Mini Grip in 154CM

154CM is not a bad steel at all! If you want, you can go to the BM custom configuration website and have the blade out of 20CV, CPM M4, D2, S30V, etc.
It will cost you, but if you prefer those, it might be worth it to you. Again, 154CM is a great steel, great for EDC.
 
fivesense said:
I ordered both the full size and Mini. I was convinced on the Mini until I saw a "flip video" on a website (Knife Center I think) and the Mini looks pretty mini indeed. I won't know until I handle but I'm eager to get a feel for both.
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My opinion on the mini vs grip is that the mini really is good as a light user EDC where you really don't need to drive into too much material. It can handle some cardboard and things like that but after a while the small handle catches up with you. It carries fantastically though and performs very well for things that are light duty EDC type things. For me, it's a lot of light cutting: tape, packages, pouches, foil, bags, a little cardboard, hang nails, etc. I didn't care for it trying to clean up some trees in the yard, though it's not really intended for that either it's just what I grabbed because I was curious how it would handle it. I usually carry something bigger when out clearing brush and such but pruning shears usually win there anyway if I have them. Knives carry better though.

The full grip handles a lot more utility tasks but sacrifices the ease of carry a little bit. Getting both isn't a bad idea at all. I may get another full-size but with BM coming out with some other similar knives, the freak and bugout especially, I may elect for one of those instead. I think the mini is one of the better carrying knives that is also very useful, and available in a shape with a low tip.
 
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^^. I have had the full size and the mini a few times over and I always end up coming back to the mini.

The full length liners make the mini feel much more solid.

Plus, the blade length will do anything the full size will, while disappearing in your pocket.

I have also has all the other "high end" steels, and I must say my current mini in 154cm is just as good if not better than the other offerings but at a discount.

154cm is perfected by benchmade and performs flawlessly.
 
Full size Grip (sheepsfoot) owner, use it every day at work in a maritime environment. Cuts through everything I have asked it to with ease. This includes mostly cardboard but a lot of synthetic and natural fibered rope. Holds its edge well and freshening up the edge is quite easy. Im pretty happy with mine.
 
Thank you for the replies and real world experiences. This is very helpful and I look forward to the comparison. I ordered the Tanto in both full and Mini, but I can't help but wonder if I'm going to end up getting the drop point. Most of my folders (except my Yojimbo 2 Wharncliffe) are drop point, so we'll see how the Tanto looks/feels. I know it will work for the vast majority of the daily tasks through which I'd put it, and I'm always wearing a SAK backup too.

Bottom line, I'm sure whichever Grip I choose first won't be my last Benchmade... :D
 
154cm is better than alot of other steel in its category. however its no where near the performance of the powdered steel types.
 
Got the mini grip tanto today (Olive with black blade). It's as beautiful as it is tiny. And by tiny, I mean "gentleman's knife" tiny. The ergos are phenomenal but I'm waiting until I have the full-size Grip on Tuesday to make a final determination about whether I keep the Mini.

There's always an easy argument to be made to keep the Mini and full-size Griptilian, but the Mini is small enough that it fits into the same category as my Swiss Champ SAK. There's no question the blade on the Griptilian is better- strong, sharper and better steel- but even those advantages are somewhat mitigated by the fact that the SAK has more tools that don't necessitate using either of the SAK blades, other than for slicing. Since I already carry the Swiss Champ in addition to my PM2 or Yojimbo 2, Griptilian is vying for precious pocket real estate. I envision Grip tanto for grunt work. Testing on cardboard proves why I got the tanto- it's already sharp but the tanto angle is great for the regular jabbing/penetrating I need daily.

I wanted to post pictures here for reference- of the Mini Grip, Swiss Champ, Spydercos PM2 and Yojimbo 2- but this is the only website I belong to that makes it so hard to post images easily. So, visualize from left to right- Swiss Champ, Mini Grip, PM2, Yojimbo 2. See the interesting differences? :thumbsdown:
 
If you get a paid membership you can upload pictures right to the website. Or get imgur for free. Better yet, do both.
 
bikerector said:
If you get a paid membership you can upload pictures right to the website. Or get imgur for free. Better yet, do both.
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I pay for most of the websites I use for information like this, but they all allow free postings even with free memberships. This one would benefit by a restricted unpaid ability to post, like 10 images or so. Not a big deal.
 
The full size griptilian is more comparable to your PM2. I like it better for edc than the mini..
154 cm is fine steel.
 
fivesense said:
....There's always an easy argument to be made to keep the Mini and full-size Griptilian, but the Mini is small enough that it fits into the same category as my Swiss Champ SAK. There's no question the blade on the Griptilian is better- strong, sharper and better steel- but even those advantages are somewhat mitigated by the fact that the SAK has more tools that don't necessitate using either of the SAK blades, other than for slicing. Since I already carry the Swiss Champ in addition to my PM2 or Yojimbo 2, Griptilian is vying for precious pocket real estate. I envision Grip tanto for grunt work.
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Like I said before I am a large Grip fan and would go large 9 times out of 10. However, a good friend of mine is an IT tech and has two blades on his person most of the time. His work blade of choice is a Mini Grip tanto. In a tanto, the mini makes perfect sense.

