mini-Griptilian v.s. Delica

drosttsord

drosttsord

Joined
Aug 31, 2002
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11
Who do you think makes the better knife, Benchmade or Spyderco.

I one both the Benchmade Mini-Griptilian and the Spyderco Delica and when I compare them I believe that the Benchmade is better constructed, I love the axis lock and the Griptilian feels much more solid in compare with the Delica. Another weak point of the Delica is its clip, it moves.

Maybe you think different, so What's your opinion?


Henk
:)
 
The Delica's clip is a huge weak point in the design. I have one whose clip will rotate 360 deg, and it got that way after carrying it for only a year in my back pocket. It's the reason I avoid plastic handled knives now. I do like the Delica's blade better than the Griptilian's, although I haven't used a Griptilian so perhaps I shouldn't make that judgement without comparing them directly.
 
IMHO the Delica should be a lot lighter than the Grip, because it has no steel liners - which doesn´t mean it is less solid.

I only have/had the Endura and the large Grip to compare, but I prefer the round opening hole and the Endura´s ergonomics. And I like the Spyderco clip mounting better.
If the Grip still has a 440C, perhaps You like the Endura´s VG10 better, both are good blade steels.

I´m not really updated, but the Delica could be cheaper.

I think it is obvious which knife I would buy ;)
 
Originally posted by crashlander
IMHO the Delica should be a lot lighter than the Grip, because it has no steel liners - which doesn´t mean it is less solid.
Click to expand...

It isn't much ligher at all (just over half an ounce) and it is considerably less solid.

I find the overall quality of construction on the 555 to be considerably better than that of the Delica.

-Steel liners add strength and rigidity.
-The use of threaded fasteners instead of pins allows for user adjustment and serviceability. Do you like a particular amount of pivot tension on you knives? Then you are out of luck with the Spyderco lightweights.
-The Axis lock is smoother and in most ways superior to the lock back used by the Spyderco.


Things such as blade shape and ergonomics are tougher to quantify, but in my experience the only zytel Spyderco that can really compare with the Griptilian in these areas is the Native.

The most frequent criticism of the 555/6 is that the 440C blade steel isn't the latest and greatest. I think it works just fine and prefer it to more hyped steels; but this is rendered moot by the fact that you can now get a 556 in D2 from Cabellas. I believe that the D2 version is also less expensive than the Delica.
 
I saw somewhere that the mini-griptilian could now be found with a blade made out of D2. I'd say they're close enough in size, weight, and materials were you should just get the one that you like the feel and look of the most. I myself like lockbacks and don't trust the placement of the axis lock. The first time a ever picked up an axis lock I accidentally disengaged the lock, this however doesn't seem to be a concern among those that use the axis lock on a daily basis so it is probably a non-issue.
 
Cabela's has 'em in D2.

I had a 551 - smooth, easy to use, TOUGH. I used it, in the absence of my tool bag, to split hardwood shims with a baton.

The ONLY reason I don't have it is I let a friend borrow it to try. He told me he didn't want to buy a new one, he wanted THAT ONE.

So I sold it to him.

Work's cracked down on blade size - Darn - And worse, I need to enforce it because of my position. So I'm gonna replace it with one of the D2 556's, since my 710HS is just too scary...

I carry a Delica right now, and it's most a back up/ abuser...

I do like the size of the Endura, and that's prompted me to take a look at the Military. But with a 710 already...
 
Hi everyone I would like to say hello and that I'm glad there is such an informative forum such as this. I've been lurkin around the forum for about a month or so but haven't bothered to register until now.
Well anyway, in response to the thread, I have the mini griptilian which is in d2 steel and the delica in vg10 steel. I would have to say the d2 griptilian is now my favorite knife. In my opinion the griptilian seems overall more sturdy than the delica. The pocket clip on the delica is flimsy in comparison to the one on the griptilian.
Both blades are pretty nice and sharp. Out of the box I would have to say the griptilian was sharper. However, the tip of the delica is better for fine cutting if you need to do so because it is extremely pointy and sharp.
As for the handle on both of them, the griptilian's handle is much better quality and beefier. The grip on both of them seems pretty good but the griptilian has a slight lead in my opinion.
The lock on the griptilian seems very strong but i haven't used it hard or anything. I haven't had much experience with the axis lock, this is only my second benchmade product, the other is the big spender 335 limited edition in d2 steel which doesn't have the axis lock. I do like the lock on the delica but it doesn't seem as strong, but I haven't used it hard either.
As for opening, both open smooth but the griptilian opens silky smooth. The thumbstuds on the griptilian are are good size not too big not too small, but sometimes seem to get in the way when i sharpen the knife, maybe it is because i'm a newbie at it (using the spyderco sharpmaker).
In conclusion you can't go wrong with either, both are high quality but the d2 mini griptilian is better quality. However, the delica is less expensive and runs for 35 to 40 bucks. The d2 griptilian goes for 65 on cabela's website. The normal mini griptilian is around 10 bucks less expensive on other websites but is actually 20 bucks more expensive than the d2 mini griptilian on the cabela's website which is really odd. If you want a little higher quality knife, I think the d2 mini griptilian is worth the 65 bucks. I hope this helps somebody.

