Ritter Griptilian or normal 551 Griptilian?

[Chewy1]

Good point. Still can't decide, though.

 

[Steven Andrews]

..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.

The original knives, 551 and 550, are Mel Pardue designs and were first released in 440C steel, but later available in 154CM, D2(551/556), S30V(NRA 551/556), CPM-M4(551) and X15TN (551) !

Later Doug Ritter designed a new style of blade in S30V (knife designated 552 RSK Mk1), though the handle is the same as the original knives'.
There were also limited editions RSKs in M2 High Speed and CPM-M4.

 

[J_Roc]

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?

My Ritter came with a really thin factory edge, super sharp, but thin; so mine did chip a little. I reprofiled the edge and have not had any issues since (been years now). I did have a D2 Grip, but sold that, and kept the Ritter.

Hope that helps...

 

[JD Mandrell]

I was measuring at the spine if that helps.

The 550HG's (especially the plain edge ones) are also wicked slicers!!

 

[JD Mandrell]

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.

Stock Griptilians came out in 2001, the Ritter RSK versions in 2004.

 

[Steven Andrews]

A couple of pics:





The uncoated arrow style clip doesn't come as standard on a 552 RSK. I swapped it over from another Benchmade.