Is there a better choice out there than the mini griptilian, give or take $10.

Delica is a great knife. It has a slightly shorter blade than the Mini-Grip, but it has a longer handle and better overall ergonomics. I don't care much for the FRN Native (just felt a little off), but the Native5 is great (but significantly more expensive). The Dragonfly is an awesome knife. It's not a big knife, but it handles quite well. You can pick it up in ZDP-189 for around that price point too.

If you want a knife that just disappears in pocket (thin, narrow, and lightweight), you might also check out the Kershaw Leek and Skyline. The composite blade Leek (CPM-D2 cutting edge) is around that same price range. If you want something a bit grippier, you might still be able to find a G10 Leek around that price (it's been discontinued though). The regular Leek costs a bit less.

The small Buck Vantage Pro is also a nice knife at around that price. There's also the Ontario RAT-2. I haven't handled one personally, but if it's anything like the RAT-1, it should be a great knife.

The Kershaw Blur or Spyderco Endura are also around that same price. Both are great knives, albeit noticeably larger than the Mini-Grip.

Or... just go with your initial thought of the Mini-Grip. It's a fantastic knife, and the Axis lock is both great in function and fun to flip around. The Mini-Grip, Delica, and Leek are three of my favorite EDC knives.
 
If you don't mind a litter bit bigger than 3 inches the manix 2 kicks the griptilians but in every way. It has g10, s30v steel, the caged ball lock etc.... And that's coming from a guy who carries a mini griptilian.
 
imbryan715 said:
If you don't mind a litter bit bigger than 3 inches the manix 2 kicks the griptilians but in every way. It has g10, s30v steel, the caged ball lock etc.... And that's coming from a guy who carries a mini griptilian.
Click to expand...
the bm still has a better grind. I dont get why they made the manix2 hollow ground.
 
imbryan715 said:
If you don't mind a litter bit bigger than 3 inches the manix 2 kicks the griptilians but in every way. It has g10, s30v steel, the caged ball lock etc.... And that's coming from a guy who carries a mini griptilian.
Click to expand...

caged ball lock is better than the axis lock?:confused: plus it looks like it's more expensive than the mini griptilian.
 
Last edited:
I have a large Griptilian, and a Delica. If I had to choose, the Griptilian wins easily. I have a Manix on the way, but the only Spyderco knives I like more than my Grip are significantly more expensive.
 
imbryan715 said:
If you don't mind a litter bit bigger than 3 inches the manix 2 kicks the griptilians but in every way. It has g10, s30v steel, the caged ball lock etc.... And that's coming from a guy who carries a mini griptilian.
Click to expand...

The caged ball lock requires a two finger pinch while the Axis needs but one finger or thumb. The Manix is a fine knife but that jimping all over the knife is way overboard and aggressive.
 
You might want to look into the Buck Vantage TM Pro small.

List is $84. I found online less than $55.00 shipped.

Higher end Buck in EDC line
Flipper (can't do that with a Mini Grip which I recently gifted to my brother...not knocking it)
2-5/8" Drop Point, S30V Stainless Steel
Deep carry pocket clip
G-10
Paul Bos heat treat
stainless liner lock (I hear you on the axis lock as I'm a lefty, but at this price, it's worth consideration).

At this size, I can't image doing much of anything that would cause the knife to fail on a liner lock. Consider your actual use at this size. I'm very interested to hear from anyone who has experienced a liner lock failure with a 3" or under knife using it for normal stuff. I wouldn't pry with it or use to fasten a climbing rope.....

Here's a random YouTube review/impressions: http://youtu.be/fdV1X44yu5A
 
I was going to make a similar posting later this week. :) you beat me.
I wouldn't' say better, but these replaced mini-grip permanently on my edc rotation.

Benchmade 530 "Lotus Elise of Benchmade: Ultra light performer"
HIGH:thinner & lighter, great edc, 154cm, axis lock
LOW: ergo, spear point (if you don't like spear point, which I like)

H&K mini-Ascender "foreign born cousin gives a run for money"
HIGH: fraction of cost, slightly thinner, g10 handle, awesome deep pocket clip, fast deployment, has tanto version
LOW: 9Cr13, liner lock, foreign born, discontinued

Lonewolf mini-Landslide "on land or in water, ready for all & any task"
HIGH: N680 blade steel, great handle color (orange or hot pink), surprisingly light & tight fitting in hand, great performer, price
LOW: N680 blade steel, lock-back, lack of lanyards hole & gimping

H&K Enigma "a hidden gem"
HIGH: full flat reverse tanto, awesome blade, 58-60HRc rolling-lock, good ergo, light weight, FAST deployment, price, did I mention awesome blade?
LOW: AUS8 (but check out its hardness), discontinued, handle material, foreign born (only if that's an issue), may not be a beauty to some.

I pretty much stopped carrying mini-grip after 530 & mini-ascender, eventually gave to a friend. Lone wolf then replaced both 530 & mini-ascender, until I found the replacement killer - H&K Enigma. I'm no expert like most peeps in this forum, but I'd not hesitate to recommend any of above 4 knives, specially Enigma to anyone looking for a mini-grip replacement.
 
