Which Mini grip?

M

m16a

Joined
May 16, 2008
Messages
69
Hey guys, some might remember that I was looking for a good A/O, however, after doing some investigating, I discovered that an A/O knife is illegal in the state of PA. So not wanting to be doing something illegal since I am intending the knife for EDC, I am in a quandry. I've dropped back to the mini grip line that I liked so much before I discovered A/O knives. Now I have a question. I have two options. I intend to buy a straight edge blade either way, but I need to know the opinions on two different mini grips. I want the 556 with the thumb stud. So here are the options, the standard 556, found at knifeworks here or the coated bladed special edition knife of the same thing sold only to cabella's found here .

The biggest question is this. Is the D2 of the Cabella's knife much better than the 154CM of the regular benchmade? And is it worth it to have the knife coated again rust(I assume this means it can be used in a wet situation where the regular one would not) Thanks for the help

Price is of no objection. so please don't factor that into answering me.

Thanks for the help,

M16a
 
Well, the D2 even with the coating is not as stain/rust resilient as the 154cm. If you are going to use it near salt water, or in a more corrosive environment I would go with the 154cm. I have used the D2 around Salt Water, some in, but I have made sure to rinse and treat it shortly thereafter. 154cm will do better with a bit of neglect, and right now a mini grip in 154cm is the knife I take sailing. It will rust eventually, even with a coating, if it gets exposed to salt water and is allowed to dry overnight. Other things to consider - 154 is easier to sharpen, but to me, only by a little bit. Both my D2 and 154 grips take a razor's edge, the D2 will hold it longer, but I sharpen regularly so the only time I notice is when I am cutting really tough and or abrasive type materials, like metal banding and aluminum. Both steels work great on woods, cardboard, rope (synthetic and natural) etc. I think my best advice is to start with the less expensive 154cm. If you decide you like the styling and ergonomics, the D2 will be a natural upgrade. Good luck.
 
Smash05 said:
Well, the D2 even with the coating is not as stain/rust resilient as the 154cm. If you are going to use it near salt water, or in a more corrosive environment I would go with the 154cm. I have used the D2 around Salt Water, some in, but I have made sure to rinse and treat it shortly thereafter. 154cm will do better with a bit of neglect, and right now a mini grip in 154cm is the knife I take sailing. It will rust eventually, even with a coating, if it gets exposed to salt water and is allowed to dry overnight. Other things to consider - 154 is easier to sharpen, but to me, only by a little bit. Both my D2 and 154 grips take a razor's edge, the D2 will hold it longer, but I sharpen regularly so the only time I notice is when I am cutting really tough and or abrasive type materials, like metal banding and aluminum. Both steels work great on woods, cardboard, rope (synthetic and natural) etc. I think my best advice is to start with the less expensive 154cm. If you decide you like the styling and ergonomics, the D2 will be a natural upgrade. Good luck.
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I am fairly dumb when it comes to knives.(I'd also be new, all I own is a Leatherman Skeletool) I don't own my own sharpener. I will probably send the knife to benchmade for that. I was just curious since the description said treated to resist rust. Which of the two steels will be sharper out of the box?
 
m16a said:
I am fairly dumb when it comes to knives.(I'd also be new, all I own is a Leatherman Skeletool) I don't own my own sharpener. I will probably send the knife to benchmade for that. I was just curious since the description said treated to resist rust. Which of the two steels will be sharper out of the box?
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If you are "dumb when it comes to knives" and can't sharpen a knife, I'd get the D2 cuz it will hold a little better.

I went deep sea fishing w' my minigrip. I unexpectedly got drenched. It had a little rust here and there after spending 8 hours in my wet cloths, but it came right off. I wish I hadn't taken it, but since I did, I was glad it was 154CM. It is a great steel.

If cost is an issue, get 154. There can't be much difference in edge holding between it and D2. Reports here say D2 is a bit better, but heck, I sharpen my knives almost daily, so it's moot to me.

Either way, you can't go wrong. You are going to get one of the best every day carriers ever invented.
 
