Kershaw Leek vs. Benchmade Mini Griptillian

[Daryl Coda]

This is an interesting thread for me, I just bought a Leek and a full size Griptillian. I love the Griptillian and it's a keeper but too big for EDC so I'm getting a mini (probably tonight after I crack into the bourbon).

I bought the Leek on a whim and I hated it the instant I got it, it's well made and nice and slim, but opening the knife is just awkward. It's just too small and the thumb studs are useless to open the thing, the little finger flip on the back works OK as long as you have the knife arranged in your hand so the pin thin tip doesn't prick your palm. There is also zero grip on the knife, it's bone smooth. And lastly the steel is about useless for anything but slicing apples, it's basically a paring knife. If you're a collector the design is cool and it looks really good, but it's not a practical knife if you want to use it.

I love everything about the Griptillian, even the grip on the full size I like, the lack of liners keeps it light and it's really well balanced, the Axis mechanism is the best I've seen on a knife. In my opinion the mini-grip by a mile.

Did you end up getting the mini?

 

[JarrodS]

Mini Grip by far. The Leek is actually one of my few disappointments from Kershaw.