advice on a folder for the bush

Will · Dec 2, 2004

Hi guys,

I am looking a reliable folder for hiking and camping, and general work outdoors. I always have a LM Wave, and for heavy duty work I have an SRK, but I need something in between. Aslo, when weight is a an issue, I don't bring the SRK.

For the folder I am looking for something around 3.5 - 4 inches that is reasonably light weight and easy to carry, but realiable enbough to depend on out in the bush. I had been considering the Spyderco Endura which I can get for a little over $40. Lately I have been looking at the Ritter Grip which seems to be highly praised around here. What I would like to know is if it is worth paying over twice the price on the Endura to get the Ritter Grip.

One concern I have with it: the handle seem to be thicker than the Endura, and people have mentioned it is abbrasive on the skin. I wonder if this would make it uncomfortable to carry in my wasteband against my skin.

thanks,

Will

Runs With Scissors · Dec 2, 2004

Back before I was so uneducated I didn't realize a person couldn't venture off in the bush without at least at least a couple of two to three hundred dollar knives I had alot of luck with an Endura.- and this was before they were flat ground and made from VG-10. I personally don't think you can go wrong with a Delica when it comes down to simply having a reliable cutting tool. There's knives with better locks, better steel, tougher handles, more curves, prettier ergonomics, that do this task or that task better, but....when it comes down to it I believe an Endura will always take care of any task a folder is made for.

As far as the Ritter Grip, I can only speculate. I'm assuming it's the S30V Griptilian I saw in TK just last night. If so, I do know that yes, the Griptilian is pretty chunky, which aint necessarily a bad thing. I like 'em alot due to severe tendonitis in my wrists, and a grip that's getting worse by the year. I don't picture one of these being cozy in the waistband at all, with or without the checkering. As far as the checkering goes, I can't imagine it would be anything you couldn't smooth out a bit with some fine sand paper. (I used 2500 grit on my BM Ascent) Of course I've never found any knife to be comfy IWB, but the Griptilian would be a damn nice knife to have in a horizontal nylon sheath IMHO.

Spydie: slightly longer, easier to carry, more expendable, flat ground

RG: more comfortable, better steel, nicer overall blade shape, more solid lock

Tough decision indeed!

altidude · Dec 2, 2004

Runs With Scissors said:
As far as the Ritter Grip, I can only speculate...I don't picture one of these being cozy in the waistband at all, with or without the checkering.

I carry a Ritter Grip IWB fairly often and it's fine. That may change as I get fatter and the pants get tighter over the holidays, but that remains to be seen. I agree with you that IWB isn't the most comfortable place to carry knife, but the Ritter Grip isn't any worse (or better) than anything else I shove in my pants (BM 806D2, CS Recno 1, Kershaw Avalanche).

Runs With Scissors · Dec 2, 2004

Well....ah reckon that does demonstrate another factor to consider...unless you're like me and happen to be over thirty, and still carrying a lil' soft, tender baby fat, perhaps the IWB thing aint so bad. (It certainly can't be from too much beer?)

Incidentally I did find my Cuda Maxx to be fairly cozy that way, but that was pretty much the exception to the rule for me. It even had the additional advantage of keeping those Titanium handle slabs nice and warm for me on cold days...

Snake Plissken · Dec 2, 2004

Most Benchmades would work, but you may need a "beefier" folder, such as a Greco, Sebenza, or Strider. (I've handled Buck Strider folders before and they are very nice

)

BTW, hello everyone.

Will · Dec 2, 2004

Runs With Scissors said:
Well....ah reckon that does demonstrate another factor to consider...unless you're like me and happen to be over thirty, and still carrying a lil' soft, tender baby fat, perhaps the IWB thing aint so bad. (It certainly can't be from too much beer?)

Incidentally I did find my Cuda Maxx to be fairly cozy that way, but that was pretty much the exception to the rule for me. It even had the additional advantage of keeping those Titanium handle slabs nice and warm for me on cold days...

talking about cold days... I spend a good deal of time outdoors in winter with gloves on, so I need somthing easy to open and unlock with gloves on. I figured this would probably rule out liner locks. I thought about the Spyderco Military, which has the same steel as the Ritter, but can be found cheeper online, and has what most people consider a better handle material. It appears to be a better value... Any issues with teh Axis lock getting clogged with snow and freezing?

Will

Snake Plissken · Dec 2, 2004

I've never heard of any problems with BM's Axis lock from snow, however I've heard the Cold Steel version of the axis lock has some problems with weather. Hope you find the right knife, as there is nothing more frustrating than buying a knife and finding out you don't like it. (Personal experience)

Glenn Jones · Dec 2, 2004

I don't have an endura but I do have the military and delica and the Ritter grip. They are all great folders but the Ritter is my favourite for one simple reason - the axis lock. It opens and closes so easily with one hand and is ambi-dextrous. Even though I am right handed there are times when I find it nice to have the option to open the folder with my left hand.

