Spyderco or Benchmade

If you are going to go with the mini-grip, then buy it TODAY. Some websites out there are still discounting until tomorrow and then the Benchmade UPP goes into effect and will raise their prices. This takes the mini-grip from a $63 knife to an $85 one.

My money is on that you'll probably end up owning both, so go with the one that you can get "on sale" now and then pick up a Dragonfly later on. That being said, I personally love the Dragonfly and would buy one before I bought a mini-grip. If you have any sort of store that sells these near you, go play with them first then buy.
 
Welcome to the forum, Itannerjh. I always prefer Benchmade so... go with Benchmade! :D If you are looking for something smaller, a small Bone Collector with wooden scales Axis lock is a great knife. Or the large Axis for another 12 bucks or so.

Good luck in your search -and good luck ignoring hostile/disrespectful members here who speak out of place. Might be good to leave your age out of future posts so as not to tempt overbearing individuals into "parenting mode". :thumbup:
 
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thats a really good point! I haven't actually held a spyderco before, but I've heard a lot of good things about them.
 
Sorry, I completely agree. I may not have been clear, and that was my fault. I didn't mean to disrespect you, but I have been saving up for a long time. My parents won't pay for this. I have been washing cars and saving money for about a year, but the cash from my birthday will just help me pay the rest of it off. I am leaning towards the mini grip, and all your points made a lot of sense, and I appreciate your feedback. Thanks for your two cents, I just realized how rude that came off :(

Cereal_killer said:
Tanner, is there a possibility your parents (you know those people who are paying for your gift) might stumble across this site and your thread?

I ask because if one of my kids said "its my birthday so money isnt too big an issue" and then followed that up with how they dont have a job or contribute anything to their upbringing I can tell you without a doubt they wouldn't get a single thing after making a comment like that...

Just my 2¢ as a parent.

Now of someone asked me mini-grip vs dragonfly without the rest of the ungreatfull jargon first thing I'd ask is specifically what mini-grip, and specifically what dragonfly they were considering. I have multiple's of both and the 555(HG) is my favorite knife hands down, yet at the same time my ZDP dragonfly is my most carried knife, it gets carried every single day regardless of what other knives I'm carrying.

Edit: I'm leaving what I said, but I will offer a little bit more advice since I was a little hard on you- I'd say the mini-grip... The dragonfly is a great knife and so useful but everyone deserves an axis lock, obviously going to school you can't carry all day every day like most of us do, so when you can carry you may as well get the most enjoyment possible from your knife, and in terms of what one makes me happier overall (looking past their merits as a knife) I'd say the mini-grip and its axis lock provide me more enjoyment than even the super steel of my ZDP dragonfly.

However of you wanted to save your parents a little money the FFG VG-10 dragonfly is a awesome cutting tool and at 2.25" is pretty much acceptible everywhere locking knives are legal, if you really want to go crazy consider the SE dragonfly salt, talk about a "little big knife", that's one mean knife right there.
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thanks a bunch for all the feedback! I really agree, and those bone collectors are beautiful knives!

jazub said:
Welcome to the forum, Itannerjh. I always prefer Benchmade so... go with Benchmade! :D If you are looking for something smaller, a small Bone Collector with wooden scales Axis lock is a great knife. Or the large Axis for another 12 bucks or so.

Good luck in your search -and good luck ignoring hostile/disrespectful members here who speak out of place. Might be good to leave your age out of future posts so as not to tempt overbearing individuals into "parenting mode". :thumbup:
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that is a really neat knife, and the blue handle scales are gorgeous! I generally prefer the look of the thumb studs to the spyder hole, but I can see how convenient that would be if you were using gloves in the garden or something! Thanks for all the feedback!
txman321 said:
+1 for the 555mini grip. You get the best of both worlds spyder hole and axis lock. I really like my 555 with blue scales
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That manix two is a really cool knife! AAAGGGHH there are so many choices! I don't think I'll be going with the dragonfly anymore, that manix is just too awesome! Plus the jimping on the benchmade compared to the spyderco is kind of a joke. :( I do like the idea of having the axis lock. However, I have heard that spyderco knives come sharper than benchmade knives. Is this true? Thanks for the feedback!
EDCanAdamas said:
To address your title, Spyderco, hands down. I suggest that you get a Manix 2 Light Weight. They retail from $70-$80. You will actually be getting your moneys (or parent's money) worth with that knife. Similar lock, decent steel, spyderhole, better ergos, light weight, decent price, what more could you ask for. The regular Manix 2 is even better.

