I'm looking to upgrade my EDC knife and my search has boiled down to these two knives. I've watched many reviews of both, and I gotta say I appreciate your (from my perspective) fair evaluation and very in-depth comparison. I was leaning towards the PM2 if I can find it, and you've solidified that choice.
Para 2 beats the girptillian...the grip doesnt have full steel liners...the para does...the para also has ergos that are unsurpassed. Spyderso always seems to design for my hand and I love it. It isnt about what looks good its about what locks you in. Also the cpm s30v on the para....that can take such an edge. I've had Both for 10 years. You cant go wrong with either but I'd take the para 2 any day with my ten years of experience
Thanks for all the comments, I don't seem to get notifications of each one. I agree with most of your points especially with those of you who pointed out the non-standard grip I used the Ritter because I don't have a standard one I'm not big on the blade shape. I also think because of the better steel and blade shape this version compares more directly with the para II.
Hmmmm, tough choice sort of. In all honesty I'd go with the Paramilitary 2. Better handle ergo and awesome jimping for actual work. The compression lock is one that I'll trust more than the axis lock. I carry the Paramilitary 2 more than the Grip. Needless to say, I have both so I'm free to publicly voice my opinion. The Grip is still a very excellent folder but I'll have to give the edge to the Para 2.
Really great video. I have both knives-- I like these knives but for heavy work, I use theRitter blade. The Para2 is has a sharp tip for close work or a fine EDC, as well.Thanks
Great video! A lot of great points. I think for the first time knife users the axis lock is more intuitive to use. To me it's a lot easier to close a griptilian than the para-2. However I agree with you on simplicity of the compression lock. I also like the spyderco pocket clip over benchmades version's.
I carried the FS Griptilian in my pocket for a week and took it back to get a Mini-Grip. I carry the PM2 every day without fighting to get stuff out of my pocket. I do like my other BM's as I own a 940 and a 940-1 CF, as well as two mini's one with the sheep-foot blade and a spydie-hole. All of witch are excellent blades.
I've never had a liner lock fail on me in my life, not once and I fidget with my knives more than anybody I know. The fact the axis lock uses flimsy omega springs stops me buying Benchmades. I was about to buy the grizzly ridge and the Freek, but I stopped myself at the last moment both times, because of those springs. For people in the USA it might seem lik no big deal. But if you live in the UK you cant just send your knife back to benchmade 3500 miles in the mail. Then if you put springs inside it yourself you just voided the warranty, and your lifesharp deal is gone. So Benchmade really don't look after overseas customers.
@@samturner6455 We can't really get those in the UK for a decent price, the shipping costs make it not worth our trouble, might as well just buy some Spydercos that don't need to be altered or modded.
Got them both. Can't decide which is better because they both have there pro's AND Con's. I did just get a new PM2 with s35vn it's a sprint run that BladeHQ had going about 2 weeks back and I have not got the new mini girptilling so maybe there is some preference for me. But it's more that sprint runs are when there gone there gone and the new Benchmade mini I can get anytime. Cash is not something I have just laying around and I will get them both. With that said I have so many knives I find myself carring on or the other with a beater blade in the other pocket. Both are great knives but it think the PM2 is a little more southpaw friendly and as I am a south paw. It does seem that given a choice of one or the other I would probably get the pm2.
Hi Kevin, thanks for the very informativ and great vid! I´m trying to decide beetween the griptilian 551 and 550. 550 having the thumb hole and modfied sheep foot blade. Why do you only like the 551 shape (drop point) in griptilian knives as you stated? I would really appreciate an answer, thanx!
1st view! awesome vid, both great blades. im gonna say if nothing else IMO the spydy hole and forward finger choil seal the deal. Ive handled Grips, but don't connect to it, I had all 3 mini grip shapes but sold the tanto. I like the mini for a smaller EDC, but I loves me some para2! have 6 of them. Im actually looking to sell a NIB CF sprint with the 154/s90v laminate blade if u or anyone u know in Canada are interested
I have a question that your video (as thorough as it was) did not cover. In fact, I don’t see many reviews address the question. While you discussed the volume portion of the ‘pocketable’ equation, I would love to hear some comments about the comfort of the knives in the pocket. I don’t own a Griptillian (yet) but do have a PM2. I love the knife for all the reasons you mentioned in the comparison, but I don’t find it particularly pocket friendly. The squarish handle design and pronounced jimping make it less than comfortable when I’m trying to get past it for some loose change. Some of my other knives with more rounded shoulders are less painful to get past. I suspect that is the case with the Grip and its smoother profile. But, great review. Very fair and worth the time to view it.
Glad you liked the video, my opinion would be that the griptilian is a little more comfortable in pocket if I were buying a grip today I would definitely be looking at the g10 20cv version or passing it up in favor of the 560 freek
cool vid. I think these knives are so close, it doesn't matter. the person is the deciding factor, which one make you happier. I personally love them both, but if I had to choose, I'd go Benchmade. what tips my vote is the far superior warranty from Benchmade.
Not a bad video, although an accurate comparison would have been with a Benchamande Griptilian 551 model instead of the special Doug Ritter model you showed, the 550 is the standard model (556 being the BM mini) the 551 and Ritter are very similar but if I'm not mistaken they have different steels, steel finish and blade shapes not to mention different price points, anyway good vid.
I love spyderco and bench. but spydercos definitely have a week tip for prying. I broke the tip off of one prying the plastic cover off of a car battery fill location without using hardly any pressure. In my opinion you should be able to do basic prying with an edc knife. that being said I will probably get a pm2.
I own 3 of each model I love benchmade I love the griptilian but I carry my Para military 2 with flytainium titanium scales and back spacer I beat it bad but it's hard to choose
I think benchmade's equivalent would be the 940, no the griptilian. On the other side, spyderco's equivalent to the griptilian would be the delica. In my opinion. Great video!
I used to have all benchmades someone stole them all. Now I have spydrcos and cold steel. Now I want the Adams's the 550-1, 940 and contego to make my collection complete.
Donald Wortham The knifeworks blue and black g10 contego in m390 is one of my favorite knives. Only problem is that if you're going to use it for any of length of time you'll need to wear a glove. The jimping is super aggressive.
Hi Kevin, I have an equal number of Spyderco and Benchmade knives, including these two (G10 Griptilian). Benchmade will replace any of their blades for any reason, and only charges $25. Break a Spyderco, and you're just out of luck.... Having said that, I carry both brands about the same amount, and haven't broken a blade on any of my knives. Keep up the great videos! P.S. I'm Frank Butta, but my wife's name keeps appearing here...???
If that is the case it makes me wonder why you like them. They are overpriced, the quality is iffy, The Q.C. sucks. The only really good quality that they have is the axis lock but the spring breaks all the time. I will admit that their warranty dept. is really good. I have sold all of mine except my Mini Onslaught and the large One. Smoothest action of any knife that I have ever experienced.
You get a lot more for your money with the PM2, the benchmade really isn't giving you a whole lot for the price, PM2 gives you solid thick sturdy liners, good steel, good solid G10 handles, no omega springs that keep breaking. To be honest if any of these 2 knives are over priced it's the benchmade.
Kevin I've watched a handful of your reviews and you're always playing pretend..let's pretend this is the regular model what is this???..I think you are good a riding the hype train and are clearly willing to spend the money to convince everyone you know what your talking about..the way I see it all the knives you show have ZERO wear from use yet you always say you use them..I'm usually good at picking up on bullshit and your channel is knee high or better in it..sorry but I call them like I see them
