Spyderco Delica 4 vs. Benchmade Mini Griptilian

If you want a fun knife but want the Delica why not get the waved Delica. Granted the waved Delica is not FFGed but waving it is really fun and a great way to scare your friends. The Grip is a good knife too.
 
I always end up buying another mini Grip and Delica then I turn right around and sell them. I'd say I have medium/large hands and both are just too small. A little bigger than the Delica is the Boker Patriot but the designs are fairly similar. I love mine so far, being slightly larger makes all the difference in the world over the Delica for me. With all that said, my absolute favorite knife is the large Griptillian, 550/551/552, all great.
 
archieblue said:
One of my highest knife buying priorities is Made in USA. Having said that, the Delica is the better knife. Also the Spyderco Native 5 lightweight is the better of the three and is still cheaper than the Grip AND made in the USA. [emoji41]


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This.

Unfortunately the Delica 4 I purchased earlier this year was a big disappointment with fit and finish. It may have been just a particular unit that slipped through the cracks, but it keeps me from recommending the Delica unless you have a chance to "hands-on" the one you're buying. YMMV

A little bit of time on my bench top (chamfering the hole and radiusing the detent) made it awesome, but I honestly feel it should have come better out of the box.

I also got my first Native 5 this year (lightweight) and am very impressed! I too think it may be best of the three.
 
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Buy the knife you really want now, because you'll just end up buying the other one down the road anyway. At least, that's what happened to me, I purchased the Mini-Grip 556 first, then ended up getting the Delica 4.
 
T.L.E. Sharp said:
If you've got large hands I'd say you've got to go with the Delica if you want decent ergonomics. I love the mini grip, but I've got medium hands and like the other poster above, it feels a little small for me. Three finger grip at best and nowhere to choke up. The Delica, on the other hand, feels just about perfect. I love both knives, but I cant recommend a mini grip for anyone with larger hands. It's just too small.

If you want something more in line with the Delica, but with an axis lock, look at the 531. I just got one and love it. The ergos aren't as good as the Delica, but I think it's a lot better looking.

benchmade-531bk-pardue-axis-drop-point-154cm-black-gray-large.jpg
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I have one also. Love it. Would like to see one in D2.

BTW, anything wrong with a full size Griptilian?
 
In my opinion and experience the delica blows the grip out of the water as far as cutting, ergonomics, cariability and value. The griptilian has better flip ability but the delica does knife stuff way better. They are both solid knives though.
 
sabre cat said:
I have one also. Love it. Would like to see one in D2.

BTW, anything wrong with a full size Griptilian?
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i would say the full size grip is a very enjoyable and extremely comfortable knife to use. Although i can't in good conciousness recommend it. (see my previous posts in this topic to see why.)
 
I have had multiples of both and love either one just the same.

However.......the mini grip has a more stout blade and design that can handle more abuse and hard tasks. But for me......falls drastically short in the handle department. I have xl-xxl hands and I can never seem to get a firm grip on it. The axis lock is wonderful also.

Now enter the delica 4. It has an amazing grip that blows the mini grip out of the water in my opinion. It disappears in the pocket and the FFG will slice ans slice and slice....it's a cardboard slayer! The lock back is great and works flawlessly.

However, where the delica falls short compared to the grip is in the strength dept. The delica is, well.... more delicate at the tip.

There are pros and cons to both.

But I will say this..... buy both!!!!!

Get a Ritter griptilian and buy some Wilkins scales for it

Then Get The Delica 4 And Life Is Good.

Here are a few in hand shots.

Sorry for the cap cell phone pics






 
I'd pull up the dealer locators and see if any stores have them in your area. I'd say Delica if you want something a little tougher, Mini Grip if you want something a bit finer. The mini grip is a bit more buttery and fit and finish are finer but the handle material feels flimsy, I purchased one at a big sporting goods store near me a few months ago carried for a week and ultimately returned since I didn't like the handle material and indeed was a little small for my hands, have you considered the variants the Doug Ritter Mini Grip or Kahr Arms Delica?
 
The lock is much better on the grip, its a smoother deploying knife and it has better operation when closing and opening, the grip also has a full service warranty that is more like a pit crew that will repair and sharpen your knife for free, if you break the blade or even just sharpen it away, it's $25 for a new blade. So if you never lose your knife over a lifetime the extra cost of the griptilian pays for itself if you are using your knife all the time and sharpening it.

The delica IS the better cutting knife,thinner blades cut better, but it grows on you. the action is very stiff and you will need to learn some tricks to close it one handed but its rather fun to do since its more challenging. Since it is a stiff action a lot of guys have a hard time flicking the blade out. The Warrenty on the Delica is just a warranty and not a full service, you will have to pay for repairs or Spyderco will even just tell you to retire the knife. It's how they are able to provide the better value on there products so no complaints.


either knife is a solid choice almost everyone who has posted has had both at one point so that should tell ya something. Also its the "gateway" knife for alot of us. We were all so impressed by one or the other that we decided to buy MORE knives to check out and that's how "the sickness" starts :D
 
grennings23 said:
Hello all,

I am in the market for a new knife and I have pretty much narrowed it to these two. I love the axis lock on the benchmade as well as the design and I know that it is a great knife. My only hesitations are the fact that I have large hands and the price. I also looked at the delica and while I'm not a huge fan of the lockback, its not a complete turn off for me (just seems like less flipping fun than the benchmade). Anyways, if any of you want to weigh in on my decision, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
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I have large hands so I will just say that I regretted buying the Mini Griptilian. It is a 3 finger knife for me. I bought a Delica and it was love at first sight (hold). I never looked back.
 
I have both as well, and have large hands. I do not use the mini Grip. I lost my Delica over the holidays, and immediately have run to get another one, and still have hope that I'll find the one I lost! I have probably 15 knives that could be considered EDC, and due to the scales, full flat grind, and weight, it's my go-to, even over my small Sebenza due to the cost/idiot factor of losing a knife.

To further the argument, I will be purchasing a delica in ZDP-189 steel. If you have the $ for the grip, this may be a consideration, as the ZDP holds an edge longer (tougher to sharpen). Good luck.
 
Hello all. Despite all of your recommendations, I just placed an order for a Mini Griptilian. I was leaning towards the Delica but yesterday I went to my local REI and had the opportunity to hold the knife in hand. It felt really good and despite my large hands, it did not bother me (perhaps because I have thin fingers?). I especially liked the Axis lock and the warranty is almost too good. Anyways I wanted to thank everyone for their input and I do plan to get the Delica once I save up and am in the position to buy another knife.
 
Having both I think they are good but very different kind of knives
The Delica is a longer knife with more handle and a thinner blade
It is the better cutter of the two
The mini grip ( I have the ritter) is smaller but has a broader blade. It is the more robust of the two and but if you have large hand ( I wear medium size gloves) you may prefer the grip of the Delica
The mini grip can easily get a deep carry clip

While both have plastic handles the quality of the Delica FRN is IMHO superior to the mini grip

You can find a lot of options for very nice mini grip scales but this will rise the price

If you just need a good cuter for food prep, paper and light cardboard the Delica is the best value for the money

If you need a strong EDC in a compact frame and options with possibilities for customisation, go for the mini grip
 
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