REAL Benchmade nerds...Griptillian info

J_Curd

J_Curd

Joined
Jul 26, 2006
Messages
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I need a clear and concise breakdown of the Doug Ritter, Mini-Grip, and Griptillian models...I have seen a ton of variations, and as such, as many different monikers for the unique options.

I would gladly appreciate a list of:

Maker - Ritter or Benchmade
Model
Size (small or large)
Steel (154CM, S30V, M4...what else?)
Handle (Ive seen metal and polymer)
Opening mechanism (stud or oval)

I want to purchase one of these knives, but there are so many options its confusing to figure out whats available, affordable, etc...

Pictures would be outstanding.

Thanks to anyone who edjumicates me :D
 
You just opened a big can-o-worms, lol. I will add one:
Cabelas has a D2 variant AND they have the Olive handle and black PLAIN EDGE blade
 
The nicest ones (imho) are the ritter satin blades with the wilkinson handles. Not a cheap option (looking at 110 for the ritter, then 150-200 for the handles).

stolen from knives.cx; this one is 275

RitterGrip3.JPG


the cabellas in D2 looks pretty cool too:

s7_516109_999_02
 
Take a look at this thread, lots of info in there. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=647736

Ritter Versions: (currently for sale)
http://www.aeromedix.com/category-exec/parent_id/14/category_id/151/nm/Doug_Ritter_RSK_Knives

Benchmade versions:
A whole, whole lot.

This isn't going to make your decision any easier, but to be perfectly honest, you can't go wrong. I just took delivery of a full sized Doug Ritter RSK MK1 and for all the variations out there, i don't see how it can get any better than this. As far as handles go, cuscadi.de and knives.cx sell scales for the large and small grips. we don't really know how to help you decide without knowing what kind of user you are. Are you hard on your knives? what kind of size requirements or desires do you have? Go to a store like REI or a knife shop and play with them.
 
J_Curd said:
I need a clear and concise breakdown of the Doug Ritter, Mini-Grip, and Griptillian models...I have seen a ton of variations, and as such, as many different monikers for the unique options.

I would gladly appreciate a list of:

Maker - Ritter or Benchmade
Model
Size (small or large)
Steel (154CM, S30V, M4...what else?)
Handle (Ive seen metal and polymer)
Opening mechanism (stud or oval)

I want to purchase one of these knives, but there are so many options its confusing to figure out whats available, affordable, etc...

Pictures would be outstanding.

Thanks to anyone who edjumicates me :D
Click to expand...

My IMO: Full size ritter grip. S30V, utilitarian blade shape

I had a Cabelas D2 Grip for a while, they were nice too.
If you can EVER find an M2 ritter at a good price, spring for it!

There is always an abdundance of 154cm Grips on the exchange as well if you want to keep the price down.

Grips aren't my thing, not a fan of the handles, but thats where the wilkinson scales come into play if youre willing to drop the cash.

Me? I'll just stick to my BMs with g10 scales, my M4 710, 950 Rift, and 32 are always rotating as my EDC.
 
Im leaning towards the full size in 154CM with a utilitarian blade. Used would be just fine.

Im still lost on who makes what, and why Mel Pardues name is on the knife as well...seems like quite the confusing model.
 
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Benchmade manufactures all of them. Mel Pardue created the handle shape and blade of the original model. It uses the axis lock that was created by McHenry and Williams. Doug Ritter only designed the blade shape on the Ritter edition. They are all made by Benchmade. So on the Ritter Grip: Blade designed by Doug Ritter. Handle designed by Pardue. Manufactured by Benchmade.

So yeah, when you buy a Griptilian you're getting a product with a lot of names attached to it.
 
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Well, concerning that list that you requested, it would go something along the lines of:

Maker: Benchmade
Designers: Mel Pardue, Doug Ritter
Sizes: Large (3.4" blade), small (2.9" blade)
Blade styles: Drop point, wide chord drop point, saber grind sheepsfoot, hollow grind sheepsfoot, tanto
Opening mechanism: Thumb stud, oval hole, round hole
Blade steels: 440C, 154CM, S30V, D2, M2
Blade options: satin plain edge, satin partially serrated, black coated plain edge, black coated partially serrated
Handle materials: Noryl GTX, color valox
Handle colors: Black, olive drab, desert sand, camo, orange, yellow, purple, green, blue

And that's only stock options - doesn't include any of the aftermarket customizations you can get (such as the Wilkins scales made of G10, titanium, etc.). Also, I may have forgotten a few options, but I think I covered at least all the most common options.