Snake Plissken · Dec 2, 2004

PS Will, where do you live? Are autos legal? If so, you might consider it, as they are much easier to open with gloves and cold hands. Plus, autos are just cool

Will · Dec 2, 2004

Snake Plissken said:
PS Will, where do you live? Are autos legal? If so, you might consider it, as they are much easier to open with gloves and cold hands. Plus, autos are just cool

I live in Canada, and autos are illegal here.

Will

Knifeclerk · Dec 2, 2004

The grip is a good choice. If you do go towards the Endura, I would advise you to stay away from the Stainless Steel handles as they are primarily AUS-6 (That's less good.) I was going to recomend the Spyderco Native III. It has VG-10 steel (That's very good), is a manageable length, and is full bodied enough to get a great grip with. However for waistband carry, it is probably too thick. A pouch would be recomneded. However the Spyderco Native (Original model) is more narrow allowing for easier carry, yet still feels nice in the hand.
These options are in the $53-62 range.
-KC

Will · Dec 2, 2004

Knifeclerk said:
The grip is a good choice. If you do go towards the Endura, I would advise you to stay away from the Stainless Steel handles as they are primarily AUS-6 (That's less good.) I was going to recomend the Spyderco Native III. It has VG-10 steel (That's very good), is a manageable length, and is full bodied enough to get a great grip with. However for waistband carry, it is probably too thick. A pouch would be recomneded. However the Spyderco Native (Original model) is more narrow allowing for easier carry, yet still feels nice in the hand.
These options are in the $53-62 range.
-KC

The stainless version is heavier than I want anyway. I guess what I am looking for is a good value overall, and I am not sure the Ritter Grip is a better value than the Endura. I don't want anything so big I need a pouch for it either, it wouldn't be practical for me. That is an issue I have with the LM. I don't always have a belt on depending on what I am doing.

Will

Ming65 · Dec 2, 2004

The Spyderco Military is my 'Bush Folder'. I've carried it IWB and used it for a couple of years now when I go off road. Light, easy to carry, more robust than it looks.

ps: regarding the use of the word 'bush'. I don't remember giving the rest of the world permission to use our term for 'out there'. You people stick to 'woods' or 'wilderness' thank you very much. There is only one 'bush' and it is in oz

Our lawyers will be in touch

Will · Dec 2, 2004

Ming65 said:
The Spyderco Military is my 'Bush Folder'. I've carried it IWB and used it for a couple of years now when I go off road. Light, easy to carry, more robust than it looks.

ps: regarding the use of the word 'bush'. I don't remember giving the rest of the world permission to use our term for 'out there'. You people stick to 'woods' or 'wilderness' thank you very much. There is only one 'bush' and it is in oz Our lawyers will be in touch

The term "bush" is pretty common here in Canada, especially in northern Ontario where I used work.

Will

Stockman · Dec 2, 2004

I also carry my knives that way, the Endura carries really well. The Rit Grip is probably more suited to your needs, but wont be comfortable.
My current favorite for carry and utility work is a Swamp Rat Rat Trap, this has to be the most comfortable knife I've carried so far - really surprising for such a big folder.

Runs With Scissors · Dec 2, 2004

Them lousy damn Republicans! whoda thunk our presidents very NAME was stolen from another country? if only this conspiracy had been exposed before the elections....

On a more serious note, considering the cold and the gloves that would definitely tilt the scale much more strongly towards the Spydies. Not so much to do with lock strength as much as havin' a big ole chunka blade with a big ole hole to grab onto when yer hands are weak, numb and shaking.

The Military is one of the best boondockin' folders period, not just in that price range. Still can't go wrong with an Endura though. dollar for dollar they're both a great value. I guess it comes down to assessing ones wants versus ones needs.

bell · Dec 2, 2004

The new Spyderco Manix seems made to order for heavy duty general utility use.

Will · Dec 2, 2004

bell said:
The new Spyderco Manix seems made to order for heavy duty general utility use.

More than I am looking for. It is simply too heavy for what I want. If I need a knife built like a tank, I have my SRK which isn't much heavier than the Manix, but a lot stronger.

Will

PS: just did a quick search on froogle and found the Manix for around $105. Same price as the Ritter Grip.

Sean W · Dec 2, 2004

Will said:
The stainless version is heavier than I want anyway. I guess what I am looking for is a good value overall, and I am not sure the Ritter Grip is a better value than the Endura. I don't want anything so big I need a pouch for it either, it wouldn't be practical for me. That is an issue I have with the LM. I don't always have a belt on depending on what I am doing.

Will

I was going to get the Ritter, but I figured the D2 Cabelas version was a better value.
I'll get the Ritter next year.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...catalog/pod-link.jhtml_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20712

cdf · Dec 3, 2004

Id go Rit GRip . or Spyderco Paramilitary .