ps: newb question. why is one side of the blade sharper than the other when i go to cut something like woods or to test shave hair off my arm? i mean the side that is sharper is hair popping sharp, i don't get it. sorry for the newb question in advance :)

Peace :)
 
I currently own a BM 556 Mini-grip (440c) in PE and a Spyderco Delica in PE (vg10). The Delica fits MUCH better in my hand, but the clip moving can be a problem. It's put as far away from the blade as possible on mine. The Delica cuts better, slices better, and overall a better knife IMO. The BM 556 has the Axis lock, but doesn't cut as well because it isn't pointy enough by nature.
 
I'm not a knife expert of any kind, even though I have many knives and have carried a knife everyday since I was 9 (I'm 43 now).

I have the mini-grip from Cabela's in D2, plain edge, thumb stud. (I also own a BM 940). Been using it for about 1 1/2 weeks now. Here are some of my impressions.

The mini-grip in D2 has quickly become a favorite of mine. I am a big fan of the Axis lock, it's solid on my 940 and solid on the mini-grip. The action is smooth as I would expect from a Benchmade. The mini-grip is a stout knife in every respect even though it is of course lighter than the 940. There is no play side to side in the blade. The edge is very nice and the steel seems to retain it's sharpness pretty well after cutting up boxes and other general use. The coating is scratched up a little, but does not go all the way to bare metal. Since I use my EDC's, I don't really care about how pretty it stays. Any coating will show this so it is in no way a flaw or minus.

The clip is solid and fastened to the handle with 3 screws. The only minus (it's not really a minus) is the handle has checkering for a sure grip, which is fine. However, that checkering will undoubtedly chew up my pants a little bit where I clip it to, but I can live with that.

For my normal everyday purposes it is the right size. The blade is just under 3 inches. Not too small like a Kershaw Chive, and not overly large. I don't need a six inch blade to cut boxes, string, tubing, open letters, etc. When clipped to my right front pocket (clip facing out).....it takes up very little realestate and is not in the way. Also, it's light enough to clip it to my sweat pants or shorts without dragging my pants down.

I like it, it's a good value and I think most anyone looking for a well made knife for EDC would be quite satisfied with this knife.


These are just my opinions,

Mike
 
The Delica I own is the ATS55 version and not in the new VG10 steel, the Griptilian is the 440C version. I don’t find there is a big difference in the way the keep an edge, but I find the Griptilian a little bit better.

Henk
 
Well, I'm not a terribly big fan of plastic handles on knives, but I do own both a 551 Griptillian and a VG-10 Delica. I have been carrying the 551 for about a month now to see how they hold up, and have been nothing but impressed. It holds a good edge, sharpens easy, and feels great in the hand. My Delica got shelved after about 3 days of carry due to catching the clip on my car and spinning it about 180 degrees while tearing the hell out of the little plastic housing that keeps it straight. Never had that happen with a knife that has a multiple screw attachment for the clip. The 551 feels better in the hand and has a smoother action to boot. My delica rests open with my gun cleaning gear for trimming cleaning patches. Can't really comment much on the edgeholding of the Delica, since it hasn't seen much use.

I'd pick a Griptillian over a Delica/Endura any day. The action is smoother, it's easier to close one handed, and the clip is leaps and bounds above the Delica/Endura. I really like Spyderco's products, but given this choice, they don't stand a chance.
 
I like the Delica's simplicity in design for outdoor use - mud, dirt, sand may affect the Axis lock's design. Whenever my Delica gets dirty/gritty, all I do is flush it out with boiling water n lube it with militec. Gotta say that the VG10 Delica is one of the sharpest knives out of the box and is an extremely efficient cutter. However, the clip and the pointy tip do pose problems.

I've only handled the Griptillian, but I didn't like the fat handles from a design perspective.

For an all-round 4 inch field use folder, you can beat the Endura at its pricepoint.

The Delica faces stiffer competition in the 3 inch urban carry category.
 
Fisbulb made very good points about the differences between these two knives.

