Benchmade Mini-Griptilian vs. Spyderco Delica 4

T

tl91

Joined
Mar 18, 2011
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Hey everyone,
I'm new to the world of knives and such, so I'm really looking for any help I can get. I'm looking to get a solid knife that I can EDC for a few years, preferably the cheaper the better. I haven't tested these knives in person yet (hopefully this weekend), but I've got my eyes on a Benchmade Mini-Griptilian plain edge at the moment. However, I'd just like to get some opinions regarding this knife compared to the Spyderco Delica 4. I like the AXIS locking system and I don't understand the appeal of lockback/thumbhole system; am I missing something? Assuming the Delica 4 is still produced in a full flat ground version, when is this grind better than the saber grind that I see more often?

As well, for those living in Toronto, Canada: would you recommend any other store besides S&R Knives? I've heard people say you have to haggle with them; the Mini-Grip is going for $90.69 CAD in a black handle and $80.84 in the pink, so what would be a reasonable asking price? I don't see the Delica 4 in stock at S&R Knives, so where might I be able to pick one up?

Thanks in advance! I'd really appreciate even if you only answer one of my numerous questions!
 
I have both. I love my Grip, but it is a Ritter. I also love my Delica. Got the ZDP. That one rides in my tool bag and it takes a beating. Awesome knife as well. Just buy both, as they are great knives. Welcome to the forum. This is a wonderful place. Well maybe not for your bank account.
 
tl91 said:
As well, for those living in Toronto, Canada: would you recommend any other store besides S&R Knives?
Click to expand...

First: Welcome in our little corner of the web :)

I'd go with a mini-grip myself, but the FFG delica is an awesome knife too. Close call.

Give Jay a shout, at Warriors&Wonders (BC). Excellent and fast service, prices are pretty good.

Can't go wrong with either one :thumbup:
 
If you'd said the Ritter Griptilian there wouldn't be an argument to have. It wins. But the Deli4 FFG is a pretty terrific knife in its own right - I have a couple - one with glmorous ironwood scales :D.

I didn't like the standard MiniGrip. And, if it wasn' for the excellence of the Rittergrip blade, I wouldn't like that either, I think - the handle feels a bit naff somehow
 
I've never really liked the blade shape of the normal Griptillian (even though I have two of them). The handles, the blade steel, the Axis lock, all excellent. When I found the Doug Ritter blade design on the Griptillian platform, I was moved. I bought two full-size and one mini.

I also have two Delica 4s.

I think the size of the Delica is about perfect for EDC, while the mini-Grip is a tad small. The regular Grip, a tad big. If it tells you anything, I've been carrying my black Delica 4 since the day I got it (some 4 odd months ago).

SP
 
My vote goes to the D4. The knife is so light and thin that you barely notice it when you are carrying the knife. I also find that the D4 fits my hand better than the mini grip. I like the Axis lock but opted for the Sequel over the grip, seems like more of a gents folder for not a heck of a lot more $.
 
I don't like the Mini-Grip's grip. It feels too small, and I have a hard time getting a grip on it. The thumb jimping is also useless. Also, it's restricted to tip-up.

I have 3 D4s. They're great knives. I like the VG-10 steel, and I like tip-down carry (and having the option of tip-up/down, left/right.) The knife is slimmer which makes for better carry. I just think it's a much better overall knife.
 
I have both the mini grip and the FFG deica they are two of my favorites
The delica carrys better in the pocket, has great texture and jimping
The mini grip does not carry well in the pocket for me but it makes up for it,
when doing some hard cutting the mini grip feels like a fixed blade and cuts much deeper than the delica.
when cutting with force with the delica there is slight up down side to side blade play.
To me there is no real differnce in the blade steel.
If you plan on useing the knife for light cutting edc-the delica wins (for me)
If you plan on hard cutting, like thick rope,thick papper sacks (for me) then the grip will be better.
all in all get what you like.
 
