Mini-Axis Stryker, Mini Ritter Grip or Valet?

D

darks

Joined
Jan 27, 2015
Messages
129
Well, my company is declaring all knives with blades over 3" concealed weapons and carrying one a fireable offense starting Jan 1, 2016, which means my tried and true BM 940 is going to have to sit it out at home. I really enjoy the axis lock system and BM knives in general, so I would like to stick with a BM knife. I've been able to narrow it down to the three in the title, but am having difficulty choosing from them. Can anybody offer any insight?
 
Personally love the look of the Stryker. You can never go wrong with a grip. I feel a lot of people hate on the grips plastic scales but I actually really like them. I bought customs but I have yet to put them on because I am enjoying the stock scales.
 
Then don't conceal it. That solves it. Okay back on serious note. My uncle used a mini grip and he does construction and lumber so it's a tried and true knife for him I'm sure it will work for you. I have the original Stryker and love it but haven't tried new one
 
The mini grip is a great knife, it will do pretty much any edc task, but the handles are not the greatest, if you pay the extra $50 you get G10 handle scales and deep carry pocket clip on the Mini Stryker,. I like both, just depends what feels better to you in hand. If your ok with the FRN handles then save yourself the $50 and pick out a mini griptilian or pay $130 and step up to a mini ritter griptilian so you can get the premium m390 blade steel. There is also a newly released Mini grip that has G10 scales and a premium CPM-20CV (m390 equivalent) blade for $165, which I would choose over the Mini Stryker which only has 154CM for the same price. The valet is slightly slimmer and comes with m390, I been reading there have been QC issues with blade play etc.
 
Last edited:
Yeah, my main concern with the griptilian is the handle thickness. I'm used to carrying a very slim knife and the griptilian is a bit of a chunker, but it's not any worse than my zt0562 which is right at the same thickness. Maybe I'll get used to it? I ordered some extra Contego clips for my other benchmade knives, so the deep carry issue isn't a problem. The valet hits on a bunch of the high points I'm looking for, but the price point is a bit high and I've also read that the QC is hit and miss on it. The sequel also looked like a very nice knife, but again the price just doesn't reflect the steel they're using, I feel like they should at least step up to S30V for the pricepoint. I'll probably just have to go to cabelas and try a few out in my pocket before handing them back and buying a knife elsewhere hahaha.
 
Man that stinks, somedays I decide to rock my BM Bedlam and no one even notices or cares. I would go for one of the new Griptilians with G-10 .
 
Yeah, I'm pretty disappointed about it, as I'm a responsible knife user. But, it's a large company and they're starting to get really hardcore about the whole weapons thing and I pretty much have a career setup here. So, I'll just roll with it and take it as an excuse to buy another knife.
 
I have a Valet. Size wise it would be small and thin enough. I have had no real QC issues with mine. Otherwise a G10 Mini Grip would be a nice choice, I hear it is a tad slimmer than the FRN Minis.
 
Just took a look at the HK Mini Axis as well... That looks like a solid knife with a great price point and some nice features. I've never had a knife in D2 though, I usually keep towards the stainless blades because I live in the South. Humidity, heat and sweat don't play nice with most tool steels.
 
For the price point your looking at it would be between the new g10 mini grip or valet since they have equivalent blade steel. All just boils down to ergos and you like it in pocket.Ritter Mini grip is not a bad choice either, you can pick up some aftermarket scales like AWT alum scales which are slimmer than the factory frn handles. They usually have a blem sale for $40/set, comes out at about same price ~$170 and you get a custom look/feel if you care about that stuff.
 
The Ritter grip mini is by far my favorite folder. I am fine with the plastic handles and used them for years without issue. The KSF micarta scales that I put on a couple months back have made it feel like a true custom knife though. I have a pair of AWT aluminum scales on the way as well.
 
stkh22 said:
For the price point your looking at it would be between the new g10 mini grip or valet since they have equivalent blade steel. All just boils down to ergos and you like it in pocket.Ritter Mini grip is not a bad choice either, you can pick up some aftermarket scales like AWT alum scales which are slimmer than the factory frn handles. They usually have a blem sale for $40/set, comes out at about same price ~$170 and you get a custom look/feel if you care about that stuff.
Click to expand...

That is the same price for the new Mini grip. The BM scales are rounded and won't show wear. Many report the AWT flat and uncomfortable. I would take the new grip any day.
 
^^^ true, I agree with you on getting the factory G10 model, just throwing out options. I have the AWT aluminum scales on one of my mini grips and I think they are fine as I do not have any complaints but everyone has different tastes.
 
My choice would be the Mini Ritter Grip. The 2.88" high flat ground blade in M390 makes for an awesome slicer. Goto Knifeworks and have a look.
 
Ritter Mini-Grip with AWT scales.

a6e34741e889ea29c0359b4f0586098f.jpg
 
I think I'm going to go with the mini Ritter. The value is fantastic and if I want to switch out the scales later the aftermarket is there for it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top