Benchmade 556 Mini Griptilian vs. Spyderco Delica 4

They are both great knives, but here is my opinion:
Steel- basically the same if vg10 and 154 are compared. Zdp holds an edge longer but is a devil to sharpen
Handle- both plastic, similar grip. They both weigh about the same
Carry- big advantage for the delica, you can put the clip in 4 places
Cost- about the same
Cleaning- plus for the delcia, I don't like putting back together the axis lock
Lock- axis is a plus, lock back will develop some blade play
Overall, you can't go wrong with either. My solution was to get both!
 
The benchmade is smooth as butter. Lately the slight grittiness of any of my lockbacks have been bothering me.
 
miltmaldo said:
Delica has IMO a better ergos and a nice blade but it will and it will develope blade play up and down and to me that's a big issue. The mini grip small and compact handle if you have large hands it can be an issue lock up is hands down better than the delica and the blade shape is very sweet axis lock is a lot of fun to get the mini you will love it. Another one can be the kershaw skyline I'll take that over the delica.
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what will cause the up and down blade play to eventually develop on the Delica? i think the lockback is pretty decent and if you don't abuse the delica it will be ok.
 
TTpower said:
what will cause the up and down blade play to eventually develop on the Delica? i think the lockback is pretty decent and if you don't abuse the delica it will be ok.
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I'm not sure if it's the tolerances or design, but all Spyderco lockbacks I've had developed up/down blade play. Specifically it's just a tiny wiggle, but it's why I consider the traditional lockback to be outdated. Tri-Ad is the way to go, though I'm not sure if CS would license it out. The two Spyderco lockbacks I have left, a FRN waved Delica and a FFG G10 Delica, both have the issue despite being package openers all their lives.

Benchmade's 154CM edges tend to suck out of the box, but I recommend the mini Grip. The Axis lock is prefect for EDC.
 
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:thumbup:
 
If you want to flip the blade a lot, or expect to need a lot of one-handed opening/closing, get the Mini-Grip. Otherwise, get the Delica. Another consideration: hole or thumbstud? Really, you can't go wrong with either choice. Go with the one that appeals to you most.
 
As much as I love my ZDP-189 Delica, my Mini Grip is a better knife IMO. It's easier and smoother to open, and faster to close. I much prefer the Axis lock, and I like how small it carries in my pocket for having roughly the same amount of blade. Both VG-10 and 154CM are too close for me to tell a difference. They both cut well.
 
hayes31 said:
I love my D4 FFG, and once in a while I see pink ones pop up that I want to get my gf, but they're never FFG. How's the slicing ability of that non FFG Delica?
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You can always swap the blades. A pink FFG Delica would be one of a kind, something to add a little extra for her ;)
 
I will also add that my Mini Grip feels like a tougher knife. Its better balanced also, the Delica 4 ZDP-189 FFG is pretty handle heavy. I will also say that the lockback on my Delica is very well made, but my knife is somewhat gritty to open and close. My Mini Grip has the smoothest pivot I have ever handled on a knife in that price range.

Also, if you are like me and like to sit around and open and close your cheaper knives constantly, the Mini Grip waxes the Delica in that area.

I don't think you can go wrong with either, but I have been considering a Ritter Grip also.
 
I like the mini-griptilian better mostly because I don't personally like lock-backs all that much. both are good knives though
 
Zookie said:
Some interesting answers, I was honestly expecting more posts to leen towards the delica but it hasn't been the case. I've been eye balling the mini grip for quite sometime but got the delica instead. Im sure I'll get the mini grip soon, or the Doug Ritter!
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Another option for the mini grip is, the custom build at Benchmade. Ya, they are a little more than a Ritter, but there are quite a few options.

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James Y said:
I like both, but IMO the Delica carries a bit easier. I also prefer the FFG Delica over the Saber-ground Delica. The only question about the mini-Grip I might have are the long-term durability of the Omega springs, though I've never had any issues on my Axis locks.
Jim
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Omega springs breaking is not a common problem.I've been using Axis locks for about 15 years, and a couple of my knives have been used very hard. Never had a spring break. Not to say it can't happen, but it would never be an issue that would keep me from buying another Axis lock knife.

stubj20 said:
Thank you everyone for your responses. I greatly appreciate the feedback.
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They are both good knives, just different
 
I've had several Delicas (FFG, sabre) and Mini grips (555 w/ hole, 556 stud). I found that I preferred a handle/blade ratio of 1:1. The handle on Delica is a bit longer for it's blade length. I have smaller hands, so prefer the mini grip handle. I also prefer hollow grinds/flat as opposed to the sabre - both better slicers. What are you cutting? I'm down to a 556 mini blue and a Sabre Delica 4 black g10. Anyways, PM me, I might be willing to sell both my mini grip and Delica to you so you can try the models out. :D
 
I've bought both before. There is no comparison- lockback knives are old technology, axis lock knives are new technology. Once you have used an axis lock you won't go back to lockbacks.
 
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