Full Size Griptilian Blade Style Choices???

Accelerator

Accelerator

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Oct 16, 2010
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After getting a new Ritter Mini-Grip a month or so ago, I've come to fall in love with the axis lock, amongst other things. In turn, after much thought, I have decided that one Grip isn't enough so I'm leaning heavily towards a full sized Grip to add to the collection. In looking around at options for the next knife, I'm torn between the sheepsfoot blade, the standard blade and another Ritter blade. Here is my dilema, or points of indecision as it may be....

Sheepsfoot - can't find a whole lot of info on this blade based on other owner's usage and opinions. It seems like this may be the least popular style of the lot. What I do like is that it is hollow ground which should make it a good slicer and appears to have a good amount of belly as well. Also I love the thumbhole deployment of my Spyderco's and I'm assuming the thumbhole placement on this blade pretty much works the same. Not to mention, this blade shape will bring something new to the collection as I have no other sheepsfoot style blades right now.

Standard Drop-Point - Just the plain Jane run of the mill Griptilian blade. It has a certain amount of classic appeal to it of course, and I'm sure that it very capable in it's tasks. This would be in 154CM, just a regular off-the-shelf Griptilian that I could pick up for the lowest price of the three models.

Ritter - I absolutely love this blade on my Mini-Grip. Slices like a laser, nice big belly, and that stone wash looks great and is very durable, i.e. user friendly. This should be a no-brainer for me, but I didn't want to jump on another Ritter without doing my due diligence on the others. Comes standard with S30V which I like, I probably have 5 or 6 knives with this steel already.

First and foremost I prefer function over fashion, so looks are almost a non-issue. This will be an EDC knife for me around the office and in the machine shop. It will get used alot.

So for you people who own Griptilians, what have been your experiances with these blade shapes and what are your opinions on them? I've come to the conclusion that any one of these three will be a winner, I just like to be fully commited and confidant in my choice before I play "add to cart".
 
Start with the Ritter and get the others later. You can always sell them for close to what you paid.
 
Personally, I like the blade shape on the Ritter the best. I can't place either of the other two above the other, so they tie for 2nd place, LOL!

My best recommendation though is to get all three if/when funds allow. You'll probably end up wanting all three of them anyway, so its just a matter of deciding which one to getting first.
 
I personally like the sheepsfoot. Like you said the spiderco type hole is great for deployment. Plus I just plain like the look of it
 
Get the plain Jane run of mill thumb stud Griptilian. I started with one of these and tried out the Ritter Grip and while I agree that the S30V and wide chord drop point on the Ritter are great, you really can't go wrong with either. 154cm is a really nice all around steel that holds a keen edge, is easy to maintain and for most typical usage, I don't think the differences in blade shape will make much of a difference. If you look around, you can get two standard Grips in different colors or get your standard Grip and some other gear for the price of a Ritter.
 
Don't for get about the wicked Tanto...
IMG_0735_zps648c557e.jpg
 
I only have the 154CM blades in 3 models. I have the standard blade in the Sequel and the mini-grip, and the mini grip model with the hole and sheepsfoot style blade. The hole works just like a Spydie hole - that is great. The functionality of the sheepsfoot blade is there, but it doesn't look as good. If you care about function, I can recommend the models with the hole in the blade.
I have stayed with 154CM after reading reports of brittle edges on the early models using S30V. Is this still a problem, or has it been fixed with more experience and better heat treatment?
 
The sheepsfoot is NOT hollow ground. I know they say it is, but ask anyone who owns one. Here's proof-- I couldn't have flatsanded this if it were:

100_8711.jpg


I like the cutting-edge profile-- more aggressive tip/less sweep-- of the 550, but find the 551 thumb studs easier to deploy on the grips.
 
Hmmm, not really hollow ground huh? Well, that pretty much negates the enhanced slicing ability I was looking for.

It's really looking like all 3 might be in order, just not at the $ame time. The sheepsfoot still holds my interest for the thumbhole, but without the HG, it might just have fallen into last place. At this point, because I'm so impressed with the Ritter mini, I think I'll get the Ritter full sized to start with.
 
Personally I'm not a fan of the Ritters-- BUT-- if slicing is your priority, I would say the Ritter is a wise choice.
 
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