Mini ritter grip or benchmade HK 14210

S

stickysharp

Joined
Jan 9, 2008
Messages
9
This being my first post, Id just like to say a big Hi, great site you have here.

Im in the market for a sub 3" locking folder. I have pretty much narrowed it down to one of the following

- HK 14210
- Mini ritter grip.
- VG10 delica.

I think i favour the 14210 for the G10, open spine but i would prefer the s30V of the ritter to 154cm. Is it worth sacrificing G10, full liners and an open back just for s30v?

OR

Am i a twit for considering these knives when i can a VG10 delica for less than half the price?

Thanks in advance

Tim
 
I would suggest a Caly3, not matter the Calypso Jr. ZDP, Caly3 CF/ZDP or Caly 3 G10, they are definitely the sharpest sub 3" folders, heck, the are the sharpest folder regardless of size. Good luck
 
thanks for your reply.

Caly 3 was on that list, still would be if it had all screw construction and PB washers.

Tim
 
I have owned the three knives that you are considering.

I found the 14210 to be too lumpy and more difficult to open than the Ritter.
The Delica is a good knife, but doesn't have an Axis Lock.

The Ritter is one of the best knives in the world for day to day use - in my opinion better than the legendary Sebenza.

Please bear in mind that the standard 556 Mini Grip in 154CM is no slouch and the Cabela's D2 Mini Grip is superb.
 
I own the Caly3 CF/ZDP, BM 14210, Delica and Mini-Grip, in both the Ritter (s30V) and Cabela's (D2) iterations.

All great knives, but if I was allowed to keep only one of them for EDC, it would be the Cabela's Mini-Grip.

Good luck Tim.

Frank
 
The HK 14210 is the finest knife I have ever owned ( and I have owned a lot...customs and sebbies included). I know it is all personal preference, but the HK is MY perfect knife and I have only purchased one other knife since I got it and have not carried anything else since I got it. Personally I will take 154cm over s30V any day! My HK stays sharp and is easy to re-sharpen. I find s30v way! harder to sharpen! They are all great knives (owned them all) but the only one I still own is the HK.
Out, J
 
S30V is good steel, but it doesn;t greatly over-shadow 154CM. It seems when we talk about certain steels, especially S30V and D2, we speak in terms of "waaaaay better", "holds an edge MUCH longer", etc etc. This leads people to believe that the other steels are so far behind the "super steels" as to be cheap choices and no longer worthy of consideration in fine knives. Not so. My experiences lead me to believe, of the several premium steels (several of which are not mentioend in this thread), there are relatively minor differences.... not that the differences aren;t noticeable, just that, in the grand scheme of blades and edges, relatively minor.

I own steels in all three mentioned, 154CM, S30V, and D2. Of the three, for many reasons, the top of the list for me is 154CM. I do like S30V, but you know where D2 sits on my list of knives? Of ALL the steels, it's at the bottom....dead last. I know it's good stuff, but I have problems working with it.

The Ritter knives are so highly touted that it seems the Ritter mini would be the choice over the H&K (Benchmade). But everything I've read about the H&K suggests it's comparable to any blue or black class BM in quality and attention to detail.
 
Welcome to the forums:).

Of the 3 you've mentioned, I think I;d enjoy the Mini Ritter Grip the most. I like the blade style. The steel difference is negligible for the average user, it's really more for the steel snobs, so I wouldn't give that factor too much consideration.

The Delica is a great value, especially compared to the other 2 knives since it's less than half as much. I enjoy the axis lock a ton, but after awhile the novelty wore off for me and I enjoy both the lock back on the Spyderco knives as much as I enjoy axis locks. If you haven't played with an axis lock yet, I'd suggest you do, they were very fun for me when I 1st got into quality knives.

In any case, if you buy any of the 3, you can't lose. Great choices, BTW, I think you've done your research.
 
