Doug Ritter VS. Mel Pardue (full-size) GRIPTILIAN - OWNER THOUGHTS?

[BenchMEDAL]

Although I own a couple of Mel Pardue Griptilians and I’m familiar with their ergonomics, I missed the Doug Ritter boat, and not sure what I am missing. I debate on paying the inflated prices for these discontinued models, and curious to hear what Owners of BOTH have to say. Pros / Cons? Worth it? Why? Thanks.

 

[Cycletroll]

The m390 Ritter is nice steel and the grind is a bit thinner than the Pardue variants. When they could be had for ~$130ish they were a decent value. The m390 paper micarta exclusive Pardue from Knifeworks is a much nicer overall knife and on sale for $169 now.
https://www.knifeworks.com/benchmad...aper-micarta-handle-knifeworks-exclusive.html

 

[BenchMEDAL]

Thank you Cycletroll. I do own the Knifeworks M390 micarta Pardue.

What are your thoughts on the difference in blade shapes?

 

[Der W.]

The Ritter blade cuts really nice.
The standard blade cuts "okay".

When I carry my 551-1 and need to cut stuff, I almost always regret not carrying my Ritter.

The only thing that the Mel Pardue drop point does better, is tip control.

Just my two cents

 

[GatorMedic]

I've owned both. I actually prefer the regular drop point over the Ritter. I did not like how the Ritter blade caused a hump when the knife is closed, and to me it just didn't have the classic griptilian look or feel that I like. On paper, I seemingly would love the Ritter more because of stonewashed blade and the wider chord blade shape, but in the real world that didn't prove the case. Having said all that, the Ritter is still a good knife. I just personally prefer the regular drop point.

 

[Cycletroll]

I regret selling the Ritter as it was an excellent utility slicer. I agree the Pardue drop point has better tip control and it looks a bit nicer (subjective) but it is also considerably thicker behind the edge. For day to day EDC tasks the Pardue is probably a more effective design. If your doing a lot of cardboard cutting or deep slicing then the Ritter is a better design. The scales of the micarta version with standoffs are considerably nicer.

 

[godzilla78]

Ritter vs Purdue
I prefer the 552 to 551 but find the 552 a bit numb, I prefer the 550 overall.

 

[BenchMEDAL]

Ritter vs Purdue
I prefer the 552 to 551 but find the 552 a bit numb, I prefer the 550 overall.

Thanks godzilla78. Is your Pardue 550 preference over the Ritter 552 & Pardue 551 the CPM-20CV steel? Scales? Look?

 

[BenchMEDAL]

I've owned both. I actually prefer the regular drop point over the Ritter. I did not like how the Ritter blade caused a hump when the knife is closed, and to me it just didn't have the classic griptilian look or feel that I like. On paper, I seemingly would love the Ritter more because of stonewashed blade and the wider chord blade shape, but in the real world that didn't prove the case. Having said all that, the Ritter is still a good knife. I just personally prefer the regular drop point.

Thanks GatorMedic. Have there ever been any sprint runs or exclusives on the 551 Pardue in a “Stonewashed Blade?”

 

[godzilla78]

Thanks godzilla78. Is your Pardue 550 preference over the Ritter 552 & Pardue 551 the CPM-20CV steel? Scales? Look?

Yep, I prefer 550 to the 552 Ritter, I have that knife in saber and hollow, the only 551 I currently own is in M4 but I’ve had it in a few steels and I just prefer the 550, if i could I would order an M4 550 from the Benchmade custom knife builder.
I’ve had scales from lots of the big names plus the Benchmade g10 ones, I’m in the minority that just likes the standard scales.

 

[BenchMEDAL]

Yep, I prefer 550 to the 552 Ritter, I have that knife in saber and hollow, the only 551 I currently own is in M4 but I’ve had it in a few steels and I just prefer the 550, if i could I would order an M4 550 from the Benchmade custom knife builder.
I’ve had scales from lots of the big names plus the Benchmade g10 ones, I’m in the minority that just likes the standard scales.

I guess I’m in the minority too, as I like the standard nylon scales.

 

[jswa2]

I've owned the 552 (M390), 550 (HG - 154CM), and 550-1 (20CV). Still have the -1, have sold the others.

