Advice Wanted: Umnumzaan or Wilkins/Ritter Griptillian

[ROBB]

The biggest complaint about the plastic Griptilians is the sound they make when opening and closing. Needless to say, the Wilkins solves that problem.

As far as the strength and feel of the two grips goes, the origional was pretty good.

The WilkinsGrips turns it into a more solid feeling folder for sure.
It feels like the Pardue (522?) folder that BM used to make. It had solid aluminium handles and was one of the first true 'tank' knives.

The Pardue 522 is the Presidio lightweight. It has similar handle's as the Griptilan. Maybe you're thinking of the 520 Presidio which is still being made. Its got a pretty thick handle, good blade, but not the most comfortable carrying in the pocket. The discontinued Pardue that I like the most was the Pardue 720's. Its one of the most comfortable handle's made & feels great in the pocket.
I know what you mean by the Grip's cheap feeling FRN handle. I'd love to see a G10 one made by Benchmade. It should'nt have to cost $140 more. They make plenty of G10 folders that are'nt that expensive.
I don't understand the sound difference between the plastic Grip's and the G10 handle. I have both types and the sound is similar to me. I know the feel is different.
As for the original question.

The Ritter/Wilkins Grip will end up costing around $100 less than the Umnumzann. Will it be better for my needs? Or is the Umnumzaan going to be so superior that I should just forget the Grip and go for it?

I don't have an Umnumzann but I do have a Sebenza and its the standard which other folders are measured to. Also I think the resale value would be higher.
If you're using this for moderate field use and kitchen work you should think about the Benchmade 710. Its a great folder and if you can do a search to look up the Joe Talmaldge (? spelling) article on how to get the max. sharpening out of the slight recurve blade. The 710 is already a classic.

 

[Evany]

Hey, thanks everyone for all the great responses. I will just take moment to respond to some of them: In the kitchen: I use combination of old carbon Sabatier chef's knives plus a couple of classic Japanese knives. I cook a lot--sometimes professionally, though that's not my livelihood. If I'm doing some small quick task it's often easier to take my EDC knife (Wilkins/Ritter MiniGrip these days) and use that. To me that's the great thing about having a knife that you EDC--it's always right there, even if it's not always the best tool for the immediate purpose. Hunting: I mainly hunt on my own and my neighbors land. Sometimes I do a really careful prep and get all my dedicated hunting gear, Scent Lok clothes, fixed blade knife etc. and make a day of it. But more often I only have a quick hour or two before picking the kid up from school or before my evening job, and I just grab a rifle from the safe and and go out the back door. So the folder concept is for that scenario. For years I've used an early model Sebenza for this purpose, but that sharp clip point tip has gotten me in trouble a couple of times, and finally I sold it (really miss it now). I was thinking the Umnamzann might have a bit more belly and a slightly less aggressive point to the blade, and so be better suited to my needs, but it's hard to tell from the photos. The Ritter Griptilian looks like it might be great, esp with the Wilkins Grips, but I'm not sure it's up to the heavier cutting one sometimes has to do in the field. Having taken my minigrip apart I was kind of amazed how lightly constructed it is internally even though it does feel pretty solid. So I'm looking for an EDC type folder that will serve well in the field. I thoght I had narrowed it down but from the responses I guess it's still wide open.

 

[Keyman]

If you would go all the way with the Ritter/WilkinsGrips and get one in M2!
I think we have a winner! Rock solid, Razor sharp and what a belly!
You would not be disappointed. It's a hard find, but definitely worth it.
One of a kind knife.

 

[cutter17]

The biggest complaint about the plastic Griptilians is the sound they make when opening and closing. Needless to say, the Wilkins solves that problem.

As far as the strength and feel of the two grips goes, the origional was pretty good.

The WilkinsGrips turns it into a more solid feeling folder for sure.
It feels like the Pardue (522?) folder that BM used to make. It had solid aluminium handles and was one of the first true 'tank' knives.

Thanks for the info bearcut. I may have to look at one of the large Ritters since I've heard so much good about them.

 

[Georgia Guy]

Why go name brand except for the CDI factor? Get a Benchmade griptilian folder and a fixed blade Grip. in D-2 steel? Just curious, a lot of people scream the ritter has better steel I know, but both choices are good if properly maintained.