Whats the best out of: manix 2 LW, delica, and griptilian.

Conrad smith said:
If there are any other knives I don't know about I'd be super happy to know :)
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Doug Ritter, started Kniferights and builds GA airplane survival kits among other survival gear, had a Griptillian pattern built to his spec by Benchmade. It is a great, but discontinued long ago, knife. He updated that knife, and it is a winner in every way, and reasonably priced. Ritter's new "Griptillian pattern" knife, now built by Hogue is reviewed at our Review forum-
Full review of the Hogue Ritter RSK MK-1 G2
Owe, the thing about "trouble with Benchmade's springs breaking,"- It's only a thing on the internet. Springs do break and Benchmade's warranty is lifetime.
Grandkids and kids love their Kershaw's, some of them are made in the USA, but I would advocate saving up for your "step up" in design, materials, and execution. Think of a knife like a gun in the sense that built well both tools give lifetime service and more, so whats 60 days or 2 more paychecks. BTW, are you allowed to carry fixed blade daily? Some incredible tools on that side as well, with few things to break.
 
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scottc3 said:
Doug Ritter, started Kniferights and builds GA airplane survival kits among other survival gear, had a Griptillian pattern built to his spec by Benchmade. It is a great, but discontinued long ago, knife. He updated that knife, and it is a winner in every way, and reasonably priced. Ritter's new "Griptillian pattern" knife, now built by Hogue is reviewed at out Review forum-
Full review of the Hogue Ritter RSK MK-1 G2
Owe, the thing about "trouble with Benchmade's springs breaking,"- It's only a thing on the internet. Springs do break and Benchmade's warranty is lifetime.
Grandkids and kids love their Kershaw's, some of them are made in the USA, but I would advocate saving up for your "step up" in design, materials, and execution. Think of a knife like a gun in the sense that built well both tools give lifetime service and more, so whats 60 days or 2 more paychecks. BTW, are you allowed to carry fixed blade daily? Some incredible tools on that side as well, with few things to break.
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I'll check out the Doug Ritter grip, thanks. Nah illegal to carry a fixed blade where I live. Acually just found out its illegal to carry assisted knives too so I've apparently been breaking the law for a year, Oopsie o_Oo_O a great reminder to always check the knife laws.
Another reason to be buying a new knife is a good one, right lol!
Stay safe.
 
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These are very different knives. The Griptilian is fat so does not ride well. It does not slice well at all. The Delica is the most pocket friendly and has a very strong lock. It still allows a lot of grip on the handle. The Manix 2 LW is a larger knife but is still flat. The Bidirectional texturing on the two Spydercos is genius. Spyderco ergonomics must be felt to be believed. My vote goes for the smaller Delica for general EDC (there is a good reason it has been so popular fir decades). For a larger EDC the Manix wins.

I own all three and the Spydercos made me look no farther.
 
Here’s a comparison pic of the Para 3 LW, Delica, and Manix 2 LW.

The M2 LW is broad but thin. Given it’s also very light for it’s size, I think it carries well. If you’re using the knife a lot, especially for heavier tasks like lots of cardboard, etc, it’s a winner. The FRCP scales do “feel” cheaper than the FRN of the others, but I think durability-wise they’re fine.

The Delica is a great knife and carries awesome. I think it’s a teriffic EDC —carry always, cut when you need it. For a work knife or something that’s in use frequently, I think there’s better options.

Thats where the Para 3 comes in. I think it falls nicely between the others. It feels more secure in hand than the Delica and is only a small amount larger in breadth and thickness. A little is lost in blade length (same blade length as Delica) but the forward choil allows for plenty of force behind the blade. The action is very amenable to easy, frequent one handed use.

I’m not a Griptilian fan, so no pic for comparison.



 
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Here's my thoughts on the differences in these knives.

The Grip has the most comfortable handle and the lock is the easiest to manipulate. It also has the thickest handle as far as bulkiness. The omega springs can break, but I think the issue has been overblown. It will still function with one spring. They would most likely send replacements to you because of your location or you can even make your own. The Grip also has a large selection of aftermarket scales and hardware if you have any interest in upgrading it down the road.

The Manix LW is one of the best length to weight knives you can get with a really strong lock. The caged ball bearing lock is quite a bit stiffer to operate than the axis. It is wide when closed and takes a bit of getting used to carrying if you keep other stuff in that pocket. It still carries well because of it's light weight and how flat it is.

The Delica will be the easiest to carry because of it's size. Not as hand filling or comfortable as the other two for extended use. That's not to say it's uncomfortable either.

As far as other options, the Native LW is a more similar shape to the Manix that I find more comfortable than the Delica. It is much more pocket friendly than the Manix. The Mini Griptilian is also another solid choice.

