Bigger than a Mini Grip, Smaller than a Grip

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dzlvs8

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Jun 13, 2013
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I have been on what seems to be a never ending quest for a knife that is slightly larger than a mini grip in the handle size and maybe also have a blade that is in between the size of the mini and the regular grip. I'm looking for something in G10 or zytel. Basically, something very durable. I'm not looking for anything fancy but I want it to be of an excellent quality and capable of at least semi hard use. If you have any recommendations for a knife, I would welcome them.

So far I have decided on either a CQC7 or a mini cqc7. I've always liked it more than any other Emerson. So right now I'm thinking of going with one to fill this hole between the grip and mini grip size. I'm very familiar with its +'s and -'s but I am unfamiliar with the actual size of the regular cqc7. Basically the mini has a great handle length but the tanto gives it a less effective cutting edge length vs my mini grip. So I am interested in the normal CQC7. Here's my question. I've searched countless videos and cant find many comparisons. Does anyone have a size comparison of a CQC7 vs a griptilian or a paramilitary 2. Or can anyone share their thoughts on whether the size of the cqc7 3.3" tanto (which always looks smaller than any non tanto to me) looks a lot smaller than the griptilian blade? I really don't need anymore big knives for work, but I don't want to go with anything with a smaller usable edge than a mini grip. THANKS
 
This may not be what your looking for, but have you looked at the large Buck Vantage ? My 345 fits nicely between my 556 mini grip, and my 551 Griptilian. And the blade is 3.25" bigger than the 2.97" mini, and smaller than the 3.45 of the Griptilian. Cheap enough at under $30 online, and durable enough. I love mine.
 
I forgot the pocket clip is very deep carry and it has zytel scales. I do like Emerson knives too but I'm not a fan of the chisel grind.
 
The large Buck Vantage is pretty nice. You can get the Pro version for around $60 (G10 scales, S30V blade). The Ontario RAT II is also just slightly larger than the mini-Grip (3" blade vs. 2.9", 4" handle vs. 3.9", 7" OAL vs. 6.8") and can be had for about $30. The Kershaw Skyline (3.25" blade, 4.25" handle) also fits the size you're looking for. It's a thin and lightweight knife (not as much heft as the others mentioned), but it is a plenty tough knife.

I don't have a RAT II, but here are the Vantages (small and large) next to the small and large Grips.
1062228_comparison1_800x518.jpg


This one has the Skyline with the Grips.
1064123_comparison_800x497.jpg
 
Something that immediately came to mind is a cold steel mini recon 1. Around a 3" blade and a handle that should allow for a full handed grip. It would meet your desire for something very durable, yet it is still fairly light weight and has a very useable blade shape.
 
I've held the Buck Mini Pro Vantage and it was nice except for the small handle size. Maybe it's time for me to take another look at Vantage, but now the larger one. Thanks.
Recon 1 looks nice. I forgot that it comes in that smaller size. But I'm not a fan of the lock back/two handed closing.
 
The pics and the discussion has reminded me that you may like a ffg Delica 4.yeah it's a lock back, but it can be closed with 1 hand, and nice and light.
 
I have both the Kershaw Random task and the Kershaw mini task and the "mini" feels much better in the hand than the full sized version. I have sharpened the mini enough it is evolving into a mini scimitar for the edge
 
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