Recommendation? Benchmade Mini-Griptilian vs. Mini-Barrage

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lambman5

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Nov 25, 2014
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Hi everyone,

I was hoping to get your recommendation on the folders stated above. I'm debating on which one to add to my collection. I don't understand why there's a big price gap between the Mini-Griptilian and the Mini-Barrage. Both have 154CM steel, Polymer handles, and a 2.91 inch blade length. Is there a difference in performance or other aspects of the folders I am missing? Is the Mini-Barrage worth the extra money over the Mini-Griptilian? Why or why not?

Please respond if you can!
 
In my personal opinion I would go for the the mini grip. For a EDC I think it is important to be able to open your blade slowly with ease, and have as much control over it as possible. However, with the manual axis lock on the mini grip you can also deploy the blade quickly. The Mini-barrage being assited opening you lose some of those options.
 
Mini barrage in my opinion is benchmade best slicer . Just take out the assisted opening an you have a better knife .
 
Another thing to consider... the mini-Grip is a 3 1/2-finger, slim grip for my average sized hands. The mini-Barrage, being about 1/4" longer, is a 4-finger, somewhat thicker grip. The mini-B is also a bit heavier than the mini-G. Both knives are handle-heavy, but I like that in a folder. The mini-B is my preference between those two. It can be de-assisted, but I've heard it's a bit tricky to do and you sometimes end up with blade centering issues after de-assisting it.
 
I would go with the Mini Grip. It is manual open. I prefer either manual open, autos, or flippers. Not a fan of assisted. If I wanted something close to assisted, I'd get an auto or flipper. IMO You may like assisted, everyone is different.
 
I think it comes down to blade opening function. I enjoy carrying an assisted opener from time to time and the Mini Barrage has been my choice. Very satisfied with the overall quality.
 
I really liked the Mini-G, I bought and sold it three times over. It is one of my all time favorites. Super compact but also very capable(I made a salad with one just for fun), fun to play with, excellent design. Overall a great knife. However, it has a cramped grip, like Dale said, 3 1/2 fingers.

I haven't had a Mini-B, but it's very attractive. Longer grip, higher grind, it makes up where the Mini-G lacks. I also don't care for assisted opening, but you can de-assist them. Only thing I don't care for is its somewhat fat handle, I don't like fat handles and prefer thin ones.

Personally, I would look on the exchange here and which ever one pops up first for a good deal is the one I'd get.
 
Cow51 said:
I really liked the Mini-G, I bought and sold it three times over. It is one of my all time favorites. Super compact but also very capable(I made a salad with one just for fun), fun to play with, excellent design. Overall a great knife. However, it has a cramped grip, like Dale said, 3 1/2 fingers.

I haven't had a Mini-B, but it's very attractive. Longer grip, higher grind, it makes up where the Mini-G lacks. I also don't care for assisted opening, but you can de-assist them. Only thing I don't care for is its somewhat fat handle, I don't like fat handles and prefer thin ones.
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This kind of thing always amazes me that the Mini-g is one of your favorites, BUT, you have sold it "three times over". I can't understand the selling aspect if it is one of your favorite knives. Not exactly enough money to pay the rent or make a typical car payment....
 
OP, if You can get to an REI or some other B&M store that has both in stock, handle them both first. Alternatively, buy both and compare them and sell the less preferred.

I bought the Mini-B after handling both - I couldn't stand the cramped grip of the Mini-G and preferred the blade style of the Mini-B. I later de-assisted the Mini-B, and eventually I sold the Mini-B in favor of the 527 Mini-Presidio "Ultra". My main reason for switching to the 527 was, again, handle length and style - even the Mini-B handle can feel a bit small due to the shape, I much prefer the 527 handle.

So there is my answer - skip both and go with a 527 or a 525 or a different benchmade altogether ;) OR demonstrate your dedication to the industry and buy a BUNCH of options and compare them yourself :)
 
Really no need for the assist on an axis lock knife. They’re a solution in search of a problem imho. I would spend the extra money and get a G-10 grip.
 
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22-rimfire said:
This kind of thing always amazes me that the Mini-g is one of your favorites, BUT, you have sold it "three times over". I can't understand the selling aspect if it is one of your favorite knives. Not exactly enough money to pay the rent or make a typical car payment....
Click to expand...

I should have worded that better to say that I was trying different variants.

I sold it three times over because I like it enough to try one of the many variants of it, but they end up not being what I'm looking for. I got a 556 in 154CM, sold it because I wasn't using it much at the time. I later regretted that so I tried the Mod. Sheepsfoot, didn't like the blade style so I got another 556. Sold that one because I wanted one in D2.

This is a hobby for me, so knives come after rent, after x, after y, after z, etc. I can't say much about car payments because I own my car. Not sure how not being able to cover living expenses got brought into this whole thing...Maybe that's the type of thing that you have to live through to bring it up...
 
Own a couple of both ...I prefer the non assisted knives but I actually prefer the Mini Barrage in this case ... just is a better slicer ... handle is enough bigger that I can get a bit better grip on it over the Mini Grip.

But both are good knives ... I think this comes down to just personal prefence.
 
Between those two I'd pick the Mini Grip. However, I personally think the Bugout is better than both of those.
 
I have both and carry the Grip regularly. You can manipulate the knife with one hand. The spring is so strong on the assist (Barrage), you need to hold the knife with one hand and close with the other. For EDC functionality, grip wins and I love the knife. Lite as a feather and razor sharp.
 
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