rajincagin
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For those that own both, which do you prefer? what are the pros and cons of each?
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Griptilian Pardue vs Ritter
- Thread starter rajincagin
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2007
- Messages
- 273
I know I'm in the minority but I personally prefer the Pardue blade better. I guess I just like the blade shape, it's very pleasing to the eye. As far as cutting performance, I've never had any complaints about it. I know the Ritter design is a great blade, but it just never appealed to me
You asked, so this is my personal take:
I own both in large and small sizes. I think the Griptilian is a great knife standard...and with the Ritter I think it's on a greatness scale with knives like the Kershaw Chive/Leek, Spyderco Delica/Endura, Buck 110, and Chris Reeve Sebenza in the sense that the knife does exactly what it sets out to do, and it does it so well you have to take special note of it.
To me, the Ritter is a must-have because it is such a great performer at such a reasonable price. Doug Ritter did the design with both heavy 'survival' usage and every day light usage in mind, and I think that has resulted in a knife that is capable of multitasking and fulfilling the different roles a pocket knife could see at any moment.
The Ritter's high flat is IMHO groundbreaking. I like the slicing capability of a hollow grind, but dislike how easily the edge tends to damage and how much metal is removed from the blade. I like the robustness of a scandi grind, but dislike its relatively poor slicing performance and food prep abilities. So many have settled on flat grinds which in recent time has blown up in popularity, and I have become a big fan of them. The blade shape of the Ritter bears a resemblance to the 'leaf' blades previously seen on models like the Spyderco Lil'Temperance (I think that is the model), which was a notable knife for the heavy usage it could withstand, yet it did well with almost any kind of task. The high flat grind of the Ritter really gives great performance all-around. It can slice, but it can also do heavier work. The tip has a lot of steel behind it and is much stronger than the standard drop point, but it can perform delicate tip work. The blade tapers to decrease resistance with certain cuts, but it still has a lot more steel behind the edge than the hollow grind. I would argue that the Ritter is both a better slicer and a more durable blade than the standard Grip (which is a tough blade to begin with.) I will go further and dare say it is perhaps the best blade Benchmade has ever produced, it is one of the best blades one is going to find on an EDC folder, and that it equals or outperforms many knives that are priced multiple times that of the Ritter.
To me, that is the "excellence" that I find to make the Ritter so noteworthy in a world of many nice folders, as my own logic argues that a pocket knife may be used for anything and everything, and so my ideal goal in a blade is a blade that can do everything reasonably well instead of having excellent performance in one area, but lacking performance in another, combined in a package that is practical and preferably affordable. The Ritter Grip doesn't just meet these criteria, but it owns it!
When it comes to spine serrations, many people on this forum have noted they play a huuuuge roll in control, and I agree. The spine serrations are exceptional, and the real-world effect from that is control, stability, and comfort. It is much more comfortable to use than the standard Grip, and one of the most comfortable blades I have ever used. I find it a very good choice for prolonged usage in which the geometric design of the knife helps reduce fatigue.
Also, the Ritter is in S30V steel. The base 154CM is a great steel, but S30V is arguably an improvement. Both steels deserve credit for giving great performance across the board (edge retention, wear patterns, tough, stainless, not a nightmare to sharpen, etc.) They are well-suited to the role of general-usage folding knives.
The finish also makes me happy. The Ritter is available in stonewashed finish (don't get coated if you can get SW!)...stonewashed is as durable a finish as they come and it both hides scratches better than anything and increases corrosion resistance over some other non-coated finishes.
Some people do not like the handles, but with any Grip you always have the options of aftermarket grips from makers like Wilkins (their G10 and ti grips are awesome.) I think the large aftermarket customizing is a major plus as not many knives have so many different options for users to customize the knife to their own needs/preferences.
So if I forgot to mention this, I really like the Ritter.
So my vote is that the Ritter is worth the extra money and it is one of the best values in folding knives today!
I own both in large and small sizes. I think the Griptilian is a great knife standard...and with the Ritter I think it's on a greatness scale with knives like the Kershaw Chive/Leek, Spyderco Delica/Endura, Buck 110, and Chris Reeve Sebenza in the sense that the knife does exactly what it sets out to do, and it does it so well you have to take special note of it.
To me, the Ritter is a must-have because it is such a great performer at such a reasonable price. Doug Ritter did the design with both heavy 'survival' usage and every day light usage in mind, and I think that has resulted in a knife that is capable of multitasking and fulfilling the different roles a pocket knife could see at any moment.
The Ritter's high flat is IMHO groundbreaking. I like the slicing capability of a hollow grind, but dislike how easily the edge tends to damage and how much metal is removed from the blade. I like the robustness of a scandi grind, but dislike its relatively poor slicing performance and food prep abilities. So many have settled on flat grinds which in recent time has blown up in popularity, and I have become a big fan of them. The blade shape of the Ritter bears a resemblance to the 'leaf' blades previously seen on models like the Spyderco Lil'Temperance (I think that is the model), which was a notable knife for the heavy usage it could withstand, yet it did well with almost any kind of task. The high flat grind of the Ritter really gives great performance all-around. It can slice, but it can also do heavier work. The tip has a lot of steel behind it and is much stronger than the standard drop point, but it can perform delicate tip work. The blade tapers to decrease resistance with certain cuts, but it still has a lot more steel behind the edge than the hollow grind. I would argue that the Ritter is both a better slicer and a more durable blade than the standard Grip (which is a tough blade to begin with.) I will go further and dare say it is perhaps the best blade Benchmade has ever produced, it is one of the best blades one is going to find on an EDC folder, and that it equals or outperforms many knives that are priced multiple times that of the Ritter.
