Benchmade mini grip or Benchmade mini barrage?

I

itannerjh

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Mar 2, 2013
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Hi everyone! I am still deciding on an EDC, and I need to decide between two benchmades. I am considering the Benchmade mini grip, or the Benchmade mini barrage, as you can probably tell by the title. So my question to you is which is better. I'm talking bang for buck, because I am on a budget (aren't we all). The blade size is right, and I have decided that I want a benchmade. So, cost, weight, durability, lockup, and ergos (plus anything else you guys think is important) considered, which is better? I really like the assisted opening of the barrage, but I also really like the feature of the free swinging axis lock on the mini grip that allows you to swing the blade closed.
 
I can't say that one is "better" than the other. I will say that I like the griptilian over the barrage, simply because I find it simpler. The barrage, has the safety lock that is kind od a PITA to deal with until you get used to it. They are both very well made and either way, you'll end up with a great knife.

Sorry I wasn't much help.
 
I love both and have had both in large sizes. Barrage is my favorite by far but I still love the grip. I dont own a grip but when I do again I will want something pretty different. Barrage comes perfect as is in my opinion. Iv been away from bm for a while. Does the mini come with aluminum bolsters?

I never lock my barrage and have never had it open even once in pocket or pulling it out.
 
The miniGrip, I consider a must to at least try out so my suggestion is to start with that. You will get all the bang you can get from a knife with it.
 
I have a large grip and large barrage. If it were me id grab another barrage. Some people on here complain about the assist and closing it, but I just close it against my leg or something else close by. Both are great, but if I had to chose one, it'd be the barrage by a long shot.
 
itannerjh said:
Hi everyone! I am still deciding on an EDC, and I need to decide between two benchmades. I am considering the Benchmade mini grip, or the Benchmade mini barrage, as you can probably tell by the title. So my question to you is which is better. I'm talking bang for buck, because I am on a budget (aren't we all). The blade size is right, and I have decided that I want a benchmade. So, cost, weight, durability, lockup, and ergos (plus anything else you guys think is important) considered, which is better? I really like the assisted opening of the barrage, but I also really like the feature of the free swinging axis lock on the mini grip that allows you to swing the blade closed.
Click to expand...

I have both the 556 mini-Grip and the 585 mini-Barrage as well as the 581 Barrage. It's hard to say which is the better bang for the buck. The manual Axis does allow the blade to be flipped closed, and that is a great thing. The Axis Assist on the mini-Barrage makes the blade snap open as fast an an auto, and it snaps open with authority. It is possible to close it one-handed as well (not so much on the 581). The lock on the 58x does not get in my way, and I barely notice it's there.
Cost: mini-Grip costs less by about $20. (PM me for the most affordable place. Don't pay the advertised price).
Weight: Neither one weighs much, but the mini-Grip weighs less (Noryl GTX vs Valox for handles and bigger steel liners in the 585) 2.61oz vs 3.48oz
Durability: equal. The Valox is some really tough stuff, as is the Noryl GTX.
Lockup: equal. They're both Axis locks.
Ergos: Hard to say. They are almost the same thickness (0.5" for the 556, 0.544" for the 585), but the 585 grip is taller and doesn't curve at the heel like the mini-Grip does. The 585 fills the hand more than the 556, so if your hands are on the larger side, you'll probably like the 585 more. The jimping on the blade spine and front part of the liners (spine-side and finger-side) of the 556 is nice and helps with gripping. If you choke up and put your thumb on the spine of the blade for more controlled push cuts, the 585 feels better, as the 556 (and the 555) has a hump that hits you mid-thumb. For me it hits right near the joint and doesn't feel all that good. It's easier to choke up on the 585. The 585 has more belly to the blade toward the tip -- which I prefer -- but the 556 has plenty.

If you have the opportunity, try to get both in your hands. That may be the deciding factor.
 
I found, repeatedly over time, that the mini Grip (556) was simply too small and my hands aren't large. I think I owned three and rid myself of each in the process. The (585) mini Barrage (and I still own it...) is a much nicer fit and I love the blade shape; never really use the safety catch, the Axis/tip up is more than enough to make me feel safe.
 
I have and like both, I would choose the grip. When I open the barrage the spring is so strong it's like a mouse trap going off in your hand.
 
I like the Mini-Grip better. Nothing wrong with the Mini-Barrage (carried and used mine for a while before eventually parting with it), but the Mini-Grip just felt better suited for me. One neat thing about the Mini-Barrage, though, was the safety could also be used to lock the blade open as well (in prevents the Axis lock from dis-engaging). Sort of a belt-and-suspenders for the already great Axis lock.
 
The Mini- Barage feels more "premium" and you'll really enjoy flicking it open. The Mini-Grip handles feel "cheap" (this is just my opinion, others will disagree). Its biggest advantage is the manual opening over the 585.

But I concur with what everyone has said here, since you're on a budget I will reluctantly recommend the Mini-Grip.
 
Both of these knives have supporters on the forum. I agree with loonybin that you need to get your hands on both and try them out to determine what is right for you. Personaly, have looked at assisted openers many times but never made the leap. I do have a mini grip and like it but don't really EDC it that much lately. Recently, when I am in a Benchmade mood I often grab my 940 or my Rift.

Let us know what you pick.
 
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