pm2 or benchmade 551

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dauntless15

Joined
Nov 4, 2013
Messages
102
i might be trading my pm2 for a 551. do you guys think the 551 is capable as an edc as much as a para 2 ?
 
I can't speak to how it stacks up to the para 2, but I can personally attest to the fact that the 551 is a great edc blade. Lightweight, good blade geometry and comfy in the hand, might not feel as premium but the quality is certainly there. I carry mine semi daily (full disclosure: with aftermarket scales) and have never found it lacking.
 
Nfd538 said:
Yes but the PM2 is better
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I disagree sir. I've owned several of both and find the Grip to be a much better EDC for me. In my opinion the ergonomics are better for me and the truly ambidextrous nature of the knife make it a better EDC. Additionally the Grip is more affordable in the aftermarket and it is available in more blade shapes (drop point, tanto, sheepsfoot, full flat grind) and more handle configurations (color, material). This is a huge argument that has been had many times. I wouldn't trade your PM2 though, I'd wait and pick up a used grip from the exchange then sell the one you like less.
 
my pm2 is a glorious blade. but in its condition its a fair trade for a new 551. so i will do the trade and if i miss it, ill get a new one , maybe in a better steel :)
 
HalJordon said:
I disagree sir. I've owned several of both and find the Grip to be a much better EDC for me. In my opinion the ergonomics are better for me and the truly ambidextrous nature of the knife make it a better EDC. Additionally the Grip is more affordable in the aftermarket and it is available in more blade shapes (drop point, tanto, sheepsfoot, full flat grind) and more handle configurations (color, material). This is a huge argument that has been had many times. I wouldn't trade your PM2 though, I'd wait and pick up a used grip from the exchange then sell the one you like less.
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It's opinion, I too had many of both I like both. I have a Ritter on me now.
 
I m a big fan of both knives. But I must say I m surprised at how many responses express a preference for the Griptilian. As a hard work knife the Griptilian is hard to beat. For edc the Pm2 is my favorite.
 
Moved to general discussion
 
Ambidexterity is a good thing for the manufacturer but for most users it does not matter at all because most people are not ambidextrous. Same is true for the availability of multiple grinds of the same model. When you compare ONE pm2 with ONE griptilian, each has only one grind - it is not like that grip can change say from sheepfoot to drop point anytime you want.

I am not leaning to either. Just try to point out what matters when comparing two knives.
 
It's completely a personal preference. They are both very capable EDC blades, I've owned plenty of both and I prefer the PM2. That doesn't mean it's better, it just fits my hand and EDC needs better. If you're curious though give the BM a shot, if it doesn't work for you trade it for something else.
 
whp said:
I m a big fan of both knives. But I must say I m surprised at how many responses express a preference for the Griptilian. As a hard work knife the Griptilian is hard to beat. For edc the Pm2 is my favorite.
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It was in the Benchmade sub forum, had it started life in the Spyderco sub forum I'm sure it would have gone the other way.

sharp_edge said:
Ambidexterity is a good thing for the manufacturer but for most users it does not matter at all because most people are not ambidextrous. Same is true for the availability of multiple grinds of the same model. When you compare ONE pm2 with ONE griptilian, each has only one grind - it is not like that grip can change say from sheepfoot to drop point anytime you want.

I am not leaning to either. Just try to point out what matters when comparing two knives.
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I agree however, if you are working on something, a car or whatever sometimes you find yourself in a spot requiring you to close your knife with your non domenant hand. For instance, you are holding something in alignment with one hand and are finished with your knife and you need to close your knife and screw a bolt in.

Also, if you buy a PM2 you are getting G10 handles and the same FFG blade regardless of what blade steel and color handle you get. With a Grip you assess your needs up front then pick the best blade shape, blade steel and handle material (G10 or Nylon) for you. I'm only counting factory configurations here. It's nice to have options.

Both are great, don't get me wrong but for me the Grip fills a certain role better than the PM2 and that's why I kept it over the PM2. I'm just not the type to have a bunch of knives sitting around that fill the same role in my rotation. All comes down to preference.
 
Pm2 I believe is a better EDC. I've got both the Pm2 and the 551. The Pm2 gets carried, the 551 for the most part doesn't. The exception to that is if I'm camping or hiking. I prefer the Axis on the 551 over the Compression on the Spydie for "hard" use/camp chores. If you're just wanting a EDC general purpose knife I think it'd be hard to beat the Paramilitary 2, imo.
 
I have both & neither are my favorite knives. I've owned a gold class Grip and a few others. A Paramilitary 2 is incomparably better designed and built than a Griptilian. There is no aspect of any model Griptilian that outshines or out performs a Paramilitary 2. Sure, either model may not work for some folks but generally speaking the Grip is way behind the Para 2. A Native 5 Lightweight is a better knife to compare a Grip to. Still... The N5LW is the clear winner.


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I prefer the full flat grind of the pm 2 for edc but love playing with the axis lock on the benchmade and find it to be stronger to beat on for harder tasked

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Both

I bought the Grip in Ritter / M390 and it blew my Manix out of the water in every way.
THEN
I bought the Para 2 with S30V and found the steel MUCH better than I heard / thought it was going to be
Blew my Manix out of the water and out of my pocket.
I won't ever get rid of either one.

Both TOTALLY worth the money
 
most people are not ambidextrous.
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You / they / we
are as ambidextrous as we choose to be. I am "right handed". I use a knife in either hand. I learned to hammer and use a hand file in either hand.
After learning that and some Tai Chi
I catch things that roll off a table and are falling to the floor with my left hand without thinking almost every time.

I would certainly not call my self ambidextrous but I have worked hard at it and it can be done.

Two things that will make HUGE strides in that direction :
1. Blacksmithing; hammering with your non dominate hand. Strike while the iron is hot as it were.
2. Tai Chi. Don't laugh. It WORKS big time toward becoming ambidextrous. It rewires your brain. It is no joke.
All those old farts doing Tai Chi in the park moving as slow as hands on a clock . . . yah . . . they could probably pick your pocket with their NON-dominate hand.
 
I was inspired to find out why my Manix is so uninspiring while it is in the actual cut . . . why the Ritter Grip just feels like I could use it and smile all day and why the Para 2 is great but not quite as good cutting as the Grip. The facts line up down the line :

Manix behind the edge = .7mm to .77mm (~ .028 inch) :thumbdn:

Ritter Griptillian behind the edge = .4mm (.016 inch) :thumbup:

Paramilitary 2 behind the edge = .6mm (.024 inch) :yawn:
 
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