Benchmade Mini-Grip vs Benchmade Ritter Mini-Grip

S

Sebastian Ornstein

Joined
Dec 4, 2009
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39
Hello all, I've been looking at the mini-grip and the ritter mini-grip and I was wondering what everyones opinion on these two knives was. The Ritter mini-grip is better steel and has a deeper belly on the blade, but the regular mini-grip is still lauded as a fantastic edc. Which would you buy?
 
The ritter grip. The steel is a big deciding factor, but also the blade shape and overall quality and design play a significant role.
 
I was in a similar position a few months ago trying to decide on the Benchmade Mini Grip or the Ritter Mini Grip. I ended up going with the regular Benchmade model. I figured that for the most part the knife would be used for light duty EDC tasks like cutting cardboard/paper, rope, the occasional apple ....etc and I just couldn't justify paying an extra $40 for the S30V blade steel. Another thing that helped me decide is that I could get the Benchmade from my local shop and the Ritter had to be ordered. Both are good choices and im sure youll be happy either way.
 
Can't compare the ritter but hear its great. I'm on my 2nd benchmade mini grip (lost the 1st after over 3 years of edc), and have bought four others for family members as gifts. Like so many of us here, I have drawers full of blades, but the mini griptilian is "my knife"
 
For me, it is/was worth it for the S30V steel, however 154CM is just fine too. The only other reason for a Ritter is the blade profile, which is very well thought out.
 
The Ritter is a great choice (S30V over 154CM and a taller flat grind), but to me it still isn't worth the premium. I like ordinary mini Grip better, there's nothing wrong with 154CM and it cuts just fine and comes in much cheaper.
 
Here's a wrench for the gears: Benchmade 14210.

I've owned all three, still have a mini and the 14210.
 
tjsulli790 said:
The Ritter is a great choice (S30V over 154CM and a taller flat grind), but to me it still isn't worth the premium. I like ordinary mini Grip better, there's nothing wrong with 154CM and it cuts just fine and comes in much cheaper.
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I agree..I've carried a mini Grip (off and on) for many years. The Ritter is nice, but I'm not sure it's worth the extra money.
 
I have asked myself the same question before as well, but as many have said either one would be great. Ritter is more expensive and has better steel but for general edc 154CM will do just fine. There are also more variations of the BM mini. Also, you could go halfway in between on price and consider a BM Cabela's grip in D2. I have one and it is my fave knife, for edc D2 is great because it holds a great edge for a long time, it also has full steel liners
 
thantos1858 said:
I have asked myself the same question before as well, but as many have said either one would be great. Ritter is more expensive and has better steel but for general edc 154CM will do just fine. There are also more variations of the BM mini. Also, you could go halfway in between on price and consider a BM Cabela's grip in D2. I have one and it is my fave knife, for edc D2 is great because it holds a great edge for a long time, it also has full steel liners
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Really? That's cool to know. I didn't think any of the Grips had liners.:thumbup:
 
I bought a full size BM Grip 154CM and the new Ritter Grip S30V - just because.

The 154 Griptilian has a blue box and is listed on their site.

The Ritter Griptilian has a black BM box and is NOT listed on BM's site.

Anyone care to explain what's up with that?
 
cziv said:
I bought a full size BM Grip 154CM and the new Ritter Grip S30V - just because.

The 154 Griptilian has a blue box and is listed on their site.

The Ritter Griptilian has a black BM box and is NOT listed on BM's site.

Anyone care to explain what's up with that?
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The Ritter grip is a Doug Ritter exclusive available only through aeromedix. Its not a normal production Benchmade so it is not in the catalog. As for the different color boxes they represent different classes. Benchmade has four classes blue, black, red and gold. The red class was just discontinued though. Benchmade qoutes "the Blue class is the heart of everything that is Benchmade" and "The Black class products are designed for extreme duty."
And yes all Griptilians have steel liners. The full size have very thick partial liners and the minis have thinner full length liners.

I've actually not owned a Ritter Grip yet however I do have one of the full size CPM M4 Ritters on preorder and should receive it shortly. I have however owned hany full size and mini Griptilians. To me the design is just about perfect for my needs for both every day uses and woodscrafting. I myself prefer the full size unless I'm at work at need something small. I do love the blade shape of the Ritter though and cannot wait to try it.
 
For me, the extra money for the Ritters was worth it.



My 558-600 in M2 High Speed is my favourite folding knife - and I have lots!



I'm looking forward to the run of CPM M4 Ritter Grips. :thumbup:
 
I really like the blade shape and stonewashed finish on the ritters.
Admittedly though, they dont do anything that the cheaper 154CM ones (*cant) do.
 
I saw this thread and was just about to say wait til Steven Andrews chimes in. As I kept scrolling down, there he was! LOL, I know Steven loves his Mini Grips and has a nice collection!
I've got both and have used the regular more just because I don't mind beating that one up. I treat my Ritter with a bit more respect due to some of the chipping issues I've heard about with the S30V steel, and because of the higher price I paid for it. I much prefer the blade shape on the Ritter though.
To be honest though, lately I've just been keeping my 551 in my EDC bag as a backup blade and have been EDCing my G10 Caly3 or G10 Dragonfly in pocket. I've been on more of a Spyderco kick (again) lately.
 
The Mini-Grip, in any version, is a great product. You won't be disappointed regardless of which one you decide on.
That being said; I have owned both and much prefer the Ritter. As already stated, the steel is better. But none of the steels mentioned should be a deal breaker. The blade profile however is a deal maker, for me.
I bought my Mini-Ritter first, in M2 steel #95. After that I got the Cabela's D2 version. Then 3 Reg. Benchmades, two Standard Grips and one Mini Grip. Next I had to have the Standard sized Ritter Grip in M2 steel. It cost me $100 more when I bought it; than it would have if I bought it when they initially came out.
I have found my Holy Grail of knives. I love both of my M2 Ritters!
They are the best. So much so, that I have both sizes of the new M4 steel Ritters on pre-order. The better steel and the great blade profile take this great knife to a whole new level.
 
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