Hey, finally here's a thread that involves a comparison of knives that I actually have :D

I love both knives, but lately I really like the feel of the 555 Mini-Griptilian over the Delica. The Delica has its place, for me, as the first decent knife I ever owned -- bought my first one in 1993, a 60/40 combo edge, integral plastic clip!

The 555 is a beefier knife than the Delica, that is sure. It feels almost like a broomhandle in the palm, which is good for handling, but not ideal in the pocket. It's a pretty thick knife for a small folder.

I like the axis lock plenty, but I still think that I would rely more on a lockback, since I have never heard of a lockback spring breaking but I have heard of omega springs in axis locks breaking. One of the reasons I like small fixed blade knives is the fact that I don't have to rely on springs and moving parts of any kind.

I don't understand the troubles with Delica clips moving. I have never had this happen on any of the screw-on metal clip ones that I have. Sure, they loosen a bit, but I think that if the problem ever came to be severe, I would employ a little Loc-tite and be done with it.

I don't have any of the latest steels in my Delicas, just some GIN-1, G2, AUS-8 and ATS-55, I believe. My 555 is 440-C, which I like a lot.

I would not say that I have a strong preference for either knife, but lately I carry the 555 much more often than a Delica. Delicas are now more my sentimental knives than my everyday users.

---Jeffrey
 
Originally posted by uconntomtom78

ps: newb question. why is one side of the blade sharper than the other when i go to cut something like woods or to test shave hair off my arm? i mean the side that is sharper is hair popping sharp, i don't get it. sorry for the newb question in advance :)

Peace :)
Click to expand...

Welcome! The very edge has rolled over slightly to one side. This is common. You have to use a Kitchen steel (preferably a smooth one) to stand the edge straight back up. If you have a Spyderco Sharpmaker you can also use one stone as a steel for the same purpose.
 
Great thread! I never thought of comparing these two knives.

I can't add much more than what has been said. I'm a HUGE Benchmade fan and I like the Benchmade Axis lock knives more than (almost) anything.

With that said...

The Spyderco Delicas, Enduras, etc. are no-nonsense knives that last a LONG time and are incredible for the price. Many, many people who aren't into knives like us and own only one pocket knife find them perfect because they do VERY well for EDC for the average person.

I live in Colorado where Spyderco lives and I, very frequently, see Delicas and Enduras clipped to people's pockets at the grocery store, etc.

When I was a kid it seemed like everyone had a Buck Knife in their pocket. Now, it seems like everyone has a Spyderco clipped to their pocket. I don't blame them. Everyone should have at least one.
 
i agree that everyone should own at least one spyderco. as for which is better, i struggle with the answer everyday because i've got to choose one of the two every morning i leave the house. these are also the first two 'real' knives i purchased. people are always talking about the superior VG-10, but the 440c works just fine for me. also, i don't know what others are doing with their knives, but i've never feared that the axis would fail. so, if i'm going to carry in RF pocket, it's always the 556. but i do carry the delica if i have to carry IWB or RR pocket, which is dependent on what i'm wearing or the company i'll be with. if i'm at home and have both at my disposal, i'll cut with the delica but knifesterbate with the BM. actually, now that i think about it, its like that with my all my knives! cut with the spydies, but play with the BMs.
 
thanks for the tip fulloflead. Have any suggestions on what brand kitchen steel i should get or does it even matter? I don't really want to spend a lot on one. After I get it i'll just have to figure out how to use it hehe, never really used one before.. thanks again :)
 
Originally posted by uconntomtom78
thanks for the tip fulloflead. Have any suggestions on what brand kitchen steel i should get or does it even matter? I don't really want to spend a lot on one. After I get it i'll just have to figure out how to use it hehe, never really used one before.. thanks again :)
Click to expand...

If possible, get a smooth one. If you have to get a rigged one, just go easy and don't press to hard. Other than that, it doesn't matter much. Hell, you could use a flag pole. Any hard metal will do.

Email me directly if you need more. I can give you detailed instructions on how to use a kitchen steel.
 
This is a great thread. I have both knives and they are both half serrated. To me the spyderco serrations beat out the benchmade's. The benchmade serrated edge is more like a wavy blade compared to the mini-saws of the spyderco. But in in the overall knife i do like the benchmade
 
I own a 555 and a Delica. I prefer the Delica. When opening the 555 my thumb sometimes slips off the oval hole - the round hole of the Delica works much better.
I also find that the 555 whips shut a little too quickly.
Having said that, there is no disputing the fact that the Benchmade is very well built.
I think I would have prefered the mini grip thumbstud to the oval hole, but I liked the modified sheepsfoot blade of the 555.
 
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