Help me choose a new EDC

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Zanuha

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Sep 27, 2010
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I need (want) a new EDC blade.
Benchmade Mini-Griptilian
Spyderco Delica 4 FFG
Is 154cm better than VG10?
Which one has better ergonomics, speed and lock strength?
What are the qualities of Benchmade's Valox handle material?
Help me please.
 
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Since it seems a smaller knife may suit your needs, the Benchmade 940 is also a good knife. If you can spare the cash (as well as get it all the way to where you are) a small Sebenza may also do you well.
 
Look, even the Mini-Grip costs 85 euros here, and that's already damn near too expensive for me.
Just tell me which knife is better for EDC. Also, I'm a lefty, so no sebbies here.
 
Ah. Hm, well I personally don't like many Spydercos since they just don't feel right to me. I would go with the Mini-Grip in that case. I've never been a very big fan of the thumb hole and I have yet to handle a Spyderco that was anything close to quick opening. Some people hate BM's Valox handles and some people don't have any problems, but for me, I think it does feel a little cheap.

As for whether 154CM is better than VG-10, I don't know. I would say it's possibly a subjective thing, though I'm sure others on here will be able to give you a much better anwer.

Would something like a Kershaw Leek be a possibility?
 
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Dude you should just go with a Kershaw.The Skyline, Chill, and so many other models are really affordable and they are exceptional blades. But if you have to go with the blades you listed, probably go with the Spyderco. Spyderco is well known for good ergonomics and their serrations combined with their good quality steels can handle any EDC tasks. If you can afford it though, the Benchmade would probably be a little better just because it has the axis lock which is a stronger lock i think. You should check out Spyderco's EDGE-U-CATion pages on their website - it may help you. In my experience though, and you can check other threads in Bladeforums regarding the steels, but I believe 154 cm is the better edc because it's slightly easier to sharpen. I have no clue about the Valox but it's a thermoplastic so I'd expect it be like Zytel or something like that.

Just go with a Kershaw - great steels, great designs, and greatest price:)
 
Zanuha said:
I need (want) a new EDC blade.
Benchmade Mini-Griptilian
Spyderco Delica 4 FFG
Is 154cm better than VG10?
Which one has better ergonomics, speed and lock strength?
What are the qualities of Benchmade's Valox handle material?
Help me please.
Click to expand...

Hi, I have owned & used both and if I had to choose Id go with the Spyderco. I can handle them, esp the frn delica 4 with much ease. The mini grip is a great knife, its proven, I personally just like the way a spyderco typically closes compared to the axis, I also prefer the round hole, different strokes, different folks, to each his own. The blade on that delica will be very thin, is will slice stuff out of the box like crazy. As for which is faster, with minimal practice, you should be able to open either up with much quickness (no need for wrist action, just use your thumb).

As for which steel is better, they are both great for simple applications such as light cutting chores around work and the house. You have narrowed it down to two great knives, Im sure you will be thrilled with either. Id bet my life on both :thumbup:
 
I own a couple mini grips and an endura. I prefer the VG-10 all around, but I like the way the griptilian feels. THe Benchmade's valox will chip if dropped but the FRN wont, personally I am a Benchmade addict but the SPyderco is probably better overall
 
I also have both, and I like both, but my choice would be the mini-grip. As dericdesmond says, it's a matter of taste. Here's my take on it: I think the mini-grip blade shape is more useful for the kind of cutting tasks I encounter. I also find it opens a lot quicker and easier and is more convenient to close than the Delica. I love love love the Axis lock, though I am sure the lockback on the Delica is probably just as strong. Also, both knives have excellent lockup. I'm no steel expert, but both seem to be very high quality and hold an edge very well. The balance on both knives is really good--both of them have a midpoint for weight just about where your index finger falls. The clips on both knives are really nicely done and reliable. One thing that might matter to you is that the Delica's clip can be repositioned for tip-down carry, but the mini-Griptilian's cannot. (I don't like tip-down carry myself.)