The Delica is more comfortable in the hand and slimmer; the handle is full-sized. I think for purely utilitarian purposes, the Delica would be better. It has a better slicing flat grind, better steel, a thin blade, and good ergos. However, the axis lock functions much better than the lockback. It depends on your personal preference; neither knife is an underperformer in any category.
 
hogslayer said:
I have both the mini grip and the FFG deica they are two of my favorites
The delica carrys better in the pocket, has great texture and jimping
The mini grip does not carry well in the pocket for me but it makes up for it,
when doing some hard cutting the mini grip feels like a fixed blade and cuts much deeper than the delica.
when cutting with force with the delica there is slight up down side to side blade play.
To me there is no real differnce in the blade steel.
If you plan on useing the knife for light cutting edc-the delica wins (for me)
If you plan on hard cutting, like thick rope,thick papper sacks (for me) then the grip will be better.
all in all get what you like.
Click to expand...

I think this sums it up. I got a Griptilian in a trade in much more used condition than the other party led on, so I abused it for spite. In the end, when I gave it away, the action was smoother and the knife looked and functioned as well as it did when I got it (which was essentially like a new one).
But for some reason I prefer full flat grind to saber grind, tip down to tip up carry, and a hole to a thumb stud. I also prefer a knife whose strong suit is slicing, since I tend to use it mostly on soft materials.
In the end, you're going to get both eventually, so just go with the one that made the better first impression.
 
Welcome to Blade Forums tl91! Both are great knives and Sean and Rodney at S & R Knives are good guys. I've been dealing with them for years. They also have an ebay store under the seller name "caledon2".
I was there just yesterday exchanging a Zero Tolerance 0200 for a 0350 with Rodney. What I'd recommend is to research your prices online first and see if they'll match or at least come close to the pricing.
They didn't have the Mini Grip in stock but I did see regular and FFG Delica4s there.

As for the knives themselves, I've got 3 Minis - a regular 556, a 556SBK (black coated blade with partial serrations), and a Ritter Mini Grip. The Ritter is my favorite but costs about $110US or so. IMO it has the best blade shape.
The blades are about the same length but the Delica's handle is much longer than the Grip's. I prefer the Axis lock over the Delica's lockback type.
I find the Delica4 has a nicer finished handle compared to the Grip's.

Here are some pics for reference:
NigelsKnifeCollection2008-06-2102SpydercosBenchmades.jpg
'
KnifeCollection2009-06-1203.jpg
 
I actually made that decision a year and some ago. I got to handle both of them and these were my impressions at the time:

Minigrip: Pros: Nice blade shape, lock. Cons: Rather poor balance, grip texturing was too aggressive and plastic-y feeling, didn't care much for the thumb studs, grip was nicely contoured, but felt too small to hold properly, weirdly bulky.

Delica 4 (saber): Pros: Excellent grip ergos, balance, and texturing, thumb hole and ramp, overall blade shape, slim profile. Cons: Strange finger choil which reduces blade length, not pointy enough, mid-lock, poor handle/blade ratio.

I bought the D4 straight away.

Now for current opinions on the D4. I still think the choil could have been smaller, but having it there allows for one hand closing with ease. The point can be easily reprofiled to be... pointy. And I quite like the mid-lock now, despite owning liner lock knives and having handled many Axis knives. I don't think the handle needs o to be that long, but I'm used to it now.

Long story short, I still wholeheartedly recommend the Delica 4. It has handled everything I tossed at it and then some, despite having a relatively small blade.

Of course, its all subjective, so YMMV. :p
 
I don't like the the Grip in 154CM steel. Maybe I got one with a bad heat treat but I need to sharpen it way more often than any of my VG10 blades. My Emerson with 154CM holds an edge better than the VG10 hence my suspicion of the heat treat. I'd go with the Ritter or one from Cabela's in D2 if you decide on the Grip. I like how the Delica carries because it's flat. They are both classic EDC knives and I get along fine with either one. Handle both and choose the one that feels best.
 
I carried a full serrated stainless steel handle Delica for ten years as my only knife. I bought Mini-Grip with the thumbhole and modified sheepsfoot blade for Christmas 2009 and only carried it for a few months before I bought another Delica. Go with the Delica.

Andrew
 
the grip is miles ahead of the delica. the better competitor for the price would be the native, which has better ergonomics and steel (but I still prefer the grip).
 
Are we permitted to suggest knives beyond those two?

On Spyderco: as mentioned, the Native would be my choice.

On Benchmade: I find the Mini Grip just a tad too small. The Mini Bone Collector, on the other hand, is knockdown perfect. Handles also re a terrific shape, and the ridges in the G10 just grip your hand. This is my edc and to[ choice.
 
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