Which Mini Griptilian

J

jsg71

Joined
Sep 17, 2013
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125
I am fairly new to benchmade knives but judging by the first one I have purchased in over a decade I think I need some more.

Seeing all of the praise it receives on this site and others I think I need a mini griptalian. The question is which one?

Specifically other than a hole or a thumb stud are there differences between these two in materials? Do you find one more useful than the other?

Any feedback would be helpful.


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the thumb stud and the one with the hole come in the same steel. The standard steel is 154cm and is pretty good. My wife has the sheepsfoot blade (the one with the hole) and I must say I like hers more than mines with the drop point blade (the one with the thumb studs). If you go to benchmade.com they have a custom build-it program where you can pick your scale colors and blade type and blade steel. Here is a picture of my custom mini grip that I have. Another mini grip I HIGHLY recommend is the doug ritter mini grip from Knifeworks.com. I would rank it as my favorite.

My custom mini


Doug Ritter mini grip (This is the only picture I have on hand.)
 
Smooth-Operater covered it, if you want a brand new Mini Grip. I will make a suggestion beyond your specific question. I suggest that you buy the quality, but inexpensive bidrectional Benchmade sheath that will fit your Mini-Grip. For an additional $13 or $14 delivered from an eBay vendor, you have more carry options beyond sticking it in a pocket carry. You can then put the knife on a belt, on a pack, hang it up on a peg, put it on a pack harness, and on and on.
 
Thank you, that is the type of feedback I am looking for. Can I ask why you prefer the sheepsfoot? I find the thumbstub a little harder to sharpen the back of the blade on past knives.


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jsg71 said:
Thank you, that is the type of feedback I am looking for. Can I ask why you prefer the sheepsfoot? I find the thumbstub a little harder to sharpen the back of the blade on past knives.


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Just my personal opinion. But I swear it cuts better and the look of the blade has really grown on me. I'm like "whp" though, if I had to pick just one, I would go doug ritter for sure
 
Get the Ritter. Better steel, better blade design. Better cutter.

However, if what you want is a knife for the office to open envelopes, get the standard Mini with the thumb studs because the point is a lot finer.
 
I'm sure whatever I end up with will open an envelope from time to time but once my son gets a little older I hope it will see some time outdoors as well. I have no experience with high end steels but my fear is that I won't be able to sharpen them when they become dull. Most of my sharpening is done with stones or the bottom of a coffee mug.


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jsg71 said:
I'm sure whatever I end up with will open an envelope from time to time but once my son gets a little older I hope it will see some time outdoors as well. I have no experience with high end steels but my fear is that I won't be able to sharpen them when they become dull. Most of my sharpening is done with stones or the bottom of a coffee mug.


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154cm does fine with stones and the bottom of a ceramic mug. :)
 
I LOVE the new G-10 Mini Grip with CPM-CV20, with the sheepsfoot blade.
 
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How is CPM-CV20 to sharpen? I don't know anything about this steel. Other than that fear I think the g10 version is fairly high on the wish list.


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Uxo2

What is it you like more about the 555 ( I had to look that up by the way) over the drop point? Does it somehow seem more useful?


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Custom build one with the M4 because it's the toughest steel they offer (by far), and equal in edge retention of the best. If ease of sharpening is more important, get 154cm.
Thumbhole sheepsfoot blade because thumbstuds catch on your pocket seam when drawing the knife and unintentionally open the blade, they get in the way when sharpening, and add bulk.
G10 handles because they're more rigid and solid.
 
If there's the chance to buy, get the Ritter. In either smaller utility or large EDC, (preference based always...) the slicing power of that blade, esp. in M390 is very hard to beat in function and durability.
 
T.K.C. said:
I LOVE the new G-10 Mini Grip with CPM-CV20, with the sheepsfoot blade.
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just got mine and i gotta tell ya it rocks. looks good feels good and cuts like a lazer if you are going for a mini grip, this is the best of the litter
 
I owned a 555 and now have a 551. I like them both but prefer the 555 with the thumb hole. Im used to Spyderco knives so i find its easier to open and like the look of it better. I didnt really find that the studs would catch on the 551 but thats just me. The only thing i really didnt like about the 555 is the tip, I like a pointy blade so ran it over my belt sander with some water to keep it cool. I sort of like tinkering with things and Its now my favorite EDC by far. The only thing i find with all the Benchmade knives ive had in 154CM is that they scratch easily but i get a lot of use out of mine.
 
For mini grips I always have preferred the sheeps foot, but in general I prefer the drop point.

BUT a ritter is never a bad idea
 
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