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

Conrad smith said:
Ill probably buy micarta scales for the mini grip if i don't like the plastic scales. I may even make some, are there any good forum threads for making scales?
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I’ve been where you are right now. Unless you are really very, very good with a Dremel or have access to CNC equipment, making scales for a Griptillian is going to be a challenge with the nested liners. Tolerances to get blade centering right are pretty critical.

As to knife choices, you are basing your experience on a SAK and a Leek, both flat ground with very thin blade stock and are probably two of the best “slicy” value knives available. As soon as you look at larger knives with thicker blade stock and sabre grinds (Griptillians), slicing performance will suffer but the ability to perform harder cutting tasks will increase.

I had one of the old 154CM Manixs (not flat ground) and gave it away. Too much jimping on the handle and after using Axis locks, the CBBL was disappointing. I have not tried one of the LW Manixi (?).

The Griptillians (mini and regular) are great knives, I have numerous of each. Omega spring failure is not that common. I live in South Africa and Benchmade sent me spare springs. They have been in my spares box for years and never been needed. Two issues with the Grips : IMO the best blades are discontinued (Ritter and hollow ground sheep foot), the current sabre ground blades may not slice as well as you are accustomed to coming from a Leek and a SAK. The other thing is the “clacky” noise they make when closing (particularly the full size). It bugged me 10 years ago because it sounded cheap, now it doesn’t worry me as I value the other traits of the knives more than that minor irritation.

The Delica is a great knife and a best seller with good reason. Slicing performance is going to be similar to what you are used to. My issue with the handle is the pointy bits that may be uncomfortable. This is very personal - I love the blade, dislike the handle shape. I still own 5 despite that.

Of the 3 you mention, I’d take a Grip but with the understanding that it is going to be different to what you are used to ... if you can swing it, get a Benchmade Bugout, all the good features of the Grip and none of the bad. YMMV
 
Since you've decided on the grip don't brush off the other two choices and slowly build your collection.Admire what each offers,their advantages and disadvantages.
 
razorburn said:
Since you've decided on the grip don't brush off the other two choices and slowly build your collection.Admire what each offers,their advantages and disadvantages.
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I agree. I will definatly be buying the delica and manix 2 as well at some point, as I do appreciate what they offer.
 
psquared said:
I’ve been where you are right now. Unless you are really very, very good with a Dremel or have access to CNC equipment, making scales for a Griptillian is going to be a challenge with the nested liners. Tolerances to get blade centering right are pretty critical.

As to knife choices, you are basing your experience on a SAK and a Leek, both flat ground with very thin blade stock and are probably two of the best “slicy” value knives available. As soon as you look at larger knives with thicker blade stock and sabre grinds (Griptillians), slicing performance will suffer but the ability to perform harder cutting tasks will increase.

I had one of the old 154CM Manixs (not flat ground) and gave it away. Too much jimping on the handle and after using Axis locks, the CBBL was disappointing. I have not tried one of the LW Manixi (?).

The Griptillians (mini and regular) are great knives, I have numerous of each. Omega spring failure is not that common. I live in South Africa and Benchmade sent me spare springs. They have been in my spares box for years and never been needed. Two issues with the Grips : IMO the best blades are discontinued (Ritter and hollow ground sheep foot), the current sabre ground blades may not slice as well as you are accustomed to coming from a Leek and a SAK. The other thing is the “clacky” noise they make when closing (particularly the full size). It bugged me 10 years ago because it sounded cheap, now it doesn’t worry me as I value the other traits of the knives more than that minor irritation.

The Delica is a great knife and a best seller with good reason. Slicing performance is going to be similar to what you are used to. My issue with the handle is the pointy bits that may be uncomfortable. This is very personal - I love the blade, dislike the handle shape. I still own 5 despite that.

Of the 3 you mention, I’d take a Grip but with the understanding that it is going to be different to what you are used to ... if you can swing it, get a Benchmade Bugout, all the good features of the Grip and none of the bad. YMMV
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Thanks you very much for the reply. I have had one other knife before my sak and leek, which was a ganzo with thick stock and saber ground, I acually much prefered thay blade style versus slicey ones, becuase I found I could do everything I do with my sak and leek now and more such as the heavier tasks (batoning and other abusive things that should probably not be done with a folder) I will be having a go making some scales for it as I don't really have anything to loose, I'll post it if it's a success.
Stay safe and well. :)
 
drop,Ferrum Forge, Pro-Tech, Mordax. is a manual knife.

