Benchmade, Spyderco, or Cold Steel

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Sep 2, 2013
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To be more specific, Griptilian vs Paramilitary vs mini recon 1. Which would you get and why? Which one do you think is the most sheeple friendly? Which is the best bang for my buck? I live in Toronto and the prices are 100 for the Griptilian, 160 for the paramilitary and 80 for the mini recon 1.
 
Griptilian. I rarely carry my PM2 but my mini grip gets a whole lot of love. The compression lock is kinda cool, but nowhere near the axis lock to me. The Cold Steel shouldn't even be in the running against the other two IMHO.
 
I can tell you the mini-recon is waaay smaller than the other two if that matters to you. In regards to the others two- it was para 2 over the ritter grip by a bit and after I got my custom scales the Ritter Grip took the fav position. But, they are both great folder IMO.
 
Dress and act like an average normal member of society and most people will not notice your carry. I once walked by a table of RCMP in the north, at a Timmy Hortons and asked them a question about road conditions. I heard the female officer quickly whisper to her fellow officers '' he's got a knife'', which I could barely hear. But this meant nothing to me as: A. I'm a harmless fart that's into hunting and fishing. And B. Officers are trained to observe body language and any possible threats for their own protection. I don't blame them because I've seen what they have to deal with, in some locations....BTW, it was a standard Buck 110 in the leather sheath on my belt, under a jacket. Can't help you with your knife choice but there is youtube.
 
Dress and act like an average normal member of society and most people will not notice your carry. I once walked by a table of RCMP in the north, at a Timmy Hortons and asked them a question about road conditions. I heard the female officer quickly whisper to her fellow officers '' he's got a knife'', which I could barely hear. But this meant nothing to me as: A. I'm a harmless fart that's into hunting and fishing. And B. Officers are trained to observe body language and any possible threats for their own protection. I don't blame them because I've seen what they have to deal with, in some locations....BTW, it was a standard Buck 110 in the leather sheath on my belt, under a jacket. Can't help you with your knife choice but there is youtube.

LOL what? They actually discussed, somewhat covertly, that you had a knife? What a strange place, Canada.

As for the OP's question, I'd get the Griptilian. I don't know what might be acceptable where you're from, but around here nobody cares so it's just not something I think about. I'd get what I like the best.
 
Griptilian. I rarely carry my PM2 but my mini grip gets a whole lot of love. The compression lock is kinda cool, but nowhere near the axis lock to me.

i was thinking the opposite. that axis lock just hasn't won me over with that omega spring.
 
The Paramilitary and Griptilian are possibly Spyderco and Benchmade's most popular, best-selling knives right at the moment. The most common complaint about the Grip is that the hollowed plastic handles (particularly in the larger model) feel "cheap", though some testing has proven them plenty strong. I'm not aware of any common and consistent complaint(s) about the Paramilitary.

The most non-threatening knife would probably be the mini Grip, which is my choice, but then again I have small hands and some people prefer a larger knife. I can't speak to the mini recon 1. Without being more specific about what you're looking for and what you're not looking for in a knife, you could probably flip a coin between the Grip and the Paramilitary, and you'd be unlikely to be severely disappointed with either one. They're both terrific designs. I LOVE my Paramilitary, but for my suburban/office purposes, it's overkill and I've been EDC'ing a mini Grip for most of the year.
(Sorry if that's not helpful.)
 
If it's any consolation I had a Para2 for about 2 weeks before I traded it away. It just wasn't for me. Out of what you posted to compare the Benchmade is the most carry friendly due to weight and general usability. The Para2 like I said I am biased on so I will refrain from bashing. Finally the Mini-Recon while stout will more than likely fail to compare to the Benchmade and the Spyderco.

My vote: handle them in person if capable then decide.
 
Griptilian. I rarely carry my PM2 but my mini grip gets a whole lot of love. The compression lock is kinda cool, but nowhere near the axis lock to me. The Cold Steel shouldn't even be in the running against the other two IMHO.

Maybe give the OP some info and not just a blatantly non helpful statement. The cold steel is easily a run for the others money. It is the best bang for the buck being the cheapest and as tough as the other two. The steel is Very tough just not super wear resistant. And the Triad Lock is amazing. Any lock can wear out and fail. Ive seen it in my mini grip axis in the past as well. Easily failing light spine whacks from a year of wear. Its happens and they fixed it. All are great, but info on the positives of each would help.

