Benchmade 551 full size OR Doug Ritter knife? Differences

MTHall720

MTHall720

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Sep 21, 2010
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I haven't been able to actually see either of these knives in person yet. Was wondering if there is a noticeable difference either in size, grips, or overall fit and finish.
Anyone here have both?
Thanks all.
 
Alot of threads on this topic. Basically there is no difference except for a much broader drop point shape and stone washed blade on the ritter. The biggest difference between the two is the price.
 
i would take the ritter hands down everytime its been my EDC since i got it... the 551 has a handle made of valox and the ritter has a handle made of Glass-filled Noryl GTX (better IMO)

just a much better knife overall IMO

rsk_mk1_red_03-800w.jpg
 
Thanks I was wondering if that was the biggest difference. The Ritter knife pic sure looks good though.
 
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The main difference is in the blade shape and grind. That is what wins the Ritter for me.
 
One of the biggest differences folks aren't mentioning is the blade steel: s30v for the Ritter vs. 154CM for the 551. If I were going to get one, it would be the Ritter.
 
The flat grind on the Ritter does cut better than the saber grind on the 551. That said, I no longer have an S30V Ritter Grip. Based on a sample size of 3, I found that the S30V blades chipped too much doing what I consider simple basic knife tasks like whittling hardwood. YMMV and lots of folks love the S30V... Have you looked at the 550? The hollow ground blade cuts well and 154CM steel isn't bad. Or get the 551 and have the blade flat ground when it's ready for the first edge thinning
 
furfmonkey said:
i would take the ritter hands down everytime its been my EDC since i got it... the 551 has a handle made of valox and the ritter has a handle made of Glass-filled Noryl GTX (better IMO)

just a much better knife overall IMO

rsk_mk1_red_03-800w.jpg
Click to expand...

What Furfmonkey said. I have both and both would serve you well, however the extra depth to the blade and the S30V make the Ritter Grip one of my favorites. Besides, Doug Ritter is a nice guy. :)
 
I have a 551 but would prefer the DR. I like the minigips but the 551 is fat and the hollow handles bother me. For the $80+ they go for now I'd spend the extra $20 and get the Ritter if it's between those two. If you are open to other options, look at the Spyderco Para2. P2 is one of the best designs ever (thin,light,strong). Enjoy which ever route you go.
 
furfmonkey said:
i would take the ritter hands down everytime its been my EDC since i got it... the 551 has a handle made of valox and the ritter has a handle made of Glass-filled Noryl GTX (better IMO)

just a much better knife overall IMO
Click to expand...

Thanks for the recommendation. Glad you're enjoying the RSK Mk1.

Just to set the record straight, however, the handles on the Griptilian and the RSK Mk1 are identical.

The full size black and orange handles are Glass-filled Noryl GTX on both
 
I just had the same choice and went with the Ritter...zero regrets, I'm really enjoying it and it's fighting my para 2 tooth and nail for pocket time. Great blade.
 
furfmonkey said:
hahah yeah sorry i was going by the info on the BM site for the 551.. i love your knives and plan on getting more... any chance you will even make the Mk4 again?

its the only one i am missing :) http://www.dougritter.com/dr_rsk_mk4.htm
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All I can say at this point is that we have had discussions about the Mk4 with Benchmade, who purchased Lone Wolf and are now starting up production of the Paul Knives at Benchmade. We'll just have to see how things work out.
 
any kind of new folder would be great as long as its made by you... BM or whoever makes it :)
 
IMO there is NO reason to buy the Ritter. The Grip is an OK knife, but the price difference is not justified. It's still the same plastic knife just with S30V. For the same price you can pick up other knives with better materials... such as the Spyderco ParaMilitary 2... The Axis lock is reeeeally gimmicky. The Compression lock is far superior and just as fun to play with.
 
I have both of these knives as well as the Ritter M2 and M4 versions. The edge retention on the M2/M4 Ritters is outstanding. As others here have stated already, the blade shape alone is worth the extra money. Do yourself a favor and do a little searching for other posts on this subject. You will find that the consensus is that the Ritter is a great knife with superior blade geometry and superior blade materials.
 
archieblue said:
IMO there is NO reason to buy the Ritter. The Grip is an OK knife, but the price difference is not justified. It's still the same plastic knife just with S30V. For the same price you can pick up other knives with better materials... such as the Spyderco ParaMilitary 2... The Axis lock is reeeeally gimmicky. The Compression lock is far superior and just as fun to play with.
Click to expand...

careful my friend.. your spyderco fanboy is showing...

first off the grips "plastic" as you call is it one of the strongest handle materials out there and the axis lock has been around more than a decade if it was "gimicky" as you say it would have been replaced.The Para 2 has a thinner blade with a slimmer point and is not as strong and the tip would not hold up to abuse that the ritter or reg grip could take... the TS asked about 2 benchmades and didnt ask for suggestions. Its pretty obvious what knives you favor and you just want to voice your own opinion which has nothing to do with the discussion at hand.
 
furfmonkey said:
careful my friend.. your spyderco fanboy is showing...

first off the grips "plastic" as you call is it one of the strongest handle materials out there and the axis lock has been around more than a decade if it was "gimicky" as you say it would have been replaced.The Para 2 has a thinner blade with a slimmer point and is not as strong and the tip would not hold up to abuse that the ritter or reg grip could take... the TS asked about 2 benchmades and didnt ask for suggestions. Its pretty obvious what knives you favor and you just want to voice your own opinion which has nothing to do with the discussion at hand.
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Dang, you got to him before I could!:D

The Para 2 doesn't compare to the Ritter. Is it better than the regular Grip? Very possible. If the Compression Lock was ambidextrous, this lefty would consider getting one. As it is, I'd get a Ritter Mk1 before a Para 2 (of course, right now I'm trying to decide what to save up for: Mk1, large Bone Collector, Rift, 581 Barrage with the M390 steel, 806-1101 AFCK with M390 and sculpted blue/black G10 scales, find a discontinued mini-Ruckus, build a custom Grip with a D2 blade and orange, OD or sand scales with all black hardware, a Manix 2...)
 
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