I owned a Ritter mini Grip , a 556, as well as the bigger brothers. I no longer have any of them, and currently EDC a Caly3 G10,VG10 steel, and a HK14210,(my second HK, I traded my first one off towards a new small Sebenza) I don't have the Sebe anymore either. While I prefer the blade shape of the Ritter, the handle ergo's of the HK are much more comfortable for my hand. The HK allows me to get a full four finger grip, while with the mini grips I could only manage a three finger grip. Also the G10 scales, and full SS liners on the HK are a notch above the plastic scales on the Griptillains. Not to mention the open construction makes the 14210 easy to clean.
That being said if I could only have one, I'd carry the Caly3, it is by far my favorite EDC. It has great ergos, a finger choil for precise cutting, low carry pocket clip, and it is built like a tank for it's size. I also prefer VG10 steel over S30V, it's just easier for me too sharpen .BTW I also prefer 154CM over S30V, for the same reason. I only wish it had screw constuction.
Anyways good luck with your choice. All three are excellent knives and it will come down to which knife fits you best.

Dave
 
Thanks for all the replies. I have decided to go with the 14210. Cant pass up G10 and axis.

Now, to find a decent seller that will post down under!

Tim
 
Just to let you know, the Griptilian no longer has those partial liners that they originally had. They grew to full-size.

Enjoy your new knife!
 
stickysharp said:
This being my first post, Id just like to say a big Hi, great site you have here.

Im in the market for a sub 3" locking folder. I have pretty much narrowed it down to one of the following

- HK 14210
- Mini ritter grip.
- VG10 delica.

I think i favour the 14210 for the G10, open spine but i would prefer the s30V of the ritter to 154cm. Is it worth sacrificing G10, full liners and an open back just for s30v?

OR


Am i a twit for considering these knives when i can a VG10 delica for less than half the price?

Thanks in advance

Tim
Click to expand...

IMHO, no!! S30V is not that much better than 154cm and I do not recommend it; g 10 handles can not be beat
 
Lurker said:
Just to let you know, the Griptilian no longer has those partial liners that they originally had. They grew to full-size.

Enjoy your new knife!
Click to expand...

As far as I know there has been no change. Mini Grip has almost full liners, full sized has a lower liner-to-handle ratio.
 
Thanks for the correction. I noticed that my mini grip has what look to me like full liners. I did not realize that the minis were always built like that. I have seen the pictures of the partial liners and can understand if some people are concerned about their strength (warranted or not). Of course there are plenty of linerless knives, too.
 
I really like the 14210. Nobody does 154 steel like BM. The only thing I would improve on the 14210 is the G10 handles are too smooth. A more textured handle would be a big improvement.
 
I am a big fan of 154CM and the Mini-Griptillian. I swear by the axis lock. It's the only lock style I've never had fail on me. Just my opinion.
 
I have read this thread, as i was searching something "small", left handed use, best with G10, blade thichness near or over 3 mm, for me too.

My thoughts were going around the Delica IV, the CalyIII, the Mini Grip, the Mini Pika II, or the 14210 too. I have handled the Caly III, the Delica IV and the 14210 at a show.

The Caly III is a great design, that fits hands very well. The price didin´t fit. Same goes for the 14210. The Delica is rated over the Mini Pika and i have a full size Griptilian.

Well a nice offer at the private market lead me to the 14210.

Nothin about this knife is made second best. The edge is sharp, free of burrs and hard = perfect. Nothing reminds on a typical "factory edge. Benchmade made a step further.

All parts fit together perfectly.

Pivot features two screws (counterscrew? Is that the word?) ist is like the Para Militarys pivot screw.

The "split arrow" clips are blackend nice. Deep mate black, not shining.

Funny blade shape, looks like an exotic bird.

Rides relativly high in the pocket, considering the Caly III. Blade opener sometimes counterplays with the clip while putting the knife back into the pocket. Maybe the only draw backs.

Ergos are simple but fits the hand greatly. Nothing like "making a larger knife small". Four finger grip an a small knife.

I really like it and made the right choice.
 
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