- Joined
- Apr 15, 2002
- Messages
- 3,376
I recently got a Benchmade Mini-Griptilian from another forumite after not having owned, carried or used one for around six years. The first one I carried had a thumbstud and a partially serrated drop point 440C blade. My initial thoughts were that though it opened easily the size of the knife and the thumbstud put my thumb uncomfortably close to the serrated edge of the blade. I carried it for a while, used it for some light cutting, and eventually sold or traded it off. I have not had one since.
The one I recently purchased has a black partially serrated "modified sheepsfoot" blade of 154CM and opens via the Spyderco round opening hole. I feel far more comfortable opening this knife than I did the one with the thumb stud. The Spyderco hole gives a better purchase for my thumb and seems to keep it away from the cutting edge.
The Spyderco Delica is one of the knives I have had in several of its incarnations from the original fully serrated integral clip model in AUS-8 to the stainless Delica 4 in VG-10 and almost every style in between.
Both the Delica and the Mini-Grip are scaled down versions of their respective companies' flagship folders, the Endura from Spyderco and the Griptilian from Benchmade and both knives have their loyal followings. They are both economical folding knives for people who use their knives for day to day cutting chores. Both have FRN handle scales, the Delica 4 and Mini-Grip have steel liners and both have secure locks, the Delica with the back lock and the Mini-Grip with the Axis lock. Both knives have approximately a 2.9 inch blade give or take .01 or .02 of an inch.
The prices are about the same with the Mini-Grip retailing for $56.25 on NewGraham and the Delica 4 retailing for $56.19.
Personally I would select the Delica before the Mini-Griptilian. I find the Delica's handle more ergonomical and I have small hands. The Mini-Grip does not feel secure and does not feel like it fills my hand. While the blades of both are within a fraction of an inch of each other, to me the Delica feels like it has a much more functional, useable blade, the blade of a much larger knife. I prefer the backlock in a folding knife over an axis lock, as I work around water and the omega spring of the Axis lock seems like it would be prone to corrosion and breakage far too easily. Otherwise both locks are extremely secure for what cutting one would use a small folding knife for.
For the steel junkies, the Delica is available in VG-10 steel while the Mini-Griptilian comes in 154CM. I personally would choose the VG-10 over the 154CM for the higher corrosion resistance it offers.
I do not much mind country of origin, if it is made in China, Japan, Taiwan, Germany, Italy, Spain or the United states does not matter as long as it is a well made knife coming from a company with an excellent reputation, but for those that prefer USA made knives, the Mini-Griptilian is made in the United States and the Delica in Seki, Japan.
Personally I would go with the Delica for a medium sized EDC but I don't think that you can "go wrong" with either knife. They are both priced well and made with premium, affordable materials, both have excellent warranties from reputable companies and both are made to be used.
Pete
The one I recently purchased has a black partially serrated "modified sheepsfoot" blade of 154CM and opens via the Spyderco round opening hole. I feel far more comfortable opening this knife than I did the one with the thumb stud. The Spyderco hole gives a better purchase for my thumb and seems to keep it away from the cutting edge.
The Spyderco Delica is one of the knives I have had in several of its incarnations from the original fully serrated integral clip model in AUS-8 to the stainless Delica 4 in VG-10 and almost every style in between.
Both the Delica and the Mini-Grip are scaled down versions of their respective companies' flagship folders, the Endura from Spyderco and the Griptilian from Benchmade and both knives have their loyal followings. They are both economical folding knives for people who use their knives for day to day cutting chores. Both have FRN handle scales, the Delica 4 and Mini-Grip have steel liners and both have secure locks, the Delica with the back lock and the Mini-Grip with the Axis lock. Both knives have approximately a 2.9 inch blade give or take .01 or .02 of an inch.
The prices are about the same with the Mini-Grip retailing for $56.25 on NewGraham and the Delica 4 retailing for $56.19.
Personally I would select the Delica before the Mini-Griptilian. I find the Delica's handle more ergonomical and I have small hands. The Mini-Grip does not feel secure and does not feel like it fills my hand. While the blades of both are within a fraction of an inch of each other, to me the Delica feels like it has a much more functional, useable blade, the blade of a much larger knife. I prefer the backlock in a folding knife over an axis lock, as I work around water and the omega spring of the Axis lock seems like it would be prone to corrosion and breakage far too easily. Otherwise both locks are extremely secure for what cutting one would use a small folding knife for.
For the steel junkies, the Delica is available in VG-10 steel while the Mini-Griptilian comes in 154CM. I personally would choose the VG-10 over the 154CM for the higher corrosion resistance it offers.
I do not much mind country of origin, if it is made in China, Japan, Taiwan, Germany, Italy, Spain or the United states does not matter as long as it is a well made knife coming from a company with an excellent reputation, but for those that prefer USA made knives, the Mini-Griptilian is made in the United States and the Delica in Seki, Japan.
Personally I would go with the Delica for a medium sized EDC but I don't think that you can "go wrong" with either knife. They are both priced well and made with premium, affordable materials, both have excellent warranties from reputable companies and both are made to be used.
Pete
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