Here's a size comparison with a Pioneer, since I don't have a Leek. Left to right: Pioneer, Native LW, Manix LW, Delica 3 (that I convex ground), Griptilian with aftermarket scales, Mini Griptilian G10, Bugout
Open

Closed
 
Don’t let the worry of the omega springs breaking its not that common. Have had a many of benchmade and not one with plenty of use has broken. Then there’s also the memory wire replacement that’s an at home option to fix if they did brake
 
I have the manix LW and a mini grip. I got the manix LW for my wife years ago. The lock was so stiff she couldn't use it all. I even had a hard time with it and I'm not a small dude. I ended up pulling the lock back and jamming a few toothpicks in there and letting it sit like that for a few days and it softened up a bit. At least its manageable now. But that doesnt change that its huge in the pocket and very cheap feeling. I hate the frn scales. When the knife is open I can pinch the handle between my fingers and squeeze and make both side of the scales touch eachother. That's how much flex they have. It feels like a $10 gas station knife to me. I also hate the mini grip I have. Admittedly the mini is to small for my hands but the handle material also feels cheap. I just dont like the hollow plastic feel. That's what's kept me from getting the full size one also. The delica would be my pick out of the 3 only because maybe with it being a little smaller the frn will be stiffer and not flex as much but I've never held one so I cant say for sure. I have enough better knives though with better handle material to ever buy a plastic handled knife again. G10, micarta, carbon fiber, titanium all feel so much better in the hand. My vote would be to save a little more and get a knife with a better handle. Just my opinion though. I know a lot of people are perfectly happy with the 3 your choosing from.
 
dannyp said:
Here's my thoughts on the differences in these knives.

The Grip has the most comfortable handle and the lock is the easiest to manipulate. It also has the thickest handle as far as bulkiness. The omega springs can break, but I think the issue has been overblown. It will still function with one spring. They would most likely send replacements to you because of your location or you can even make your own. The Grip also has a large selection of aftermarket scales and hardware if you have any interest in upgrading it down the road.

The Manix LW is one of the best length to weight knives you can get with a really strong lock. The caged ball bearing lock is quite a bit stiffer to operate than the axis. It is wide when closed and takes a bit of getting used to carrying if you keep other stuff in that pocket. It still carries well because of it's light weight and how flat it is.

The Delica will be the easiest to carry because of it's size. Not as hand filling or comfortable as the other two for extended use. That's not to say it's uncomfortable either.

As far as other options, the Native LW is a more similar shape to the Manix that I find more comfortable than the Delica. It is much more pocket friendly than the Manix. The Mini Griptilian is also another solid choice.

Here's a size comparison with a Pioneer, since I don't have a Leek. Left to right: Pioneer, Native LW, Manix LW, Delica 3 (that I convex ground), Griptilian with aftermarket scales, Mini Griptilian G10, Bugout
Open

Closed
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This is super helpfull! Wow I had no idea that some of the knives where this small/big. Thank you so much ! Since I do have small hands, I think I prefer the size of the native 5, delica and mini grip.
Dallas T said:
Don’t let the worry of the omega springs breaking its not that common. Have had a many of benchmade and not one with plenty of use has broken. Then there’s also the memory wire replacement that’s an at home option to fix if they did brake
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Yeah I'm not one who flicks knives open and closed all day lol so I think I'll be fine anyway.
steelhead seeker said:
I have the manix LW and a mini grip. I got the manix LW for my wife years ago. The lock was so stiff she couldn't use it all. I even had a hard time with it and I'm not a small dude. I ended up pulling the lock back and jamming a few toothpicks in there and letting it sit like that for a few days and it softened up a bit. At least its manageable now. But that doesnt change that its huge in the pocket and very cheap feeling. I hate the frn scales. When the knife is open I can pinch the handle between my fingers and squeeze and make both side of the scales touch eachother. That's how much flex they have. It feels like a $10 gas station knife to me. I also hate the mini grip I have. Admittedly the mini is to small for my hands but the handle material also feels cheap. I just dont like the hollow plastic feel. That's what's kept me from getting the full size one also. The delica would be my pick out of the 3 only because maybe with it being a little smaller the frn will be stiffer and not flex as much but I've never held one so I cant say for sure. I have enough better knives though with better handle material to ever buy a plastic handled knife again. G10, micarta, carbon fiber, titanium all feel so much better in the hand. My vote would be to save a little more and get a knife with a better handle. Just my opinion though. I know a lot of people are perfectly happy with the 3 your choosing from.
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It is a very big stretch for me to save up more, I think most of these are at the top of my budget anyway. But I'll have a look at prices becuase I do really hate plastic. Thanks so much.
 
Conrad smith said:
This is super helpfull! Wow I had no idea that some of the knives where this small/big. Thank you so much ! Since I do have small hands, I think I prefer the size of the native 5, delica and mini grip.
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Sure thing. It's hard to get a feel for the size differences without being to see or handle them in person. Of those 3, the Mini Grip has the most robust blade and if you really hate the plastic handles you can save up to get aftermarket scales down the road.

Buck has the Vantage series also. The Pro version has G10 scales and the Avid has Dymondwood inlays. There is a large and small size. They have the Spitfire available in the custom shop with a variety of options, too. Not sure if they take international orders though.
 
dannyp said:
Sure thing. It's hard to get a feel for the size differences without being to see or handle them in person. Of those 3, the Mini Grip has the most robust blade and if you really hate the plastic handles you can save up to get aftermarket scales down the road.

Buck has the Vantage series also. The Pro version has G10 scales and the Avid has Dymondwood inlays. There is a large and small size. They have the Spitfire available in the custom shop with a variety of options, too. Not sure if they take international orders though.
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Thanks, I think i will just settle for the mini grip for now then. great suggestion about aftermarket scales. I will probably get all 3 at some point becuase of my strange love of knives lol (I blame knife forum for that one :) )
Stay safe and well all. :thumbsup:
 
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