Recommendation? Code4 spear point vs Mini Griptilian

[LostCause]

Price is just 10€ difference, and I like both.

What are pros and cons of each?

Or I might just not buy anything (also an option) but I don't have a single folder at the moment... so I don't know what to do.

 

[Dergyll]

Here, my scientific opinions
The code 4 is a little too slick for me, but had a very robust blade and is pretty light amd thin for its size. Handle feels solid and triad locks up solid. Handle fits me pretty well, but is slick. Mine came with a very very well tuned triad lock, I can easily flick it open and 1-hand close it, something which I hesitate (or have trouble) with other cold steels.

Minigrip feels tiny in the hand but grippy. Slightly cheaper feeling due to the material, and doesn't have a slicey blade like the code 4...it's a small thiccboy. Fun to fidget with and very nimble in hand due to the more neutral Handle.

Good luck

Edit: forgot to mention the code 4 has a slightly difficult to use clip. If there's an aftermarket one somewhere, I'd jump on it.

 

[LostCause]

Here, my scientific opinions
The code 4 is a little too slick for me, but had a very robust blade and is pretty light amd thin for its size. Handle feels solid and triad locks up solid. Handle fits me pretty well, but is slick. Mine came with a very very well tuned triad lock, I can easily flick it open and 1-hand close it, something which I hesitate (or have trouble) with other cold steels.

Minigrip feels tiny in the hand but grippy. Slightly cheaper feeling due to the material, and doesn't have a slicey blade like the code 4...it's a small thiccboy. Fun to fidget with and very nimble in hand due to the more neutral Handle.

Good luck

Thanks for detailed feedback!

 

[gazz98]

Dergyll summed it up well. Do you have the option of the Cold Steel (CS) Ultimate Hunter black G10 or the CS American Lawman for a few euros more? Both the Ultimate Hunter (UH) and American Lawman (AL) are similar in size to the Code 4 but both have G10 handles so you avoid the slick feeling handles. I prefer the UH over the AL due to fatter handles (I have a big hand). I find the UH more comfortable. If you wear a small or medium size or want a thinner knife, nothing wrong with the AL. Either way, for a few euros more, so get a similar knife with G10 handles.

Also, the Minigrip is quite a bit smaller than the Code 4. Are you maybe looking at the full size Griptilian? It is similar in size to the Code 4.

 

[LostCause]

Dergyll summed it up well. Do you have the option of the Cold Steel (CS) Ultimate Hunter black G10 or the CS American Lawman for a few euros more? Both the Ultimate Hunter (UH) and American Lawman (AL) are similar in size to the Code 4 but both have G10 handles so you avoid the slick feeling handles. I prefer the UH over the AL due to fatter handles (I have a big hand). I find the UH more comfortable. If you wear a small or medium size or want a thinner knife, nothing wrong with the AL. Either way, for a few euros more, so get a similar knife with G10 handles.

Also, the Minigrip is quite a bit smaller than the Code 4. Are you maybe looking at the full size Griptilian? It is similar in size to the Code 4.

Full size grip is just 5€ over the price of Code4, but I prefer something small, that being said I might change my mind when I see it IRL.

Other Cold Steels aren't discounted so they're around 60€ more.

At that price point - it's Benchmade all day, any day...

 

[King of the Cheese]

Go with the Benchmade. Cold Steel warranty support sucks now, and while the Code 4 looks flashy and is very robust, the aluminum scales are slick and there are some sharp corners to it when the blade is closed. Also, the pocket clip is tight so it’s difficult to take out and out in pocket. I would rather have the code 4 if I was stabbing holes in the hood of a car.. and since I don’t do that, it’s the Benchmade for me.

 

[LostCause]

Go with the Benchmade. Cold Steel warranty support sucks now, and while the Code 4 looks flashy and is very robust, the aluminum scales are slick and there are some sharp corners to it when the blade is closed. Also, the pocket clip is tight so it’s difficult to take out and out in pocket. I would rather have the code 4 if I was stabbing holes in the hood of a car.. and since I don’t do that, it’s the Benchmade for me.

Now this is the kind of comment I was looking for.
I completely forgot on the warranty.

Benchmade suddenly looks much better.

 

[LostCause]

I just checked and full size Griptilian is same price as Code4... I might go for that then.

 

[DocJD]

Code 4 is the better knife for a better value , IMO .

Tri-ad lock , S35VN , Aluminum handle that carries thinner and lighter than most Cold Steel

The grip is sufficient for most uses , because of the ergonomic handle shape .

I have an older model CTS-XHP , the handle finish is not nearly as slick as expected and once a full grip is achieved , it feels solid and secure .

 

[LLRJ17]

If you're considering a full size Griptilian then you might want to check out the Ritter Hogue.

 

[LostCause]

If you're considering a full size Griptilian then you might want to check out the Ritter Hogue.

It's sadly not available here...

Code 4 is the better knife for a better value , IMO .

Tri-ad lock , S35VN , Aluminum handle that carries thinner and lighter than most Cold Steel

The grip is sufficient for most uses , because of the ergonomic handle shape .

I have an older model CTS-XHP , the handle finish is not nearly as slick as expected and once a full grip is achieved , it feels solid and secure .

