Spyderco Para-Military or the Benchmade Ritter Griptillian

Joined
Nov 22, 2001
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1,106
Gentlemen

If you had to chose one, which one would it be. These are 2 great knives. I lean towards the Para-Military because I am fond of the G 10 handles but to each his own!

:jerkit:
 
Ummm---PARA MILITARY!! You listen to Moonwilson. The P-Mil. is my EDC and for 6 months, it's been the only folder I'll carry.
 
Both;)
They are both great knives, but you could just get a regular Grip for alot less, 154cm is plenty for edc. The Grips feel like they would take more abuse/harder work that the Para Millie would (the para has a very fine tip), so I guess it would depend on what you are going to cut with it.
 
I'd own a military if it werent for the exposed liner lock, if the blade twists a bit in your hand you'll inadvertently disengage the lock. Personally I'd go with a manix.
 
PARA! I have a mini grip by ritter and like it a lot but I would wait another month and get the D2 in foliage green para. The lock is diffently right up there with the axis lock. (Compression locks are my favorite by spyderco)
 
If you do not have any axis lock knives then get the Ritter Grip. The Axis lock is my favorite lock out there and ever knife nut and knife user should have one. If you do have any axis knives then go with the Para. I love my Paramilitary and think it's just about perfect. IMO the only way to make the knife better would be to add in an axis lock. I like the compression lock and have never had any issues with it, but prefer the axis myself.

Taking locks out of the picture - the Para is a much better slicer, has slighty better ergos (for me), and I like the G10 texturing over the checkered FRN on the Ritter. The Ritter blade shape is much more robust, but I've yet to break the tip off the Para and I've used it pretty hard.
 
I would be inclined to the Para , beter ergos , better cutter . The compression lock is very strong , on a par with the Axis . Plus I like G10 in a user , deffinatly better if you are considering possible SD use .

Chris
 
Its very close....I have to say Griptillian ... But the model 551.... It seems like a more utility based blade... I have owned many para's and never end up keeping them... The para design was almost perfect for me... Just a tad too small ...... But definitively my favorite spyderco...
 
I'd own a military if it werent for the exposed liner lock, if the blade twists a bit in your hand you'll inadvertently disengage the lock. Personally I'd go with a manix.

The Paramilitary has a compresion lock not a liner lock. I have used mine quite a bit and have never felt the lock bar move under any sort of grip.

Bruceter
 
Paramilitary. It's tough, sturdy, and extremely reliable. Also, I like the design of the Para much more than the Grips.
 
The para is my favorite spyderco. I carry it more than anything else. The G10 is great, and it's nice and light with a killer blade. The lock is known sometimes to get a little blade play, but nothing worth talking about.

I sold my grip, because the para was always in my pocket :D
 
I went with the Ritter Grip, and have not been disappointed. Very good knife! :thumbup:
 
:thumbup:
I got a para, after hearing some hype (quite like this) and it is definitely my favorite edc, Blade isn't intimidating, and the handle is sized perfect, plenty of room for large hands, and gives the user the ability to apply pressure (if need be) without having to worry about the knife slipping out.
I really wish they would give us some peel ply carbon fiber handles. The compression lock is just awesome, a framelock/compression lock would be interesting to see
 
:thumbup:
I got a para, after hearing some hype (quite like this) and it is definitely my favorite edc, Blade isn't intimidating, and the handle is sized perfect, plenty of room for large hands, and gives the user the ability to apply pressure (if need be) without having to worry about the knife slipping out.
I really wish they would give us some peel ply carbon fiber handles. The compression lock is just awesome, a framelock/compression lock would be interesting to see

I second this suggestion as I've been since I first got my Para. I'd love to see a peel ply CF version with a Ti frame/compression lock.
 
For overall Utility and EDC, as of now I'd say the 551 grip in D2. If the Para-Military is anything like the Military, then I'd go for that. The Ritter grip has a nice belly for slicing, but I prefer the lower point of the 551 grip for tasks that I use it for.

Edit: sorry guys, wrong info :o. all gone.

P.S. I'd stick with my Military anyday :D.
 
I would go for the Para-Military. The Griptillian has a hollow plastic feel to the handle and makes an awkward -clunk- when it closes. It just feels cheap even though it definitely should not. The Para overall is just...tougher, with a thicker blade, stronger finish, and a much closer fit to the materials. It just works.
 
I have a Para and a mini-Ritter. The Para gets carried much more often. It has better ergonomics, grippy G10, and I like the compression lock better than the axis lock. Of all my knives, it is the easiest for me to open and close with one hand. I don't have a full-size griptilian, but my friend does and I play with it occasionally. I prefer the Para.
 
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