Help me find my first EDC folding knife!

B

Bedwards

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Jan 17, 2017
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Hey everyone! New member here.

I am recently in the market for a pocket knife. I have never owned one before, and I have been doing a ton of reading these past few days to try and narrow down what I want. I am an aircraft maintenance engineer, and often find myself reaching for box cutters or scissors, which tends to be a bit inconvenient at times. I am only planning on owning 1, maybe 2 folding knives, so I am looking for a high quality product that will last me a long time and that will give me good versatility. I don't want something too large (3 to 3.5" inches at most) or too bulky/heavy.

As I started digging into the different knives available, one in particular has caught my attention. The Benchmade Mini Griptilian - The G10 version with the 20CV steel. It looks like a perfect knife for me, however it is pretty expensive (especially since I live in Canada). Is it worth the cost? Is the 20CV steel that much better than the 154CM? Are there alternatives to this knife that don't cost quite as much? I looked at the Spyderco Delica, but I like the look, the lock and the the thumb-stud option of the Griptillian much better. I also like the idea of having a G10 handle, as that will probably give me the best grip.

If anyone has ANY advice or suggestions on knives I should look into, I would appreciate it greatly!

Thank you.
 
Never had a Griptilian, so I can't really address your main question.
As far as alternatives, I can't recommend the Spyderco Paramilitary 2 enough. I generally don't carry pocketknives anymore, but when I do, it's the Para 2.
I'd also throw the Emerson CQC-7BW in the running, but it'll cost you about the same as the G10 Griptilian if I remember correctly.
EDIT: Before I messed mine up, I did carry the Emerson more than any other knife. Figured I'd mention it so you didn't think it is a merely "alright" knife.
 
JoshH said:
Never had a Griptilian, so I can't really address your main question.
As far as alternatives, I can't recommend the Spyderco Paramilitary 2 enough. I generally don't carry pocketknives anymore, but when I do, it's the Para 2.
I'd also throw the Emerson CQC-7BW in the running, but it'll cost you about the same as the G10 Griptilian if I remember correctly.
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I looked into the Paramilitary 2, and it looks like an amazing knife. Maybe something to look at in the future, but it is just too big for what I need a knife for.
 
The Spyderco Para 3...just out, has a 2.9" blade for those folks who cannot legally carry more than a 3".
They are a bit over your limit, but a lifetime folder for you. Some of these are pre-order, although mine came in the mail today. You can spot one occasionally on the Forum's Exchange...
 
I would go with the BM Grip. I have the larger version and really like this knife. The Axis lock is the best I have used, you'll find your self playing with it all the time. 154 is good quality steel, I have it in several knives.
 
I have both the paramilitary 2 and the mini grip, much prefer the pm2 for edc. If there is a size limit I would highly recommend the para 3, especially since they're just starting to come back in stock again.
Also, keep in mind that the mini grip doesn't have a 4-way clip unlike the pm2/para 3 if you prefer tip down carry.
 
Good suggestions above. The full size Grip and PM 2 are not the type of knives that disappear in one's pocket though.

A good alternative to the base Mini Grip at a similar price point is the Native 5 LTWT. S35vn steel and a great shape for utility purposes.
 
I've never owned a griptilian. But I've owned many spydercos. The delica 4 is a great option and it disappears in your hand AND your pocket. But the handle material doesn't necessarily correspond with grip. The g-10 on my pm2, Manix 2 and native 5 are great, but the frn handles offer amazing grip with their bi-directional traction. But if you're cutting wires and need scissors, why not opt for a leatherman?? Many variations to find something right for you.

But if you're a minimalist and just want a knife, the Spyderco Native 5 in G10 is a great option. It's small, tough and a great slicer. Or you can check out a Kershaw Blur in s30v. I took out the torsion bar which acts as the speed assist to open the knife. In doing so, it's manual, and I actually prefer it. It's very fast either way and a great option. If the recurve isn't to your liking, the camber is another option
 
It's called Griptillian for a reason.
Sure the G-10 is nicer but the plastic handles are pleny grippy. Even when wet.
I love my Ritter Mini Grip. Not sure of availability, since it was just discontinued, but the M390 is a big improvement over 154CM.
 
