Mini-Grip Alternatives

daizee · Mar 9, 2013

Hi all, (and welcome to BFC, Benchmade!)

I've spent a few weeks with my mini-grip (plain edge sheepsfoot, 154CM).
What are the opinions around here regarding 3"-max Benchmade alternatives to the mini-grip?

Things I like:
The blade is excellent.
Axis lock: very cool, and one of the reasons I got the knife. I wish it didn't interfere with tip-down carry, but whatevs. It's a reasonable trade-off for the lock.
Added a deep-carry clip similar to what works so well on the Boker Hyper: went on easy, but the jury's still out on that one. It's hard to get out of my waistband.

I'm not thrilled with the ergos. The feel of the handle material is kind of meh, but fine if it didn't slip out of my hand due to the fade on the spine at the butt. Also, I'd like the finger groove in the handle to be pushed a bit further forward. However, I'm curious about alternatives before I take it apart for surgery there... It seems to me that this would be an excellent handle in the full-size version, but it doesn't scale perfectly. I've had the same experience with the Kershaw JYD's - I have both, and love the big'un, but the small is awkward.

Second, I'm considering a folder for long periods of working at sea. The 111H20 actually checks all the boxes, but is too long locally, so if I were to bring it home it would be an issue. I thought it would be cool to have a batch customized with the ship logo, but I wouldn't want to put folks in a tight spot if they carried their cool ship knife at home. On this topic, I'm on the fence about spending more money on a sweet blade vs. something a bit more disposeable should there be an issue with customs rifling though one of our shipments.

So before I start grinding on the handle to improve the ergos and make it untradeable, what are plausible alternatives from folks who are familiar with the mini-grip?

Thanks!

-Daizee

ryxlyx · Mar 9, 2013

My hands aren't that large, but still I find the handles of most of the 3" Benchmades don't offer me a secure grip. The 2 I've found that give me the most-secure grip, as well as best leverage, are the 525 and the HK 14210. Quite diff handle designs, but both work well, for me. HK handle shorter but your hand rides further forward, also an awesome thumb ramp. 525 just sticks to your hand like glue.

daizee · Mar 9, 2013

Hm, the 585 looks nice. The HK line looks way too angry for me.
Any notion of how the 585 and mini-grip compare to the 707?

ryxlyx · Mar 10, 2013

585? Or 525? 585 less secure to me, rear underside tapers upward a bit much for much of a perch. I know what you mean about HK "angry"-- the designs are in your face, but the knives fit well in your hand. I love the look of the 707 but again, not enuf handle for me to hold onto.

If 525 of interest a few 525M4s are still available....

daizee · Mar 10, 2013

oops, I mis-read. The 525 looks good too.
Hmm...

jkarp_53 · Mar 10, 2013

+1 on the 525, also worth mentioning, and within the Presidio "family" is the 527 with the hollow ground 440C blade and smoother Valox scales.

ryxlyx · Mar 10, 2013

There will certainly be people who show up w/ other opinions but for me, the 525M4 is the only 3" knife I'll carry in lieu of the 3.5"/4" blades I normally carry for work, where leverage is gen'ly important to the tasks. I've bot several-- it's also a great knife for projects....

NG VI · Mar 10, 2013

Must be Massachusetts. Why not go with the H20 that fits your needs on the ship best and then you've got the mini Griptilian to carry at home?

daizee · Mar 10, 2013

NG VI said:
Must be Massachusetts. Why not go with the H20 that fits your needs on the ship best and then you've got the mini Griptilian to carry at home?

Mass is only that bad around Bahstahn, IIRC.
I'm in RI where it's 3" everywhere.

I may divvy up the duties as you suggest, and hope to be able to leave kit on the ship.

NG VI · Mar 10, 2013

I doubt you'll ever run into trouble for having a work knife greater than three inches. Besides, those laws almost always only apply to what you can carry in public, not use at home or work. Sometimes they only apply to things that are carried as weapons, and not other tools.

Brad9660 · Mar 11, 2013

daizee said:
Hm, the 585 looks nice. The HK line looks way too angry for me.
Any notion of how the 585 and mini-grip compare to the 707?

I have only handled a 585, and it felt pretty good but was also heavy for it's size and thick. The Presidio and the Mini-Grip to me are both a little more ergonomic, and fill the hand better than the 707. I do edc the 707 and like it quite a bit, but I have small hands for a man, and the handle size works for me. I also will choose a slimmer and more lightweight knife for edc, even if it doesn't feel the best. To me the Presidio fills the hand the best, for being a small knife, and is pretty comfy.