Thinking of getting a new EDC...

[mickw]

I'm thinking about adding a new blade to my EDC rotation...I currently switch between a Kershaw Blur and a BM Emissary (large). I'm looking to add something for the weekends as kind of a "beat on" blade, if that makes any sense. I was thinking along the lines of a Sog Flash II, a Griptillian, or a mini Gripitillian. I do love the Axis Lock and Assist of the Emissary, and also like the Speedsafe opening of the Kershaw. Any thoughts from people carrying the three I mentioned above...plusses, minuses? Thanks in advance!

 

[Podmonkey]

Mini Grip. Then you will have a smaller knife in your rotation, and you already love the axis lock. The Griptilian series is BenchMade's bread and butter for a reason.

 

[Calculon]

Don't carry them but Benchmade is having a 20% sale through 10/20. You can build your own and choose the blade and scales.

 

[Podmonkey]

Does that extend to the m390/G10 versions I wonder?

 

[Calculon]

I think it's just the griptillians and barrages.
Benchmade Custom Knife Configurator

 

[Podmonkey]

I was referring to a mini grip special edition, but I checked out that site and they are offering G10 scale and 20cv steel on the standard runs! Awesome!! Plus they offer the G10 in mutiple colors, I never really liked the grey of that sprint run one.

 

[Phauxtoe]

This always annoys me so much so is ill do it to you!

Save up a lot more more money and get a ZT!

You are Welcome!
(Kershawguy.com? Has blems!)

 

[Prudii]

Mini grips are nice. I sold mine last year but it was a good beater blade. The Spyderco Manix 2 is what I replaced it with.

 

[Phauxtoe]

i am on my second Kershaw Skyline, a perfect blade to me!

 

[mickw]

Thanks for the replies! I'm definitely leaning towards the Mini Grip...but hover back to the large Grip, lol...cant make up my mind if I want a smaller knife. It makes sense to go with smaller version considering my other 2 knives are larger...but I seem to go back to the larger handle for comfort. I'm not much of a spyderco fan, just don't like the way it looks for some reason and I'm partial to thumb studs, I guess.

 

[mickw]

View attachment 727 Don't carry them but Benchmade is having a 20% sale through 10/20. You can build your own and choose the blade and scales.

That's great to know...thanks so much for that! It could come in very handy...

 

[Celt]

Ive been thinking ofva ne edc, mostly out of boredom... i prefer fixed blades, and ive been thinking of a karambit.

 

[mickw]

Ive been thinking ofva ne edc, mostly out of boredom... i prefer fixed blades, and ive been thinking of a karambit.

Wow, that's some serious business. Would you carry that on your waistband or a shoulder harness?

 

[Celt]

Ha, 11 oclock, horizontal. Im not sure how big they come, but most have around a 3.5" blade. I was thinking of a small 2" blade though.

 

[Podmonkey]

You should pick out a cheap syperdco and give em a try sometime. Something in the Tenacious family perhaps, or a Delica/Endura. They may look a little weird at firstbbut the function is excellent. My Paramilitary 2 is an incredible EDC. Manix is great too, but its a biggish EDC size and they run around $80 I think.

 

[togmaster]

Mini grip is sweet. I'd like to get one with the G10.

 

[Prudii]

HK Axis Mini on mass drop for $83.99 it's pretty much a mini grip just a different shape handle and material.

HK AXIS Mini Folder - Massdrop

 

[Koz]

A Mini grip with a D2 blade every day every where for about 4 years. I thought I lost it a couple weeks back. It was like a friend died! I finally found it clipped to a pair of shorts I hadn't worn in a week. Even my wife was excited that it showed up. I was getting ready to get another one from Cabelas. It's a great EDC knife. Personally I think the grip is too big for clipping to my pocket and I'm never wanting for a larger blade.
My wife has a rainbow Kershaw Chive . It's too small for me, but the larger models are pretty sweet too.
Both are made in USA!

 

[Podmonkey]

Yeah, I'm really flummoxed. I can't decide wether to get a mini grip or an edc size bark river.

 

[togmaster]

Just ordered a mini grip today. I thought about getting one with the g10 grips but didn't think it was worth doubling the price.

 

[Podmonkey]

It adds like $20 I thought. You sure you didn't accidentally spec a higher end steel with the G10?

 

[togmaster]

Got it off eBay. Mini grip was about $85 with 154 cm steel. The only other one I saw with a G10 grip was like $165.

 

[Podmonkey]

If it was the grey G10 with blue highlights then it was a sprint run with M390 steel. That's expensive stuff.

 

[togmaster]

That's the one.

 

[Podmonkey]

That's the one.

Yeah that's the best possible mini grip you can get, M390 steel and all. I think the gray G10 is too bland though. For that kind of $$ the scales should have some pop!

 

[mickw]

Well, I pulled the plug on a Mini Grip this afternoon. I went to a local REI, where I had some dividend money stored away. I ended up getting the basic black 154cm for about $70 after the dividend cash-in. I love the knife...it fits perfectly clipped in my pocket. It's a nice change from the size of the Blur and the Emissary. It's going to take a "little getting used to" in regards to opening and closing it, though...I put a nice slice across my ring finger knuckle within the first 90 seconds of trying it, lol. It's just on the smaller side for my hands and something that will take a few reps to get used to, no big deal. The payoff is how nicely it disappears in my pocket when I'm carrying it. It's light, has a great grip which looks built for a beating (I love my Emmisary, but the aluminum grip scratches easily and I fell into the trap of babying it), and the blade came razor sharp out of the box. Overall, I think it's great...pretty much exactly what I was looking for in my new EDC. Thanks to all for the advice and the ideas...much appreciated!

 

[mickw]

By the way, they had one of the Benchmade Bushcrafter fixed blades at the store and I was able to hold it. What a great knife...it felt perfectly balanced in my hand. If I was in the market for a new camping/fishing knife...this would be it. Beautiful sheath that comes with it too...

 

[Podmonkey]

Ooh, ouch about the finger. Benchmades must be bloodthristy, I got a wicked cut playing with my 940 osbourne when I first got it. I was seeing this girl at the time who was a nurse and she glued the wound shut for me.

 

[mickw]

Ooh, ouch about the finger. Benchmades must be bloodthristy, I got a wicked cut playing with my 940 osbourne when I first got it. I was seeing this girl at the time who was a nurse and she glued the wound shut for me.

Hahaha, I hear ya! It was bleeding the entire trip home...and every time I saw it, I kept thinking "idiot".

Quick question Pod...part of the reason I cut myself, was because once I unlocked the axis lock and flipped the blade back into the grip, it REALLY shot back fast...almost like it was loose. Is this normal for the Mini Grip...to have such a loose return back into the grip? If I flick my wrist too fast to return it...the blade will bounce back out of the grip.

 

[Podmonkey]

As long as there is no side play a free swinging blade is generally considered desirable, and yes the blade moves fast out or in. It is safest to disengage the lock and then guide the blade back in slowly via the thumbstuds. If you flick it in you have to make sure your fingers are placed along either side of the scales in a sort of pinch grip. Benchmades and the axis locks are fun to play with but as you found out you will get bit if you don't place them fingers out of they way. Stick with controlled thumbstud deployment until you get more familiar with the knife. Even then it's not a knife you want to absent mindedly flick while watching tv. Compression lock spydercos are good for that.