Mini Grip alternatives?

C

consumer_ignorance

Joined
Dec 10, 2023
Messages
10
I just moved to LA (yay…gotta do what you gotta do) and I’m looking for knife recs. CA has hazy knife laws, but here’s the governing law on folding, carried knife opening mechanisms:

“As used in this part, “switchblade knife” means a knife having the appearance of a pocketknife and includes a spring-blade knife, snap-blade knife, gravity knife, or any other similar type knife, the blade or blades of which are two or more inches in length and which can be released automatically by a flick of a button, pressure on the handle, flip of the wrist or other mechanical device, or is released by the weight of the blade or by any type of mechanism whatsoever. “Switchblade knife” does not include a knife that opens with one hand utilizing thumb pressure applied solely to the blade of the knife or a thumb stud attached to the blade, provided that the knife has a detent or other mechanism that provides resistance that must be overcome in opening the blade, or that biases the blade back toward its closed position.”

Knives with opening mechanisms like the Mini Grip seem to be good to go.

Los Angeles restricts open carry (clipped to your pocket) blade length to under 3”. These factors combined are why a Mini Grip is such a great choice.

With that said, it’s on the expensive side. Before I buy one, can anyone recommend alternative knife options to check out that also fit these parameters? Thanks!
 
Los Angeles has some oppressive knife laws. So does San Francisco. California as a whole does not. San Diego does not.

Agree with the Spyderco Delica.
A Cold Steel mini Recon 1 would also work. There are three blade shapes from which to choose. Personally, I prefer the spear point version
 
Good recs so far. I tend to prefer something that opens a bit faster than Spyderco, but they’re great knives. I’ll check out the Cold Steel. Please, keep ‘em coming!
 
The Mini Grip is a great knife. I don’t think you would be disappointed.

Most manufacturers offer at least a model or two under 3 inches for the very reason that you are shopping for one.

Several dealer websites have search features that allow you to search by blade length, lock type, etc. That should bring up a plethora of options.
 
Get out of Los Angeles while you can 😂. I don’t think you’ll encounter any issues carrying a full sized griptillian here ( LA County ), The Mini does almost guarantee no issues though. The pictured knives are carried by me daily ( one at a time ). I don’t bring them near hospitals, Courts, schools, Libraries or … Use common sense and stay within legal parameters - you’ll be fine.

74555252072__CDC7FF53-B8AD-465B-8A48-47A94B867B05.jpeg
 
I believe quite a bit of my folders are at or under 3” by preference (not restricted). I like mini bugout and Delica in this size range, but the mini grip is a good knife
 
SoCal here, I’m not a lawyer so take anything I say with a grain of salt. I’ve spent a fair bit of time up in LA and never had an issue. I carried a BM 940 for years and law enforcement never questioned it, same with my zt0452. never had a problem. You probably shouldn’t try to take it into a courthouse or something but just out and about i wouldn’t expect a problem long as it’s not concealed.

That being said the mini grip is a great knife, I carried one daily for a year or two before my 940 and loved it. Well worth trying.
 
Daedric Panther said:
SoCal here, I’m not a lawyer so take anything I say with a grain of salt. I’ve spent a fair bit of time up in LA and never had an issue. I carried a BM 940 for years and law enforcement never questioned it, same with my zt0452. never had a problem. You probably shouldn’t try to take it into a courthouse or something but just out and about i wouldn’t expect a problem long as it’s not concealed.

That being said the mini grip is a great knife, I carried one daily for a year or two before my 940 and loved it. Well worth trying.
Click to expand...
It’s a fair point, but I like to stick to the letter of the law pretty closely.

I’m not opposed to going to 3”+, but I wouldn’t clip it onto my pocket, which slows down the deploy time. I’d rather go with shorter and faster than longer and slower, since this will do double duty as a utility tool and as a defensive tool.
 
If your worried about fast my delica flicks open as fast as my benchmade w/axis lock. I now prefer the hole over thumbstuds. I can close it one handed almost as fast. Although the spydie hole mini grip could be the best of both worlds here
 
Last edited:
I agree, its all fun and games getting away with it, until its not. I have a dragonfly and leatherman with chopped down blades to get in a gov building they allow less than 2.5" blades. I know from going there for 5 years monthly that the security folks at the metal detector are pretty non chalant and I could probably carry a 3.5" or bigger knife in and never be questioned. But what am I going to do if I did and someone does say something? I'm catching charges.
 
consumer_ignorance said:
It’s a fair point, but I like to stick to the letter of the law pretty closely.

I’m not opposed to going to 3”+, but I wouldn’t clip it onto my pocket, which slows down the deploy time. I’d rather go with shorter and faster than longer and slower, since this will do double duty as a utility tool and as a defensive tool.
Click to expand...
On the outside chance that you’re willing to consider a California-legal auto, there a few available from various manufacturers.

This Hogue Microswitch has been one of my favorites despite the short blade. (1.95 inches) I find it to be a great little user. Comes in a Wharncliffe blade model as well. Hogue added a bottle opener to the handle but this model without the bottle opener can still be found.

You obviously sacrifice blade length in your jurisdiction but opening the blade with a push of a button is a very enjoyable way to use a knife.
IMG_0368.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Just food for thought here. I am not even beginning to be an expert on knives for self defense, I use a gun to fill that tools role. However I have noticed in my research of knives that most knives billed as self defense tools seem to be wharncliffe or even hookbill style blades. I was going to suggest a rock jumper but it seems they've been recently discontinued
 
consumer_ignorance said:
Leaning towards stud because it seems faster. What’re your thoughts?
Click to expand...
Why do you need to get your knife open fast? You quick draw knifey McGraw? Just open the knife, cut open your clamshell package to free your new earbuds (or whatever), close the knife, and put it back in your pocket.

If you’re thinking you need speed because you’re thinking about using a mini grip as a defensive weapon….. Ew. Just don’t.
 
Since the patent expired on the AXIS Lock, a few competitors have emerged.

First and foremost, Doug Ritter's RSK, and not just because of the knife.

If you want choices, just search for "crossbar lock" on your favorite engine or website. This is where things get complicated, if country of origin is a factor in your choice.

Hogue seems to be the consensus choice when people want a non-Benchmade crossbar lock that's made in the States. Prices are about the same though.

If you're willing to consider other manufacturers, Kizer does a good job with the Drop Bear, and Kershaw has gotten into the game. Vosteed and CJRB make some, so does Knafs, a newly-formed company started by some cutlery enthusiasts.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top