Code 4 has a bit better steel and would carry better, but if it's anything like Voyager I had then one handed opening and closing kinda sucks.

I don't plan to use it for hours but slippery metal handle doesn't sound that good. I believe old model is good, and I might buy S35VN version now but if I see a new logo on it - that'll be one more point for Benchmade.

Finally warranty - I checked some FB groups and quick searches show users complaining at CS not even answering their e-mails so there's that. Buying a knife with no warranty and with questionable QC by new owners (I found complains on that too) is not looking that good.

On the other side I've seen Benchmade griptilian batonned without issues, and Axis lock knives in general can take more force than any real world scenario can put on them...

 

[King of the Cheese]

I just checked and full size Griptilian is same price as Code4... I might go for that then.

The full size is too much knife IMHO. I’ve owned both, several of them, and the small never lacked for cutting ability. The large is a bit much. I wish there was one in between honestly but there is benefit to the small size of the mini. Easily pocketed and easy to control.

 

[LostCause]

The full size is too much knife IMHO. I’ve owned both, several of them, and the small never lacked for cutting ability. The large is a bit much. I wish there was one in between honestly but there is benefit to the small size of the mini. Easily pocketed and easy to control.

I'm mostly concerned about one handed opening. I mostly need my knife while I'm doing something already.

With triad lock - that's hard.

So far it's been easy with ESEE Candiru as I just reach for my pocket and pull while pushing the sheath with my thumb and that's it. But then I sometimes have to hold it with my mouth like a pirate or put it aside until I have both hands to return it to sheath that stayed in my pocket

But yeah, a stainless folder to go along with rugged fixie would be ideal.

Being robust isn't much of a factor as I got the ESEE for such tasks, and I doubt even Code4 can survive such abuse. So main concern is one handed opening.

 

[King of the Cheese]

I'm mostly concerned about one handed opening. I mostly need my knife while I'm doing something already.

With triad lock - that's hard.

So far it's been easy with ESEE Candiru as I just reach for my pocket and pull while pushing the sheath with my thumb and that's it. But then I sometimes have to hold it with my mouth like a pirate or put it aside until I have both hands to return it to sheath that stayed in my pocket

But yeah, a stainless folder to go along with rugged fixie would be ideal.

Being robust isn't much of a factor as I got the ESEE for such tasks, and I doubt even Code4 can survive such abuse. So main concern is one handed opening.

If ease of opening is the main concern, I’d further suggest the sheepsfoot mini grip with the thumb hole.

 

[Lee D]

Go with the Benchmade. Cold Steel warranty support sucks now

This

 

[DocJD]

closing

Most CS folders are built to have the unsharpened base of the blade stop safely on your hand in any forward grip .

As shown in pic. This is not the grip I'd use to close , just shows the safety concept :

 

[LostCause]

If ease of opening is the main concern, I’d further suggest the sheepsfoot mini grip with the thumb hole.

Sheepsfoot will probably never enter my pocket... I prefer my blades pointy.

 

[King of the Cheese]

Sheepsfoot will probably never enter my pocket... I prefer my blades pointy.

It’s plenty pointy. Just has a nice hollow grind to it as well. Have you seen one?

 

[DocJD]

If warranty or customer parts and service is a concern , from all reports GSM fails hugely .

Not a big thing for me because I've never needed that service from Cold Steel .

If something is wrong , as received , it gets returned to seller .

Still sucks to not have even simple replacement parts , and no excuse except greed and stupidity .

 

[midnight flyer]

I think the most important thing to consider would be buying the knife from someone you trust and someone that will take returns. Bought a CODE4 a few years ago and it was a gorgeous piece of work with a wicked edge on it. But... it felt like they had poured sand on the pivot before assembly. It ground and grated pretty badly, and no matter how much flushing and blade exercising I did, it wouldn't quit. Since I was going to use it as a lightweight kind of work knife, I was also concerned about the smooth scales and thin frame. To top it off, the Triad lock was so stiff I had to work to close it. Back it went.

My nephew wanted a "good knife" so I decided on the Mini Grip. Waaaayyyy too small in the hand for me, but then it wasn't for me, it was for him. (I can cover a Mini Grip in my palm.) This was purchased at a time when BM was having sporatic quality control issues, so I looked at 3 - 4 to get one that lined up right, had good grinds and smooth action. He loved the knife, and since it was his ONLY knife, he worked it hard. He is an outdoors kind of guy and he used it daily. After about a year the lock had a fair amount of play (never came unlocked, though) and the only thing he didn't like about it was for bigger work on his property it was a bit small. I told him to contact BM to see if they could tighten up the lock since it moved enough to make it click, and they told him no. Now they did tell him that if it FAILED, they would repair it if they accepted the circumstances of its failure. I thought that was a stupid response, but then I think of all the guys that try to baton with a folder, spine whack the crap out of them for "testing" purposes, and all manner of other idiot stuff. So, OK. But then, about six months later he lost it.

It brings two things to mind. What are you going to use the knife for and who you buy it from. I have several CS knives and use the crap out of all of them, and thankfully, haven't needed anything from them. I hope if that day comes that GSM has their warranty situation sorted. I heard from a friend of mine that they will honor the warranty on a CS knife IF you have proof of purchase. He didn't, I don't, so if one breaks I might be screwed.