Newbie with a question: Mini-griptillian or Cuda EDC?

R

Relayer

Joined
Feb 21, 2002
Messages
424
First of, thanks everyone for providing such a great forum for the discussion of blades and such. I'm happy to be a new member. Been reading and looking on from the outside for about 5-6 weeks.

Now, my question for ya'll.

I want to buy my first real knife in a long time. Due to the, shall we say, recent economic downturn, I need to be economical, but I put a high value on quality (in other words, I have champagne tastes and a beer budget!).

I want a knife that will serve a wide range of uses and situtations. I don't have any special or demanding uses. (I'll admit that it may see about as much action as a plaything as a tool). I'd like something that I can carry mostly while wearing jeans or khakis, but also not too out of place in a suit pocket.

I'm pretty sure I want the pocket clip type folder. I have no real preference re: the different types of locks, as I have only had slip locks(?) in the past.

AS I mentioned in the Subject, after much reading (and pricing excercises) I've kinda narrowed it down to the Camillus EDC (440HC), and the BM mini Griptillian (MDP). Some recent posts on the Outdoor Edge apogee sound interesting too. These seem to fit my budget of about $50 delivered.

I'd very much appreciate hearing what you guys think of these choices (based on my stated requirements).

Thanks very much for any thoughts/opinions.
 
Hello Relayer!
Welcome to the forums from a fellow Atlantan . . . well, not at the moment though!

Both knives you have selected are great choices! I have both and must say that they are great! The BM griptilians are tip-up and the EDC is tip down if that is a concern. Many (including myself) seem to think tip down carry may be safer but opinions are like belly buttons . . . just cause you have one does not mean ya got to share it with everyone! ;)
My recomendation would be to pick up one of the new "enhanced" CUDA EDCs! If you check out the Camillus forum on this site, you will see that they are upgrading the "standard" 420HC to 154cm and adding a tintanium nitride coating to the screws and clip.
AND LEAVING THE PRICE THE SAME!!!!:eek: :D
That would make that knife my over the top choice as a $50 folder!!!!!!!!:eek: :eek:
The 555 is about the smoothest BM I have had and I love the knife. THe 440c is outstanding on this knife!
BUT . . . if you can wait a week or so, the enhanced edcs should ship soon!
 
The Enhanced EDC sounds like a.... steal!!! Camillus has great 154CM.

The Griptilian is also cool. I've only handled one, but it was very nice. 440C is great steel and higly underrated.

But if you want the knife to have a chance of fitting in with a suit kind of attire, definitely do the EDC. It's much classier looking than the Griptilian, im my humble opinion.

Both knives seem rock solid. I guess I'm just partial to the EDC.
 
hmm, i havnt handled the mini griptillian.

but the axis lock is really cool, but be careful of the springs, they are probably the most likely thing in the knife to break, it doesnt happen often, but it happened to me :P

i also have a 154CM edc, very nice knife, not that hard to get sharp, holds an edge. but great design, fits the hands nice (if you have large hands, dont get it) and is very sleek looking.

also, the frame lock has a more positive feel when it locks up rather than the axis lock. they are both very strong, but the frame lock gives more peach of mind when you open it

Daniel
 
Both are great knives. The EDC probably wins in the classy looks department. One obvious major difference is the lock. Work both of them if you can before you decide. I really love the Griptilian's Axis lock for safety. Your fingers do not have to go into the blade path to unlock the Axis and for me that makes it easier to operate one-handed, which is something you will befit from every time you use the knife.
 
I have the large griptillian and the 420 EDC and 154CM EDC.

Both EDC and Grippie are a bit tough on the pocket with the clip. Griptillian has an agressive checkering under the clip and the EDC's cutouts tend to abrade the cloth too. I consider that a minor thing, but worth mentioning.

The EDC is recurved. I am not partial to that personally. If you don't have the right kind of equipment, recurves can't be sharpened. The EDC has a narrower stock blade with a highish grind. Cuts well, point is a bit less useful IMHO than on the Grippie.

I am not a fan of metallic handles. The Grippie will give a superior grip IMHO. If you have largish hands, you will probably find the EDC a bit cramped in the grip.

My EDCs loosen up in the pivot much faster than my Grippie. I found that annoying.

Grip has 440C as mentioned earlier. Much better than the 420 EDC. A bit less good than the 154CM of the upgraded EDC.

I prefer the Axis to the frame lock. Frame locks feel weird in the grip to me.

Maintenance issues. Sharpening a Grippie is easier on common equipment. You'll sharpen the 420 HC the most. The 440C is easy to sharpen and holds the edge well. I find the 154CM more work to sharpen. Frame locks are easier to clean, especially in the field.

