Which Griptilian?

topgunpilot20

topgunpilot20

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Oct 21, 2003
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I'm looking to get a Mini Griptilian to replace my current EDC folder. I started out many years ago with a Benchmade AFCK which was nice and thin, but it was wide and the tip down carry made reaching for anything else in my pocket painful. After a few years, I replaced it with a BM 710HS which was outstanding, but it was unnecessarily large for most of my everyday cutting tasks. A few years later, I replaced it with a BM 3550 Auto since it was a little smaller and had a no-snag profile. This is my current EDC carry, and I still find it larger than what I usually need. The Mini Griptilian appears to be the perfect size, and I still have all of the above knives (plus many more) if I ever need anything bigger.

I was all set to order a 154CM model when saw that it was also offered with a D2 blade at Cabelas, and Doug Ritter offers a S30V model. 154CM is the only one of these I have experience in, but I remember S30V being the current premium steel the custom makers are using, and there was a lot of hubbub about D2 as a tool steel when it first came around.

I've been researching the three different steels, and S30V seems to be the winner for all around usage, and 154CM and D2 seem to be a tossup. However, the is a considerable price difference--these are the prices I've seen for the Mini Griptilian:

$60 for 154CM
$90 for D2
$110 for S30V

While price is a factor, it's not a big one.

Which of these blade choices would y'all recommend?

This knife will be used as my EDC carry for everyday tasks--cutting paper, cardboard, zip-ties, rope, etc. I don't plan on extensive cutting sessions at any given time, and I have other knives for camping, backpacking, etc. FWIW, I plan on getting the plain edge drop point blade.
 
I've had and used all of those in both sizes. I still have a couple of Ritters in S30V, the others have found new homes. I kept the Ritters because 1) I really like S30V as an all-round steel for a 3" pocket folder. It gets very sharp, it's relatively easy to keep that way, and I have no corrosion problems where I live or with my usage, and 2) Ritter's blade profile is my fav for a folding pocket knife. It's a really useful design with plenty of belly and still enough tip for puncturing while not being so thin that it lacks strength.

My second choice would be the Cabelas D2. I like D2 on pocket knives for it's hardness and edge holding. It's a bit harder than S30V for me to sharpen, but if you don't let it go dull, then it should be a fairly easy touch up. If they did Ritter's blade profile in D2, then that would prolly be my first choice.

Even though 154CM comes in third in this group for me, there's nothing wrong with it. I just like the Ritter and Cabelas versions better for the reasons mentioned. 154CM has performed very well for me in the BM knives that I've had with it. It's easier than D2 or S30V for me to keep sharp, it's prolly a little more impact resistant than either of the others, and I think it's at least as corrosion resistant, if not more. In my experience, edge holding is the only place that the other steels outperform 154CM.

For what you've said you'll be cutting, I might think about the Cabelas D2 version first. The coated blade should keep you from having any corrosion worries, although it will get scratched up with time and usage. Standard D2 seems to like being left a bit "toothier" when you sharpen it, so you shouldn't have to worry about getting a highly polished edge on it. It'll work very well on smooth things like zip ties while still doing a good job on paper, cardboard, rope, etc. I'd definitely stick with a PE in a blade that short.
 
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I carry a mini Ritter version for an "office" knife and have had no regrets. My usual carry is an M2 version, though I have been carrying a Wilkins-ized S30V version a bit also.

I like the way S30V sharpens more than 154cm, generally, but either steel should do fine in an EDC use.

I'm a little tired of D2 at the moment and think it is generally overated except when heat treated by a few custom makers.
 
I have most of the Grip variants and the Doug Ritter knives are my favourites.
They are worth the extra money in my opinon.
 
i prefer the 154CM 550HG Grip or its lil bro the 555HG minigrip, possibly the best made EDC knife ive ever handled
 
Thanks for the replies. So many different answers I'm not sure I'm any closer to making a decision. Looks like I can't really make a bad one though.
 
Get the Ritter. The blade profile alone makes it worth it but S30v seals the deal.
 
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