M4 Mini Grip Quality question

J

Jay S.

Joined
Dec 7, 2005
Messages
406
While I was putting my Wilkins grips on my M4 Mini Grip to make the most awesome EDC ever, I noticed several small holes, some not even drilled (or EDM'd) all the way through around the pivot on my blade. Anyone notice this on their M4 Mini? It doesn't look like it will effect function or reliability but it's poor quality none the less. Here are a few pictures.
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I put mine in Wilkins Grips as well and do not remember anything like that but I could be wrong.
 
mr2blue said:
I put mine in Wilkins Grips as well and do not remember anything like that but I could be wrong.
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I put my 154CM mini grip in Wilkins scales a few months ago and did not see it on that blade. Not a big deal to me, just seems kind of odd.
 
Never seen holes like that by the pivot before, but I also don't have any of the M4 Griptilians. The Wilkins scales are great. My Ritter Mini-Grip w/ Wilkins scales is one of my favorite knives (and one of my most carried/used since I got it).
 
Those holes are, I believe, identification holes to identify blade steel since there are so many different steels used in the Grip family (154CM, N680, s30v, D2, M390, M4...). My M4 Presidio has some as well. My Rift did not, but if I had disassembled my M4 Rift, I'm willing to bet there would have been a hole or two in the blade.
 
I've seen them before though I don't remember which knife. Probably a Rift or grip of some type. But I'm sure there is a reason for them and it is not a lack of quality. Perfect holes don't just appear, they were put there for a reason even if we don't know exactly why.
 
I just got my new M4 MiniGrip but this 'holy' area is out of sight. I've had several MiniGrips apart, but this one is so perfect there is no need. There are no such holes on either my Ritter or D2 MiniGrips. So, my guess: lubrication retention pockets?
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
Perfect holes don't just appear, they were put there for a reason even if we don't know exactly why.
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That's just it - they aren't perfect. A few are but a couple of them look like someone was learning how to use the EDM machine.
 
loonybin said:
Those holes are, I believe, identification holes to identify blade steel since there are so many different steels used in the Grip family (154CM, N680, s30v, D2, M390, M4...). My M4 Presidio has some as well. My Rift did not, but if I had disassembled my M4 Rift, I'm willing to bet there would have been a hole or two in the blade.
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I've had one of my M4 forum Rift's apart, and I saw nothing like this.

Just one 'divot' for the detent for the closed lock position.
 
Holes (3) in my M4 Presidio blade also. I'll guess it's some sort of equipment setup (or weight reduction - for quicker opening and closing - j/k).
 
Didn't notice any holes on my M4 mini grip while putting my Wilkins grips on - but I was definitely more interested in the new scales than the existing blade!

I'll have to check next time it's apart for maintenance.
 
How is the spring attached to the blade on assisted opening or automatic models? I haven't heard of an assisted or auto grip, but could the hole be intended for a coil spring tab?
 
Just got my CPM-M4 Mini griptilian from GPknives and it has the same holes as yours.
Mine also has a nicely burnt tip which is worrisome in my experience.

Can't return it for a replacement however since it has the exact serial number I wanted: 239.

Sending it to Benchmade to see what they think, get it HRC tested and also see what they think about the tip.
 
Luis G. said:
Just got my CPM-M4 Mini griptilian from GPknives and it has the same holes as yours.
Mine also has a nicely burnt tip which is worrisome in my experience.

Can't return it for a replacement however since it has the exact serial number I wanted: 239.

Sending it to Benchmade to see what they think, get it HRC tested and also see what they think about the tip.
Click to expand...

Yup - mine had a burnt tip as well. Ser#38.
 
I haven't taken mine apart yet. My Wilkins grips will be here in a couple of weeks, I'll check then. On a side note, I ordered a 710 in M4 and it had a burnt tip also. Bleh.
 
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