Spyderco Paramilitary or Benchmade Griptillian for edc?

If only I could get a PM2 blade in a Grip handle... But given that the Grip blade is decent in a superb handle and the Spyderco blade is superb in an awful handle... Grip on average.
 
The pm2 is my favorite edc knife. The Griptilian is my favorite work knife.
Get both.
 
Benchmade's composite (Noryl GTX) handle scales won't fail. Many don't like their feel, but they are very tough and capable for a wide range of environments. On a true worker knife where personal preference and aesthetics don't count, I'd take Benchmade's Noryl or Spyderco's FRN over most other materials that I know about.

Either knife will serve you well. The Para 2 is a simpler design (no springs) and in my tiny mind that makes it more suitable to a wide range of applications and environments. It has also proven to be a bit easier for me to keep clean because of the open construction. I have not found the tips on my Paras and Millies to be a weak point in everyday use. All of mine, going back to the days of "dino-jimping", still have their original tips and they have all been carried and used.

I prefer the Paras over the Grips, but that's a personal preference. As I said, either knife should work well as an EDC carry for you.
 
My EDC is a Serrated Endura, both are good but the PM2 stands above the BM in all categories for an EDC. Just MHO.
 
I'd say it kinda depends. If you're gonna do a lot of beating on the knife (tip and edge), the grip will handle it better. If you're more interested in spectacular ergos and a knife's slicing ability - PM2 is the shiz man. Seriously I go get the PM2 when I need to do food prep in the kitchen. That knife is like a laser beam. The pocket clip on the grip is smaller and more discrete, as is the mini grip blade. If you're around sheeple a lot, the PM2 can be a little spooky zooming out.

Everyone's said it, but it's true: they're both great knives. The PM2 is just kinda special. You have to carry one for a bit to understand it.
 
I have zero experience with Spiderco and have been in love with Benchmade since I bought my 710 way back when the Axis lock was a new things so I'm biased. I have a mini grip and it's been a great knife. I presume the full sized is just as good. The handle does feel low end compared to the G10 knives I own but it's held up for years (my mini grip has deployed for about 2 years in desert environments and survived countless encounters with MRE packages).

If I was shopping for a griptillian, I'd personally look at the Doug Ritter version you can get from Knifeworks. It's a bit over budget but I really like the M390 that it comes in, to the point that I recently ordered a Ritter mini grip. You can also find quite a few cool custom scales if you do decide at some point that you don't like the scales it comes with. G10, Aluminum, Titanium, etc are all out there if you decide to upgrade.

I don't have any grounds to recommend a grip over the PM2 since I've never handled one but I can say that I've owned the baby brother mini grip for quite a while and put it through some real use in less than ideal environments and it's taken good care of me. I'd never hesitate to carry another. I will say that I have handled liner lock and frame lock knives and the axis lock remains my favorite so for that reason, I think I've never strayed far from the BM camp.
 
Can't go wrong with either but I personally pick para 2. I love mine light and very strong compression lock is awesome.
 
Personally I prefer the PM2 because of price. How you may say? It's because I like the PM2 the way it comes, maybe a mod for a deeper carry clip. However, in order for me to get the BM Grip the way I like, I have to do the following:
- Buy a Ritter grip for blade profile and better steel options
- Buy custom grip (e.g. Wilkins)
- Assemble

By the time I get the BM Grip the way I like it, I can buy two PM2, and I still like the ergonomics, blade shape, and lock better on the PM2. I love axis locks, but the fact that the PM2 doesn't require the omega springs is a nice feature.

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Da Vinci
 
buckle2600 said:
Personally I prefer the PM2 because of price. How you may say? It's because I like the PM2 the way it comes, maybe a mod for a deeper carry clip. However, in order for me to get the BM Grip the way I like, I have to do the following:
- Buy a Ritter grip for blade profile and better steel options
- Buy custom grip (e.g. Wilkins)
- Assemble

By the time I get the BM Grip the way I like it, I can buy two PM2, and I still like the ergonomics, blade shape, and lock better on the PM2. I love axis locks, but the fact that the PM2 doesn't require the omega springs is a nice feature.

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Da Vinci
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Spot on exactly. Ritter Griptillian is a great blade, but that handle material is just not for me. If I swap for full G10 scales or something custom from Cuscadi, you're up to probably $250 or close to it. For that price, I can get two PM2s with the same blade steel and handle type.

That said, I bought both, PM2 and Ritter Grip. I carry the PM2 daily, the Grip just doesn't see any use or pocket time.
 
