Just wondering what others think. I'm kinda interested in getting one of them, but it won't be anytime soon and I'll only have the money to get one as I'm operating on an extremely tight budget (tight budget as in being a minor using money making apps as my income for these kinds of things). The Mini Grip is obviously well-loved by everyone, but HK has G10 scales and D2 steel, which some would consider superior to the plastic handles and 154CM of the Mini Grip. They're both around the same price, size, and weight. I like the Mini Grip because of the bandwagon as well as the ease of sharpening and corrosion resistance, but the D2 on the HK is supposedly tougher. Thoughts?
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HK Mini Axis VS Mini Grip?
- Thread starter Blah357
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2009
- Messages
- 1,955
First off, welcome aboard!
Great first post and a good question. I personally would prefer the HK because I believe it the tougher of the two. That said we're splitting hairs here and why it's such a tough choice. Both are more then capable. Since I believe you can't go wrong with either and neither has any real advantage over the other, buy the one you think you like most. It really comes down to personal preference.
All the best!
Great first post and a good question. I personally would prefer the HK because I believe it the tougher of the two. That said we're splitting hairs here and why it's such a tough choice. Both are more then capable. Since I believe you can't go wrong with either and neither has any real advantage over the other, buy the one you think you like most. It really comes down to personal preference.
All the best!
What are you going to use the knife for? The two knives have a different feel in the hand. The HK is very blocky with squared edges and not as easy on the hand as the Mini.
The blade grinds are different on each.
Also I would say D2 is better it is just different. I have the Mini Ritter Griptilian which is S30V my favorite steel.
I owned both the large and small HK Axis sold the both.
If you watch the exchange here on BFs you will see both knifes for sale at good prices fairly regularly.
The blade grinds are different on each.
Also I would say D2 is better it is just different. I have the Mini Ritter Griptilian which is S30V my favorite steel.
I owned both the large and small HK Axis sold the both.
If you watch the exchange here on BFs you will see both knifes for sale at good prices fairly regularly.
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The HK mini can be found for $70-$80 pretty easily delivered. If you don't want custom grips and just want a knife that is strong and good quality then go for HK Mini Axis. It is also a little more compact than a mini grip and the G10 scales are nice. The blade is also very solid and I like the shape. It has D2 steel which is a good steel just has to be coated or it can rust.
Personally, I do not like the grips on the mini grip and I do not like the blade profile on the mini grip. However, the Doug Ritter Mini RSK MK1 is a mini grip with a blade I like with M390 steel (or older version are S30v). Then as far as custom scales the mini grip has unlimited possibilities out there. So if you want something to customize this might be your best option. If you like the grips on the mini grips your looking at $90 for a normal mini grip or $130 for the ritter version. If you don't like the grips they come with new grips are usually $70-$150. So assume your going to spend between $160 to $280 all said and done if your not ok with the factory grips. he ritter mini grip.
Both are quality knives and you won't go wrong either way. Bang for buck I'm all for the HK Mini Axis. I really wish they would make an HK Mini Axis with silver hardware, same scales they offer now, and an M390 steel blade. Because the way the HK Mini Axis is built is awesome. The only downside is that the only option is a coated D2 blade. After I compared my HK Mini Axis I'm wondering if I could swap the M390 Ritter blade onto it and it would look normal and operate the same, the blades look pretty similar.
Personally, I do not like the grips on the mini grip and I do not like the blade profile on the mini grip. However, the Doug Ritter Mini RSK MK1 is a mini grip with a blade I like with M390 steel (or older version are S30v). Then as far as custom scales the mini grip has unlimited possibilities out there. So if you want something to customize this might be your best option. If you like the grips on the mini grips your looking at $90 for a normal mini grip or $130 for the ritter version. If you don't like the grips they come with new grips are usually $70-$150. So assume your going to spend between $160 to $280 all said and done if your not ok with the factory grips. he ritter mini grip.