Question, How many of the SwissChamp tools do you really normally use? I bet you could get by with an Alox Pioneer, Electrician, or Farmer. Maybe even a Cadet if weight becomes an issue. A Cadet is an amazing knife for it's size.
 
sabre cat said:
Like I said before I am a large Grip fan and would go large 9 times out of 10. However, a good friend of mine is an IT tech and has two blades on his person most of the time. His work blade of choice is a Mini Grip tanto. In a tanto, the mini makes perfect sense.

Question, How many of the SwissChamp tools do you really normally use? I bet you could get by with an Alox Pioneer, Electrician, or Farmer. Maybe even a Cadet if weight becomes an issue. A Cadet is an amazing knife for it's size.
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I debated all the SAKs you mention. However, I use the pliers, magnifying glass, scissors, saw, and Phillips frequently enough to justify the Swiss Champ. I have a BSA Huntsman (Fieldmaster) and Explorer that just sit, because one lacks the magnifying glass and one lacks the pliers. I've grown accustomed to and ok with the size of the Swiss Champ as I know I'm not missing anything. Next in the rotation is the Explorer for sure.

The SAKs you mention are all great though. Quit trying to tempt me... :)

Regarding the full-size Griptilian tanto, I can already tell I'm going to like it better than the Mini, not because the Mini is bad, but it's just smaller than I want in such a knife. I think the full-size, being comparable to the PM2 is about as small as I'd want to go. But I do really look forward to the slight strength and size advantage of the bigger tanto. The Grip tanto is really like a "shark" speer tip- I'm pretty impressed.
 
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I've never had a BM tanto, your description makes me want one.

I agree that it sounds like you're after a full-size grip from your further descriptions. Some like littler blades, some like them bigger, it's great to have choices. The new BM bugout is supposed to be in between with a similar price and 3.25 s30v blade. I suspect that will be linerless based on the crazy low weight they've listed for it and the grivory handle will probably feel more plasticy than the FRN plastic.
 
I'm a both large and mini Grip person. I EDC the Mini, but when I know I'll be cutting a lot I grab the full size.
If I had to choose a favorite it'd probably be the Mini. It's so much more compact and sounds more solid when you close it. It lacks the hollow noise, unlike the full size.

My large Grip is in D2, which is pretty awesome for edge retention. However, because 154CM is so easy to maintain, I would prefer it for hard use that could damage the edge.

There is nothing wrong with either of them, it's just preference of size. By the way, this probably won't be your last BM.
 
bikerector said:
I've never had a BM tanto, your description makes me want one.

I agree that it sounds like you're after a full-size grip from your further descriptions. Some like littler blades, some like them bigger, it's great to have choices. The new BM bugout is supposed to be in between with a similar price and 3.25 s30v blade. I suspect that will be linerless based on the crazy low weight they've listed for it and the grivory handle will probably feel more plasticy than the FRN plastic.
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That Bugout does look good- the handle doesn't blow me away but the knife overall, especially in S30V, seems like a winner.

The question will be whether or not anything in this price range compares with my PM2. The biggest difference with the Grip in tanto is the tanto blade, which is significant. If I'm carrying the Yojimbo 2, I've got a laser sharp blade and tip for such cutting, so the tanto gives me that versatility for slightly more gruff tasks to which I wouldn't want to expose the Y2. For example, something as simple as popping the top on a stubborn dog or cat food can (daily) or even a soup can. With a tanto, I'll have no worries exposing the blade tip to the moderate jab and pry motion. Even cutting cardboard I feel I can be a little more aggressive.
 
An interesting observation about the tanto- the blade edge is essentially flat similarly to a Wharncliffe- right up to the angle of tanto tip. So from that perspective, you get similar use and cutting characteristics depending upon your mechanics. But you have the reinforced tip- it won't be as easy a penetrator as a Wharncliffe but it will do the trick.
 
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Good ole 440c

One of the 1st Grips ever made like in the entire worlds.
 
The Mini Grip 555 (with the hole) was one of my first "nice" knives. I have since gifted it away, but it was my EDC for a solid few months. I can't say anything about the knife itself that hasn't been said above, as I don't have nearly the experience with it as others. However, as for the steel, my most used knife is an Emerson in the same steel, and I can tell you that it is 100% good to go for just about anything. Corrosive resistant, tough, easy to bring back, and holds a great working edge even after losing razor sharpness.
 
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