Considering these two knives - any thoughts from owners or experts?

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yacoub

Joined
Nov 18, 2006
Messages
137
In reverse order, ;) .
The Mini-Grip is a very good knife, but it is a lot smaller than the other two. When I carried mine, I took the clip off and carried it loose in the bottom of my pocket. I must admit I was both surprised and disappointed in the size when I first saw one in person (the one I bought over the internet)

The ATR is a large but slim knife, very easy to carry in spite of its size. The VG-10 steel holds up to my usage better than the 154CM of the Mini-Grip, and the compression lock is quite ambidextrous, secure and strong. The only caveat I have for this one is the cobra hood can snag on the corner of your pocket when you pull the knife out, causing it to open like a Wave feature, which can be bad if you don't expect it.

The Stretch is one Spydie I am not familiar with personally, but I have read a lot of positive comments about it from others, and no negatives that I can recall. Aside from the pricetag, that is :D

Hope this helps a little :thumbup:
 
thanks it definitely helps to hear owner feedback! =)

While i doubt I'll EDC it literally EVERY day, EDC comfort is important.
 
The Stretch makes for a great EDC knife for general tasks. Although, it could handle touch tasks like yard work and come out fine. The inserts on the handle add a bit of grip to the whole thing and makes it a lot less slippery, unlike the all stainless steel Spyderco models. My only complaint is that I wish the handle were a bit fuller. That's just IMHO. I plan to have the inserts replaced with some other material to give it that fuller grip.

The Mini-Grip is great. I got one for a beater some time ago and carried for quit some time (I had the 440C model). The blade got surprisingly sharp and held an edge while. To me, that one is the best of the 3 for a EDC.

The ATR does snag pockets, but I hadn't been too worried about it. It has great ergos and the blade sharpens well, holds an edge and, IMHO, has a blade shape great for good cutting. The only minus to me is the all metal handle. Definitely not for slippery situations or very cold days.

Hope this helps
 
All three are great knives. The reason I've never picked up a Grip, despite my admiration for the knife overall, is that I don't like the thickness of the handle for the size. Just too bulky for me. It's a classic, just not for me.

I like the ATR also, but for me the winner of the bunch is the Stretch, a sort-of sleeper for Spyderco. Awesome blade shape, full flat grind that beats the grinds on the ATR and Grip, just plain great knife.
 
I dig the blade shape on all three, both for cutting and sd use, but hadn't thought about the drawbacks to an all-metal handle that you guys have brought up such as slip and cold. (makes me glad I asked!) =)

Any recommendations for something similar to the ATR in design and style but with a better (more grippy) handle?

I do want to keep choices to the smaller size that is pocketable, and a blade material that is high end so it isn't as prone to rust and wear.
 
Joe Talmadge said:
All three are great knives. The reason I've never picked up a Grip, despite my admiration for the knife overall, is that I don't like the thickness of the handle for the size. Just too bulky for me. It's a classic, just not for me.
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Joe,

If you have handled the mini-Grip, then you have made an informed decision and can forget the following. If not, what I say may of interest. I have a mini-Grip and find the handle a bit small for my grip. I still use it, however, and think it's a great knife. My point is that if the mini-Grip handle was thinner, I wouldn't like it. Because of the smallness of the handle in general, I believe the added thickness is quite necessary to give a decent grip to a small handle.

YACOUB: As for the other knives, I don't like usually like all metal handles, especially steel (the ATR). Others have already pointed out the reasons. I have a few with aluminum handles but aluminum warms faster in cold weather and they are power-coated or have non-slip inserts for a good grip.

The ATR is not a small knife. Its closed length is 5 1/8" which is only 3/8" less than the Military, which is considered a large folder. It can still be EDC'ed but just want you to know it's not small. The closed length of the Stretch is 4 1/4". A big difference from the ATR. To compare the ATR with the mini-Grip as a self defense knife is a mistake. The ATR is quite large and was designed as a tactical knife. The min-Grip is more like a "pocket knife" compared to the ATR. Sort of like comparing a 9mm semi-auto to a 22 long rifle revolver.