I would say WAVED Delica is the best knife for under $60 period. I like the mini grip, the locks great, and the blade is huge for the handle size. Steels for the two I would say are about even vg-10 might be a big better in the rust/stain resistance department. The delica has a bigger handle but it has a better grip and is thinner in the pocket. If you get the wave its IMO better than any auto or spring assisted knife for speed of opening additionally you can open bottle tops with it.

The down side for the Declia and any spyderco is their warranty, Benchmade will 100% do whatever needs to be done to help you out and fix your knife. Snap the blade in half for $25 bucks they will put a new one on regardless of how old the knife is. Spyderco wont. I had an issue with a used knife I bought and because the scales were swapped they wouldn't help me out, really sucked. I offered to buy the parts and they would do nothing for me. Benchmade on the other hand is amazing. I had a custom grip made for my wife for our anniversary and we were leaving for vacation before the knife was going to be shipped. They not only rushed build of the knife in addition to the shipping of the order for free, we got it the night before we had to leave, delivery guy came at 9pm to drop it off.
They totally rock, i just wish they had more knives I liked :-( . The build quality on the BM is better overall and I find that you can beat on them more than a spyderco. I would use the BM for things I wouldnt use a spyderco for but in most cases your usually just cutting things and thats what Spydercos are ideal for. My EDC 90% of the time will be a spyderco so I have a love hate relationship with them. On the other side of the coin they are less money than BM so you do make up for some character flaws on the guarantee and build over a BM. Again back to the point, I would get the Delica over the grip and especially for the cost every time. (gpknives.com has the cheapest grips btw, they go for less than what most people sell them for used on here)

As a side note the WAVED one has that hollow ground edge, I know not as sexy and popular as the FFG and honestly doesn't slice as well but, Overall for a knife that size you get extra utility out of it with the hollow ground blade shape. The tips not tapered like the FFG version and is much more substantial, I dont feel bad prying into some wood or harder materials with it like I do with the FFG. The tip of my Para2 snapped off doing a task I had done with my endura many times before. I love the para2 and reground the tip so its fine now but getting that little bit extra piece of mind for me is nice.
 
If you are tall with very large hands, you might prefer the Delica. It is 4 1/4" for the handle. I have medium size hands and like the size of the Minigrip. Frankly, I prefer the Sequel. It is more expensive than the mini, has the same size blade, but a smaller, aluminum handle.
I have 3 mini grips, with one in M4. I have perhaps 4 or 5 times that number of Spydercos, but I don't have a Delica. It has a large handle for a <3" blade, and I usually carry knives in the pocket, without the clip. Benchmade does a good job with 154CM, and I think of the Minigrip as a user, work knife. M4 is fantastic, but not easy to find and more expensive.
 
arty said:
If you are tall with very large hands, you might prefer the Delica. It is 4 1/4" for the handle. I have medium size hands and like the size of the Minigrip. Frankly, I prefer the Sequel. It is more expensive than the mini, has the same size blade, but a smaller, aluminum handle.
I have 3 mini grips, with one in M4. I have perhaps 4 or 5 times that number of Spydercos, but I don't have a Delica. It has a large handle for a <3" blade, and I usually carry knives in the pocket, without the clip. Benchmade does a good job with 154CM, and I think of the Minigrip as a user, work knife. M4 is fantastic, but not easy to find and more expensive.
Click to expand...

what are your thoughts or experiences with the axis lock? any problems?
 
I have not had any problems with the axis locks. Sometimes, they come to you a bit tight, but get really slick very quickly, especially with a little light oil. The Sequel is easy to open and shut with one hand. I like lock backs, but can't do this one handed closing with them.
My two favorite EDC knives are the Benchmade Sequel and Spyderco Chaparral, but I have had the Sequel in my pocket more in the past month.
 
Cereal_killer said:
Back to the delica4 vs. mini-grip- I had both on my list and when it came time to buy I went for the Delica first thinking I would pick up a mini-grip next, turns out I like the delica so much I bought a second and still haven't go the BM. I bought on the secondary market but got both BNIB and now I have 2 delica's for less than a single mini-grip would have cost. Eventually I'll get a BM555 but I don't at all feel like the delica isn't everything I need and more.
Click to expand...
I'm quoting my own post because 2 days ago my mini-grip arrived and after a few days of it as my primary carry I can say without a doubt my position still stands- the delica is my winner, and while I'm sure the mini-grip will get its use I much prefer my delica's (specifically my wave'd one).
 
I have been back and forth though lots of knives, but I find lately that my well used yellow Ritter Mini-Grip gets the most real use. I have a regular Mini-Grip but prefer the Ritter version much more. The bright color makes it less intimidating in public and much easier for me to find when I set it down (inside and out).
 
I would buy the Ritter mini, there is a store, I think GP Knives, that sells them. Blade is better. Then you can customize with scales by one of the several makers, when you have the money.

Here is mine with Putnam scales.

IMG_0099_zps4fe23370.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top