I think you need to get both in your hand and see which one feels better to you. They are both great knives and will get the job done for you. The BM handle should not be a concern. But there is a reason the paramilitary is the most popular knife on the forum
 
skip both and get a used ZT for $100. I like the Manix over para's myself and believe their cheaper. Also don't care for factory Grip scales though their durable and light. Been through alot of Paras and got rid of all of them. If you dont plan on ever light prying or stabbing into things its a good knife. Manix G10 is a more durable knife ImO. have many Grips with Aluminum and CF scales. can't go wrong with any. Try them and sell want you dont like.
 
If this was a poll, then the Spydie PM2 would have won by a landslide!

I've got a PM2 but the only Benchmade I have is the 300 AXIS Flipper. Not the same as the Griptillian but I go back and forth between the 300 and PM2 for EDC on a regular basis.
 
It saddens me seeing the Grip and PM2 compared like this. Once upon a time the Grip and mini-grip were budget blades, and would never be compared to the PM2 or Manix 2. It was usually a choice between grips and delica/stretch/endura.

Both of these knives have nested steel liners, but the issue many have with the full size Griptilian (other than the large price increase all benchmades have seen) is that it does not have full length liners.

Without considering prices, the Grip is still a budget blade. Inexpensive handle materials, average steel (154cm) partial liners.

The PM2 upgrades you to G-10, better steel, full length liners, and (arguably) a better (and/or more simplified and reliable) lock.

For what it is worth, both knives offer numerous upgrades from the standard model, the Grip even more so.

Benchmade offers upgrades in steel to D2 and S30V, and the Ritter Grip (from Knifeworks) comes in S30V and M390. The only way to get upgraded steel in the PM2 is with a sprint run, which is going to cost you. Both feature a variety of aftermarket handles.

I also find that the ergonomics of the PM2 are vastly superior to the Benchmade, though that is usually the case.

I've owned both a regular grip and a D2 minigrip, but sold both. I still have my PM2.
 
I admit that the Griptilian can feel cheap but it's not. The knife will do what you ask of it and if you ever have issues Benchmade will take care of you.

I've only had one Para-Military. I keep telling myself that I will try that knife again as everyone seems to love it but I haven't yet. I didn't care for mine at all and I also think the PM2 feels somewhat cheap in comparison to other Spyderco's.
 
brancron said:
You and many other people (myself included) have had the same issues. Just to take one example, the worst factory grinds I've ever experienced have all been from Benchmade. I don't know why people still love them so much, considering their lack of quality control, boring designs, and ridiculous prices.
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People still like them because they are a fantastic knife company, ALL American Made, have a history of Excellent customer service, make more than one basic blade shape, use IMHO better materials for most handles, oh and I haven't personally expierenced ANY Q.C. issues with the 12 Benchmades I have purchased...Axis Lock just simply owns most locks for ease of deployment and closing, is also fully Ambidextrous.

Now when it comes to pricing Benchmade uses great materials for the $$$, while Spyderco has some budget options most are made in a foreign land (so warranty is problematic) and thier materials are generally less than desirable IMHO, example Manix LW cost more than a Grip. The Grip is a much sturdier design as in the Manix would not hold up to the Grip torture test. Now fast foward to the PM, I'd still place my bets on the 710 for better everything.

Now to keep in line with the thread, the PM will best the Grip for materials used but they are not in the same category of knives, the grip is marketed as a jack of all trades/edc, where the PM is marketed for LEO/Military/Tactical use.

However either knife will suffice and excel at most any task you could use it for, and neither is likely to dissapoint the OP. One thing to note is the Grip has far more options in blade style and handle customization.

Best of luck to the OP.
 
Materials, the Para wins. Lock is preference, both work well and are usually reliable. The real difference, for me, is ergonomics. I have wide hands and the main area of the Para is too cramped for a comfortable grip. That said, I don't own a Griptilian because I think there are knives that are a better value at the price that I'd get first. I never really thought the plastic handles felt cheap; I've owned some before and they're definitely strong, but I also love Spyderco FRN so it could be preference.
 
K.O.D. said:
It saddens me seeing the Grip and PM2 compared like this. Once upon a time the Grip and mini-grip were budget blades, and would never be compared to the PM2 or Manix 2. It was usually a choice between grips and delica/stretch/endura.



Without considering prices, the Grip is still a budget blade. Inexpensive handle materials, average steel (154cm) partial liners.
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This is just so true. I remember when all of my non knife friends had griptilians or mini grips because 1: Benchmade was a quality product 2: They were budget blades that boasted good materials and construction FOR THE PRICE

In my humble opinion, neither of those are true now.
 
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