Spyderco Paramilitary 2 vs Doug Ritter Griptilian

Spyder328

Spyder328

Joined
Feb 12, 2012
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So I've been looking for a higher end EDC for under $100, then I found the Doug Ritter Griptilian. So, I raised my limit up a little :D I think it looks awesome and from what I know I can't go wrong with it. I originally wanted a Manix 2 XL but I really didn't like how you can't tighten the pivot. I have always liked the look of the Para 2 and everyone seems to love it. So my question is, which one is tougher? Which one has the thicker blade and tip? What is the better over all buy? I would also be carrying it as a self defense blade, so which would be better at that role as well?
 
I've owned both. The Ritter had a thinner edge but IIRC did not have the distal taper that the Grip had so toughness is a crap shoot depending on the type of cutting I guess. The big difference in the two is the lock and the scales.

The PM2 is thinner so take that into consideration for carry. The Grip was fine for me to carry but some people hate the thickness of them when in the pocket. On the flip side the Ritter Grip is MUCH more comfy when doing power cuts. The thin scales combined with the lock position on the PM2 are not all that great for power cuts.

As for the locks they're both good. I'd personally like to see the PM2 with a nested liner lock setup like the military as I find that much easier to disengage. There's actually a thread in the Spyderco area asking how to close the PM2 so I'm not alone in that regard. You have to move your hand to an odd position to close it. The Axis lock is easier to close by a wide margin for me.

To sum up. Both good get either. Or both. ;)
 
Topcatpt said:
I'm pretty sure you can adjust the pivot on the manix2
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From what I know, it was designed so you can tighten the pivot all the way and it will be just right, but if it gets lose, you can't tighten it anymore then what it already was.

I mainly want to know which one can take a beating and be used hard if need be. I like knives with thicker blades and tips for that resin.
 
axis locks didn't grow on me, so I'd skip the Grip. Not that I hated it, but it just not my thing. The Grip itself is a very nice knife, I really like how smooth it is, feels great in hands in any position. 154CM is a great performer too. I know Axis lock is strong but I would like a "clack" sound when I flick my folders open...

but I hear PM2 is rare today.
 
I love the blade profile of the Millie and para, absolutely perfect "do it all" design. the para will also carry like a much smaller knife in pocket.

I don't personally care for either lock. and self defense is a crap shoot question and in the heat of the moment you would never notice a difference between two similar knives you are comfortable with.

the grip does nothing for me, so I'd vote para. but the para loses out to the Millie by a long shot :p
 
I owned both (full size grip, not the ritter), and kept the PM2.
PM2 is maybe my favorite all time folder. The grip is nice, GREAT
lock, best I've tried. Scales just feel cheap. PM2 is the perfect size
and thickness, carries really well, maybe not as good as the grip
for extended heavy use, but for that I'd take a FB. SD is a toss
up, but the grip deploys a bit faster,
 
I was able to tighten my XL Manix whenever it became loose (which was almost never).

I personally think the Manix 2 and Manix XL are some of the best blades for the buck.

The Doug Ritter on the other hand is an amazing knife and it allows for a lot of upgrade potential. And of coarse the Pm2 is a favorite among most.

All of you're choices are great, I think you like whatever you end up choosing.
 
SpringAssisted said:
I mainly want to know which one can take a beating and be used hard if need be. I like knives with thicker blades and tips for that resin.
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I don't feel that either of these knives would be what you want then. They're built to cut not to be "used hard." The PM2 has a very pronounced distal taper which makes it nice and thin for cutting but too thin for anything else. And the Ritter has the thinnest edge I've ever seen from a factory which can make it delicate. If you have the idea of prying or what have you in mind then skip em. The tip on the PM2 will break and the edge on the Ritter will chip out.
 
I wouldnt "beat" either knife but in my own terms I think of hard use being any application that requires a large amount of force to cut (a lot of arm strength or body weight behind it and generally more of a push cut). In a lot of those cases you will have a fist grip on the handle and I find the stability of the contoured handles on the grip better than the flat ones on the pm2. Of course the handle material FEELS cheaper on the grip due to the light weight, but its tough stuff. Personally I own a ritter mini grip and I'm replacing the scales but I dont think its something you need to do at all. In fact I wouldnt buy the scales myself I only requested them as a birthday present because I couldnt see myself spending an extra $100 on them.
 
I should add that they both slice great, the ritter is definitely a step up from the normal grip both in that category and in tip strength thanks to the widened chord
 
SpringAssisted said:
From what I know, it was designed so you can tighten the pivot all the way and it will be just right, but if it gets lose, you can't tighten it anymore then what it already was.

I mainly want to know which one can take a beating and be used hard if need be. I like knives with thicker blades and tips for that resin.
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I will test this at home. My Manix 2 came new out of the box with side to side blade play from improper assembly.
I know when a knife loosens up it usually means something shifted out of place.
Re-assembly could correct this.
 
The Manix 2 XL can be adjusted.
As can the Manix 2.

Ritter Grip or Para 2?
Para 2, I like the lock better, it's easy for me, comfortable in the hand, carries nice, slices very well, can handle just about anything, G-10 over the Noryl handles, it's a winner for me.
 
I would prefer the Ritter Grip if it came with Micarta, or G-10 scales. I love the blade design, but hate those scales.
If you add custom scales to the price of the Ritter it gets pretty expensive.

I would go with a Para 2 for that reason, but thats just me.
 
Shotgun said:
I don't feel that either of these knives would be what you want then. They're built to cut not to be "used hard." The PM2 has a very pronounced distal taper which makes it nice and thin for cutting but too thin for anything else. And the Ritter has the thinnest edge I've ever seen from a factory which can make it delicate. If you have the idea of prying or what have you in mind then skip em. The tip on the PM2 will break and the edge on the Ritter will chip out.
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Anthe said:
I wouldnt "beat" either knife but in my own terms I think of hard use being any application that requires a large amount of force to cut (a lot of arm strength or body weight behind it and generally more of a push cut).
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I mean, I wouldn't miss use it, I would just want it to be able to handle hard use if it is the only thing I have with me and I need to use it harder. It wouldn't happen really, but it would just be nice to know I can rely on it.

Thanks for all the replies. I am still stuck. I can't decide. I can get either one for the same price. So it makes it even harder :p I just keep wondering if the Axis lock is stronger then the compression lock.
 
Think about a spyderco gayle bradley? Good hard use folder great steel F & F are sweet , i do like the pm2 great blad profile makes for a great slicer
 
SpringAssisted said:
I mean, I wouldn't miss use it, I would just want it to be able to handle hard use if it is the only thing I have with me and I need to use it harder. It wouldn't happen really, but it would just be nice to know I can rely on it.

Thanks for all the replies. I am still stuck. I can't decide. I can get either one for the same price. So it makes it even harder :p I just keep wondering if the Axis lock is stronger then the compression lock.
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I would choose AXIS over any locking system.
 
both make a fine "hard use knife" however when some people say hard use they actually mean they want a "stupid use knife"
big difference.
 
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