Judging by your stated job I feel like the Paramilitary series might have too narrow and weak a tip for your applications.

The Benchmade 940 is a great lightweight knife with a very strong tip and useful cutting edge. It just dissapears in your pocket it is so light and sleek. You might also consider the Zero Tolerance 0452 for another sleek knife thay is tough as nails. I think it may be abit better than even the 940.

As much as I love Emerson I think it may not be good for your uses as it has a chisel grind which is not the best for controlled cuts.
 
Lapedog said:
Judging by your stated job I feel like the Paramilitary series might have too narrow and weak a tip for your applications.

The Benchmade 940 is a great lightweight knife with a very strong tip and useful cutting edge. It just dissapears in your pocket it is so light and sleek. You might also consider the Zero Tolerance 0452 for another sleek knife thay is tough as nails. I think it may be abit better than even the 940.

As much as I love Emerson I think it may not be good for your uses as it has a chisel grind which is not the best for controlled cuts.
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Thanks for the suggestions. Those both look like great knives, but cost more than I want to spend.
 
I own a Mini Grip with the G-10 & 20CV steel. I VERY much think that the G-10 upgrade is soooooooo worth it.
 
I suggest a Ritter Mini Griptilian in M390 (discontinued but still in stock at Knifeworks.com) with aftermarket scales by AWT or Wilkins. The Ritter blade has more belly and thinner behind the edge for better slicing vs. the standard mini grip. The AWT or Wilkins scales correct what I see as a problem with the stock mini grip scales, which get too slim/small toward the pinkie finger end.

If you want something with a longer blade but still a slim overall profile conducive to EDC, you might try a RealSteel Sea Eagle. It has a 3.75" blade with nice 14C28N steel that takes a very sharp edge. Smooth flipping action after broken in and disappears in the pocket more than I would have imagined due to its slim profile. And definitely in the budget category at $58. I picked up one of these recently and have been happy with it.
 
I got a Mini grip from the Benchmade custom configuration website. All black with an M4 steel blade for about 150. You can choose 20CV there as well. Good place to look.

Knife center has the Manix 2 with Cru-wear blade right now. I have a PM2 with Cru-wear, and love it, great steel, great knives!! Real Steel Sea Eagle, I have heard nothing but great things about, definitely worth checking out.

I usually carry mid-techs and customs, but the M4 Mini grip, Cru-Wear PM2, and Maxamet manix 2, they all get a surprising amount of pocket time!!
 
Anything by Spyderco is great. The Manix 2 Lightweight is light and good quality materials. The locking mechanism is similar to the one on the Griptilian as well.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
 
ATJ999 said:
I got a Mini grip from the Benchmade custom configuration website. All black with an M4 steel blade for about 150. You can choose 20CV there as well. Good place to look.

Knife center has the Manix 2 with Cru-wear blade right now. I have a PM2 with Cru-wear, and love it, great steel, great knives!! Real Steel Sea Eagle, I have heard nothing but great things about, definitely worth checking out.

I usually carry mid-techs and customs, but the M4 Mini grip, Cru-Wear PM2, and Maxamet manix 2, they all get a surprising amount of pocket time!!
Click to expand...

Thanks for input! I looked into doing the custom Benchmade but they don't ship to Canada.
 
Connor_MacLeod said:
I suggest a Ritter Mini Griptilian in M390 (discontinued but still in stock at Knifeworks.com) with aftermarket scales by AWT or Wilkins. The Ritter blade has more belly and thinner behind the edge for better slicing vs. the standard mini grip. The AWT or Wilkins scales correct what I see as a problem with the stock mini grip scales, which get too slim/small toward the pinkie finger end.

If you want something with a longer blade but still a slim overall profile conducive to EDC, you might try a RealSteel Sea Eagle. It has a 3.75" blade with nice 14C28N steel that takes a very sharp edge. Smooth flipping action after broken in and disappears in the pocket more than I would have imagined due to its slim profile. And definitely in the budget category at $58. I picked up one of these recently and have been happy with it.
Click to expand...

I'll look into that! Thank you!
 
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