Mini Grip Vs. Delica?

[Blop]

Well how about starting with a BM Pika mini II?

Comparable knives with not so comparable prices.

OK, the Pika is made in China, if that does matter.http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?Model=10412

http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/closeup.php?product=334

 

[BJE]

This is like asking blondes or redheads. I love them both. I have about 50 folders and the 555 Mini Grip with Spydie hole and my plain jane Delica get the most pocket time. VG10 and 154cm are my two favorite steels.

Blondes...but then there are the brunettes also. I chose both.

Having owned several of each knife at some point, I will have to give the nod to the mini-grip. I am actually thinking about picking another one up. I like the blade design on the mini-grip alot better than the delica, it cuts better also. The lock is very nice and I like it better than the lockback. The Axis is supposed to be alot stronger than other locks, but you aren't going to be breaking either one of these two any time soon. I do like the handle on the Delica better (although uglier IMO) it is thinner, grippier, longer, and has more clip placement options.

 

[OrangeJoe]

I wonder if and how would the above posts have changed if the comparo was between a Mini Grip vs. a Delica Wave?

 

[BJE]

I personaly don't like the wave, it hangs up in my pocket when I draw the knife. To be fair, that is was it was designed to do. I don't always (hardly ever) want to rip the knife out of my pocket and have to worry about what is behind me. YMMV.

 

[flipe8]

I can't stand the Wave. It really ruins the look of the Delica, in my opinion. I think these are two knives that everyone should look into at one point or another,as they both offer exceptional value and performance. Being that I'm a Spydie fan first, I'd give the nod to the Delica for the G10 version, if nothing else. I do wish Spyderco would look at how much blade has been packed into the Mini Grip, though. If the Mini Grip was offered in G10, I imagine it would be in my pocket.
Truth is, if none of the offerings of either of these two knives doesn't appeal to you, it's probably a lost cause

 

[carrot]

Personally I like the Delica a lot better. VG-10 is arguably the better steel, don't like Axis, find that the Benchmade pocket clips destroy my pockets, and find the blade shape to be more useful on the Delica. I must have weird pockets, because I think the Delica is more inobtrusive in my pockets than the Grip. Lockbacks are also much more fun to play with.

Also I think the Griptilian is ugly. Now the BM530 is a whole other story.

 

[s.c.]

I wonder if and how would the above posts have changed if the comparo was between a Mini Grip vs. a Delica Wave?

Well, the original posts asked for a comparison to 'any' variant of the Delica, so I think its fair game.

I personaly don't like the wave, it hangs up in my pocket when I draw the knife. To be fair, that is was it was designed to do. I don't always (hardly ever) want to rip the knife out of my pocket and have to worry about what is behind me. YMMV.

I'm very curious how others are opening up their waved knives. I lift it up straight out of the pocket, not to the rear. I've heard of other complaints of it not working all the time or the opposite problem of the blade opening while trying to take it out without deploying the blade. I find that twisting the handle the tiniest bit one way will dependably open it or keep it closed, obviously depending on which way I twist it.

I can't stand the Wave. It really ruins the look of the Delica, in my opinion.

These aren't the prettiest knives to begin with . I'm a huge spyderco fan, BTW. The beauty of the Delica (and most spydercos) is not physical, I think the wave adds more to that functional beauty. Despite liking the hole, I think the round hole versions of the Mini-grip are fugly.

Anyhow, my vote goes for the delica. I own several variations of both, but the Delica wins most of my pocket time. Now if they could collaborate and make a Waved Delica with the Axis lock...

 

[ousanas]

I've had a delica wave since just after they released that model. Love the knife, the wave is just as easy to not open coming out of the pocket as it is to open.

either 1. twist is slightly in towards your body as you draw it, 2. as you draw it out (tip up afterall) slide a finger on the spine of the blade to keep it from opening.

I am a spyderco fan almost exclusively, but BM makes great knives, one of these days I'll pick up a minigrip since it's such a nice basic knife, just like the delica.

 

[Lurker]

I own both and EDC the Mini Grip 556 mostly just because I subjectively like the looks better. I would frankly be self-conscious to use or lend a Delica in front of certain people that do not understand such an unusual, non-traditonal looking knife. But they are both excellent knives and neither is a bad choice.

Objectively, I would give the edge to the Delica because the grip area is longer and it is flatter in the pocket. The large Delica thumb ramp gives your thumb a more secure and powerful perch on the spine. You can also choose tip-up or tip-down clip placement with the Delica while you only get tip-up with the Grip. The Grip clip can be rough on pockets. Just a bit better ergonomics in general on the Delica. By the way, I would avoid the Delica with the stainless steel scales because they can get slippery.

One possibly significant difference is that you can easily wrist-flick the Grip open but it is virtually impossible to flick the Delica. Some people like to be able to flick, while some may prefer to avoid it because in some areas, that is a legal problem (NYC in particular, for instance). In general it is smarter to carry a knife that is more legal in more places and the Delica wins here.