I can see comparing the two Spyderco's but the mini-Grip needs to be assessed on its own or against other knives of the same size and similar design. It really doesn't fit into the Spyderco group as fair comparison.

The Stretch is a fine knife. The Kraton inserts provide a good grip and the knife is comfortable to carry. From what you have said, it would be my choice of the three. Some say it's a little thin but that also helps may it comforable to EDC. You must make the final choice but I believe you would like this knife the best of the three.

Are there other to choose from? Many. But that's another story.

Regards
 
I think what may have fooled him is the fact that the Mini-Grip is a lot smaller than the pictures make it look. I bought a 551 first, and found it a little bulky for EDC, so I ordered a 556. I was shocked at how much smaller it was. I was expecting a size relationship more like the Manix/Mini-Manix than the Delica/Ladybug. I agree that the Mini-Grip should be considered separately, because it is definitely not in the same class as the other two.

And thanks for chiming in on the Stretch, guys. :D I live in the middle of nowhere, so I have never even seen one.
 
I've handled all three on a number of occasions. Owned an ATR, and Grip and sold both later. The ATR is too thin, the BM grip too thick but the Stretch is about perfect. Both the Stretch and ATR are on the heavy side due to all the stainless but I do like the grippy center in the handle of the Stretch better than the holes and overall I liked the knife better. I also hated the pocket clip on the ATR quite a bit for the style, look, tightness and how high it makes the knife sit in the pocket.

Knowing what I know now I'd opt for the Stretch. The fact that its a lockback is just that much more reason for me to go for that one also as its my favorite style lock.

STR
 
If you can do the same, it will help. When you get down to it, they look different but will probably perform very similar. They feel different in the hand, find what's most comfortable for you.

Other than that, it's really up to you.
 
Hmmm now I'll have to find a knife shop in my area... lol =)

I wonder what's around the Howard County area of MD...
 
I'm EDC'ing my Stretch these days. It's a great feeling knife in the hand and an awesome cutting blade. The full height flat grind makes this knife a joy to cut with.

Thumbs up for the Stretch!
 
Another fan of the Stretch here. I had a Leek and a BM670 with custom bloodwood handles that I did, and when I got the Stretch, I found myself carrying that more so than my 670. This is even after I modified my 670 with wood scales! The stretch has a nice weight to it and fits very well in my hand despite how thin it is. The blade is a beautiful shape and is one of the sharpest Ive encountered. The only downside, which was quickly remedied, was that the rubber inserts tended to grip onto my pants when I was putting it in and pulling the knife out of my pocket. After the clip settled and loosened up, it was okay. Another thing that you might notice is that, your fingerprints and oils get on the blade and show very easily. So if you want your blade to be flawless at all times...you might have to wipe it down frequently. The Stretch is an amazing knife and I recommend it.
 
yacoub said:
bladeprince: I also have my eye on the 75mm Persian Spyderco (http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=204 ) however I'm not sure what the strength of the tip is like with that design. It seems to me like it's asking to be chipped off, but maybe that's just the way it looks from the angle of the picture there.

update: also the Centofante4: http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=6990
Click to expand...

Consider them if you like but if you go over the posts, I think you will find that the Stretch is the knife that most everyone is "voting" for.

The Persian blade is quite different so it sort of "back to the drawing board" again. Centofante is a nice knife but I have to stick with my original choice. If I was buying (with the choices you have listed), I would not hestitate. The Stretch is still tops.

Choosing knives to buy is fun and this is just a start. But if you don't mind just a bit of advice, you just need to buy this mother, play with is, read the forum, then start another search. It will be easier next time (it's like sex). You're driving youself crazy and the knife styles you are comparing are all over the map.

Knife comparisons need to be between knives that are similar. Such as the Persian and the Chinook, for example.

Go buy the Stretch. You won't regret it. You just need to get layed (my metaphor for "you need a knife in your pocket").

Go for it...good luck.
 
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