Need EDC knife, thinking mini grip..

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Jan 12, 2012
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Hello everyone, sorry if this is a long post.

I bought a benchmade griptilian about 2 weeks ago, and I loved everything about it. This was my first axis lock and I really enjoyed it. It is a relatively thick knife, and is a little large, but it fits like a glove. However, I received a sog twitch 2 in a trade and this is one of the first 'small' edc knives I've had. The way it rides in the pocket makes it seem like its not there compared to my grip. For this reason, I sold the griptilian (tonight actually) and am looking for a new EDC knife to carry. This is a knife that I will have on my person all the time, mainly used for opening packages, cooking, household work, (not a heavy duty user) and that can be used as a backup SHTF situation knife (but probably not).


I've had a paramilitary 2, but the thing that turned me off was the crazy strong detent it had. I made a post on the forums about it, and it was a nice knife, but it took so much effort to open, I had to get rid of it. I was pretty disappointed with this, even though the blade seemed like a very good cutter, especially after all the praise it got on the forums. This was my first 'nice' knife, so I think I might have built it up a little too much in my head, but still.
Video to show opening difficulty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EGJR2CUUBY&context=C31df34fADOEgsToPDskJwd2e0-YIuoagcHwk6oePZ

I've had a couple of kershaws (needs work, skyline, blur) and all of them are alright, but I haven't been super thrilled about them.
I have had an izula, but I'd prefer a folder over a fixed blade..so no fixed blades for right now.
I've also played with a ZT 350, and I really liked it...its just a bit big for me to carry everywhere. I'll eventually pick one up because I liked it so much, but its not very comfortable as an EDC for me.

What I'm looking for:
I think the axis lock, or some variation, is what I'd like (or something that opens smooth as butter, the griptilian was awesome in that respect),
relatively small but comfortable blade (sog twitch 2 size was better for me than the griptilian size wise)
good steel,
etc..

Price is kinda an option, I'd like to keep it under around 150...but the problem is if I get the mini ritter (which is what I'm leaning towards right now), I'll eventually add wilkins or cuscadi grips to it...bumping it up to about 240. Thus..anything around that price range will do.
I've considered the BM 710 and the 940, but both seem quite a bit larger, so I'm not sure how comfortable it'll be riding in my pocket with something else (such as a cell phone).


Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance for the help!



EDIT: Just ordered the 943. It was a little pricey, I'm hoping I like it! Thanks everyone for the help! I'm excited to get it.
 
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I have the 556 and I love it. Perfect size for me and I barely notice that I'm carrying it. The mini ritter intrigued me but I wanted 154cm on mine. If you look online they can be found for relatively cheap.
 
Maybe look at the Benchmade 94* series. Great knives... :thumbup: I have the 940 and would highly recommend it. For a somewhat larger blade, it's very svelte and carries nicely.

Good luck! :)
 
I have 943 and 556.
556 is used for my EDC rotation as they are just the right size (not too big and not too small).
943 even with their slim profile is little large in terms of OAL for EDC (still a great knife).
 
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A Mini Barrage.

It's about the same size as a mini grip and it's spring assisted.

I got one at BladePlay for under $100 shipped.
 
I recently bought a Benchmade Griptilian and love it. I looked at the mini Griptilian prior to that but decided it was smaller than what I wanted for my EDC right now. That being said I really liked the mini and will probably end up getting one later on down the road. Don't think you can go wrong with any of Benchmade's Griptilian models.
 
Another happy 556 Mini Grip user here. I carry it frequently and find it the perfect modern edc folder.
 
Benchmade/HD 13960. It is a 960 Rebranded under Harley Davidson knives. Can get from a well known dealer for $90. 3.1" S30V blade, aluminum and g10 scales, lightning fast deployment, and only weighs 2.3 ounces. It is very similar to a smaller 940, so I think it fits your specs really well. I got it just cuz it was so cheap, and I love this thing. It is a pretty much perfect edc knife IMO.
 
Another vote for the BM 943. At $240 the Bradley Alias 1/2 is in your price range.

Why not give the Spyderco Caly 3 in carbon fiber and ZDP-189 a look? If you want something slightly bigger the Caly 3.5 is worth a glance as well.
 
I've been EDCing a MiniGrip for years now. I keep trying different knives because it seems a shame to have so many and only carry the same one all the time, but I keep coming back to it. I did switch to the Ritter Mini for a while, but ended up liking the regular one better after all.

While I don't like the scales on the full-size (because of that awful "clack") they don't bother me at all on the Mini (and they don't clack). I got the Gold Class Grip which solves the clack problem - beautiful knife! - but just too big for me for EDC, so back to the Mini again. Also, I thought I woul love the assisted version, but I can get my un-assisted one out just as fast, if not faster, and it is much easier and faster to put away than the assisted one.

Anyway, that's my vote.
 
man I am torn between the 943 and the mini ritter right now.


I was so sure about the mini ritter until this thread. I started looking at the 943 and I'm really liking it. I hope the fact that its blade is so thin / light it won't feel "cheap". I feel like the mini grip was about 1/4 of an inch too short to comfortable grip all 4 fingers on the handle, and the 943 probably takes care of this problem, but i've never handled a 943 so I'm not sure if I'll like it.

decisions decisions decisions



edit:

fuaaaark just ordered a 943 plain edge, 140 shipped to my door.
 
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I carry the full size grip and the mini-onslaught everyday and they are both awesome edc's, I highly recommend them both, the mini-onslaught was even quicker and smoother that the grip, and a whole lot sexier
 
Watch where you buy from, get any color scales but black, sell the stock scales here on BF, add custom Cuscadi grips and you'll end up with a beautiful, customized mini for $145. To me, it was worth every penny.

cfminia.jpg


cfminic.jpg


cfminid.jpg


cfminie.jpg
 
now why do you have to go and do that to me ^^^^


How much do normal grip scales sell for? I didn't even think about trying to sell the stock ones.
 
Get an opinel. Better for EDC. Doesn't scare the sheep, cuts better, holds and edge better, lighter.

-Freq
 
I have both the Ritter Grip and Mini-Grip and I like them both. But what I was pleasantly surprised with was the used Mini-Presidio Ultra 527 that I bought from one of the members here. The handle was a bit longer than the mini-grip so I had a better hold on it. Opens smooth with solid lock-up.
 
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