At one time I liked the way the mini-Grips looked. I handled one in a store and just didn't care for the axis lock very much. Personal preference I guess. I didn't even think about the mechanism inside (little springs) at the time, but hearing about that now makes me feel better about not buying that mini-Grip. I got a Spyderco lockback instead. I've always wondered if the mini-Grip might have been a good choice too, since so many people seem to like them. But that "little springs" thing gives me pause...