Have the mini-grip and rat 2 (D2) been toped in their respective price-range ?

C

Chapp

Joined
Mar 28, 2018
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190
Titles says it all.

Years after, it still seems (to me), the benchmade mini-grip and the Ontario rat II are still the best in their respective price-range. What do you think ? Is it still the case ?
 
One of the (maybe) three things we can all agree on here, is that there is nothing we agree on!

Yes, I know. Enjoy the cognitive dissonance. This is the Internet. Welcome.

"Best knife" is like trying to hold smoke in your hands. The RAT is awfully good, and you'll get a lot of agreement about it being very near the top of it's price category.

The Grip? Still good, but Kershaw and Spyderco have competitive models in the same price range. It depends on what your priorities are, regarding steel type, blade geometry, and lock type.
 
Shorttime said:
One of the (maybe) three things we can all agree on here, is that there is nothing we agree on!

Yes, I know. Enjoy the cognitive dissonance. This is the Internet. Welcome.

"Best knife" is like trying to hold smoke in your hands. The RAT is awfully good, and you'll get a lot of agreement about it being very near the top of it's price category.

The Grip? Still good, but Kershaw and Spyderco have competitive models in the same price range. It depends on what your priorities are, regarding steel type, blade geometry, and lock type.
Click to expand...

No problem with the disagree, it's what a forum is made for.

So, what are the models you think are as good as those in the price-range (50~100) ?
 
Heh. I've had another tab open for the past half hour, researching this question. You know, for posterity.

For the Griptilian, I have to put some "fences" around my answer, first.

1) Benchmade's pricing guidelines have opened them up to competition. If dealers could set their own prices, you could get a vanilla Mini Grip for $80 new, and it would be impossible to beat.

2) There are a lot of specifics that go into purchasing decisions for knife knuts. People like Spyderco for their consistent quality control and excellent slicing performance. If you've ever encountered a broken Omega spring, it can turn you away from the Axis lock, forever. Any knife purchase is a balancing decision that includes the emotional response of the buyer. So any answer can only be my opinion.

Now.

Prices for Griptilians on Knifecenter range from $93 and some change, up to just over $190 for the fancy one with the gray slabs and the 20Cv blade. I'm not going to count that Gold class version.

In this territory, I like the Buck Vantage, any of the Cold Steel Voyager series (plus or minus serrated blades), the Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter, the Boker Squail, the Kershaw Leek (perhaps the closest in size and shape to the Grip), Stedemon, Fox, Steel Will, and Fallkniven all have offerings in this price range, and the choices cover a huge range of blade steels, bevel grinds, blade lengths and thicknesses, lock types, and handle choices.

There are many avid fans of Spyderco on BF, and for them, the Native, Delica, Salt, and Stretch are all in this range.

I've skipped a lot, but you get the idea: it's a bewildering array of choices.
 
I feel the Steel Will Cutjack in M390 and G10 to be a better deal against the high end grips and the Delica can offer models comparable to high and low end grips alike price wise, but often having higher end materials at a similar price point.

The Steel Will Cutjack in D2 to give the Ontario Rat 2 a run for its money, especially with the Cutjack being $10 cheaper.
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Let's not forget that the patent on the manual Axis lock knives (non auto), has expired. So other companies or custom makers are free to use it. I am saying this in case the Axis lock is your primary draw to Benchmade (because it isn't for their F&F)...
 
God no. I think Kizer, Cold Steel, Spyderco, Kershaw and any number of others offer much better bang for your buck than literally any Benchmade on the market.

The Rat 2 in D2 is a better value proposition, but the ESEE Zancudo in D2 is right there with it (and a better slicer), the Steel Will D2 knives I think are better and the Ruike and Real Steel knives in 14c28n are very, very good as well.

There's nothing wrong with either knife at all, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them, but the outpouring of new, affordable blades with good steels and innovative designs has dropped the Rat to the middle of the pack and MAP pricing has left the grip far behind in value terms.
 
I'm not sure if it's possible to declare a "Best Knife" at any given price point. We can name off several options that have good materials, nice fit/finish, utility and are backed by good companies but "Best Knife" is very subjective. Everyone has different needs for ergos, function and pleasure for the eye.

That's why threads like this invariably stretch for multiple pages with conflicting opinions :).

We're living in a kind of Golden Age of knives where we have unrivaled quality, value, design and availability. Almost every day a new knife comes out that is a damn fine cutting tool. It's hard for a "Best Knife Candidate" from yesterday to maintain that status for long.

So, that being said...in my opinion the best knife at $XX price is the one you have with you and that works when you need it.
 
Great post! I own more Spydercos and Benchmades than most other brands, but it is absolutely refreshing to see someone who has a broad range of taste and appreciation for various brands and styles of knives, and who actually pays attention to the models, instead of just blanketing all offerings from a given manufacturer as "good" or "bad". Well done.