To me, that is the "excellence" that I find to make the Ritter so noteworthy in a world of many nice folders, as my own logic argues that a pocket knife may be used for anything and everything, and so my ideal goal in a blade is a blade that can do everything reasonably well instead of having excellent performance in one area, but lacking performance in another, combined in a package that is practical and preferably affordable. The Ritter Grip doesn't just meet these criteria, but it owns it!
When it comes to spine serrations, many people on this forum have noted they play a huuuuge roll in control, and I agree. The spine serrations are exceptional, and the real-world effect from that is control, stability, and comfort. It is much more comfortable to use than the standard Grip, and one of the most comfortable blades I have ever used. I find it a very good choice for prolonged usage in which the geometric design of the knife helps reduce fatigue.
Also, the Ritter is in S30V steel. The base 154CM is a great steel, but S30V is arguably an improvement. Both steels deserve credit for giving great performance across the board (edge retention, wear patterns, tough, stainless, not a nightmare to sharpen, etc.) They are well-suited to the role of general-usage folding knives.
The finish also makes me happy. The Ritter is available in stonewashed finish (don't get coated if you can get SW!)...stonewashed is as durable a finish as they come and it both hides scratches better than anything and increases corrosion resistance over some other non-coated finishes.
Some people do not like the handles, but with any Grip you always have the options of aftermarket grips from makers like Wilkins (their G10 and ti grips are awesome.) I think the large aftermarket customizing is a major plus as not many knives have so many different options for users to customize the knife to their own needs/preferences.
So if I forgot to mention this, I really like the Ritter.
So my vote is that the Ritter is worth the extra money and it is one of the best values in folding knives today!
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2001
- Messages
- 5,442
I love the Ritter, for all the reasons mentioned by pnsxyr above.
Great job, by the way, pnsxyr.
I was lucky enough to get my Ritters in LE steels (2-M2, 2-M4).
The M2 versions are the absolute best!
As far as the scales go.
The stock scales actually work just fine.
However, to almost everyone's delight, custom upgrades are available in abundance.
Here's my side kick sporting some CF scales I made for it.
Great job, by the way, pnsxyr.
I was lucky enough to get my Ritters in LE steels (2-M2, 2-M4).
The M2 versions are the absolute best!
As far as the scales go.
The stock scales actually work just fine.
However, to almost everyone's delight, custom upgrades are available in abundance.
Here's my side kick sporting some CF scales I made for it.
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2002
- Messages
- 1,969
I myself feel the Ritter is a better slicer and feels really good in use. I do not mind the coated scales, but some folks don't like them as they'll show wear, but to me that's a non-issue. Whatever your taste is. With the Grip family of knives, the scales are very good and utilitarian. But they just sound hollow and feel cheapie to me but I know they will take whatever you can dish out.
But if you can manage it, upgrading to a set of nice G10 or Ti scales gives the knife an entirely new feel. Way better in my opinion. For a long time I balked at the cost of the aftermarket scales, but after you "handle" them so to speak, you'll really appreciate the upgrade. Just noticed in the pic that when I switched pocket clips I put it on the wrong side for me. Duh. Have to correct that.
But if you can manage it, upgrading to a set of nice G10 or Ti scales gives the knife an entirely new feel. Way better in my opinion. For a long time I balked at the cost of the aftermarket scales, but after you "handle" them so to speak, you'll really appreciate the upgrade. Just noticed in the pic that when I switched pocket clips I put it on the wrong side for me. Duh. Have to correct that.
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2006
- Messages
- 6,199
The Ritter Grip is a wonder of a knife and pretty much perfect IMO, thanks to the high flat grind, stonewashed finish and S30V steel. However, the Pardue does have one advantage: it has a pointier tip. This is something I actually prefer. So, I have sought out a Pardue in S30V, which can be had. The stonewashed I will have to live without. Until my Wilkins / Ritter arrives, that is. 
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2006
- Messages
- 19,374
The Ritter Grip is a wonder of a knife and pretty much perfect IMO, thanks to the high flat grind, stonewashed finish and S30V steel. However, the Pardue does have one advantage: it has a pointier tip. This is something I actually prefer. So, I have sought out a Pardue in S30V, which can be had. The stonewashed I will have to live without. Until my Wilkins / Ritter arrives, that is.
Yep, they can be had in S30V. This one is from the Custom program. The price from the Custom, and the Ritters are very close now, so it just depends on whichever a person likes better
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2005
- Messages
- 7,425
I've had as many as 8 or 9 Ritters and have a bunch of the regular blade (with studs, not tanto or "sheeps foot"). Honestly, though my mind and eye like the Ritter blade better, I don't find they perform that much differently, and there have been several LE versions in the regular blade with great steel, the GPK M390 Mini being my favorite.
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- Sep 7, 2006
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- 6,199
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2008
- Messages
- 3,209
I wonder if we'll ever see a large in M390? That would be soooo dreamy....
550 or Ritter in M390 and I would be one happy camper!
Recently sold my Pardue mini grip in favor of my Ritter. I've been carrying a large and occasionally small Sebenza everyday for the past couple months. I got out the Ritter last night that I have reprofiled to a beautiful 15 dps 0.5u finish and amazed myself all over again how with just zero effort and 2 fingers holding onto the knife it slices incredibly effortlessly. And also at how comfortable in hand the knife is. Kind of made me wonder for a minute why I EDC anything else. Needless to say, it's in my pocket today.
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2008
- Messages
- 3,209
Especially dressed in Ti!
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2005
- Messages
- 7,425
I'm probably also in a minority, but I think it's a close call. I don't favor the Ritter. I like it, but it's a coin-toss.