I could never get the edge on my 552 'just right.' For my uses, if I sharpened the edge low enough that it bit (into wood, for instance), it seemed really chippy; if I steepened the angle to mitigate the chippy-ness, it didn't seem to cut. The blade geometry on the 550 works much better for me. I'll agree, however, that the thin grind on the 552 sliced better than the fatter 550 (think: apples, carrots, etc.).

I still have a beat-up set of AWT scales that are just waiting for some Grip or another to fall into them! Thing is, I don't know when I'd ever carry it - I like the G10 scales on the -1 so much.

Anyways, I wouldn't beat yourself up too much about having missed the 552. I'd buy someone's user, but I wouldn't pay premium; hindsight being what it is, and all... Instead buy the 15400 and call it a day!

 

[jkarp_53]

I've owned a few Ritters, one in M2, the other in M390 and the last in M2. For no rhyme or reason, I've not held onto them. I own a 551 and it's been in the stable for years. With AWT scales on it's a hard knife to beat.

 

[GatorMedic]

Thanks GatorMedic. Have there ever been any sprint runs or exclusives on the 551 Pardue in a “Stonewashed Blade?”

Not to my knowledge but that question would be better directed at a collector or one of the more knowledgeable forum members. However, I do recall Cuscadi offered a stonewashed service on regular Grips/Mini Grips. It was awesome looking, much darker than the Ritter. Not sure if it’s something they still offer.

Edit: here are pics

 

[Lapedog]

Not to my knowledge but that question would be better directed at a collector or one of the more knowledgeable forum members. However, I do recall Cuscadi offered a stonewashed service on regular Grips/Mini Grips. It was awesome looking, much darker than the Ritter. Not sure if it’s something they still offer.

Edit: here are pics

View attachment 872563 View attachment 872564 View attachment 872565

The cuscadi stonewash looks like an acid stonewash to me. That must be how they get the dark colouration.

 

[BenchMEDAL]

You might be right Lapedog. This is the stonewash I am thinking of:

 

[BenchMEDAL]

This is all good information from Members who have Owned/Own both.

I've owned a few Ritters, one in M2, the other in M390 and the last in M2. For no rhyme or reason, I've not held onto them. I own a 551 and it's been in the stable for years. With AWT scales on it's a hard knife to beat.

So, preference sounds like it depends on how you intend to use the Griptilian. I wonder if it's like Cycletroll wrote earlier in this thread, that the Ritter sounds like "an excellent utility slicer," and the "Pardue drop point has better tip control." That "For day to day EDC tasks the Pardue is probably a more effective design. If your doing a lot of cardboard cutting or deep slicing then the Ritter is a better design."

Thoughts?

 

[jkarp_53]

Most of us have used their knives for years, and habits learned can really spell the difference between one model and another. This is why I always suggest going to, if possible, a dealer; and play with a few. My wife says looking at a catalog online is one thing, trying on a pair of shoes at the store (If you can find one reputable, that is...can be a very different experience.) The Ritter was a very good blade matched with scales from the factory that disappointed me in the end. Once I found that habit of holding my knife the same way during chores and projects, I discovered it was easy to see if a Ritter was better than a Pardue. In my mind, that's why I like my 551.

 

[BenchMEDAL]

I always suggest going to, if possible, a dealer; and play with a few.

That’s my dilemma here jkarp_53. I missed the Doug Ritter Griptilian boat and never had an opportunity to see what I’m missing. I enjoy my 551 Grips, but continually tango with the idea of spending double on a knife that I’ve never handled, because the Ritter is now discontinued.

Nevertheless, I’m beginning to learn something from you fine gentleman on this post. That the Ritter and Pardue Grips each seem to serve two different purposes, and knife handling habits makes make knife selection unique to each user. I don’t have the need for a slicer, so it sounds like I’m not missing out on having a Doug Ritter Griptilian at this stage. Perhaps one day I’ll have the opportunity to handle the Ritter, but for now I’ll enjoy the 551.

 

[Cycletroll]

I think it's important to bear in mind that ALL variants of Griptilian have far more in common than not. I wouldn't spend a ton of money on a FRN handled Ritter unless that knife was absolutely the end all for me. It's really not that different in actual use than the Pardue version with m390 and that one has much better overall construction. If someone offered me a good condition Ritter tomorrow for say $120 I'd have to think about it. I have not seen any that cheap in some time so it's a moot point.
It seems that it is easy to fall into the trap of lusting after something that is out of production because of its scarcity when the truth is that there are equivalent or better choices currently available for the same or less money.