Both are quality knives and you won't go wrong either way. Bang for buck I'm all for the HK Mini Axis. I really wish they would make an HK Mini Axis with silver hardware, same scales they offer now, and an M390 steel blade. Because the way the HK Mini Axis is built is awesome. The only downside is that the only option is a coated D2 blade. After I compared my HK Mini Axis I'm wondering if I could swap the M390 Ritter blade onto it and it would look normal and operate the same, the blades look pretty similar.
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- Joined
- Sep 7, 2015
- Messages
- 1,429
If you want D2 in a mini grip the cabellas 556 black/sand has that steel.
That being said, I have a 555HG 154cm sheepsfoot and it is a slicer. It's a go to when I know I'll have a load of boxes come in to work that day.
I also have the full size H&K. It's a lot beefier than a grip.
I think if you want light and fast go w/ a mini grip.
If you want tough and mean H&K is the one.
That being said, I have a 555HG 154cm sheepsfoot and it is a slicer. It's a go to when I know I'll have a load of boxes come in to work that day.
I also have the full size H&K. It's a lot beefier than a grip.
I think if you want light and fast go w/ a mini grip.
If you want tough and mean H&K is the one.
Get the mini Grip and save a little more money to then also buy the HK!
Seriously though, they're both great choices. D2 seems to stay sharp longer. The thinner blade on the mini Grip does slice better. It's a toss-up for many users...
One note: I ground the finger groove off of my 14715 (full size HK Axis) -- this makes the handle more comfortable, in my opinion, but also makes it much easier to get at the thumb stud to open the knife. If you can, head to a store that has both knives in stock and handle each; the finger groove quibble might be a non-issue for you, or maybe you find that you prefer the mini Grip more anyways.
Good luck!
Seriously though, they're both great choices. D2 seems to stay sharp longer. The thinner blade on the mini Grip does slice better. It's a toss-up for many users...
One note: I ground the finger groove off of my 14715 (full size HK Axis) -- this makes the handle more comfortable, in my opinion, but also makes it much easier to get at the thumb stud to open the knife. If you can, head to a store that has both knives in stock and handle each; the finger groove quibble might be a non-issue for you, or maybe you find that you prefer the mini Grip more anyways.
Good luck!
- Joined
- May 18, 1999
- Messages
- 1,708
Are you looking at the Mini because of price? I can point you toward a full size HK Axis (the 14715) for $75, if the guy hasn't sold it yet.
I'm looking at minis because of LA laws, along with being sheeple-friendly. I've been carrying a RAT 1, my only folder besides a semi broken Kershaw Emerson CQC-8K but I did some digging around and found out that I was breaking the law the whole time. I would go with a full sized folder, but I'd rather avoid fines and/or juvenile time. I've decided on the mini grip for aesthetics, and customization options. I'll actually be able to order it pretty soon off of Amazon as soon as they finish processing my returns and refund my gift card balance. The steel might not hold an edge as well, but I don't have the greatest sharpening systems (I'll probably end up paying 5 bucks to get it sharpened at my local knife shop) and the 154cm is also more stain resistant. On a similar note, are there any sub $50 sharpening systems that would be easy and effective to use on harder steels (I have an HK14147 in D2 that I was never able to sharpen)? I know the spyderco sharpmaker is quite popular, but I'm planning to get AWT custom scales at some point and I don't have the budget to get something like that and the scales (if you're wondering just how low my budget is, things from the "beermoney" subreddit are my only source of income for fueling my pitiful knife collection because I'm a jobless minor with no credit card 
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I have used the Lanski and more recently the DMT Aligner kit with decent success. I added an extra fine and have been learning to strop for maintenance. The DMT has the advantage of the stones being perfectly usable without the guide.
That said, the kits don't work well for spear points or larger blades. After taking a knife making class, I'm really wanting a KO Worksharp for versatility.
That said, the kits don't work well for spear points or larger blades. After taking a knife making class, I'm really wanting a KO Worksharp for versatility.