Factors in favor of the Grip: I think that the Axis lock is more resistant to developing vertical blade play in the long run, but Delicas are so well made that I wouldn't consider this a deciding factor by any means. It is also easier/faster to close an Axis lock and possible to do so without putting your fingers in the blade path and I think that is just a good design principle (although again, not a deciding factor).

In the end, get whichever one speaks to you. Both work great.

If I were buying today, I would also consider the $40 WalMart Spyderco Native in S30V as a less expensive option in an arguably better steel (but no liners).

 

[cereedy]

mini grip cuts like a bigger knife comfortable in the hand and I like the shape of the blade.

 

[jim preston]

Mini-Grip. Delica's I have handled had extremely stiff backsprings. Also, you can get thuimb studs on the Mini-Grip.

 

[THG]

If spydercos weren't so DAMN UGLY I'd say go with that one.

I used to think the same. Then I saw some in real life

the D4 is a bit easier to open and close one-handed.

Really? The Delica is tough for me to close single-handed. I usually turn the knife around, press the lock with my thumb, insert a finger into the hole and use the handle to close.

I wonder if and how would the above posts have changed if the comparo was between a Mini Grip vs. a Delica Wave?

I love the Wave (mine is waved), although I'm sure I would like a non-waved just as much.

I personaly don't like the wave, it hangs up in my pocket when I draw the knife. To be fair, that is was it was designed to do. I don't always (hardly ever) want to rip the knife out of my pocket and have to worry about what is behind me. YMMV.

There are 2 solutions:

1. While removing the knife from the pocket (assuming it is clipped), turn it in the direction of the location of the hook.

2. Change the position of the pocket clip to tip-down.

I can't stand the Wave. It really ruins the look of the Delica, in my opinion.

Again, I thought the same thing until I saw it in real life

I'm very curious how others are opening up their waved knives. I lift it up straight out of the pocket, not to the rear.

Lifting straight up will deploy the blade.

I've heard of other complaints of it not working all the time or the opposite problem of the blade opening while trying to take it out without deploying the blade. I find that twisting the handle the tiniest bit one way will dependably open it or keep it closed, obviously depending on which way I twist it.

I think you just have to learn how to work it. At first, I wasn't getting it to work every time. But I found that if I clip the knife more leftward in my pocket (especially the small 5th pocket), I can get it to do its magic.

 

[GEL99]

My current EDC is the mini grip. I own both the S30v Ritter and the D2 Cabelas. Of the two, I come to prefer the D2 version.

 

[s.c.]

I think you just have to learn how to work it. At first, I wasn't getting it to work every time. But I found that if I clip the knife more leftward in my pocket (especially the small 5th pocket), I can get it to do its magic.

I may not have written my post clearly enough. I have absolutely no problems opening the wave reliablly. I also don't have any problems taking the knife out without deploying the blade. I'm just confused why others have issues with the wave.

 

[THG]

I may not have written my post clearly enough. I have absolutely no problems opening the wave reliablly. I also don't have any problems taking the knife out without deploying the blade. I'm just confused why others have issues with the wave.

Oh, yes; I was just saying it in general. "One just needs to learn how to work it; that's all."

 

[TheFlash]

Both are excellent folders. My nod goes to the BM555 Grippie.
I just prefer the Axis lock, the blade opens easier for me (large hands), the handle fits better in my hands (wider is better for me), and it just feels like a sturdier knife.
(Both are very sturdy and high quality - it's just a subjective feel to me.)

You'll be well served by either, so I would just suggest going to a show or shop (if you can) and give each one some hand-time to see which one fits best for you.
Good luck!

Regards,
Mike

 

[Rafael]

I prefer the Spyderco Delica but the Mini Griptilian is a great knife. The handle on the Mini Grip is a little bit more neutral, something I like.

For general cutting, I prefer the handle of the Delica though. Also I like the VG-10 steel of the Delica a little bit better, but it’s certainly no deal breaker.

I’m not crazy about the combination axis lock and thumb stud. I had the Mini Grip open partially once, while taking it out of my pocket and almost cut myself. I'm more carefull now and it's not really a problem.

In my experience the clip on the Mini Grip takes a lot of breaking in. The positive side: it holds the knife very secure.

Rafael

 

[mmarkh]

I have a Ritter Mini Grip with M2 steel and an Endura which is larger than a Delica but I would say get the Grip.

 

[Ultraman]

Delicas are great knives, but you might encounter some vertical blade play. If this is bothersome mentally to you, you'll find the axis lock on the Benchmade more agreeable.

 

[nathan310]

I have a Ritter Mini Grip with M2 steel and an Endura which is larger than a Delica but I would say get the Grip.

What's m2 steel?

Is it like d2?

Harder, softer what?