BM Ritter Grip, BM 710D2, or Spyderco Manix?

L

Lucky Strike

Joined
Oct 2, 2006
Messages
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I've decided instead of buying a couple lower price knives ($30-40 range) that I've been eyeing I'm going to sell the extra that I have and make my next purchase in the $80-100 range.

I've kind of narrowed it down to three knives based on a couple things I want in a knife (wide chord/leaf style blade, axis lock, G10 handle) and it seems i can have two of these things but not all three :(

I've done a search and read threads about these knives but welcome any additional comments and particularly comparison comments from people that own 2 or all 3 of the below knives.

Benchmade 710D2
Pluses - G10 handle, Axis Lock, D2 steel (this is better then S30V right?)
Minuses - Blade design isn't a "leaf style", More expensive then the other 2

Benchmade 552 Ritter Grip
Pluses - Blade Design, Axis Lock
Minuses - No G10 (can anyone comment on Noryl GTX? Where it ranks with FRN which my Endura has and G10)

Spyderco Manix
Pluses - G10 handle, Blade Design
Minuses - No Axis Lock

Once again any comments from people that own 2 or 3 of these knives would be appreciated and if Benchmade is listening please offer the 552 with G10..then i'd be set :)
 
The Manix is a way better slicer and all around user out of box than a 710, as well as having a vastly more comrotalbe handle. The G10 is also much nicer and higher quality.

I can't speak for the blade on the Ritter, as I've never used one, but it looks like a great blade shape and profile, probably one of the nicest BM offers, however I hate the Griptiallian handle.

The lock on the Manix is something you have to experience. It's a bit different from what you may expect from a lockback. It feels and sounds solid, vault soild, and it is. One of the strongest locks in folders right now. I wouldn't view at it as a down point by any means. The lock on the Manix is actually one of it's biggest strong points.
 
J85909266 said:
The Manix is a way better slicer and all around user out of box than a 710, as well as having a vastly more comrotalbe handle. The G10 is also much nicer and higher quality.

I can't speak for the blade on the Ritter, as I've never used one, but it looks like a great blade shape and profile, probably one of the nicest BM offers, however I hate the Griptiallian handle.

The lock on the Manix is something you have to experience. It's a bit different from what you may expect from a lockback. It feels and sounds solid, vault soild, and it is. One of the strongest locks in folders right now. I wouldn't view at it as a down point by any means. The lock on the Manix is actually one of it's biggest strong points.
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Yeah i've heard that about the Manix's lock but one of the things i really like about the Axis lock is being able to open and close it with one hand and not have your fingers in the blade path.

And what is it that you hate about the grip handle? Most of what I read had people saying it felt cheap. Is it the design of the handle or the material and if it's the material how does it compare to FRN?

Thanks for the reply!
 
i have a lot of knives at least that swhat my wife thinks:D i have 5 benchmades 2 skirmishes one new one user and two ritters both lg model i carry the skirmish and ritter every day for the last two years ive had nothing but respeck for what doug did for the gripper knife the blade is s30v steel looks alot like the blade on a sebbi is a great slicer very nice lockup can be opened and closed with one hand is left or right handed and as far as the handle goes it fits the hand like a glove smooth i can go on and on if you want to nomore look up equipped to survive and doug ritter has a page all about how the knife came to be good luck on your next purchase and by the way all your chosies are good but i like the ritter
 
there is a decent deal on the Ritter on the exchange if you act soon. I was thinking about it myself but i think i have to wait a couple before i buy anything:D
 
With those choices, I would go with the 710. I have a couple and they are definitely in the category of "do it all" type knives. Lots of blade, carries smaller than it seems. Grips are great, love my Ritter M2. Some people, myself included, think the fullsize grip sounds cheap because of the less than full size liners. I doesn't compromise strength or usability, but I actually prefer the mini grip because of that. Grip is a great knife. The Manix is very nice also. I would respectfully disagree with the above comment, however. The G10 scale on the Manix is in no way superior to the BM. In fact if you handle the two you certainly won't look down on the quality of the BM scales. All three great choices. I lean towards the 710, the axis lock is my favorite lock type in a folder. Ambidextrous, fast opener and closing, fingers never get in the way of the blade, and if you like to flip then the axis is alot of fun. Good luck, let us know what you get.
 
I own, use and love all three.

The Manix is brute strong, but I've never needed to push it to the edge of its performance envelope, so its weight and size could be seen as disadvantages. Its handle is very comfortable, but the design "locks one in" to certain holds.

The 710D2 is beautiful and has excellent ergonomics. D2 steel is superb, though not completely "stainless." Its recurve blade gives it an air of elegance, though the same recurve could make it slightly more awkward to sharpen with some systems.

The Ritter Grip has the superb Axis lock, and has a definite advantage when it comes to carry weight and "pocketability." I too questioned the Noryl scales, but mine have held up perfectly, and I don't recall any thread on any of the knife forums I frequent alleging failure of the Noryl.

My opinion is that it's too close to choose.

Some observations:

1. Manix: Buy it if you are going to need a knife that you can beast to death. It is overbuilt, and S30V will tolerate adverse environments. Its mass and bulk count against it, though.

2. 710D2. Buy it if elegance and top ergonomics are important to you. D2 will not let you down, but might be second choice in a humid or saline environment.

3. Ritter Grip. It's a "do-it-all" knife in a compact package. You do, however, lose out on blade length and sheer brute strength to the other two.

My personal, knife-to-throat, gun-to-head selection? The 710.

