Kershaw Leek vs. Benchmade Mini Griptillian

[DarylCoda]

I'm looking for a folder, under $100 with a 3" max. blade for EDC but also for occasional light bushcraft while hunting and camping. I know there are sooooo many choices and I have narrowed it down to Kershaw Leek or Benchmade Mini Griptillian. Any input on either would be appreciated.

 

[holo]

I have many benchmade knives and carry them often (even though I am on a spyderco kick now) if you are going to only own 1 knife it should be a benchmade, you can't beat the axis lock.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I like the Leek. It's probably a little Light for 'Bushcraft' IMO.
I usually carry mine in town. I go for a heavier blade when I go out there.

 

[Marshwheeling]

The Leek and the Mini Grip have this attribute in common: when you see one for the first time, you say "I've gotta have one of those". Not "I'd like to try one sometime", but "Gotta have one." I ran right out and ordered up a Leek. I still don't have the more-expensive Mini, but I do have the full-size Griptilian. I bought the Mini for my son, and have envied him ever since.

Of the two, for your purposes, I would recommend the Grip. The Leek is a very slim, elegant knife. I think of it as a knife to carry when I am wearing a suit, though of course I carry it at other times since I rarely have to put on a suit any more.

The Benchmade will take more abuse, I think; prying, battening, using as a screwdriver, etc. My son-in-law has done all of that to his, and more; it still looks like a new knife. The textured scales will be less likely to slip in the field. The Mini is a little better suited to EDC, but you might find the full size Grip works better in camp. Either way, if you can only have one knife, the Benchmade is the one to have.

 

[dkizer22]

Benchmade has better steel and is made for heavier use

 

[kozmic]

I have a Mini Grip with a D2 blade. I have carried it for a few years now and use it every day. In my mind, there isn't a better folder for the money.

 

[wrhk33]

I love the Leek but the blade is thin and the edge is in my opinion too fine for bushcraft. I carry one every day but for camping I would go heavier duty.

 

[H Richard]

I have carried this Leek every day since 2006. It has taken and kept a edge better than any knife I have ever owned. I few swipes on the stone about once a month keeps the edge. I don't baby it, it gets used fro everything from opening the mail to cutting the insulation off wires to be spliced, dressing game. It's the right weight & size. If you would plan to "chop" limbs with it it may not be heavy enough. For the kind of use any 3" bladed knife would be expected to do the Leek can handle it. This picture was take probably 5 years ago but it still shows not much more wear. The finish it tough.

 

[Dominus_Lex]

Every member of my family has and uses a Griptillian. In fact my wife "strongly suggested" my sons and I purchase a pink one for her several mothers days ago, as her knife kept finding its way into one of our backpacks, jackets etc., so now she has two. Simply put whenever someone asks about a knife I direct them toward the Grip.

 

[Frizzman]

I have both. My Griptilian is the full size one. The Leek has the composite blade. I find the Leek to be a nice, slim around town knife but not suited to heavy use if you are looking for a more general utility/field folder. The Griptilian's Axis Lock is very strong and suitable for left or right hand use. The grip is thicker and has a good texture to keep your hand from slipping. The pocket clip can be switched to either side. The tip of the Leek Is more of a slim, needle point. I like them both but they are different animals...My favorite all-around folder is my Spyderco Paramilitary 2 but they cost more than under $100. It sounds like the Benchmade should serve your stated purposes the best between the two...I predict you will eventually wind up with both.

 

[ChiefStealth]

I've had a Kershaw 1660 for many years. I'm on my second one. Broke the first. Very thin blade. Very fine, pointy tip on the blade. Cuts like a scalpel. Bends very easy when force applied. Pretty knife. Not for heavy use.

 

[gwpercle]

I have two Leeks and just about every Kershaw with "assisted opening", love that feature. The Leek is thin, thin grip, thin blade. If you want to cut something hard and/or thick , the thin grip makes it a bit uncomfortable to do heavy cutting with. Thin, light and sharp makes it a great carry in back pocket, but if you want to cut something , a more substantial grip and thicker blade makes it easier.
I have found that of all the Kershaw's I own the model 1970 Burst is working out to being best for heavy work. It's compact, Not much bigger than a Leek, but thicker handle, textured black material, thicker blade , just as sharp and even has a small hilt at blade to stop fingers from slpping forward onto blade in case you have to defend yourself with it.
I cant compare it to the Benchmade but you should look at the 1970 Burst.
I really like it and it is affordable.
I looked at the mini-griptillian and the 1970 Burst is more in line with it than the Leek. Check it out...I like both the Leek and the Burst.
Gary

 

[gwpercle]

Daryl,
Another Kershaw that might meet your needs is the 3650 Volt II, about the same size as the 1970 burst, it has a nice blade shape and profile.
I don't know how the Benchmade opens, but the leek, burst and volt II all open, how shall I put it...automatically. Getting the knife open and closed one handed is a necessity for me. If you need to use it in a defensive situation , auto- opening is a paramount feature.
This is why all my pocket knives have the Speed-Safe feature, they work and are affordable. Amazon has all three , leek is $42.00, the 1970 is $23.00, the 3650 is $22.00. All three will cost $89.00.
Gary

 

[packeagle]

I would go with the grip. The axis lock is stronger for batoning IMO. For bushcraft I'd look at the Ritter Mini Grip. It has an improved blade geometry for those type tasks. I EDC a D2 mini grip and love it. I don't baton with it though, I carry a Mora when I expect to need to do those tasks. The leek is more of a gentleman's knife, where as the grip is more hardworking.

 

[gwpercle]

Do what I do....buy them all, life's too short not to have a whole bunch of knives.
Yeah, I know , I got a blade problem! Have been fascinated with knives my whole life. When I was a kid, I would borrow my dad's pocket knife and whittle myself one out of wood. Then a friend of my dad's , who only had one arm, showed me an Italian , stiletto switchblade he carried, for one hand operation, and I thought that was the coolest thing on earth!
Gary

 

[RonJ]

I have made this complaint about the Leek before, the knife's scales are too darn slippery if you have sweaty or bloody hands. Go with the Grip.
For normal edc the Leek is elegant and pocket worthy.

 

[mstuhr]

Hmmm?

Howdy,
Good question. I'll offer my opinion. I have a Griptillian. I really like it. It is great working man's knife, but I find it bulky. Great knife, just chunky.
I like several of the kershaws and they serve me well.
If I was regulated to one brand it would be the Spyderco brand. To me it is a best buy. Great quality and fair prices and a multitude of sizes and styles.
A guy can get into a Tenacious or Resilience for about $35.00 and have a pretty nice working knife.
Good luck in your search.
Mike

 

[BillyMagg]

I have many benchmade knives and carry them often (even though I am on a spyderco kick now) if you are going to only own 1 knife it should be a benchmade, you can't beat the axis lock.

The mini-grip is the Cat's meow, I sent one to India with a friend, and another with my Son-in Law to Iraq, I do still have mine, and the axis is beyond awesome for one handed operation and toughness.

after I thought about, nobody really said this: the real reason I bought it is it's just a gorgeous little knife, very well thought, engineered, and just nicely done??

 

[SJshooter]

The Leek is not for brushcraft... but you still have to get one. It is just a fabulous, elegant knife that is great for most EDC. I love it.

 

[Marshwheeling]

The Leek is not for brushcraft... but you still have to get one. It is just a fabulous, elegant knife that is great for most EDC. I love it.

I wouldn't want to do anything to talk you out of a Benchmade, but he is right about the Leek. You could have the Leek and a Mora 612 for bushcraft for about half the price of the Mini Grip.