I also decided the EDC has too much forward cant to the blade for my use. If you really like the EDC, you might also look at Outdoor Edge's Paragee. It's also designed by D. Ralph, has the same features, a bigger handle, less recurve, less cant and a better steel than the 420 HC. Price is usually less than the 420EDC. I prefer it to the EDC in design and looks.

Of all of them, I would choose the Griptillian. Handle them before choosing though as your tastes and preferences aren't mine.

Phil
 
I'd go with the new EDC in 154CM. I've not had any problems sharpening it on the Sharpmaker. It's the bomb.
 
Absolutely the EDC. You can find them (as said above) for about 50 bucks. See the review by Buzzbait in the review section. It is the best deal for the money. If I had to chose one knife for less than 100 dollars, I would chose the EDC.
 
These are both excellent knives. As a matter of fact both of these knives would be my top choice in a knife in that size and price range. I predict that either would give you excellent service. I prefer the EDC though. Read Buzzbait's excellent review for more info. I would get the 154CM or D2 version though. As far as sharpening, I have found that the Spyderco Sharpmaker does a great job at sharpening a recurve. The Sharpmaker doesn't cost a lot of $$$ and would be a good purchase no matter which knife you get.
 
Am I missing something?

quote: upgrading the "standard" 420HC to 154cm and adding a boron coating to the hardware.

When I checked the "what's new" link, I saw the enhanced has black titanium nitrate on clip & thumb stud.

I might have missed where it stated boron carbide, I hope so, as this would be great for the whold knife.
 
Strictly personal opinion, but I think that the EDC is a better knife with GREAT cutting powers, very ergonomic handle and possibly a notch higher in the quality department. The Griptillian, on the other hand, is a little niftier in design with the cool blade shape and Axis lock. It's just a very neat, compact and handy package.
You can probably find them both used (in new condition) in the Exchange area which might facilitate getting both which would be the ultimate way to go, I think.
 
Jason Burns, Buzzbait, avpshadowman, Lurker, phatch, 92degrees, newknifeguy, shootist16, uncleknife, Anklepocket.

Gentlemen, thank you all for your very interesting and informative posts. Looks like the EDC is the clear top vote-getter.

Now I just have to wait for that Enhanced model to hit the (net) shelves!

It's a real beauty!!
 
Relayer,

No competition - i've handled both, own an EDC, don't own a Mini-Griptilian.
Think about it...

P.S. I chose the EDC because 154CM rocked my boat more than 440C, the clip is better, the ergos are FAR BETTER, and Camillus is a better company.
 
Just to be difficult... :)

I tried both, among many other knives for my new EDC (maybe 3 weeks old). After handling both, the vote went to the mini-griptillian. It fit my large hand better, had a super smooth mechanism for opening left or right handed, the axis lock is sweet and very easy to use (again, right or left handed), and the blade shape is pretty sexy.

The only thing I don't like about it is that the checked grip underneath the pocket clip makes it a bit tougher to get in and out of the pocket. The clip comes very tight from the factory. A bit of gentle flexing of the clip loosened it up to the point where it slips in and out of the pocket smoothly, but perhaps not as smooth at a slick sided knife.

I'm still thinking about getting a Camillus EDC, even though the grips were a bit skinny for my hands. It's a great knife though.

Every one seems hot about the new enhanced EDC, but I think the plain, all silver EDC in either 154 or D2 is sweet. nice and clean looking. I think the black accents draw away from it's elegance through simplicity design. Again, YMMV.

Good luck
Cedric
 
Someone is confused... there is no such thing as a BC EDC - I think Jason just mixed up the Black Ti Nitride with the Boron Coating.
 
I have the EDC in both Talonite and D2. I keep toying with the idea of 154CM, but that seems like a step back from the two that I have. I may do it anyway, though, just to round out my collection. Can you guess that I REALLY like the EDC yet? ;)

However, I also have the full sized Griptilian, in the modified drop point design (the 551). I REALLY like that one as well. I especially like the 440C. Contrary to what most people seem to say, I would prefer the 440C over the 154CM. I like the edge it takes better than the edge 154 takes. It will hold a good edge so nearly as long as 154CM that I'm unable to tell the difference. And when it comes time to restore the edge, it is much easier than 154. I'm just guessing that it is easier to get rid of the wire edge. Dunno. But I digress. I like the 551 in 440C so well that it oft-times replaces my 806D2 (axis AFCK) for carry. And I'm thinking of getting the mini.

Buuuuut, I think if I could only get one knife in that size range, it would be the EDC. In 154CM. Just because of the design of the knife.
 
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