Never did get a Grip never could decide full size of Mini. Need to get to a place where I can hold them one day.

I have a Benchmade Mini Loco that I really like. It is a bit fat in the pocket to me.
The Mini Presidio II is very nice also. Of those two I like the Mini Loco better.

Since I could not figure out the Grip deal.
I purchased a Spyderco Sage 5, G10, compression lock, It makes me all kinds of happy.
 
I don't have anything to add to this that hasn't been mentioned already.

I've had all 3 of the knives you originally asked about.

I will say that my favorite folder (ever!) is the manix 2. However, I do NOT like the LW version! I prefer the weight and heft of the standard manix 2. The g10 scales make a big difference for me on this particular knife.

I like the griptilian, but it has a wider handle. Not a bad thing, just different feel in pocket.

I've never had any problems with any of the locking mechanisms. Benchmade's axis lock being my favorite of the 3.

They are all solid knives and I would suguest getting all 3 at some point.
 
If you get a Delica you may need to filter in the cost of an aftermarket deep carry clip. I couldn't stand the one supplied that left 1.5cm of the knife sticking out of the pocket. There's very good titanium ones available on Ali Baba if you're not in the US and don't want to pay extortionate shipping.
 
As long as this thread is still running... One of my all-time favorite Spyders is the Chaparral. Mine is the CF/G10, but there is an FRN version available for under $100 if I remember correctly. The blade is just a hair shorter than the Delica. And probably not what I'd choose for harsh work. But it's a beautiful slicer.

Crazy thin and carries easy. It's also the model that made me fall in love with Spyderco's wire clips. Everything about this model just works. And of the knives that I have with forward finger choils, this one (and the Massdrop Falcon), just lock into my hand perfectly.

xkXnWKv.jpg


ocB2Jyj.jpg


rEHvhqp.jpg


TxVhjqX.jpg
 
bflying said:
As long as this thread is still running... One of my all-time favorite Spyders is the Chaparral. Mine is the CF/G10, but there is an FRN version available for under $100 if I remember correctly. The blade is just a hair shorter than the Delica. And probably not what I'd choose for harsh work. But it's a beautiful slicer.

Crazy thin and carries easy. It's also the model that made me fall in love with Spyderco's wire clips. Everything about this model just works. And of the knives that I have with forward finger choils, this one (and the Massdrop Falcon), just lock into my hand perfectly.

xkXnWKv.jpg


ocB2Jyj.jpg


rEHvhqp.jpg


TxVhjqX.jpg
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i love that spydie, and i loooove carbon fiber too. one day ill get that, when my wallet says I can lol. i must try out one of those zts, ive never given them alot of thought as they are way out of my price range from the models ive seen. that last photo is real eye candy for sure, thats a lot of carbon fibre and knife goodness. :)
 
Bikerguy said:
If you get a Delica you may need to filter in the cost of an aftermarket deep carry clip. I couldn't stand the one supplied that left 1.5cm of the knife sticking out of the pocket. There's very good titanium ones available on Ali Baba if you're not in the US and don't want to pay extortionate shipping.
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Yeah ill probably just make a clip for it from some titanium or steel scrap, i do like deep carry clips and im working on making some at the moment, ill post some pics when I get a finished design. (this is for my leek)
 
Conrad smith said:
Just an update, I ordered a mini grip 556.
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So you didn't purchase it in store but did you have a chance to hold it before deciding.I should note that I use to own one.What I remember is the mini has a slimmer handle that the full size but has full steel liners.
 
razorburn said:
So you didn't purchase it in store but did you have a chance to hold it before deciding.I should note that I use to own one.What I remember is the mini has a slimmer handle that the full size but has full steel liners.
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Hi, i ordered it from a knife store within my country. I have not handled it but im sure it will fit my hands fine, as I used some of the pictures that were posted on this thread showing it next to a SAK which i own and since the sak fits my hand well and the mini grip is around the same size I have no fear that it wont fit my hand. Thanks!
 
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