I am trying to decide between the chaparral and mini grip for an edc knife. Which do you guys prefer and why? The knife will be used to open packages, strip wires, cut up cardboard and whatever else I might need to cut. Thanks in advance for your feedback.
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Spyderco Chaparral vs Benchmade Mini Griptilian
- Thread starter jhall18
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- Dec 7, 2009
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- 6,642
Chaparral definitely. I like the size , excellent f&f and great blade steel. Not to mention that CF and titanium for handle material are leaps and bounds beyond the plastic style Grip handle IMO.
dericdesmond
Gold Member
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- Sep 10, 2007
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- 15,446
The chap is a bit more slender in the handle, allows a full hand grip and it has a back lock all of which I prefer. Mino grip great knife though
- Joined
- Oct 14, 2013
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- 518
Cant stand spyderholes. Order a custom miniGrip off the BM site with S30V and your choice of handle color
I have both and prefer the Mini-Grip. They each have their good points though.
The Chaparral is very thin and light. The wire clip provides a nice, discrete deep-carry. The ergos seem a bit like a scaled down Native. With the finger choil, I can get a 4-finger grip on it, despite it being a smaller knife. Without using the finger choil, though, the Chaparral isn't very comfortable in hand. The blade stock is thin and full flat ground, making the Chaparral a very good slicer. The Mini-Grip does feel more robust knife in hand. The rounded handles do fill the hand a little better, but I can only get about a 3 or 3-1/2 finger grip on the Mini-Grip. The Mini-Grip does use the Axis lock, which I like a lot.
For cutting open packages and boxes, I like the feel of the Mini-Grip more, since the Chaparral really doesn't feel good in hand unless you choke up on the blade. For those cases, I like having the extra distance between my finger and the material being cut (especially for plastic blister packs). For more precise cutting, like stripping wires, whittling, or paring food, choking up on the blade like on the Chaparral does feel better. That said, the Mini-Grip isn't exactly lacking in that respect either. It's just not as nice as on the Chaparral.
Some side-by-side shots...
Comparing blade lengths:
Comparing handle lengths:
The Chaparral is very thin and light. The wire clip provides a nice, discrete deep-carry. The ergos seem a bit like a scaled down Native. With the finger choil, I can get a 4-finger grip on it, despite it being a smaller knife. Without using the finger choil, though, the Chaparral isn't very comfortable in hand. The blade stock is thin and full flat ground, making the Chaparral a very good slicer. The Mini-Grip does feel more robust knife in hand. The rounded handles do fill the hand a little better, but I can only get about a 3 or 3-1/2 finger grip on the Mini-Grip. The Mini-Grip does use the Axis lock, which I like a lot.
For cutting open packages and boxes, I like the feel of the Mini-Grip more, since the Chaparral really doesn't feel good in hand unless you choke up on the blade. For those cases, I like having the extra distance between my finger and the material being cut (especially for plastic blister packs). For more precise cutting, like stripping wires, whittling, or paring food, choking up on the blade like on the Chaparral does feel better. That said, the Mini-Grip isn't exactly lacking in that respect either. It's just not as nice as on the Chaparral.
Some side-by-side shots...
Comparing blade lengths:
Comparing handle lengths:
I own both. I like the Chap handle better- more usable handle length, and I'm more comfortable safety-wise with the 50/50 choil. The Chap handle is thinner but not uncomfortable in the hand. Looks a lot better too- it's my dedicated "go to church" knife.
I'm a firm believer in the large Grip, but the mini doesn't work at all for me anymore. The mini, like a lot of people here, was my gateway knife. I carried it for almost three years before I bought another knife, but I'll never go back to it. Please don't get me wrong, it's an awesome, great, knife, and may be perfect for your needs, but you asked for opinions.
For me, it's the handle length. I'd rather have all four fingers on a handle and there are so many other knives that'll do this.
If you want to stay Benchmade and remain cheap, check out the Presidio Ultra, if it's still made, I'm not certain. Maybe even the full size Grip. Or just look at the site and find anything with that glorious axis but a longer handle.
The Chaparral is awesome too, and between just those two, I'd choose it. But, I'd still look hard at many other Spydies.
Again, the mini is tough and functional, but there may be other choices that are just as tough, but more functional and possibly even cheaper.
For me, it's the handle length. I'd rather have all four fingers on a handle and there are so many other knives that'll do this.
If you want to stay Benchmade and remain cheap, check out the Presidio Ultra, if it's still made, I'm not certain. Maybe even the full size Grip. Or just look at the site and find anything with that glorious axis but a longer handle.
The Chaparral is awesome too, and between just those two, I'd choose it. But, I'd still look hard at many other Spydies.
Again, the mini is tough and functional, but there may be other choices that are just as tough, but more functional and possibly even cheaper.
ChrisB507
Gold Member
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- Mar 29, 2005
- Messages
- 655
I have both, love both, carry both. The Chap is thinner and feels much leaner in-hand. In general, it's more a a gentleman's folder. The Mini-grip has the awesome Axis lock, and fills the hand a little better (to me) as the handles are wider.
If you need one-handed-opening/closing, go with the Mini-Grip. If you'd like a choil and something more classy, go with the Chap. Neither is a bad choice.
If you need one-handed-opening/closing, go with the Mini-Grip. If you'd like a choil and something more classy, go with the Chap. Neither is a bad choice.
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2014
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- 647
I think a mini grip with the opening hole/hollow ground blade is what you want. The spydi seems more like a classy knife to take on a date due to the fact of the cf. so with the cf in mind, if you drop it theres a decent chance it will crack, where as the BM will just gain character because its a FRN. I love both BM & SPYDERCO, but for uses i think the mini grip is the best candidate. When money affords get both then which ever one you dont want you can sell on the bay or the exchange.
Now that BM fixed their prices (not repaired, but set them too high for everyone) their cheap line of plastic handled knives are not worth nearly what they charge for them.
Comparing fit and finish between a plastic, partial framed knife with a lock powered by piano wire springs that randomly break, and one meticulously assembled from steel and carbon fiber with a real lock, doesn't make sense because they're different classes of knife.
The Spyderco is a better knife in every way.
Comparing fit and finish between a plastic, partial framed knife with a lock powered by piano wire springs that randomly break, and one meticulously assembled from steel and carbon fiber with a real lock, doesn't make sense because they're different classes of knife.
The Spyderco is a better knife in every way.
- Joined
- May 4, 2010
- Messages
- 1,265
Definitely the Chapparal. Better materials, blade shape, and design. Just because it looks classy does not mean it's weak or won't hold up. Gayle Bradley is CF and classy looking yet I haven't heard of or had any problems with it holding up. The Chapparal rides lower and is thinner too.
Only thing I could see the Mini Grip winning in is if you like swinging the knife open and closed with the Axis lock (which is fun). In that case, pay a little extra and get the Ritter Mini Grip.
Only thing I could see the Mini Grip winning in is if you like swinging the knife open and closed with the Axis lock (which is fun). In that case, pay a little extra and get the Ritter Mini Grip.
- Joined
- Dec 11, 2013
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- 261
I have seen too many m4 mini grips to say chaparral. I'm seeing thoses m4 grips for 120 almost bought one last night.
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2007
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- 640
I'd take the chap, the handle on the grip is too thick so reaching into my pocket is a pain and it shreds pockets. The grip I have is the full size version but even so I imagine the mini to be the same. I'm also a pretty big guy 6' 1" 280 lbs so the large grip probably obstructs my pocket similar to the mini for people with small hands.
