Total newb, rube and know-nothing

You seem to like the MiniGrip, it is a very nice knife. Get one of those. One day, you'll pick up a Delica and others. At the end of the day, get what you like and works best for you.
 
Yes, I probably do know a lot of guys you know. Memphis is a surprisingly small town...especially its legal community. Anyway, welcome to the forums. In the end of you catch the knife collecting sickness you will buy more. Start with what works for you.
 
Oh, nothing wrong with the Mini Grip, but now I went from a cheapy to a $20 limit to $35 and now looks like $64 and shipping with the Mini Grip. Wanna reign myself back in for the $35 or so knife that is closest to the Mini Grip and that may be that Native. I think I might like that over the heavier Leek and Persistence, though the price is what keeps me keeping those in the mix. Everytime a response to this thread comes up, I grab that Benchmade and it is too heavy and then I go with the tape measure and hold the Manax cheapy that a process server gave me. It has a 2.5 inch blade and is a good size, still heavy, and that is why I think 2.5 to 3.0 inch blade is the first one I want. I think the Native is that. I may get pics tonight of it.
 
Don't forget the Kershaw OD-1 and Skyline. I like the OD-1 because the blade shape is so darn useful. Both are very capable blades in your price range (~$35), but they are not assisted opening.

The Native is still going to run you about $50, and for that $$ you can also consider the Delica, Boker Exskelibur, or the (my recommendation) Buck Vantage Pro.
 
Dallas, the Native would be a used one

Wayne, Outdoors Inc has some knives.

Held a Benchmade Presidio. Loved the blade, loved the weight and size, did not like the straight ahead handle.

Kershaw Scallion okay, but the Leek seemed sleeker.

Spyderco Delica. NIce and actual found it to open easier then the Leek. Like the frame lock on the back of the handle over the liner lock of a Leek. About the same weight and size, the ribbed handle preferred over the Leek but the blade with the Spyder hole seems that it might take up more space in the pocket. I can see where it is nice to have, and I can see me with it, but I can see me choosing a Nascar Leek for $20 over $50 for a Delica.

as to OD-1, if I get a Kershaw, it is because I want to play with the Assisted Opening, other than that, I like the FFN handles of the Spydies or the Benchmade.

The nicest knife yet is the Benchmade Presidio but I like the Mini Grip as well. Something about the lock system and the opening and overall weight just screams sexy to me. However, I am a cheapie and well, will probably wimp out. That is the one that I would LOVE to have, but price wise, I am now well over my $35 threshold, but hey, could happen. I dont think I would like a Persistance if it is heavy compared to the Leek or the Mini Grip.

Starting to narrow them down.
 
Ok, I think I have a final list to choose from and would like your thoughts

I am thinking a 2.5 to 3.25 inch blade is ideal. I held a Benchmade presidio, loved the weight and blade and balance and handle. However, I want a curved handle and not straight on, so the Mini Griptilian is the Benchmade I like. I liked the assisted opening of the Kershaws and held my first couple of Sypdercos. A Delica was nice. Overall, loved the Benchmade but a Mini Grip will run $62 or so, and a Delica $45 and a Leek (longer blade than the Scallion) will be $20 for a Nascar one - not thrilled with the look. Maybe I am shopping on price too much

So maybe it would help me to tell you what I like and dislike about some knives and then the men here can comment and I can go for it, as they say

Uses: not heavy duty for sure and mainly cut apples, open boxes, maybe cut rope, twine, string and packages from Walmart that are sealed plastic and scissors do not work on. I am thinking a 3 inch blade is tops and anything under 2.5 inches would be too small. Lighter it is, more likely I carry it around instead of leave it at home

Leek: Love the opening, and the Nascar one priced at $20 delivered would be a steel. Once it gets over $30, I am not all that thrilled with it unless it had the textured handles and it does not. For some reason, I dont like the aluminum or stainless handles. Other than it has the cool opening system, it does not thrill me. THe price does, but the look does not. Sleek, yeah, but not moved by it.

Scallion: the black one is neat, but the blade looks short. It is a Kershaw and it has the textured handles, but the blade looks too short for me, or maybe it doesnt.

Mini Griptilian: Love this one, but it is the highest price of the ones I am looking at. No drawbacks other than maybe that spring in the locking and opening system busts some how. Makes me feel like it will be easier to open and not pop open.

Persistence: Can get it for $25 delivered and it is a Spyderco. Drawback is they say it is heavy and has the least desireable steel of all I am looking at and may have to be sharpened the most.

