!!

Please let me know if I can ever return your kindness in some way. Just getting into knife collection, and was looking at your posts and WOW you've got a nice collection.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top