Kind of bummed on new Grip

B

bobnery

Joined
Mar 16, 2008
Messages
1,252
Well I had always loved Spydercos and was pretty loyal until I got a few BMs little Snody Activator, Rukus, Morpho, and BM42. I really liked all of those for their own unique qualities so I figured I'd get a Grip. That new orange one caught my eye and I grabbed one from Knifeworks. I had heard great reviews on them on so many sites and I am happy with the blade steel the Axis lock and overall F&F but I was not prepared for the cheap feel of that handle! I hear they hold up great but geesh think how much better that knife would feel with even a more solid FRN handle not to mention G10. I will keep it and use it hard but dunno if I will be adding anymore to the pile.
 
I had a mini-grip and ritter M2 full size and the handles just didn't work for me. Great knives...awesome lock but I couldn't get past the handles. There is nothing functionally wrong with the handles but as a personal preference, I don't like them.
 
The full sizes take some getting used to. The mini grips however, are for everyone. They are everything that the full lacks (except of course size). I like my full size grip alright, but i dont like near as much as all my minis.

Try a mini sometime.
 
That is what happens when you don't do research and buy something you've never held off some internet dealer. I bet there are at least a hundred post saying the full sized grip feels cheap and the small grip feels great.

That said, you now own a heck of a good knife. By using it you may learn to really appreciate it. I'd bet you will. If not, you can always sell or trade it if you think it's really that bad.
 
Another happy FRN customer.

FRN in small knives works ok - in large formats, it requires liners to increase the stiffness. The composition of most American makers comes off greasy due to the low fiberglass content, and because of the molding technique, company stylists and designers try to do things they wouldn't unless it was an expensive custom. That makes the overall impression mixed because of the inconsistency - cheap material, high end feature.

Foreign made G6 FRN has a much higher glass content, which forces manufacturing to use it like G10 - which it resembles to an uncanny degree (buyer beware!) Because of this, I won't buy FRN over $30 retail. Higher than that, I'm not getting value for the money, I'm just paying for the branding.

Cuts a few knives off the list, but I've found it no loss. The money saved goes to $100 and up blades that are worth it.
 
Carry that new Grip for a while. It's an awesome knife. It may not feel like a high end knife, and may not sound like it either, when you bang it on something and get that hollow sound, but it is a great high end knife. The handles are just as strong as G-10 in most regards, and maybe even stronger in some regards. And you could never get that wonderful rounded grip with G-10, without either paying a ton of money, or having a needlessly heavy knife.

I've thought about replacing my Grip handles with G-10 a few times. I'm just not sure whether I'm willing to give up the awesome ergonomics of the stock molded handle. The large Griptilian feels sooooooo good in the hand.
 
I like the light-but-strong Noryl GTX handles.
It is one of the reasons that I often carry my Grips, but not my 520 Presidio!
 
Last edited:
morrowj_98 said:
I had a mini-grip and ritter M2 full size and the handles just didn't work for me. Great knives...awesome lock but I couldn't get past the handles. There is nothing functionally wrong with the handles but as a personal preference, I don't like them.
Click to expand...
.....pretty much my personal opinion too.

- regards
 
tirod3 said:
Another happy FRN customer.

FRN in small knives works ok - in large formats, it requires liners to increase the stiffness. The composition of most American makers comes off greasy due to the low fiberglass content, and because of the molding technique, company stylists and designers try to do things they wouldn't unless it was an expensive custom. That makes the overall impression mixed because of the inconsistency - cheap material, high end feature.

Foreign made G6 FRN has a much higher glass content, which forces manufacturing to use it like G10 - which it resembles to an uncanny degree (buyer beware!) Because of this, I won't buy FRN over $30 retail. Higher than that, I'm not getting value for the money, I'm just paying for the branding.

Cuts a few knives off the list, but I've found it no loss. The money saved goes to $100 and up blades that are worth it.
Click to expand...

I know Spyderco uses increased fiberglass content in both their G-10 and FRN works. If you think FRN feels cheap, try a D'Allara on for size. Amazing feel.
 
I have one large Grip and 4 small Grips. Love the small ones, large one not so much. If you hold the handle up to your ear you can hear the ocean.
 
LOVE the size of the Lg Grip... I feel very confident that it is a superb knife, despite the hollowness... I do wish, though, that they had left the handles solid... it would be totally worth any extra cost, and I'd be happy to pay a few bucks more for it. I just picked up and am eagerly awaiting a "Presidio Ultra," which I am confident will address the issue.. So there may be a light at the end of the tunnel for the "hollow haters" just yet!!
 
The large Grips are great workhorses but the FRN handles are hollow and "feel" wrong. If you can get over it, it's a great knife at a good price and lightweight for its size. I sort of regret selling off mine but the hollow handles really bothered me.
 
Don`t let the feel fool you. I felt the same way when I got mine. Cheap was my thoughts, but the handles have held up fine, and I have used it pretty hard, and they are grippy, even when covered in blood,fish slime, or whatever.
 
I have great sympathy for dissatisfied Grip owners. My suggestion is to send them all to me, as I have a special burial ground in my desk. :p

Seriously though, my Grips are among the finest knives that I own. The handle is remarkably tough yet light in weight and fits my hand perfectly. I suppose that I just view things differently. When I look at a Grip handle, I see an excellent design, that intelligently employs one of the toughest synthetic materials around and as such, falls high on my 'attraction' index. I suppose that an appropriate question, would be to ask how many failures of a Grip handle have been reported in the forums. I can only recall one.

Anyway, each to their own and it is all good.
 
HKBM45 said:
The full sizes take some getting used to. The mini grips however, are for everyone. They are everything that the full lacks (except of course size). I like my full size grip alright, but i dont like near as much as all my minis.

Try a mini sometime.
Click to expand...

NOTHING, including a certain knife, is for EVERYONE.
 
I've owned mini Grips, my fave was the Ritter. I have wide blocky hands and only problem with them was not getting all four fingers in play. I've got a Large D2 Cabela's and one of the large M2 Ritters, and aside from the CLACK they make they're fine knives.

As was mentioned above, I just picked up one of the new Presidio Ultra 527 mini's with the 440c blade and agree with the poster, it's a really good knife with full liners and smooth Axis mechanics. The Noryl GTX handle scales makes it light but strong. Oh, yeah...I get a full fingered grip on these.

For the price point either a Grip or the Ultra's are great buys.
 
I was mistakenly sent a Mini Grip when I ordered my Full Grip so I was able to see how they both felt. The Mini did feel a bit more solid, but the Full Grip grew on me rather quickly even though I was initially a little put off by the handles after getting a chance to handle the Mini. Within a week, the biggun' was in my good graces. IMO, give it some time to grow on ya before you write it off, I'm not saying you will end up loving it (you may, who knows), but give it a fair shot :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top