I have Mini Grips in four different flavours: 154CM, D2, S30V and M2HS.

I prefer the D2 Cabela's 556 to the standard 154CM Mini Grip, but only by a small margin.



Whichever one you decide to buy, please consider buying a Spyderco Sharpmaker to maintain the edge yourself. It is very easy to use and absolutely worth the investment.
 
Is it really illegal? Last I checked it wasn't. Where did you see this? I live in PA also and was told by a state trooper that they are not illegal, at least not yet.
thanks,
k
 
I would get the Ritter Mini Grip with S30V. Of the 2 picks you have I would get the 154cm. GOOD LUCK! Kevin :thumbup:
 
I would probably go for the 154CM. Although all the Grips and Mini-Grips I own are the older 440C versions. It might be good to get the 154CM, yellow-handled version for higher visibility of the knife.

(BTW: I learned to sharpen knives on a Spyderco Sharpmaker, and it's very easy to use with some practice. I've used it on S30V, 154CM, 440C, AUS-8 and 6, 420HC, ATS-34, 1095, etc. It's a lot better than having to send knives back to the manufacturer just for a resharpening).
Jim
 
James Y said:
I would probably go for the 154CM. Although all the Grips and Mini-Grips I own are the older 440C versions. It might be good to get the 154CM, yellow-handled version for higher visibility of the knife.

(BTW: I learned to sharpen knives on a Spyderco Sharpmaker, and it's very easy to use with some practice. I've used it on S30V, 154CM, 440C, AUS-8 and 6, 420HC, ATS-34, 1095, etc. It's a lot better than having to send knives back to the manufacturer just for a resharpening).
Jim
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I'll be going with a blackhandled 154CM 556 mini grip. Where could I find this spyderco sharpener?
 
m16a said:
I'll be going with a blackhandled 154CM 556 mini grip. Where could I find this spyderco sharpener?
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All over. Most of the reputable online dealers sell it, I bought mine off of ebay. Glad to hear you are going with the 154cm. Someone earlier recommended D2 if you do not know how to sharpen, that is poor advice. You need to learn to sharpen a knife. The sharpmaker takes the difficulty of maintaining an angle out of the equation. I guarantee once you have your grip, if you decide you like it, you will end up buying more. Benchmade comes sharp out of the box, neither steel will come out of the box sharper. All steel will dull in time, based on use and environmental factors. Learn to sharpen, and kick around here and learn a bit, best thing you can do. Any questions, feel free to PM me.
 
Smash05 said:
All over. Most of the reputable online dealers sell it, I bought mine off of ebay. Glad to hear you are going with the 154cm. Someone earlier recommended D2 if you do not know how to sharpen, that is poor advice. You need to learn to sharpen a knife. The sharpmaker takes the difficulty of maintaining an angle out of the equation. I guarantee once you have your grip, if you decide you like it, you will end up buying more. Benchmade comes sharp out of the box, neither steel will come out of the box sharper. All steel will dull in time, based on use and environmental factors. Learn to sharpen, and kick around here and learn a bit, best thing you can do. Any questions, feel free to PM me.
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I'll use the visitor message thing. since I'm not a paying member I can't PM.
 
Just purchased the D2 mini grip in OD, and the Buck 110 guide model from Cabales. Just waiting for the door bell now :thumbup:
 
I have one of the older Mini Grips in 440C and ovil thumb hole and have loved it for the two years I carried it. But after looking at that D2 in OD... I might just have to grab another.

What is it that makes us, or some of us, really like the knife we use but want to go out and grab another that ideally should work just as good as the one in our hand. I guess that's what being a collector is all about.
 
m16a said:
Is the D2 of the Cabella's knife much better than the 154CM of the regular benchmade? And is it worth it to have the knife coated again rust(I assume this means it can be used in a wet situation where the regular one would not)
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You can use any knife in a wet situation. Sailors used carbon steel knives at sea for centuries before decent stainless came on the scene. I wouldn't hesitate to use ANY Benchmade knife around water.
 
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