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Spyderco Delica or Benchmade 556 mini Grip.
- Thread starter lobo9er
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2012
- Messages
- 118
There are numerous old threads asking this question. It is Ford vs Chevy. My opinion doesn't really matter, but I don't remember the last time I carried my Delica.
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2012
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- 790
I like both, but the hollow ground blade and AXIS lock and the fact that you can ask Benchmade for a deep carry clip (from the Adamas) puts the Mini Grip above the Delica for me. It also comes in pink.
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2013
- Messages
- 110
I have no experience with the delica and my experience with the mini grip is limited... I have been carrying my brothers mini grip for the past few days and I love it, the axis is just plain awesome. With the pivot tightened just right I can quickly open and close one handed. I have liked it so much that I currently have this bad boy in the mail....
http://www.gpknives.com/bm556minigripcerakotem4limited.html
I don't believe you can close the spydie with the liner lock one handed, but I don't really know, im just assuming
My vote, get the Griptilian i have loved every benchy i have ever touched
http://www.gpknives.com/bm556minigripcerakotem4limited.html
I don't believe you can close the spydie with the liner lock one handed, but I don't really know, im just assuming
My vote, get the Griptilian i have loved every benchy i have ever touched
powernoodle
Power Member
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- Jul 21, 2004
- Messages
- 11,978
I have both. And amazingly, they both cut stuff.
I can't say that the mini Grip is a bad knife. Its not, and it has a lot going for it. But it almost never gets carried. I'm just a Delica guy, but its mostly a subjective preference.
I can't say that the mini Grip is a bad knife. Its not, and it has a lot going for it. But it almost never gets carried. I'm just a Delica guy, but its mostly a subjective preference.
- Joined
- Apr 11, 2013
- Messages
- 1,126
My vote is the delica the full flat ground is great for edc. I love benchmade and the axis but that ffg blade spydie makes are wonderful
- Joined
- May 5, 2013
- Messages
- 364
The mini grip is flat ground, not hollow ground. I don't have the delica, but I do have the mini grip. I imagine I would like the delica because I do love the FFG blade. But I really like the mini grip as an EDC. However, 154CM is just adequate at holding an edge in my experience, not great.
FCM415
BANNED
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- Jul 9, 2012
- Messages
- 1,985
I own both, like both equally. I carry the mini Grip a lot more though, but that is because I carry the Delica's bigger brothers, the Stretch and Endura more.
If you are into knives both of these are a must to try out.
Get both, see which you prefer.
If you are into knives both of these are a must to try out.
Get both, see which you prefer.
Tough call. I'm sure my answer would change from day to day. These were two of my favorite EDC knives even before I got the custom scales on my Mini-Grip.
It's pretty much a draw on all categories. Both 154CM and VG10 are excellent steels, and Benchmade's and Spyderco's treatments of each is top notch. The 556 has a high flat grind, and the Delica has a FFG option. Both are excellent slicers. Company-wise, both Spyderco and Benchmade are reputable and have great customer service.
Comparing the knives themselves, the ergos on the Delica are more comfortable. That's not to say the Mini-Grip isn't comfortable, but the longer handle combined with the contours of it and the blade ramp does provide a more comfortable grip. I can get a decent 3 to 3.5 finger grip on the Mini-Grip, versus a comfortable 4-finger grip on the Delica.
Lock-wise, the Axis lock has the advantage. Quick to open and close, and a solid lock-up with no movement at all. The back lock on the Delica is strong and secure, but if you are cutting with a fair amount of downward force, there will be some movement. That appears to be a limitation of the back lock. It doesn't affect cutting ability or the security of the lock-up, but under some situations, you will be able to feel the blade and lock bar move. Both can be opened and closed one-handed, although the technique for the back lock can take a little more practice.
As for pocket carry, the Mini-Grip does have a smaller footprint in pocket. It's slightly wider at the thickest point (since the handles are a bit rounded), but it is shorter and narrower. Neither has deep pocket carry (although deep carry clips can be obtained separately for either), and both expose about the same amount of the knife outside the pocket. The Delica does have the option for tip-down carry, versus the Mini-Grip is tip-up only.
It's pretty much a draw on all categories. Both 154CM and VG10 are excellent steels, and Benchmade's and Spyderco's treatments of each is top notch. The 556 has a high flat grind, and the Delica has a FFG option. Both are excellent slicers. Company-wise, both Spyderco and Benchmade are reputable and have great customer service.
Comparing the knives themselves, the ergos on the Delica are more comfortable. That's not to say the Mini-Grip isn't comfortable, but the longer handle combined with the contours of it and the blade ramp does provide a more comfortable grip. I can get a decent 3 to 3.5 finger grip on the Mini-Grip, versus a comfortable 4-finger grip on the Delica.
Lock-wise, the Axis lock has the advantage. Quick to open and close, and a solid lock-up with no movement at all. The back lock on the Delica is strong and secure, but if you are cutting with a fair amount of downward force, there will be some movement. That appears to be a limitation of the back lock. It doesn't affect cutting ability or the security of the lock-up, but under some situations, you will be able to feel the blade and lock bar move. Both can be opened and closed one-handed, although the technique for the back lock can take a little more practice.
As for pocket carry, the Mini-Grip does have a smaller footprint in pocket. It's slightly wider at the thickest point (since the handles are a bit rounded), but it is shorter and narrower. Neither has deep pocket carry (although deep carry clips can be obtained separately for either), and both expose about the same amount of the knife outside the pocket. The Delica does have the option for tip-down carry, versus the Mini-Grip is tip-up only.
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- Joined
- Dec 14, 2010
- Messages
- 610
The delica has a bit more handle room and the ffg blade without a thumb stud makes it a bit easier imho to zip through cardboard and whatnot. That being said, the Benchmades blade is a little more robust, it depends on your use, the delica is a little thinner and delicate. I own both and just find the delicas design from a balls out usefulness standpoint to be better. I like lockbacks though and think the mini grip is just a touch short in the handle.
They both have great pocket clips and great blade steels, I find vg10 to be a bit easier to sharpen though. Both are fairly easy to find, the delica can be had for a little less though (i picked one up new for around $53).
Like many here have stated, its just kind of a fender vs gibson/ ford vs chevy thing. cant go wrong either way. I will be selling my 556 though...
They both have great pocket clips and great blade steels, I find vg10 to be a bit easier to sharpen though. Both are fairly easy to find, the delica can be had for a little less though (i picked one up new for around $53).
Like many here have stated, its just kind of a fender vs gibson/ ford vs chevy thing. cant go wrong either way. I will be selling my 556 though...
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2011
- Messages
- 2,603
Sace yourself some money and get an Ontario Rat II. I own and have extensively used a Mini Grip, Delica 4, and a Rat II and honestly I rank the Rat II at the same level as the other two with functionality and quality and it costs a third of what the other two do. Comparison pic:
I like the mini-grip more for EDC. It fits in smaller pockets (watch pocket). Is more discreet (doesn't *CLACK!!* when you open it) and more convenient to close one-handed.
However, my first mini-grip had a horribly uneven (and dull) edge grind (not a problem if you reprofile it) and my latest mini-grip came super gritty and it took forever to tweak it to acceptable smoothness (compared to my old one). But compared to the Delica the second point is moot, since the mini-grip is much smoother overall.
However, my first mini-grip had a horribly uneven (and dull) edge grind (not a problem if you reprofile it) and my latest mini-grip came super gritty and it took forever to tweak it to acceptable smoothness (compared to my old one). But compared to the Delica the second point is moot, since the mini-grip is much smoother overall.
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