Delica: Increase in price to $45 or so, and lightweight, but a larger blade (I think Persistence is 2.5 inches, and Delica is 3") and better steel and lighter.

Native: I have not seen the pics yet or held it but offered one for $40. DOnt know what model or attributes it has. Can pick up an Endura for $40 also, but I think that blade is huge if I recall, 3.5 inches. I have a couple of 3.5 inch blades at the office (got the Leopard yesterday) and while nice, it is a big blade and really too much for what I anticipate I will use it for and at that size, less likely to get carried around, but rather stored.

So if anyone can comment on my comments or make suggestions, that would help. I know there are other great makers of knives, but I kinda wanna keep it between these three makers, and really, not all Benchmades but I did like the locking and opening system of the Mini Grip (it is on the Presidio but that price went up to $115)

So, my options are price wise, the best deal is a Leek and a Perisistence for $45 combined, about the price of a Delica or Native, and be able to have two knives.

Appeal wise, the Mini Grip I just love, but it blows my expected budget of $35. Not a killer and maybe you say just go for it and get it.

The Sypdercos, well my nephews love them and for me, it is easier to use the Spyderhole for a one-handed opening, as I am not really practicing much. Now, it might be doable to get the Mini Grip and say the Persistence, especially if I sell my Leopard.

So, I am ready I think. Oh, by the way, Kershawguy has some blem pricing on Kershaws that I have looked at, and maybe I overlooked something but those $45 and under, I think they are either smallish blades (under 2.5) or do not have that Ken Onion opening system or in the case of the Junkyard Dog 2 composite, a bigger than 3.25 inch knife.

Thanks guys for letting me think aloud. If anyone wants to comment offline, sblaiss at gmail dot com and I love looking at pics, and even if you want to offer a knife, great. Again, thanks for the resources of this forum and those that contribute.
 
SpartanSaint said:
i'm sure you could find a used mini grip for cheap
Click to expand...


Been looking to no avail, The auction site has a couple but one is a hit or miss and the other not a plain edge-

There is a thread by Nevermind, but the Mini has the serration and well, he has the bigger Grip and it is $65 but I think the blade is 3.45 inches and though it was light when I held it, I think it could be a problem carrying it around
 
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If you love the mini grip, buy it. :) If you don't you'll probably just end up wishing you did later on. Sounds like its exactly what your looking for, and its really not all that much more money for something you know you'll be happy with.
 
Last note and I'll move on:

Life's too short to get cheap stuff. This is especially with true with tools, and (for me) knives. Get what you want from the brands you've listed and just enjoy your knife. You can't really go wrong with any of them. Don't think I'd go with Nascar, but again that's just me.
 
Get the mini-grip. You'll just end up buying it later anyway. While you're at it, get a small bottle of blue Loc-Tite. Take the 3 clip screws off, coat the threads with Loc-Tite. Take out the pivot screw, coat the threads. Allow some dry time, reinsert screws. You'll have a more manageable pivot screw that you can micro-adjust. Then enjoy the knife.
 
I think the comment on the Leek is right, Id be shopping for price only.
I am open to a Spyderco, very open

Last thought, the mini vs. regular sized Griptilan. Is the full size a big knife? How is it in size and use compared to a Delica, which I have held? I ask because there is one for sale now at a nice price and well, it is 3.25 inches which if it is not gonna give me problems carrying, might actually be smaller than the Benchmade Leopard I have since that is one heavy knife and so it seems big.
 
Well, since you asked...this my last, last note.

The Griptilian is a great knife, that's why they sell so many of them. The Mini is a little more pocket friendly than the regular, but very handy. Personally, I didn't care for the bulbous end, but that's one opinion, and it does fill the hand well when working. Both are very useful, well-made tools. Don't worry too much about the spring in the lock mechanism. They occasionally fail, but BM will send you a new one anytime, or fix it for free if it breaks (in most cases). Oh, and the blade on the Daddy is 3.45" not 3.25" btw.
 
Dallas, thanks, and yes, I read that the Daddy is 3.45. It felt good, but I think that it will carry large also, and I could not comfortably carry, for me anyway, the 3.5 blades that I have now and dont like. I went to the Grip thread and read up on that. I had to ask there what the difference is in the drop point blade and the sheepsfoot, which I think is the bulbous. They have like a tanto blade (serrated at the back end of the blade) and I dont know why you would have one, but I know it would be hard for me to sharpen. I also read that Benchmade may have cheaper versions of the mini grip, as I do like that locking system and found it easier to open then the spring assisted Leek I tried at Bass Pro.

