Help me pick a new folder

R

Russell92

Joined
Aug 17, 2000
Messages
53
I currently carry a CRKT M16-12. It’s a good knife but there are a few things I don't like about it. I would prefer tip-up carry and don't really like the half serrated half plain blade. Also I go to school in DC. The law says you can't carry a folder over 3" and the M16 is just a tiny bit over 3". If you hold it up to a ruler it looks just about 3" but I'd rather there not be a question about my carry knife's legality.

So I'm looking into getting another knife, price limit around $80. I've owned a Spyderco Delica before and liked it so I'm thinking of getting another. I also was looking at the Benchmade Mini Griptilian. This knife will be carried solely for defense and won’t be used to cut a lot of things.

I was looking at all the different variants the Mini Griptilian comes in and some of them say “drop point”. What does that mean and is that better than the standard blade for self defense?

The Mini Griptilian also comes with either a thumb stud or a hole for opening. Is one of them faster to deploy than the other? And is the Mini Griptilian any faster to deploy than the Delica or vice versa?

I’m also open to other suggestions that any of you have, they just have to fit the following criteria:

3” blade or under
Lefty friendly
Tip up carry

Thanks in advance for all responses!
 
Get the Benchmade 556 Mini-Griptilian...That's all you need to know.:).
 
The term "drop point" refers to a blade shape where the top of the blade curves outward to meet the point. It is basically the opposite of a "clip point" where the blade curves inward above the point. Which of the many blade shapes is better for defense is one of the those permanent debates where the answer mostly depends on other factors anyway. :)

Likewise, the question of which opening method is fastest depends almost entirely on the individual. Some people are better with holes, some with studs, some with flippers. Go with whichever method seems most comfortable to you. I suspect that the fastest method for just about everyone is the one they practice with the most, whatever that happens to be. Familiarity and repetition are far more important than the actual technology.

I think the Delica and the Mini Griptilian are both excellent defensive blades. Which one is "better" depends on individual priorities and preferences. Since you've carried a Delica and liked it I would recommend that you get another. You can buy knives with different features, but I'm not convinced you can buy any that are really better. (Note that I would say exactly the same things about the Griptilian if you had previous experience with that.)

Few of us would claim that a Buck 110 represents the pinacle of folder technology, but someone who has carried and used a 110 every day for ten years is going to be far more effective than the guy who switches knives every month or two based on whatever's "hot". :D

--Bob Q
 
Russell92 said:
Why the 556 and not the 555?
Click to expand...
Because that's the one that I own, and like the most...I'm not a big fan of "the hole", and I like the blade-shape of the 556 better than that of the 555.
 
Looking for something just a tad under 3"? Don't forget to check out the Spyderco Native. No going wrong with the Mini-Griptillian or the Delica either. Put them in your hand to see which one speaks to you the most convincingly.

The Native in PE is a fat bellied spearpoint lockback with a handle and swedge that fits my hand exceptionally well.

Chris
 
The Native has a 3 1/8" blade. Yeah, it's minor, but over your 3" limit.
Is a one-hander a must have for you? Have you considered a good old SAK?

Paul
 
PWork said:
Is a one-hander a must have for you? Have you considered a good old SAK?

Paul
Click to expand...

Pardon my ignorance but what is a SAK?

I don't know all that much about knives but am starting to get more and more interested in them. I'm taking my first defensive knife course in about a month.

Also I don't know of anywhere where I can go to hold all these different knives to see which feels best in my hand. Does anyone know of a place in Northern NJ that carries these knives for me to handle.
 
SAK stands for Swiss Army Knife. The two most popular brands are Wegner and Victorinox. Personally I prefer Victorinox although some prefer Wegner.

PS, Welcome to the forums.
 
Just did a quick search here...looks like SAK is short for Swiss Army Knife right?

Again, maybe I just don't know anything about knives but would a SAK be a good choice for self-defense? It doesn't seem like I could get it out as fast as a one-handed opening knife.
 
If self defense is a major reason for carrying, then a SAK isn't what you need.
The best sugestion I can make in your price range is the Spyderco Delica.

Paul
 
The Griptillian is very fast to deploy, because you can hold back the lock, allowing minimal resistance on the blade. This alows the knife to open with a very slight hand movement. I just cleaned and oiled mine today, it is slicker than snot!

Thor
 
The mini-grip is a a very comfortable, smooth operating knife, but I think it is a bit puny for self-defense. Too bad the CRKT Krawford Casper folder does not have a reversible pocket clip and is only set up for tip-down carry. The Spyderco Lil' Temperance looks even bigger (i.e. super wide blade and large handle but still 3") but it sells for around $125. I don't own a Delica, but it looks more substantial than the mini-grip.

Regards,
cds1
 
How about CRKT's Lightfoot designed M1? It's definetly fast and ambidex......
.... :confused: ah could be used lefty. It also has a multi-position clip.
 
PWork said:
The Native has a 3 1/8" blade. Yeah, it's minor, but over your 3" limit.
Is a one-hander a must have for you? Have you considered a good old SAK?

Paul
Click to expand...

Doh! Sorry, Paul is right. The cutting length is under 3" but the blade itself is over.

Chris
 
Keyman said:
How about CRKT's Lightfoot designed M1? It's definetly fast and ambidex......
.... :confused: ah could be used lefty. It also has a multi-position clip.
Click to expand...

I've seen the M1 and like it a lot. However, it was pretty heavy for a knife with such a small blade. I wasn't planning on getting anything heavier than the M16 I currently carry.

I was just comparing the dimension of the Mini Grip to the Delica; The Mini Grip is 1/4" shorter in overall length and the blade is 1/10" shorter. Is the difference really that noticable when holding them?
 
The M1 is over 3", so it's not an option. The Native is 3 1/8 from the handle (including the choil), and the sharpened edge is 2.5 inches.

Regarding comparing the Delica and the mini-Grip, the difference in length is only about 1/10 of an inch, so that shouldn't be very significant. You can't really go any longer, so the only thing left to compare is blade width and grip size, I don't have a Delica so I cannot do a side-by-side comparison, but from the pictures it looks like it has a wider blade and larger grip.

If someone has both it would be helpful if he could give you a more definitive size comparison.

Regards,
cds1
 
I will also recommend the 556 Mini-Grip.

I own both the 556 and the 555 and I prefer the studs of the 556.
My thumb often slides over the 555's hole without opening the blade.
And I also find the pointier tip of the 556 more useful for everyday cutting.

Happy hunting,
Allen.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top