Vantage Pro vs. Kershaw Zing vs. Mini Grip

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Brocket21

Joined
Dec 19, 2010
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I have been out of the knife enthusiast game for a long time now and wanted to get some advice on my first purchase back.

I live in Southern California, so I can't carry any blades over 3". I work in an office environment so I will not need to do much heavy duty cutting. The knife will likely be used for opening some packages, slicing food, and other mundane tasks. I have checked out both the Mini Grip and the Zing in person and although I prefer the axis lock to the Zing's lock design, I actually like the thinner blade profile of the zing and the way it feels in my hand better than the Grip. Haven't checked out the Buck yet.

I know there are a million threads about this, but can you help me decide?
 
I have both the mini-grip and the Zing and prefer the Zing for every day carry. I'm in agreement with you that it fits well in the hand, and I really like the flipper on it, makes for quick opening.

I don't have a Vantage yet, but have my sights set on it :D
 
I would go for the Zing due to its overall profile (slim), its blade geometry / striations, and its flipper action. The mini-grips really do not show off the axis lock well in their flexy-plastic handles. As for the buck, I don't have any comments on that.

More owners of the Zing should chime up soon :)
 
Vantage all day!!!! G10 , s30v, and just a great all
Around knife !!!best value today in the knife world !!! I feel the vantage select is even with those two but the pro is leaps ahead !!!
 
The Zing is a very comfortable knife to use. Even more so then the Spyderco Delica if you ask me, and that's saying a lot.

As far as locks go, the Axis lock is nice but Kershaw knows how to do liner and frame locks very well and you should never have any problems with it.

Also the Kershaw's 14C28N is good stuff.

The Buck Vantage Pro is a bit bigger but feels much bigger to me. Which may be perceived as a big scary weapon to your co-workers. The S30v blade is great, but it doesn't open as easily as or quickly as the Zing, but has a nice high hollow grind and cuts like a laser. Also the Buck as a nice low ride clip that can be taken off not leaving any holes in the frame.

Hope this helps.
 
I have all three and it is hard to say which I prefer best. I do like the axis lock of the grip. That may be my slight favorite of the three.
 
I have all three, and while steel is high on my list...the zing will get more pocket time....plus the 3d design is a bit more people friendly, from my experience, its a "COOL" conversation starter.
 
Honestly, those are three very good knives, and I doubt you'll be disappointed with whatever you get. But since you asked for opinions, here goes...

I'm another who has both a Zing and a Mini Grip and prefers the Zing for EDC: the Zing is a regular in my EDC rotation, while the Mini Grip rarely makes it into my pocket. Flippers are my favorite type of opening system, which probably has something to do with it. But besides that, it's just a really well thought-out and well-built knife: excellent flipper, very useful blade shape, good ergos, and, unlike a lot of flippers, a pair of very usable thumb studs for when you don't want to use the flipper.

I also have a large Vantage Pro, and if that were what you were considering I'd choose it over the other two. (It's one of my favorite knives, and as someone else said, an incredible value.) But since the large version is over 3", I'm guessing you're talking about the small one, which I've avoided because, with a blade of 2.625", it's a bit too small for my tastes. If you have small hands, it might be okay, but if not, you may find your hands running out of real estate on the handle.
 
I too live in SoCal. Just wondering what city or county limits you to a 3" blade?:thumbdn: Just in case i'm traveling thru.
 
i had a zing and a mini grip. i wasn't a fan of the axis so i wouldn't go for the mini grip. ive never handled vantage pro but i like my zing a lot. and the orange ones are really sheeple friendly
 
neuron said:
I also have a large Vantage Pro, and if that were what you were considering I'd choose it over the other two. (It's one of my favorite knives, and as someone else said, an incredible value.) But since the large version is over 3", I'm guessing you're talking about the small one, which I've avoided because, with a blade of 2.625", it's a bit too small for my tastes. If you have small hands, it might be okay, but if not, you may find your hands running out of real estate on the handle.
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Too true :( . I have the small Vantage, and although the blade size is okay, my big hands make it a little fumbly to open. I do like the way it disappears in my pocket, however. Maybe I'll pick up the larger version some day. I have no problem with the blade size and love the design. Did I say Great Value? :)
 
For me it would be between the Mini Grip and the Zing. I'd give a slight nod to the Zing overall.
 
softrockrenegade said:
Vantage all day!!!! G10 , s30v, and just a great all
Around knife !!!best value today in the knife world !!! I feel the vantage select is even with those two but the pro is leaps ahead !!!
Click to expand...

:thumbup: another vote for the vantage here. i have the large one and just love it.
 
drifts1 said:
I too live in SoCal. Just wondering what city or county limits you to a 3" blade?:thumbdn: Just in case i'm traveling thru.
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Anaheim and Garden Grove, for sure. GG also has a prohibition against "spring knives". A couple of years back a guy in Orange was busted for a gravity knife, which he purchased at The Block (in Orange).

Frank
 
Thanks for all the love guys. I went with the Zing with the orange handles so as someone else just posted, it will be "sheple" friendly. Can't wait to put this thing to work.

I was pretty sure that California only allows for a 3" concealed carry max on knives but maybe I am wrong?
 
Brocket21 said:
Thanks for all the love guys. I went with the Zing with the orange handles so as someone else just posted, it will be "sheple" friendly. Can't wait to put this thing to work.

I was pretty sure that California only allows for a 3" concealed carry max on knives but maybe I am wrong?
Click to expand...

I've got two of those. I took one on a cruise with me. The baggage scanner lady had the security guard look at it. He gave he a "Pfffft" and said it was OK. :D

So it shouldn't give you too much problems with the sheeple, but it will make you addicted to flippers.
 
I live in So Cal also and I have read up on all knife laws in California and from what I have read there is no limit on folders, no fixed blades over 8", spring assisted are legal, no auto knives over 3", and no Balisongs.
 
Golddust said:
I live in So Cal also and I have read up on all knife laws in California and from what I have read there is no limit on folders, no fixed blades over 8", spring assisted are legal, no auto knives over 3", and no Balisongs.
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Agree with the above except the 8" limit on fixed blades. I understood that fixed blades must be open carried but still had no limit. Do you have a link to the text because that could impact carrying a lot of tools such as machetes. TIA
 
ras said:
Agree with the above except the 8" limit on fixed blades. I understood that fixed blades must be open carried but still had no limit. Do you have a link to the text because that could impact carrying a lot of tools such as machetes. TIA
Click to expand...

I do not have an exact quote as to the law on fixed blades because I do not carry one but I have seen it mentioned in some places but that could be false information.
 
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