Spyderco Delica vs Benchmade Mini Griptilian

Had both, still have the Mini Grip 555HG. IMO the Grip is a better knife in every way. But the Spyderco Paramilitary2 ain't that much more and is far superior to either!
 
Tough one... The Delica and Mini-Grip are two of my favorite EDC knives.

Blade: The FFG on the Delica and the high flat grind on the Grip both make for excellent slicers. Both feature a great steel (VG10 & 154CM for the main line models). The thumb hole and large thumb ramp on the Delica offer great ergonomics, but it also makes the blade wider (more surface area and drag from friction when cutting). I'd call this one a draw.

Handling / Ergonomics: Both have comfortable handle. The Delica's is a little longer, which does offer a slightly better fit (good, comfortable 4-finger grip, at least with my hands). The Grip's slightly rounded handles are very comfortable, and if I move my fingers closer to each other, I can still get a 4-finger grip on the handle. The shape of the Delica is less conventional, but it is a very functional design. The very pronounced thumb ramp allows for excellent blade control when making precise cuts. The Delica feels like a great amount of effort has gone into refining the design and ergonomics for function. I'd give the Delica the advantage here.

Carrying: Both are roughly the same thickness and weight, but due to the curved handles on the Grip, it does swell a little wider (maybe 1-2 millimeters) in the center. The Grip has a smaller footprint than the Delica. Both sit comfortably and unobtrusively in the pocket. The Delica does offer tip up or down carry, but the Grip is tip up only. Both can be swapped for left or right carry. I'd call this one a draw as well.

Lock: Both locks are well implemented and plenty strong. The Axis lock is faster to disengage than the back lock and gives you the option of waving the blade open and closed, if you so choose. I'd give the Grip the advantage here.

Cost: Benchmades seem to carry a higher cost premium (be it branding, proprietary Axis lock, or who knows). Advantage goes to the Delica here.

Pic (top to bottom): Ritter Mini-RSK1 w/ Wilkins scales. Benchmade Mini-Griptilian w/ OD handles and D2 blade. Spyderco Delica4 FFG.
BM556_BM558_Delica4_800x479.jpg
 
knifehunt said:
You people are not making this easy... LOL
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Two great knives are going to generate lots of preferences. My wife has a Mini Griptilian and a Delica so I'm familiar with both. If I was choosing between the two knives it would be the Delica with a FFG blade.

Video reviews are a very helpful way to get more familiar with the details of a knife.
[video=youtube;G86J-4xpiU0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G86J-4xpiU0[/video]
 
This is obviously a very personal decision. I much prefer my mini grip to my ffg Delica. To me the only real advantage for the Delica is that Spyderco does a much better job of sharpening than Benchmade. I had to sharpen the mini out of the box. However, I spent just as much time tweaking the Delica to achieve one hand closing.
The mini has better steel and the best lock you are going to find. It is also more fun to play with in front of the TV. While I am sure it has happened, I have never heard of anyone having any mechanical problems with an axis lock. If it does break, Benchmade will gladly fix it.
I think the only logical answer is to get them both.
 
I agree..... try both. If you find there is one that you really prefer then sell the other. :)
 
The lock mechanism on the Benchmade is the only thing that worries me. I have this feeling it will fail with time. Anyone have issues with it?
 
My mini grip has had both springs break. Its a bummer but i replaced them with a thicker guitar strings core which I carefully shaped like an omega spring. I've had a Presidio, 940, 550 Grip, Gold Class Grip, & a 555 mini grip (off the top of my head). I didn't really use many of them all that much including the 555 I still have. I really think my experience was fairly rare but certainly possible. I had a Delica for a while too. As a matter of fact it was the only knife I had on me for an entire winter! Taking it apart reveals that it is little more solid & no more well built than a $20 Case Sodbuster!

I dunno. Between the two I would choose the Grip. But the $25 extra spent upgrading to a ParaMilitary2 is a steal compared to these two & will certainly not be missed the second you hold it.
 
I have the Delica and just got a full size Grip, but have a mini coming in soon. I really like the Delica, but for me the Grips are more "fun" to flick around when I'm bored. Drives my wife crazy tho.
 
knifehunt said:
The lock mechanism on the Benchmade is the only thing that worries me. I have this feeling it will fail with time. Anyone have issues with it?
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I've had several Griptilians over the years and none of them have ever failed.
 
I find the handle too short on the Grip, so I carry the Delica the most.
 
This doesn't help the OP out much, but GET BOTH. Yeah, how original right?

These two are Spyderco and BM's best sellers year in and year out and for a reason. Also, getting both only sends you back $120, if that. Shop smart and you will find these two very similar in price.

Both are excellent small edc companions and are very capable. Neither are inferior to the other, one example; one can argue that the Delica is the better slicer with the FFG VG10, but I have found that the mini grip has a very thin grind and also slices better than people give it credit. If only getting one, it may boil down to which lock you prefer. I will say this, its good to try the axis lock at least once to see if you like it as it really shines when edc'd, so dont overlook the Griptilian given how the majority here vote Delica hands down.
 
I have only owned a delica ffg. I can tell you that after a few months of using, I developed vertical blade play in the back lock. I did not use the knife hard at all. Just opened boxes at work. Honestly, I think flicking the knife open quickly is hard on the lock back mechanism and as a result developed some play. I would have preferred the knife carry deeper in the pocket. Other than those issues, I enjoyed the other features. I ended up getting rid of the knife. I hear good things about the lock up of the axis lock. I still may try a mini grip for edc.
 
I haven't owned nor fondled with either knife, but both are in my future. I like the look of them both. I would suggest getting both and just decide with your own hands. Both are highly respected knives and popular. If you hate one or the other I'm sure you could sell it very quickly and only lose a couple dollars at most.
 
I don't think its quite a fair comparison to compare a ritter grip with wilkins scales to a delica, for the price of a kitted out grip your stepping into a whole other price range with far stiffer competition.

If you are choosing between the base model griptillian and delica I would choose the delica.

VG10 may not be as "hard wearing" as s30v but I find it easier to maintain and it doesn't chip as much, great user steel.

Less moving/fragile parts in the lock, the minimal blade play "issue" is highly exaggerated by some people.

If I had one gripe about the delica it would be that the blade, being so thin, digs into your hand while making hard push cuts. So not the most comfortable for extended use, but a great slicer.
 
My Delica 4 FFG is a nice thin knife in the pocket. That really is the advantage. VG10 is not so good and really needs a touch-up a day especially compared to Benchmades S30V. If I could find a Delica with better steel than VG10 then that would be a great combination.
 
Delica over here. Aside from insecurities about the axis lock, the Delica is cheaper, for around equal materials. (VG-10 to 154CM). Also, the Delica's scales feel more "solid" to me, while the benchmade scales feel hollow.
 
tomsch said:
My Delica 4 FFG is a nice thin knife in the pocket. That really is the advantage. VG10 is not so good and really needs a touch-up a day especially compared to Benchmades S30V. If I could find a Delica with better steel than VG10 then that would be a great combination.
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You do know they sell Delicas with blades made from ZDP-189, don't you?
 
Mini Grip is far more comfortable for me, much better lock, comparable steel in basic model, can not get a tanto chisel point Delica AFAIK
Though my ZDP delica does hold a nnniiiiccceee edge
They both feel a bit hollow-plastic-y

Griptilians are tough, i saw someone use one as a bridge for several minutes while jumping up and down on it
 
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