I can see me deciding between a Benchmade and a Sypderco now. Really can.
 
Sam - as much research as you are doing and as much excitement as you (apparently) have in this venture, I predict this is soooooooo not going to be your last knife.

The mini-grip and the Delica (and the Native 3 for that matter) are direct competitors in this price range. I ended up with a mini-grip (for my son) because I really never warmed up to the Spydie hole thing. I would give Spyderco an edge in quality though, as I've never found a single significant problem with any Spyder-knife that passed through my hands (about a dozen total).

Between the Tanto Blade and Drop-point, go with the Drop. The tanto is designed specifically for thrusting and the drop-point is for cutting and slicing. Tanto's are also harder to sharpen. Serrations are available with both types. My mini-grip is partially serrated because my son, who cuts a lot of rope and string with it, will almost never sharpen it. Among the knives I use, I have no serrated blades, but then I always keep mine plenty sharp. User preference.

Additionally, there aren't any "cheaper" versions of the mini-grip. BM has released several versions of this knife, some more expensive than others, but none are really "cheap". There are blade grind options: a flat-ground blade style and a hollow-ground blade style. You can tell the difference by the hole in the blade, and I already talked about my view on holes in the blade. They should be about the same price.

Jeez, I apologize but do tend to ramble about knives when asked. Sorry about that.

- Steve
 
Steve. ramble on. Between you and the other guys, I learn things. I thought that was what serrations mainly did. What does a Sheepsfoot do that the Drop point does not? Which one is easier to keep sharp or sharpen? Also, why would you get or not get a hollow ground and same question on the full flat ground? When I was considering the Spydercos, guys would say go with the full flat.
 
Ok, first know that Benchmade takes liberties with traditional knife terminology. They often change names simply for marketing. In truth, a sheepsfoot blade is somewhat similar to a drop point except that the drop from the spine occurs closer to the point and the blade edge is straight. It's a very useful shape, sort of like a wharncliff. A drop point has a blade spine that gently curves downward to the point, and meets the upswept cutting edge somewhere above the centerline of the blade. This is a more traditional hunting blade shape that is useful for slicing and cutting, but also has enough steel behind the tip for applied pressure at the point.

As far as sharpening, the straighter the edge, the easier to sharpen generally. Sharpening a blade with a big curve requires a little more skill.

For me, I tend to favor flat grinds for utility knives and hollow grinds for slicing knives. For example, for camping and hiking I have a flat-ground Endura which is perfect for that application IMO. My son's flat-ground Mini-Grip is perfect for cutting and chopping around the yard. In town I'll carry some form of hollow ground blade (brand name withheld) for general cutting and slicing. All personal preference. The Delica is a flat ground (either full or saber) and the Native has a hollow grind. The BM mini-grip is available with both.
 
Dallas, utility vs. slicing, what do you think from my postings will be the better choice? I dont know that I slice, as I do have a couple of really sharp and good kitchen knives, but I may occassionally use it on an apple or tomato? SO the Sheepsfoot will be easier to sharpen? If so, then it is either full flat or hollow or maybe that does not matter as much?
 
I read this somewhere and it concerns me

Benchmade folders employ a sophsiticated lock and release mechanism with teflon washers and everything is held together with torqueflex heads. You will need the oil and tools to maintain and adjust the release. My benchmade was a very rapid flicknife- and if you show off flicking all day premature wear can occur- and I adjusted it to a normal two handed opener when travelling in case local laws looked unkindly on one handed knives


Do I need to worry? Im not one to take apart a knife or stuff. Will I be better off with a Spydie then?
 
Sam - for your purposes, I wouldn't make a decision based on the blade profile. A hollow ground blade might slice the apple a little cleaner, but not enough to worry about. Go with the knife design you like best.

True sheepsfoots (feet?) are usually only found in Traditional knives. Benchmades' "Modified Sheepsfoot" blade is not much different than the drop point edge, so that shouldn't really be a decision turner either.

Benchmade's Axis lock is very strong, but I feel has a slight design weakness in the Omega spring. It can break. Not often, but it has been known to happen. IIRC, BM has always taken care of any of these problems in the past. The Delica and the Native have more traditional back-lock that are a little more sturdy IMO.

Taking a knife apart is the next step in your addiction. Most knives over $40 or $50 have the capacity to be taken apart for cleaning with simple tools. Home Depot sells a hex wrench set that I use on just about everything. Some people never take their knives apart, but it's part of my sickness.
 
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