As for actually finding the right knife, I'd start with picking a size, then a blade style or opening mechanism (whichever is more important to you), then a handle color, then, if applicable, a blade steel. Don't worry about who designed what - think more about the features of the knife, and whatever price range is acceptable to you.

Not to make this post longer, but in case it's helpful in figuring out which models are what, here are some configurations that should be pretty easy to find (also, you could add "SBK" to pretty much any of these model numbers for black coated, partially serrated blades, which would be equally easy to find):

550HG - Black handle, 3.4" 154CM hollow ground sheepsfoot blade, round hole opener, ~$65

551 - Black handle, 3.4" 154CM drop point blade, thumb studs, ~$65

552 (AKA, "Ritter Grip") - Black handle, 3.4" S30V wide chord drop point blade, thumb studs, ~$115

553 - Black handle, 3.4" 154CM tanto blade, thumb studs, ~$65

555HG-YEL - Yellow handle, 2.9" 154CM hollow ground sheepsfoot blade, round hole opener, ~$57

556 - Black handle, 2.9" 154CM drop point blade, thumb studs, ~$57

558 (AKA, "Mini Ritter Grip") - Black handle, 2.9" S30V wide chord drop point blade, thumb studs, ~$105
 
elmora2, awesome list, thank you very much.

Color me boring, but I think the 551 might be the right fit....how much does the D2 version sell for?
 
I just got this one..
The S30V is amazing the the edge is ground pretty thin.. So it cuts amazing... But has held up with cutting hard woods and even hard plastic. and just keeps shaving.
The axis lock is just better IMO than the ball lock and other similar knives.
The Orange handle is from wilkins.. Even the standard handle is fine.. and durable as all heck..
The full size is perfect for EDC
RitterGrip3.JPG
 
Spring for the H2O, I bought one secondhand but NIB and I like it a lot. Fully waterproof, orange handle if you're into that (I am), and it has a polished clip that I like a lot better than the black clip on the regular Grips that gets scratched easily.
If you live in a humid environment or just want a waterproof knife and Spydercos aren't your thing, it's a sweet knife.
Plus the axis lock which is beyond cool.
 
p_mcmanis said:
The nicest ones (imho) are the ritter satin blades with the wilkinson handles. Not a cheap option (looking at 110 for the ritter, then 150-200 for the handles).

stolen from knives.cx; this one is 275

RitterGrip3.JPG


the cabellas in D2 looks pretty cool too:

s7_516109_999_02
Click to expand...

Save a few more dollars and get a Seb off that price! :eek:

That one does sure look sexy though.
 
I've owned and used just about all the Mini-Grip variations:

Cabela's D2
Doug Ritter S30V
557 (Americanized) Tanto blade version
556 Mod "Clip Point" version (really seems more of a spear point to me)
550HG Sheepsfoot with hole opener

Out of all of them, the 550HG is my favorite to use. I use the 556 as a work beater, but when I'm EDC'ing a Mini Grip, it's the sheepsfoot version. In fact, I'm still waiting for a pair of the new clear green G-11 Wilkins handles with the lanyard hole for it... :D

A_Blade_Afficionado said:
Spring for the H2O, I bought one secondhand but NIB and I like it a lot. Fully waterproof, orange handle if you're into that (I am), and it has a polished clip that I like a lot better than the black clip on the regular Grips that gets scratched easily.
If you live in a humid environment or just want a waterproof knife and Spydercos aren't your thing, it's a sweet knife.
Plus the axis lock which is beyond cool.
Click to expand...

img9394m.jpg


Or you could always polish that black clip. It'll probably end up scratched up again, like mine, but I like it better than black paint with chips.
 
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i just got a mini ritter in m4. its on its way now :D. i wanna get some wilkins grips soo bad but its hard for me to justify the 140 for them. at that 140(plus s+h) plus the knife (150)id have close to 300 in it, and for that i feel like i would rather have gotten a small sebenza. but who am i kidding. eventually im going to get some pale green or g11 wilkins grips for it, and it will be one bad knife.
 
This could probably be better organized but here's my Griptilian info'.

Benchmade Griptilian History
Designed by Mel Pardue.

Basic Specs: 550, 551 & 553 Models.
Closed: 4.62".
Open: 8.07".
Blade: 3.45".
Weight: 3.25oz.

Basic Specs: 555, 556 & 557 Models.
Closed: 3.87".
Open: 6.78".
Blade: 2.91".
Weight: 2.56oz.



