Benchmade 551 full size OR Doug Ritter knife? Differences

[nutnfunn]

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.

Agreed!
Guys, Heres a steel rank (commons)
DAMASCUS
CPM-M4
S30V
D2/154CM
X15
N690
440C
And then there all the jeps...

This is it, Always go for the steel you need! not the one you like, the one you need!!!
---Roy Miller---

 

[Steven Andrews]

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.

"Better" materials don't make a better knife. The excellent design of the Griptilians make them fantastic, practical working knives. They are very strong yet light, relatively inexpensive, easy to open and close, and great cutters.

I have been a wholetime firefighter for 13 years. Over those years I have carried many different knives while on duty - SOG, Spyderco, Chris Reeve, Rick Hinderer, William Henry, Al Mar, Kershaw etc
I now carry a full sized Grip and 5 Rescue Hook in my firejacket and a Mini Grip in a pouch on my uniform belt. The knives I carry on my uniform belt rotate through many different makes and models (though usually Benchmade Axis Locks) but the knife in my firejacket is always a 551 Griptilian or 552 RSK Mk1.

As to the Axis Lock being "reeeeally gimmicky"... It locks the knife securely open and also maintains pressure to help keep the knife closed. It is reliable and easy to manipulate, even while wearing thick firefighting gloves. It's a work of genius, not a gimmick.

 

[A.P.F.]

Curiously enough, both Furfmonkey and Steven are in the protect and serve business, a profession where your life depends on the tools you carry. As they both like and use 'Grips', I can't see a knife getting a higher recommendation.

 

[archieblue]

I've been a guide for 8 years. for seven months of each of those years i live off the grid, VERY simply. I use a knife every. day. Omega springs have and do break. It's a fun toy... Still have a couple grips... One with a busted spring. The ONLY reason to consider a grip is budget. There are other knives in the same price range as the Ritter built better. ...remember...IMO!

 

[Keyman]

archieblue you are right, we all have the right to voice our own opinion and I respect you for yours.
I for instance, like the Ritter design so much that I am willing to pay a much higher price for a Ritter with superior steel. I own many other Benchmades models besides the six Grips that I have and I have never had an omega spring break.
When I go into the Great North woods or as you put it "live off the grid" for any amount of time my Large Ritter takes on more of a backup role. I prefer to carry a fixed blade, one of my Bark River knives to be exact. But of coarse this is IMO.
So, MTHall720 I would get the Ritter!

 

[Modoc ED]

I do not have a Ritter nor have I handled one but using the picture posted by furfmonkey and my picture of my standard 551 Grip, my opinion is that the tip of the standard 551 Grip is stronger than the Ritter. That is just my .02¢ from looking at the pictures. I just think the Saber ground tip is stronger than the Flat ground tip.

I suppose s30v is superior to 154 but don't know how much better it is than 154. It's been my experience that s30V seems to be a tad more brittle than 154 when working on bone (skinning, etc.) but again that's just my experience and observation.

My .02¢ again is that both knives are great knives. I'm very satisfied with my standard 551 Grip and would buy another (a new 556 mini-Grip will arrive today).

As far as the Axis-Lock goes, I've only had my 551 Grip since May/June 2010 and have had no problems with the Axis-Lock. However, I've had a Pardue 720 with the Axis-Lock since 2000 (11-years) and not one problem with the Axis-Lock on it. I certainly wouldn't call the Axis-Lock gimmicky.

 

[loonybin]

As far as the Axis-Lock goes, I've only had my 551 Grip since May/June 2010 and have had no problems with the Axis-Lock. However, I've had a Pardue 720 with the Axis-Lock since 2000 (11-years) and not one problem with the Axis-Lock on it. I certainly wouldn't call the Axis-Lock gimmicky.

I had a 710sbt (the first version, with ATS-34 steel) I bought in 1999, and until I sold it last summer to fund another Axis-lock knife, I had 0 (zero, zilch, nada) problems with the Axis lock.