Mini-Griptilian vs. Delica

I think the reason this comparison comes up so often is because these two knives are about the same size, both very good, and are affordable compared with the rest of their respective companies’ product lines. Deciding which one to carry is very personal. I have both and prefer the Delica, but another person might choose the mini Grip and be equally “right.”
 
I owned a mini-grip about 15 years ago so I can only speak to what they were back then. Like you, I had one with a coated blade, which scratched and wore terribly. On the plus side, I learned that lesson early and avoided coated blades since. As to the knife, it took a distant 3rd to the Leek I owned before and the Delica I have now. It opened and closed well enough and the blade held up better than the Leek under daily use at work. My biggest complaint was that it had flex in the scales when gripped firmly. The last straw was when I inadvertently disengaged the axis lock when cutting out a piece of sod while holding the knife in a pinch grip. I know what I did wrong to make it happen, but I wasn’t willing to change to a new grip every time I made that cut for a knife I didn’t love.

I received a Delica 4 ffg for Christmas a couple years ago and prefer it far and away over the mini-grip. It carries thinner in the pocket which I prefer since I work in an office now (vs manual labor when I owned the BM). I prefer the huge spyderco hole on the Delica over thumb studs on the BM. I like the mini-grip with the sheeps foot blade and a thumbhole, but I wish it had a finer tip. The thumbhole is always right there, nearly impossible to miss. While the Delica scales are just plain ugly, the texture, pattern, and shape (including the thumb ramp on the blade), combine to provide very good ergonomics and outstanding traction. And they are much more solid than I mini-grip I had. I also prefer the Delica because it has a thinner blade and a flat grind.

On the downside, I really wish they would make a liner lock Delica so the ricasso could be eliminated.
 
Sharperthansticks said:
Just bought a Mini Griptilian off of the forum, and I think it's fantastic, based on my very limited handling of it. (The only thing I don't like about it is the black blade, so I may try to sell it and buy the unpainted version, or I may try to trade for it.) I've never handled a Delica, but I know that everyone is crazy about them. I'm thinking that the two blades are just asking to be compared, though. For people that have used both, how do they compare, in your estimation?
Click to expand...

You may already know this, but Benchmade will replace the blade for about $30. Also, I've used both and I prefer the griptilian over the delica. Both are nice knives but the grip has a better locking mechanism and feels better in the hand.
 
BEBrewster said:
You may already know this, but Benchmade will replace the blade for about $30. Also, I've used both and I prefer the griptilian over the delica. Both are nice knives but the grip has a better locking mechanism and feels better in the hand.
Click to expand...
I completely forgot that they replace blades, and the unpainted blades are $10 cheaper than the painted blades. I wonder if they'd be willing to put an unpainted blade on a knife that had as its stock configuration a painted blade. That might be considered a modification instead of a blade replacement.
 
I have a Delica SS and a 556-1. I did not like the regular scales on the griptilian or the mini but I like the G10 scales on my 556-1. Both are nice knives but these days i prefer the Mini Grip over the Delica. I like the feel, the steel, and the weight better than my Stainless Delica. Not too wild about FRN scales and would buy a G-10 model preferably.
 
My vote goes to the Delica.


1) Thinner profile
2) Thinner blade
a) better slicer
3) Comparable steels
4) Higher quality feel to the FRN.
5) Cheaper

My wife loves the mini-Grip. I love the Delica. they are both great knives.
 
My wife's Delica and Mini Grip. She likes the Delica better than the Mini Grip, due to carrying better in her scrubs and the sliciness of it.

qB8RiTE.jpg

jt7dqks.jpg

Jr2LXeS.jpg
 
I prefer the Delica, but both are great knives

For comparison sake:
+ Thinner grind, which = better slicer
+ Feels more solid than the hollowish nylon handles of the grip
+ cost
+ easier to open with gloves
+ doesn't use omega springs that could break
+/- steel choices
- backlock isn't as fun or easy to operate
- clip is delicate IMO, it bent way out of shape twice before finally snapping after a few months carry
- not as fun to play with
 
91bravo said:
My wife's Delica and Mini Grip. She likes the Delica better than the Mini Grip, due to carrying better in her scrubs and the sliciness of it.
Click to expand...

Bolded the part that reminded me of another reason I liked the Delica over the Mini-Grip. At the time I was wearing Scrubs at work and I found the Delica carried well enough in my pocket without dragging it down.

91Bravo - if your wife is still wearing Scrubs have her check out the Bugout. Slimmer profile than the Delica & lighter. Plus it's in blue since it seems she likes that color.
 
if you are pleased with your griptilian don't return it. you might get a bad one back (hit and miss with benchmade in my experience). If you chose a Delica in the first place you would be humble most likely, so you would not be asking this question....and you would be saving money on jeans ;)
 
GatorMedic said:
I prefer the Mini Grip over the Delica by a very large margin. The top reasons being 1. prefer axis lock over a back lock 2. the mini grip has a blade edge of 2.91 in vs 2.56 in on the Delica which is significant to me and 3. the Delica is too wide in the pocket. Having said that, I'd choose a Bugout over both of them. In the end both are capable knives; it just comes down to which one fits your personal tastes and use better.
Click to expand...

Completely agree with the Gator on this one. I'll also add that the handle just doesn't fit my hand perfect on a Delica.

As far people saying the Delica is a better value; how?

556 - $93.50
154cm (better than vg10)
Axis Lock (better than back lock)
Lifesharp Service (free clips, $30 blade replacement, hardware replacement (FREE)
USA Made

Delica - $74.72
Vg-10
Backlock
Clips cost you and no blade replacement
Made in Japan (not a con but there's not a huge price difference to support the US work force)

If you're cool with FRN style handles the Bugout is an EDC Champ!
 
Got to handle both yesterday.. Delica with out a doubt all the way.. MG was too small for me!! John
 
Halfneck said:
Bolded the part that reminded me of another reason I liked the Delica over the Mini-Grip. At the time I was wearing Scrubs at work and I found the Delica carried well enough in my pocket without dragging it down.

91Bravo - if your wife is still wearing Scrubs have her check out the Bugout. Slimmer profile than the Delica & lighter. Plus it's in blue since it seems she likes that color.
Click to expand...

It's funny, she saw a pic of it and instantly asked me what knife it was! I think it's going on her wishlist soon!
 
Have both, used them long time at work: The Delica has better ergos, better steels, more variety, is cheaper; the Grip(20 CV Version) has a better clip, is quicker to deploy to action and put away(though not enough that it's worth it) and it's nicer to play around with.
 
Delica vs Mini Grip. Both good. Different blade shapes. I have both but like my Mini Grips just a bit better. Delica with the full flat grind is a better slicer but the 555 HG is just about as good. All this is like comparing Google Chrome to MS Edge and so on. What ever works for you.
It all personal opinion no real scientific fact.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top