2001
Prototype debuts at SHOT in GIN-1 steel.

2001 Introductions:
550 in 440C
551 in 440C
RealTree Camouflage handled versions released.

2002 Introductions:
555 Black, Green and Purple in 440C.
556 Black, Green and Purple in 440C.

2003 Introductions:
550 in Olive Drab.
551 in Olive Drab.
555 in Olive Drab, Blue, Yellow.
556 in Olive Drab, Blue, Yellow.

Cabelas Exclusives:
551 with D2 steel and black or Olive Drab handles.
556 with D2 steel and black or Olive Drab handles.

2004 Introductions:
551 in Skyline Camoflauge.
550 in Shyline Camoflauge.
551/5W Rescue Hook.
550/5w Rescue Hook.
552 Doug Ritter RSK-1 released in s30v.
558 Doug Ritter Mini RSK-1 released in s30v.

2004 Discontinued:
555 in Green
556 in Green.
Real Tree Camoflauge handles discontinued.

2005 Introductions:
553 with Tanto blade.
557 with Tanto blade.
Sand color handles introduced.

2005 Discontinued:
555 in Green and Purple.
556 in Green and Purple.

2006 Introductions.
154CM steel for all models.
553 with Sand handles.
557 with Sand handles.
Limited Edition Gray handled Griptilians released.
151 & 151SBK Fixed blade Griptilians.
BWGF5 Blackwater Gear variation released.
552 Doug Ritter RSK-1 in M2 Limited Edition.
558 Doug Ritter Mini-RSK-1 M2 Limited Edition.
552BT 1-500 limited editions for Doug Ritter.

2006 Discontinued:
440C steel for all models.
551/5W Rescue Hook.
550/5w Rescue Hook.

2007 Introductions:
550HG Hollow Ground, Round Hole Models.
555HG Hollow Ground, Round Hole Models.

2007 Discontinued:
550 Saber Ground, Oval Hole Models.
555 Saber Ground, Oval Hole Models.

2008
558PNK Doug Ritter Mini-RSK Pink Valentine's Day Edition released.

2009 Introductions
551ORG Blaze Orange model released.
551H20 with corrosion resistant X15 T.N stainless steel appears mid-year.
551SBKSN-1 NRA Logo Laser Etch Blade, s30v, sand handles introduced.
556SBKSN-1 NRA Logo Laser Etch Blade, s30v, sand handles introduced.
Orange handles on Ritter RSK-1 552.
Parkerized pocket clips on RItter RSK knives begins.
BT and BK coated Axis assemblies appear?
Ritter RSK's in CPM M4 steel 240 piece limited run introduced for early 2010

2009 Discontinued:
Skyline camo discontinued.
D2 versions removed from the Cabelas website.

2010 Introductions
551-101 Griptilian with CPM-M4 steel and carbon fiber handles



Model Number Guide.
550 Full size, Saber ground blade and oval thumb hole.
550HG Full size, hollow ground blade and round thumb hole.
550T Red handled, dull trainer model.
551 Full size, drop point blade and thumb studs.
551T Red handled, dull trainer model.
552 Doug Ritter RSK-1 Mk1 Full size.
553 Full size, Tanto point blade and thumb studs.
555 Mini-Grip, Saber ground blade and oval thumb hole.
555HG Mini-Grip, hollow ground blade and round thumb hole.
556 Mini-Grip, drop point blade and thumb studs.
553 Mini-Grip, Tanto point blade and thumb studs.
558 Doug Ritter Mini-RSK-1.





Blade variation guide.
S Partially serrated/ComboEdge.
BK Black matte coating.
BT Black Xilan based coating.
D2 D2 tool steel used in Cabelas exclusive Griptilians.
s30v s30v stainless used in Ritter RSK exclusives and NRA logo Exclusives.





Handle variation guide.
SL Skyline Camouflage.
RT Real Tree Camouflage.
SN Sand (desert) color.
OD Olice Drab.
BLU Blue.
YEL Yellow.
GRN Green.
PUR Purple.
PNK Pink.
GY Grey.
ORG Orange.





Blade Style Guide.
550 & 555 models are Sheepsfoot with oval hole and Saber grind (discontinued in 2007).
550 & 555 "HG" models are Sheepsfoot with round hole and hollow grind (introduced in 2008).
551 & 556 models are modified Drop Point.
552 & 558 models are Doug Ritter designed blades in s30v.
553 & 557 models are Tanto Point.





Steel History for stock models.
2001-2006 440C
2006-???? 154CM
 
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