Ergonomics is a tough one, because that's going to depend on your own hand and how you will normally handle the knife. The useful portion of the Delica's handle is at least a centimeter longer than the mini-Griptilian's. I have pretty small hands so that's not a problem for me--in fact, I prefer it--but if you have big hands, it's something to keep in mind. The Delica's handle feels clunky to me for a couple of reasons. One is that the handle surface is totally flat. The mini-Griptilian's handle is very slightly convex so that it cradles better in my hand. The other thing is that the mini-Griptilian's handle shape works better for me. The finger choils and the thumb ramp on the Delica seem designed for a grip where you've got your fingers wrapped all the way around the handle with your thumb on the spine. This is great if that's what your chore calls for, but if you want to hold it in a kind of classic "let me peel an apple" grip, it doesn't work as well. The peaks and valleys on the "finger" side naturally force my fingers into particular positions along the handle. Overall, I feel the mini-Griptilian's handle gives me better control and more versatility.

I like the mini-Griptilian's handle material fine, though in all truth, there isn't much texturing for a knife with a name of "GRIPtilian." The front third of the handle is mostly untextured, though not slippery. Some people may not like this, but it works fine for me. The Delica's texture is a lot more aggressive. This knife is definitely not going to slip out of your hand even if you need to apply a fair amount of force.
 
I've had many of both the mini-G and the D4. Both are well made entry-level knives for their respective companies. One is not better than the other... it's more a matter of which fits your hand and your taste better. 154CM and VG10 are excellent steels for small EDC folders and both companies do these steels very well. From a user's point of view, I don't think there's any difference in BM's Noryl scales and Spyderco's FRN scales and both knives have steel liners.

My personal preference is for the D4 in VG10 because it fits my hand better than the mini-G. I'm probably a little fonder of the AXIS lock than a backlock, but the mini-G is just a bit small for me to hold and use comfortably. It's a "3-finger" knife handle for me whereas the D4 is a full 4-finger handle. I like that. I've also found that Spyderco is far more dependable about giving you a truly sharp blade with very good edge bevels right out of the box than almost any other production company.
 
I think it comes down to your preference of lock. I've had no problems with my 940's Axis-Lock so far, but I have heard of folks having trouble with the Omega springs breaking. Call me crazy, but I think a lock-back is just a little bit more sturdy mechanical-wise.

The Griptilian doesn't really do it for me so I haven't bothered getting one, but I do have a Delica 4 ffg. Love it. No issues with it and it's a helluva slicer. Light, flat, easy to carry. Arguably one of the best EDC folders available, and is certainly one of my all-time faves.
 
I have both and the steels are really close in getting them sharp and edge holding. I love the axis lock but in the grip it sound a little cheap and is wider in the hand. The Delica with VG-10 and FFG is an awesome slicer. If you just need a EDC to handle the stuff a knife is ment to do I would go with the Spydie. Good luck in picking just one.
 
I've never owned either knife, but based on all the positive reviews on the Delica, I believe I would go with it. I like the look of the Griptillian, but not the handle material. The Axis Lock is awesome though. Have you priced the BM Bone Collector small folder? It looks a lot like the Griptillian, but it has G-10 handles, and D2 blade steel. Just a thought., and maybe a another choice.thumbup::)
 
The Mini Grip has better lock strength, and the Delica 4 has better ergo's. VG-10 and 154CM are similar, but I'd say VG-10 is better because of the increased corrosion resistance. If you get the D4, get the FFG version; it will outslice most other knives.

On the other hand, I think you should also take a look at some of Kershaw's offerings. Knives like the Composite Blade Leek, Blur, and RAM are great options in the same price range.
 
The Delica is noticeably bigger than the Mini Grip. I have small hands, and the Mini is a little small for me, but the Delica fits fine.

The locks are also different, in terms of finger placement. With an Axis lock (BM) the release is at the front of the knife; you can easily finger it without shifting your hand. The Delica's release is in the middle of the handle, much further back.

Both of these are proven models, with lots of fans. Both are strong solid knives.

If I had a choice, and the pricing is right, I would recommend two of Benchmades, the Mini Bone Collector and the Mini Presidio.
 
Hey, I didn't think about the Mini Presidio. The store I shop at only has the Ultra.
 
I have both, and if I had to choose between the two I would go with the Delica. The Mini-Grip is just not worth the extra $25 dollars to me.
 
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