Benchmade Griptillian or Spyderco Paramilitary 2

[Onies]

Have both, love both but for me, the PM2 is better all around.

 

[whp]

The griptilian is an underrated strong knife and a great work knife. But for me, the pm2 is one of the best edc knives made.

 

[psquared]

I'm going to go against the grain.

I own seven large Grips and one PM2. The PM2 is without a doubt very good value for money and an iconic piece of cutlery. The pointy tip just doesn't do it for me. I'd rather have the "clacky" handles than what I perceive to be a delicate tip. The Grip's handle shape works better for my hands and I also prefer the axis lock to the compression lock and that only because I carry axis locks more often than I carry compression locks and the "muscle memory" is better.

New guy looking at both ... I'd probably advise him (her) to take the PM2 because the package is better value even though it wouldn't be my first choice from experience. The comment earlier that the Grip is now, from a price perspective, being compared to Paras rather than Enduras or Stretches is very valid.

 

[Hairlesstwinkie]

I bought the Paramilitary 2 on eBay. Should be here in a few days. To everyone who commented, thank you very much, The pictures were very helpful.

uh oh, be VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY careful with ebay. Lately there are a ton of fakes on there that are very very very very hard to tell apart from the real thing. If the price is too good to be true, then it's most likely a fake.

 

[Blinkknives]

If I could only choose one I' go with the PM2, if it was a higher end BM I might choose differently

 

[newknif]

It's just my opinion of course but that pointy top blade with a giant hole in it really doesn't appeal to me. It seems as though there should be a magnifying lens in it or something for starting fires. Something other than a through hole.

Honestly it's why I would choose the Benchmade. Debating matters of opinion is like being in a furious sand packing contest.

 

[Jonny1801]

Can't beat the PM2......

 

[squarebox86]

Without a doubt, PM2. Better in every aspect.

 

[michaelm466]

Just wondering...do you thing the grip would be in the same league at the PM2 if the handles were G10? In other words is it just because of the handle material to you?

I do have the Red/Black G10 and CPM-M4 Griptilian, and yes I'd say its in the same league as the sprint PM2s I have, it feels much more solid and it has an upgraded steel (as opposed to 154cm) I also think the Endura could be bumped up to this level with a handle and steel upgrade. I think this is why the Wilkins scales are so popular (even at the price of an entire Griptilian). I think the FRN/Noryl handles do look cheaper, but mostly I don't really like the flex they have one hard cutting something, so far they haven't been a real problem, but feeling that almost always makes me compulsively check the lock and for blade play before switching to a different knife, for med/lighter cutting they're no problem at all.

 

[K.O.D.]

Had a griptilian, sold it, bought a pm2. IMO, the PM2 is considerably better.

 

[SoCal_kid]

Griptilian. Better warranty. I like the ergonomics of the lock better. Both are great knives. I've owned both. Really you can't go wrong

 

[ijustdontknow]

I have both. The pm2 might win for ruggedness but I prefer to carry the griptilian. What it gives away in handle ruggedness it gains back in pocket-ability and smoothness in and out of the pocket.

 

[Blinkknives]

Between the PM2 and Griptilian, I'd lean a little towards the PM2. If you are open to the Ritter Griptilian, I'd get that instead. I think it's about the same price as a PM2. Ergos in hand are good on both the Grip and PM2. For doing a lot of cutting, I find the Grip to be a bit more comfortable due to the thicker handles. The PM2 is less bulky in pocket due to the flat handles vs. rounded ones on the Griptilian.

Here's a shot of a regular Griptilian, one with the Ritter blade (actual handles will be the same style as the regular Griptilian, not the Wilkins scales pictured below), and a PM2. You mentioned having a 110 and Skyline, so I included those to give you an idea of the size of these knives. They are sorted top to bottom from longest blade to shortest.

I agree the Ritter Grip would be a better comparison. Now that would be a tough choice.