Shorttime said:
In this territory, I like the Buck Vantage, any of the Cold Steel Voyager series (plus or minus serrated blades), the Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter, the Boker Squail, the Kershaw Leek (perhaps the closest in size and shape to the Grip), Stedemon, Fox, Steel Will, and Fallkniven all have offerings in this price range, and the choices cover a huge range of blade steels, bevel grinds, blade lengths and thicknesses, lock types, and handle choices.
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rje58 said:
Great post! I own more Spydercos and Benchmades than most other brands, but it is absolutely refreshing to see someone who has a broad range of taste and appreciation for various brands and styles of knives, and who actually pays attention to the models, instead of just blanketing all offerings from a given manufacturer as "good" or "bad". Well done.
Click to expand...

Yep! As a fan of CRKT, I've had plenty of experience with their heat treat protocol which is...... variable.....

Most of them are very good. But if you buy enough of them, you'll get one that is just a bread knife. So as much as I like CRKT, they're taught me that "good" can come from the same place as "bad".
 
It depends on what you’re looking for. Honestly, the Grip was always a bit pricy to me for the feel of the knife - I would choose an endura over a hollow-handle grip every time. The Rat just doesn’t appeal to me, so I don’t consider it a deal.

Steel Will’ Modus would probably be the pricebuster knife of choice for me, although I have not handled one. Bearings and D2 steel with a sheepsfoot-ish blade is a combination that speaks to me, but I already have a knife that fits that role.
 
Ehh... Rat 1/2 in D2 will definitely stay in their place, unless you like flippers, in which case Steel Will's D2 options will satiate your needs. Oh mini grip, you beautiful and weird contraption, your 100$ price tag no longer makes you viable as a budget option. Better steels are sold at a similar or lower price range, and unless you REALLY love the axis lock, you can do a lot better for under 100. If you are willing to toss above 100$, the freek series will satisfy all your benchmade needs and then some
 
Had a mini grip; sold it fast. Not good in my hand. I'm a Spydie nut; soured a bit on BM for their butter-sharp knives.
 
I have a few Spyderco's, a ZT, a ton of BM's (most of the models I have of these brands are in the $200-$300 range), and a few other brands (including the Rat's and Essee folders). It really comes down to what your particular uses, carry style, etc. prefers. After I tried the more expensive brands, I fell in love with the Buck 112 (and kudos to the 110 in Aluminum).
 
I can't comment on the Rat, and while I'm a mini grip fan, I believe that they are over priced for what they are.

A common problem with Benchmades in my opinion.
 
Chapp said:
Titles says it all.

Years after, it still seems (to me), the benchmade mini-grip and the Ontario rat II are still the best in their respective price-range. What do you think ? Is it still the case ?
Click to expand...

Consensus seems to have been formed that the mini-grip is not price competitive, and for what it’s worh, I agree whole heartedly.

Now to jazz things up a bit, let me ask a variation on the question. Was the mini-grip EVER really a great value in its price range?
My vote is that the Delica was always the stronger competitor offering better slicing performance with similar steel at a lower price range.
What do you guys think?
 
19-3ben said:
Consensus seems to have been formed that the mini-grip is not price competitive, and for what it’s worh, I agree whole heartedly.

Now to jazz things up a bit, let me ask a variation on the question. Was the mini-grip EVER really a great value in its price range?
My vote is that the Delica was always the stronger competitor offering better slicing performance with similar steel at a lower price range.
What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

I think you nailed it. The Delica is always the best choice between the two based on design, cutting ability and price.[/QUOTE]
 
Sorry, fellas, I disagree.

The Grip was never specifically "best", or even "better" than other knives at it's price point. I've never been a fan of Spydercos, because of their very thin blades. I'm a self-proclaimed (and proud) knuckle-dragger, and I'm always worried about snapping the last 1/4" of the blade clean off. I'm not worried about that with a Grip.


Every knife is a compromise.


The Delica and the Grip represent a different set of design compromises, and "best", or even "better", is a matter of personal opinion.
 
19-3ben said:
Consensus seems to have been formed that the mini-grip is not price competitive, and for what it’s worh, I agree whole heartedly.

Now to jazz things up a bit, let me ask a variation on the question. Was the mini-grip EVER really a great value in its price range?
My vote is that the Delica was always the stronger competitor offering better slicing performance with similar steel at a lower price range.
What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

The Delica is a fantastic office knife, but there's a case to make about its fabrication location (Japan I think ?), compared to the griptilian made in USA. You can't really compete - price-wise - with asian countries, even Japan.

I agree with you about the price of the mini-grip, you pay a lot for what it is. It's a popular knife with benchmade "tax" outside of it and you have those cheap scales, so yeah, it's too much pricey for what it is, but it's a made in USA knife, you can't really compare it's price fairly with the Delica or the Steel will jack for exemple. When you buy a mini-grip (or any made in USA knife), you're sure the employees are treated well. You can't really say that about a Steel Will Jack, a Kershaw Atmos, a Delica or a Dragonfly for exemple. The wage and work culture in Japan are borderline inhumans, it's worse in Taiwan or China. I understand it doesn't matter for some, but it's still an argument to take into consideration.
 
R2D2 is really nice for the money. I just got one and I'm impressed.
Mini Grip is fine but it's no bargain.
 
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