Help me choose between Native 5/Chaparral/Grip

L

LAtraffic

Joined
Jul 25, 2015
Messages
59
I have been agonizing back and forth between the mini grip with gray G10, the native 5 with the blurple g10, and the chaparral. I use the knife in LA and SF, keeping it under 3" is ideal. I love knives with thinner scales. I have been carrying a kershaw leek for sometime but am ready for an upgrade. A coworker grabbed the new mini grip so I finally got to handle one. I love the smoothness of flicking it open. I also like some of the customer scales that can be thrown on the mini grip if one desires. All look to be great knives.
I am pretty new to knives, I couldn't believe how amazing these knives are compared to the nail breakers my dad had when I was young.

I am not gonna lie, I'm vain, I like it to look good doing what ever it is intended to be doing.
 
Last edited:
Lol I get all flustered when wanting to finally chose and pull the pin on a blade or any gear
I just got a benchmade mini barrage with aluminum bolsters and g10 scales and m390 steel and it's an awesome knife
I really love benchmade mini griptilian as well gonna get one soon love the way they over time break in and just fly open

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk
 
I have a Mini Grip that I've used for years when I wanted a small knife. Since I got my Native 5 LW the Mini hasn't seen any pocket time.
 
I'm going to toss the Spyderco sage 3 based on your mix between chaparral and mini grip. But the Native knifes have a permanent spot in my collection. Several in fact.
 
You can absolutely NOT go wrong with the mini grip. It's easily worth it just for the axis lock alone! Great blade shape, nice package, easy and fast open and close, Etc.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I've carried a mini grip in my "house pants" and PJs for years. I think my hand has grown around that thing.

That said, there is no correct answer other than get all three. They are all super great and popular knives for good reason.

The only real question is, which one first!

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
 
I'm a big fan of the Native 5 (G10 & LW) and the Mini Grip but if you like thin then try the Chaparral. You can't go wrong with any of your choices though.
 
They all come with very, very good steel. Despite my lust affair with Spyderco, I'm going to have to say go with the mini grip. I'm just not a fan of backlocks.

I personally would get the sheepsfoot blade with the spydie hole.

Sent via pony express
 
prep4beginners said:
Lol I get all flustered when wanting to finally chose and pull the pin on a blade or any gear
I just got a benchmade mini barrage with aluminum bolsters and g10 scales and m390 steel and it's an awesome knife
I really love benchmade mini griptilian as well gonna get one soon love the way they over time break in and just fly open

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...


I am the same way...."paralysis by analysis "
 
The Grip because:

It's 20CV
It's got an Axis lock (so much fun)
It's a classic for a reason.
 
802-303 said:
I'm going to toss the Spyderco sage 3 based on your mix between chaparral and mini grip. But the Native knifes have a permanent spot in my collection. Several in fact.
Click to expand...

Damn it man, now Im trying to narrow this down. Damn that is a good looking knife.
 
Not sure what else (if any) you also have in your collection/rotation. But I would guess you'd love which ever one you land on. I don't have a Grip, but do have the HK Axis, which was the ultimate Benchmade Grip alternative with G10. But now the Grip can be had in G10.

For my purposes, the Spyder Chaparral is my current fav (and daily carry) for a great looking small blade. I don't have the Native either, but it looks to be slightly larger but very similar to the Chap.

.




•••••••••••••••

Sent from my mind....using Tap-a-Thought. (tm)
 
I've had all 3 of the knives in question in various configurations (Chap CF, Native5 frn, Native5 G10, Minigrip Sheepsfoot, Minigrip Drop point), and now I only have the Chap. Best slicer of the lot, and fits in the coin pocket.
 
Slauterhause said:
I've carried a mini grip in my "house pants" and PJs for years. I think my hand has grown around that thing.

That said, there is no correct answer other than get all three. They are all super great and popular knives for good reason.

The only real question is, which one first!
Click to expand...

This man makes a strong argument.
 
I have owned my 440c mini grip since 2001 it's a really stout knife, but honestly i find tht i just can't get my pinky on the handle very well. Omega springs do break after a while too. My ol' FRN Native has much much better ergos. I'd get the native 5 and never look back. Its better yet and any lack of lock strength if any, is totally overblown in importance. Lock backs are plenty strong.
 
Last edited:
mini grip is the most fun to play with, chaparral is the highest quality feeling and disappears in pocket, native 5 is a little chunkier and feels more sturdy than the other two
 
That is a healthy selection of knives to chose from.
I would start with the grip, awesome knife and great platform for customization. The g10 blue native is really nice as well, I love mine. Here are a few others that is in the 3" range, The zt is 3.25"

af259b97b49621b799b5997f4694e6c3.jpg
 
Last edited:
No 'wrong' choice here.

I prefer the Native over the MiniGrip as the Native just fits my hand better.

Indeed, I have several Natives but only one MiniGrip and no Chapparal.
 
What I'm reading here is: "I want a mini grip with aftermarket scales"
I think that's what you should do.
Buy the Chaparral later, you'll love it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top