Bottom line? Any of these three will do it all.

Enjoy the torture!

maximus otter
 
Man that is a real tough choice. Between the two, I carry the Manix more. On the other hand I also love the 710. Try the the Manix, it's in a class of it's own. It's just a big tough folder. You have to try one to understand what that means I guess. Better feel, sharper, no little springs to break down the road (not that this has happened to me but in theory, it could happen.) Spyderco uses a better feeling g10 in my opinion. The overall balance of the knife is what stands out to me. The 710 is probably more pocket friendly, and the blade shape is a little more well rounded for general use. Also I think Benchmade in general has a slightly higher fit and finish. 6 of one and a half dozen of another I guess. good luck.
 
I have the 710 M2, the Mini Manix S30V and the Large Ritter M2 and all three are great knives.

I carry the Ritter M2 virtually all the time as it's much lighter than the other two, has a great blade design, is M2 steel and has the Axis lock!
 
From production knives in your price range, I've yet to find one that feels better than the 710.

I haven't got a Manix (yet) and the only Grip I have held it's a common one, but I'm sure any of the knives in your list will give you great performance results. I'd like to handle all three and just get the one I like more in hand. The axis to me makes a big difference but that's just me.
 
Thanks for all the replies due to cost concerns and my affection for that particular blade shape I think I've narrowed it down to the Ritter and the Manix.

G10 or Axis lock? Better carryability or more strength? Life is full of choices.....the sad thing is that given my history as a consumer I'm sure as soon as I buy one and recieve it i'll have wished i bought the other. I'm the king of buyers remorse :)

Keep the comparisons coming if you haven't already. I love this forum.

In the end i see myself owning all 3 at some time in the future. But this next knife i buy will be my last purchase until the summer.
 
Lucky Strike said:
I'm sure as soon as I buy one and recieve it i'll have wished i bought the other. I'm the king of buyers remorse :)
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FWIW, Aeromedix.com has a 100% money back policy if you're not happy with the RSK Mk1 when you receive it. Pretty much takes the risk out of it (and FWIW, they don't have many returns.:) )
 
Critter said:
FWIW, Aeromedix.com has a 100% money back policy if you're not happy with the RSK Mk1 when you receive it. Pretty much takes the risk out of it (and FWIW, they don't have many returns.:) )
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Thanks for the info....i figure since the RSK and Manix are pretty much about the same price if I don't like one when I get it I can trade/sell for the other on here. Both knives seem to be highly respected on here. Like I said before I'll end up owning both it's just a matter of which i'll own first :)
 
The Ritter Grip or any of the other Grips make a good choice. The larger Grips have partial liners, the Mini Grips have full liners. The Manix is a hand full of knife, heavier and a wide handle with S30V steel as does the Ritter Grip. The Axis lock is easy to operate, either left or right handed. You can get a full size or the mini Grip from Cabelas in D2 at a lower cost than the Ritter Grip.
It just boils down to which one you favor the most and how much you are willing to spend. I have had all the ones mentioned and for my personal use the Grips come in first. The handle material of the Grips is very similiar to FRN that Spyderco uses. Have fun chosing.
 
Do the handles flex at all on the larger Grips? The handles flex on larger unlined FRN models I own (like an Endura or Pacific Salt), so do the partial liners help this at all?
 
Between the Manix and the RitterGrip I think the easy answer is the Manix.
The RitterGrip just seems to be less for the money IMHO.
The cheap feeling handle and the partial liners are a real deal killer for me.


Having said that, I think the 710 was the best choice between the three.
 
I don't have the Manix, but have the two Benchmades. I prefer the Axis lock to Spyderco's locks - I'm not saying Spyderco's aren't strong, just that I prefer the Axis for its combination of strength, smoothness, and one-handed opening and closing.

Both the Ritter Grip and the 710 are excellent knives. You can't go wrong with either! If you buy one of these two and have buyer's remorse, get yourself an appointment with your friendly neighborhood psychologist!:D

While different blade shapes, both of these knives are excellent cutters. The grip relies on a high flat grind for that, and the 710 on its recurved blade. The Grip's blade is shorter.

Both are comfortable in the hand - the 710 is flat, nicely textured G10, and the Grip has a more rounded handle with an aggressive (but non-irritating) surface.

Sheeple-wise, the 710 looks a bit "scarier" with its recurve blade.

I carry both IWB, and find the 710 is slightly more comfortable, but not by much.

After all that, the real question is, which one are YOU more attracted to?
 
I've had 2 BM 710s and 2 Manixes. Kept the 710s. Sold/traded the Manixes. Why? The Manix is a great knife, no doubt, but it felt like a brick in my pocket. If it doesn't carry well, then I don't carry it. If I don't carry it, then I don't use it.
 
Lucky Strike said:
Yeah i've heard that about the Manix's lock but one of the things i really like about the Axis lock is being able to open and close it with one hand and not have your fingers in the blade path.

And what is it that you hate about the grip handle? Most of what I read had people saying it felt cheap. Is it the design of the handle or the material and if it's the material how does it compare to FRN?

Thanks for the reply!
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You develope skill with any lock you use frequently. Opening and closing lockbacks one handed is very quick and natural to me at this point.

The Grip being FRN isn't what bothers me. I don't dislike FRN, and I actually think it is quite appropriate for a lot of knives. I don't like the feel, shape, or the way the fat, round grip handles carry. The just don't stack up to the ergos I'm used to in a folder.
 
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