spyderco Paramilitary 2 vs Benchmade 556 mini griptilion

J

j.man

Joined
May 1, 2012
Messages
67
Hi just wondering which is the better knife for the money (spyderco Paramilitary 2 or Benchmade 556 mini griptilion). What do and dont you like about the two?
 
"Better" is too broad of a term when comparing 2 different yet very capable knives. The majority will swing to the Para 2 due to the size, G10 scales, steel and a couple other reasons. The axis lock on the mini is a great and fun lock without question. The blade shape/length and lock make the grip a good choice for an EDC as well.

Keep in mind that a mini from the right dealer can be had for around $60 and the P2 will generally run right around $100 so $40 can be a big difference for a lot of folks. If those $40 is not a big concern and I could only pick one it would be the Para. I do like and have both and always have in one variant or another. You are not going to make a mistake either way.
 
Both are GREAT knives but very different. I carry a Ritter mini grip as often as I do my para2, just in different roles or situations. I don't think you'll find a better general purpose utility knife than the para2, and I believe the mini grip (a Ritter with custom scales in my case) is one of the best edc knife (platforms around. Truthfully this is a scenario where you just have to get both.:D
 
The MiniGrip carries much smaller in the pocket and has a much "heavier" blade profile, especially the tip. It is a much smaller knife overall, especially when closed, but if you compare cutting edge, it only gives up about a 1/4" to the PM2.

The Para is a better slicer, has a much larger handle (remember that bigger in the pocket?) which will be better IMO for prolonged heavy use, and a very pointy tip. When thinking about hard use, the Mini has the better blade, the PM2 the better handle. The handle on the Mini is fine for everyday use, but too small for hard use.

The Mini uses 154CM unless you get the Ritter version (which is a better slicer) that comes with S30V, like the PM2.

I've EDC'd the MiniGrip for well over 5 years now and nothing has been able to knock it out of my pocket. I have M-L hands and love the ergos, love the Axis lock and love the blade design. I also like that it gives me one of the best cutting edge to handle ratios I've seen. I recently got the M390 PM2 because I just had to see what all the fuss was about and it is a good knife. Great ergos, but really poor blade/handle ratio and the tip scares me a little for some of my EDC tasks (prying staples for example).

My main complaint (and the reason it didn't replace the Mini in my pocket, as much as I wanted it to) is that it just takes up too much room in my pocket. This is more of an issue depth-wise than width-wise (though it is wider, too). I can't move my keys around out of the way to get at my change, or my other keys, etc. I will look at ways to get some carry use out of the PM2, but year after year the MiniGrip has knocked all comers out of that right front pocket. It's just about perfect for me.
 
My preference is the Para 2. The handle is more ergonomic for me and I really like the G10. I especially like the compression lock as well. Of course again this is all personal preference.
 
Is the s30v a steel that could easly be sharpened On a lansky clamp system? The knife will be a knife that I will always have with me for fishing hunting camping and just to have a blade on me would the small size of the griptilian be able to perform well in these environments?
 
Last edited:
What they said. With that on the table, and as the owner of four Mini-Grips, I'd take the Para2 in .0005 of a heartbeat.
 
I have 5 Para 2's and one CPM-M4 Ritter full size grip, I prefer the Para 2 because...
- Prefer compression lock to Axis (axis is second favorite though)
- Prefer S30V to 154cm
- Prefer G10 to FRN
- Prefer FFG to Saber

Although a more fair comparison would be a Delica to a Mini Grip and then I bet opinions would be closer to 50/50, I'm not actually sure which I'd go with even between those two.
 
I think the standard no-frills Manix 2 is in the $80 range and has an S30V blade now (earlier runs were 154CM).
 
The Para2 is the better knife....FOR ME. I have both.
The Para2 is a longer, slimmer knife which carries so nicely with the pocket-clip. It is 0.450" wide and has a longer blade; IIRC about 3.3".
Blade-width is 0.135", narrowing of course as you approach the tip. It is available in a whole range of steels at various prices. The lock mechanism is a compression lock; very easy to deploy the blade and retract the blade again. Wonderful knife.

The Benchmade is 0.510 handle thickness with a 2.9" blade-length. Blade-width is 0.100". The blade-steel is 154cm although you can get better steels like D2 in that knife. It has an axis-lock which is an excellent lock.

These are both good, but very different, knives. One, the Spydie, is a regular or larger knife, which allows capability of just about any task you want to perform.
One (the BenchMade) is a small knife, perhaps good for EDC office worker so you don't intimidate your office associates.
Sonny
 
j.man said:
How to the two differens steels compare on the two?
Click to expand...

I like the 154cm found on the benchmade a lot but s30v is indubitably a better steel. s30v will hold an edge longer and will be a bit harder to sharpen. You'll have no problems sharpening either with a lansky. If you compare the handle to blade ratios of the knives you'll notice that the mini grip has a lot of blade for the size. I also find the blade shape of the grip to be better in an all around capacity. They're both great knives and if they were the same price i'd definitely go with the para 2.

Ful disclosure: I've never owned a paramili. I've handled them a lot and borrowed one for a couple days to get the feel of it but it's certainly possible i just haven't had enough time with it for me to fall in love.
 
It seems like the majority of the group prefers the para 2 how smooth does it open and close? How does the compression lock compare to the axis lock?
 
They are smooth and lock solid. Go on youtube and type "Spyderco Paramilitary 2" and see how it works. They are just great knives for $100. Not that there's anything wrong with the mini grip either.
 
The para 2 every time. Prefer the grind, the steel, handle material, fit and finish.

I honestly dont think its a fair comparison. Mini grip and grip vs delica and endura is more fair i think.
 
I have carried a mini-grip for the past 4 years, I have carried a Para 2 M390 for a couple of weeks now.

I will say that for the money the mini-grip is better, because it is so much cheaper. Standard knife vs. standard knife it is almost 2 to 1 price-wise. The standard Para 2 isn't all that expensive in theory, if you can find one.

Comparison points off the top of my head:
Size: the mini-grip is a lot shorter, shorter blade and shorter handle. The hole in the blade makes the Para 2 taller and takes up a lot more space in my pocket. The Para 2 length is not an issue in my pockets.
Blade: the standard Para 2 is better steel than the standard mini-grip, but the Para 2 is available with better steel and I have seen different versions of the mini-grip. Both blades are thin enough that they should be good slicers, the para 2 has a slightly keener point
Opening: the mini-grip was always easy for me to open, the Para 2 is even easier.
Lock: I don't mind the Para 2 compression lock but the mini-grip axis lock is the easiest lock so far for me to operate
Handle: I like the G10 of the Para 2 better. The mini-grip probably doesn't get as much respect because of its cheaper molded handles. The mini grip is a good handle shape but smaller than the Para 2.
Clip: the mini-grip is tip-up only, the Para 2 has lots of options
 
It might not be a fair comparison but I am looking for a knife that will fit nicely into my pocket and still have a longer blade. That is my ultimate goal is a knife that feels good in my pocket has a good grip a longer blade (3in or slightly bigger) is smooth to open and close and a secure lock.
Sounds like the para 2 fits my criteria pritty good thanks to everybody's help.
 
Look closely at the pictures and if possible, get one in your hand- the PM2 has a lot going for it, but not all that long a blade, especially not for the size of the knife. It does open smoothly and the compression lock is definitely solid.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top