To the OP. After owning all of these in the past. The para is very nice and is a great slicer for the money and is a very fun knife. The mini grip is too small IMO although ambidextrous. The mini recon is tough as nails for the money if $ is an issue this time of year. Id also have to say look at the Mini AK for a great price as well..

YOUTUBE can really help you picture them in your hand at chuckie cheese cutting a slice of pizza in front of the sheeple!
 
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i was thinking the opposite. that axis lock just hasn't won me over with that omega spring.

How many times have you had an omega spring fail? Because I have carried my mini grip more than any other two knives put together. Even when I'm not using it, I flick it open. I play with the axis lock. I torture that poor little guy. I have never had a problem with an omega spring and I'm not remotely concerned that I will any time soon. The only way I can possibly imagine it failing is if the springs corrode, but I have a friend that has carried his mini grip for the better part of a decade and hasn't had that problem.
 
I EDC a full sized 551 grip and love it. But the Para 2 is going to be my next folder purchase, I gotta have both!!!!!!. If you want a sheeple friendly folder pick up a blue or green Spyderco Delica.
 
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How many times have you had an omega spring fail? Because I have carried my mini grip more than any other two knives put together. Even when I'm not using it, I flick it open. I play with the axis lock. I torture that poor little guy. I have never had a problem with an omega spring and I'm not remotely concerned that I will any time soon. The only way I can possibly imagine it failing is if the springs corrode, but I have a friend that has carried his mini grip for the better part of a decade and hasn't had that problem.

This doesn't have to be a debate on what the best lock is. Lets just guide the OP for once and give some info and what the positive a attributes are of each knife at their price point.
 
Maybe give the OP some info and not just a blatantly non helpful statement. The cold steel is easily a run for the others money. It is the best bang for the buck being the cheapest and as tough as the other two. The steel is Very tough just not super wear resistant. And the Triad Lock is amazing.

To the OP. After owning all of these in the past. The para is very nice and is a great slicer for the money and is a very fun knife. The mini grip is too small IMO although ambidextrous. The mini recon is tough as nails for the money if $ is an issue this time of year. Id also have to say look at the Mini AK for a great price as well..

I wouldn't equate "cheapest" to "best bang for the buck". If I were picking a knife solely on the ability of the lock to withstand ludicrous spine whacking forces, then I might consider Cold Steel. Then again, I've never seen anything from Cold Steel that appealed to me. That's why I said IMHO ;)

That being said, I think judging by your user name you might be a little biased :p
 
I wouldn't equate "cheapest" to "best bang for the buck". If I were picking a knife solely on the ability of the lock to withstand ludicrous spine whacking forces, then I might consider Cold Steel. Then again, I've never seen anything from Cold Steel that appealed to me. That's why I said IMHO ;)

That being said, I think judging by your user name you might be a little biased :p

Tell me about it. My mistake when I EDC a ZT. I knew no one else would take this ridiculous name. That why I took it LOL. And like I said I answered the question of bang for the buck. My first choice is the para 2 for a great slicer and just as tough with a great utility blade
 
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That is a tuff call. For the price I would go with the Griptilian even though the Para 2 comes in very close. I think they are both great knives and the steels as well as locks are very good. The Cold Steel is a good knife as well but the steel is not as good as the others. I really like the handles and G10 on the Para 2, but the Griptilian is very ergonomic as well.
 
Given the choices, I would go for the Griptilian. It's a lightweight workhorse, plenty tough, decent steel and orange or yellow handles can make poeple think 'tool' rather than weapon. The Para 2 is, IMO, the nicest of the three, but I don't consider it 60% nicer than a Grip. The Mini-Recon is a tiny tank, but the Grip is a better slicer and more comfortable in the hand. Combine that with the smooth, one-handed operation of the Axis lock and I think the Grip is easily worth the extra $20. Cold Steel makes some great knives, but few are office-friendly and, IMHO, $80 seems high for the Mini-Recon.
 
I have all three.

They're all great knives, really. Which one you choose should depend on what's important to you. My favorite out of them is the Recon 1, but I wouldn't say that any of the three are objectively better than the others. You should see if you can handle them first. See what's right for you.
 
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