Ritter Griptilian or normal 551 Griptilian?

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rainermh12

Joined
Jun 20, 2010
Messages
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Hey guys, I don't have much experience with griptilians (which to some of you might seem like a sin) but I have heard many many great things about them. So many, in fact, that I wanna buy one. But no, it doesnt stop there. Recently I've been hearing a lot about the Doug Ritter style griptilian, and again, it gets a lot of praise. What i want to know is which type of griptilian to buy: the ritter or the 551?
Thanks
 
They are both great, both made by benchmade. The only differences are the blade shape, blade steel, and the finish on the blade. You can't go wrong with either one.

-Freq
 
I have no experience with the Ritter grip but I have experience with the D2 and 154cm grips. I love my D2 grip, it sees more carry than my 154cm grip.
 
I've owned both and though I did like the 552 (Ritter), I can't justify the price difference. I'd personally go with the 551. The steel difference is negligible for most uses and unnoticeable for most people. There are quite a few people here that do see the value in paying the extra dough for the 552 however.

Here's a quick pic of them next to each other. This is a pretty old pic and I no longer own them so I don't have any other angles:

IMG_0004.jpg
 
rainermh12 said:
Hey guys, I don't have much experience with griptilians (which to some of you might seem like a sin)
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Say three hail Benchmades and 5 our axis locks and all will be forgiven! :)


It truly is hard to go wrong here, both are great knives. I personally prefer the Ritter versions, but it really is just a personal preference for the blade profile and the s30v steel, I can find no fault with a stock griptilian either.
 
Hey, Bear Claw, I know that you're a huge Grip fan. Can you compare the thicknesses of the blades on the three styles? The Ritter strikes me as a happy medium between the almost too thick 551 and the HG models.

If it helps, I've got a Buck Alpha Dorado, which is a 2.5" blade and boarders on the too thick side. Reminds me of the 551 style.

By the by, later this week, I'll be placing my order for the yellow Ritter mini. Just wish they had orange!
 
Bear Claw Chris Lappe said:
Say three hail Benchmades and 5 our axis locks and all will be forgiven! :)


It truly is hard to go wrong here, both are great knives. I personally prefer the Ritter versions, but it really is just a personal preference for the blade profile and the s30v steel, I can find no fault with a stock griptilian either.
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i keep hearing mixed opinions about s30v steel, some say it's sturdy and keeps an edge, and some say it chips easily and can't hold an edge.
What's your take on it? Is it better than 154cm or does it have problems like people say?
 
rainermh12 said:
i keep hearing mixed opinions about s30v steel, some say it's sturdy and keeps an edge, and some say it chips easily and can't hold an edge.
What's your take on it? Is it better than 154cm or does it have problems like people say?
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Like any other steel it depends on the heat treat.

Also remember that this the internet. So for every 1000 people happy with s30v, you'll only hear that 1 guy not happy with it.
 
You will find that S30V steel can take a fantastic polished edge that is easy to maintain with periodic stropping. Chipping? I have only experienced chipping once, on a factory edge, which with a couple of sharpenings, disappeared and never returned.

As for the Ritter vs. the 551, I have both and usually carry the Ritter. I like the greater depth on the Ritter blade as well as the S30V steel which has great wear resistance. Of course in the end I bought both. :)
 
I prefer the Ritter version, better slicer, better cutter, better blade shape...For me. 154cm vs s30v is another topic, but the blade shape of the Ritter-Grip is far better in my opinion.
 
I know the differences between the two (my vote is for the Ritter grip, btw), but what's the story behind the two knives. I would have assumed the Ritter grip came first, and it was a collaboration between Doug Ritter and Mel Pardue, but that doesn't explain how they were able to use the axis lock. maybe a Benchmade historian can explain this one.
 
I have never used the Ritter but my son and I both have the 551. In five years of heavy use, hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, etc., they have never failed. The 154 cm blade steel and axis lock have performed well. No issues or disappointments.
 
Dragon_Man said:
I have never used the Ritter but my son and I both have the 551. In five years of heavy use, hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, etc., they have never failed. The 154 cm blade steel and axis lock have performed well. No issues or disappointments.
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And that pretty well sums up my experience with all my Grips. Just as an FYI showing how tough they are, here ia a link to Ankerson's destruction video. Simply amazing.
 
I think the 551 with D2 is a great knife to have if you want edge retention above corrosion resistance. 154CM is a great steel and in my uses I have found it to be a good all around steel. S30V is one of my favorites, but for the price I would go with D2 just because I dont mind rust that much.
 
Chewy1 said:
Hey, Bear Claw, I know that you're a huge Grip fan. Can you compare the thicknesses of the blades on the three styles? The Ritter strikes me as a happy medium between the almost too thick 551 and the HG models.
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Sorry it took so long to get back to you, I don't see any noticeable difference in thickness between a Ritter, a Cabelas D2 or a stock 154cm grip.
 
rainermh12 said:
i keep hearing mixed opinions about s30v steel, some say it's sturdy and keeps an edge, and some say it chips easily and can't hold an edge.
What's your take on it? Is it better than 154cm or does it have problems like people say?
Click to expand...

I've not experienced any problems with any of my Ritters. (4)

Benchmades s30v seems fine and holds an edge REALLY well in my experience.
 
My personal preference would be the standard version 551 Griptilian. I have never been a fan of the Ritter Grip blade shape.
 
Bear Claw Chris Lappe said:
Sorry it took so long to get back to you, I don't see any noticeable difference in thickness between a Ritter, a Cabelas D2 or a stock 154cm grip.
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Aw, Bear Claw, you just gone and messed with my mind! I'm a very light user of knives and I had convinced myself that the Ritter was the way to go because it was a happy medium in thickness. But if it's not, then what does the Ritter grind gain over the D2 or the 154CM that isn't hollow grind? It's taller, but so what?
 
Chewy1 said:
Aw, Bear Claw, you just gone and messed with my mind! I'm a very light user of knives and I had convinced myself that the Ritter was the way to go because it was a happy medium in thickness. But if it's not, then what does the Ritter grind gain over the D2 or the 154CM that isn't hollow grind? It's taller, but so what?
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Well that could depend. If you're talking about edge thickness and he's talking about thickness starting at the spine, those are two different things. I think saber hollow grinds are generally thinner at the edge compared to flat saber grinds, no? So the 550HG might be thinner at the edge compared to the Ritter.

But as far as the spine thickness goes (and overall thickness of the knife), I'm pretty sure they're the same.
 
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