 

[rushane]

There's a thread in the Spyderco forum about not selling your PM2, as you'll just buy another one down the road. Pay attention to that. Coming from Benchmade, I wanted to try the PM2. When I first got it, I didn't like it it much and was thinking of selling/trading. I thought, "what the heck, I'll use it for a month or so and sell it as a user for not that much less than Like New." I'm still using it and now I have no intention of getting rid of it. It took some time, but at this point, I may ditch my Grips.

Now, how about a Sage 5 with a compression lock...

 

[zl1]

Para 2 for sure

 

[MVF]

I believe the OP already bought a PM2, but since this thread is continuing I thought I'd throw this out there. I'm a big fan of both Spyderco and Benchmade- I bought a Delica directly from Sal back when they first came out. I know it's hard to think of a Delica as revolutionary, but they were at the time. I carried that knife for about 15 years and still have it.

To keep this from getting too long, I'll just add that my EDC for the last 10 years or so has been a MiniGrip and that I also have a couple full-sized Grips including a Gold class. I decided to finally give the PM2 a try when the blue M390 version came out. While it can be correct to compare it to the full-size Grip for overall size, the length of the actual cutting edge is much closer to the MiniGrip. I was kind of shocked when I put them up next to each other because the PM2 is so much larger a knife, but check it out next time you get the chance.

For me, carrying the PM2 took up much more room in my pocket- that extra length in the handle made it hard to dig my keys or change out- not a problem with the MiniGrip. The MiniGrip was also much easier to get out and open (can't really beat an Axis lock for quick opening and closing). I also was more comfortable with the stronger blade of the MiniGrip for EDC purposes. The PM2 will obviously out slice it, but I like an EDC blade to be sturdy enough to do whatever comes up in the course of the day. I'm sure the PM2 is great, but that point scares me enough that I would hesitate to use it in places I don't think twice about with the Benchmade.

Anyway, I know the OP was wondering about the PM2 vs the full-size Grip, but I thought I would point out that as far as cutting edge it's much more comparable to the Mini. Lucky for me, the price of the blue M390 PM2 has gone through the roof!

 

[pnsxyr]

So what do you think? Both are really good knives, but I like the blade of the PM2 more myself over the standard Grips and I think the FFG is a really nice grind for a general usage knife. I do absolutely love the Ritter Grip's blade tho and think it is one of the best blades on a folder to date.

 

[CelticCross74]

REI limited edition G10 Griptillian stomps my buddys PM2. With the REI theres no plastic click clacking annoyance and the G10/green standoff combo bring the knife out a good bit thinner handle wise than the regular just a bit to thick plastic Grip. The Axis lock still stomps anything else in my opinion. ..and damn Benchmade does G10 so well here that it almost seems like really well done and extra tough Bakelite. Benchmade did the REIs S30V blade stone cold perfect. The blade out of the box was just above razor sharp. I wasn't sure what to expect with a G10 Grip as I already had 3 regular plastic ones. The G10/standoffs/how-its-done-S30V package of the REI Grip crushes all I know about the PM2. That and even though I own a Civilian I still cant stand spyderholes. The REI rockets open with little effort to lockup. The PM or any other spyderhole blade I have notices countless times over the years how much extra effort and involvement it takes to flick a spyder open amongst my friends and countless youtube vids. The REI is a classic and ended up being one of the most solid knife purchases I have ever made and is so good that I had no problem paying in full with no coupon (couldn't find the right one). The REI is just a beast on another level and is arguably on of the best BMs ever....don't pass it up...

 

[Grampa]

While it can be correct to compare it to the full-size Grip for overall size, the length of the actual cutting edge is much closer to the MiniGrip. I was kind of shocked when I put them up next to each other because the PM2 is so much larger a knife, but check it out next time you get the chance.

One of my consistent gripes with Syderco is that the cutting edge of their knives is so short compared to knives of similar handle size. While they can be very innovative in their designs, they seem to be unaware that knives are about cutting, and a longer edge is almost always preferable to a shorter edge. I just see no point in wasting potential edge space on choils, etc. YMMV.

 

[crom]

For anybody unsure about the full size Grip's sturdiness, head on over to Testing and take a look at the Took a walk in the park with my Griptillian thread. I always knew they were stronger than they looked but wow.