The only knife I would buy from Benchmade right now is the Adamas, and spending $85 or more on a minigrip is absurd. If your heart's set on the mini grip (its still a decent knife) try to get one soon, before the sites offering discount codes either run out of knives, or are forced to go to regular MAP.
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Spyderco all the way, but I would stay away from the LW manix 2 and get a regular one with s30v. IMO s30v completely blows away BD1... Also I would browse the exchange, and see whats on there for your price range.
 
On your list I would take the Benchmade. Everyone should have an axis lock knife at least once in their lives.

If possible, check on size and fit by handling them. If there's no store around, find out the closed length, then wrap your hand around a ruler, check the same length, and see if your hand works welll with that. I have small hands, and the Mini Grip was still too small for me.

I would strongly suggest a Rat 2. An amazing knife. After that a Delica.

Good luck!
 
Pocket post.....
That was strange?

I own both and prefer the Mini Grip, mainly because the Dragonfly is too small for me to operate one-handed.
 
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As a fellow teen who uses his knife daily, i would say first find what your looking to use it for then what style of knife. I have a full sized grip and it is a beast takes a beaten and keeps on lickin. Really good user knife in my opinion for the cash. I would consider getting a full-sized grip for yourself, or a manix 2 whichis also a great knife. And if you just want a good knife but dont want to use too much cash then get a tenacious. But like i said before choose your features first then find the knives in that style that best fits you.
 
itannerjh said:
That manix two is a really cool knife! AAAGGGHH there are so many choices! I don't think I'll be going with the dragonfly anymore, that manix is just too awesome! Plus the jimping on the benchmade compared to the spyderco is kind of a joke. :( I do like the idea of having the axis lock. However, I have heard that spyderco knives come sharper than benchmade knives. Is this true? Thanks for the feedback!
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From my experiance, both brands ship quite sharp, although Spyderco tends to put a more even edge on their knives. Buy the Manix 2, it is one of the most well rounded EDC's I have ever carried. By the way, the actual Manix 2 (the non-lightweight model with G-10 handles) does have a better steel, S30V, if you are willing to spend around $115. Good luck choosing.
 
Tanner, I have both knives in the Ritter mini-grip with S30V steel and the Dragonfly with ZDP-189. The vg10 steel for Spyderco, or 154CM in Benchmade would be less expensive. The mini-grip is the only Benchmade I own whereas I have several Spydercos. That shows my preference for Spydercos but that being said I really like my mini-grip: fun to open, snaps closed with the solid sound and feel of authority, great blade shape and sharpness, rides low in the pocket, visually nice looking...just a great knife in my opinion. The many technicians on this forum can discuss the pros & cons of the 2 different locking mechanisms. I also like the Dragonfly. Very good quality in a small knife but in comparing these two knives, for me the Ritter mini-grip wins and would get a 80% to 20% pocket carry nod over the DF.
 
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Either is excellent for general EDC purposes, in my opinion. To my way of thinking and the environment in which I work, the D2 is without question literally a perfect design. Small, thin, ultra lightweight, non-threatening - with fantastic ergos and very serviceable VG10 steel. Easy to deploy either quickly or "discreetly", its' only drawback (to me) is the mid-back lock design, which, while strong (rock solid blade lockup too) - requires a 2 handed close. That is the price you pay for a thin handled knife. 1.2 ounces of design genius and a superb cutting 2.5 inch bade. My EDC carry of choice. The Mini-Grip is also an excellent knife, longer at 3 inches, with 154cm steel (I think)...a significantly thicker handle and weight, with a modified sheepsfoot design I have never quite gotten. I much prefer a FFG blade. Fantastic axis lock that makes for easy one hand close is the one true advantage I see to this knife (plus the additional 1/2 inch of blade length, if you feel you need it). It isn't cheap though, running approximately 50% more than the D2. Both are awesome knives and you cant go wrong with either.
 
Yeah, S30V is pretty hard to beat, but is about double the price. While I really like both of the knives, I think they are just too big! I was looking for something a little smaller.

MrBlademan2012 said:
Spyderco all the way, but I would stay away from the LW manix 2 and get a regular one with s30v. IMO s30v completely blows away BD1... Also I would browse the exchange, and see whats on there for your price range.
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I just went through a sorta similar scenario and I'd recommend the mini grip. The axis lock is amazing, it's so much fun to flip. Ignore the comments on reliability or g10 vs FRN or whatever. You are comparing small folding knives, they are more then tough enough to do whatever you need them to do. You want to bash stuff, use a hammer, pry, use a screwdriver. I'd like to see someone post a video of a mini grip failing under a real life task. As for the dragonfly that is a really small blade. I use a delica for edc and wish is had a little more cutting edge at times. I'd forget about the dragonfly, it's too small. Another person suggested the manix 2 lw which I think is another great choice since it's around the same price as the mini, is only slightly heavier and has a similar lockup. It will be more noticeable in the pocket then the mini though due to its size.
 
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