Advice Wanted: Umnumzaan or Wilkins/Ritter Griptillian

E

Evany

Joined
May 7, 2007
Messages
1,342
I'm planning on buying a large folder and have narrowed it down to these two choices. I'm getting this knife for moderate field use--deer hunting, dressing out game and other outdoor pursuits, and also I tend to use any knife I carry for various kitchen chores--either when I'm at other people's houses (how come no one seems to have sharp knives in their kitchens?) or just when it's more convenient to reach into my pocket rather than go over to the knife rack. The Ritter/Wilkins Grip will end up costing around $100 less than the Umnumzann. Will it be better for my needs? Or is the Umnumzaan going to be so superior that I should just forget the Grip and go for it? Cost is not that much of a factor, but it's always nice to save a few bucks. Last question--would the CR knife would have a better resale value a few years down the line?
 
Owned both, definitely prefer the Umnumzaan. But my use is just general edc stuff, not skinning. The Ritter has a bit more belly which may be better for skinning game, but everywhere else I prefer the Umnumzaan.
 
Evany said:
I'm planning on buying a large folder and have narrowed it down to these two choices. I'm getting this knife for moderate field use--deer hunting, dressing out game and other outdoor pursuits, and also I tend to use any knife I carry for various kitchen chores--either when I'm at other people's houses (how come no one seems to have sharp knives in their kitchens?) or just when it's more convenient to reach into my pocket rather than go over to the knife rack. The Ritter/Wilkins Grip will end up costing around $100 less than the Umnumzann. Will it be better for my needs? Or is the Umnumzaan going to be so superior that I should just forget the Grip and go for it? Cost is not that much of a factor, but it's always nice to save a few bucks. Last question--would the CR knife would have a better resale value a few years down the line?
Click to expand...

Where did you find a wilkins for 100? I've been looking everywhere.
 
SuzukiGS750EZ said:
Where did you find a wilkins for 100? I've been looking everywhere.
Click to expand...

Re-read the post. I think he is saying that the Ritter/Wilkins set up will run him about $300 total

http://www.aeromedix.com/product-ex..._id/1080/nm/Doug_Ritter_RSK_Mk1_Folding_Knife

http://knives.cx/store/product_info.php?cPath=150&products_id=2289

If it were me I'd just go Umnum..... mostly b/c I have not tried one yet ;), but, I was less than impressed with the Grip even after the addition of the Wilkins set up. I have owned Sebs and they are just more satisfying. You could save some serious coin by going with an upper model Axis (like a Mini Rukus) and have a much more satisfying BM experience IMO.
 
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Yes, I meant to say that the Wilkins/Ritter combination will run around $300 vs the $400 of the Umnumzann.
 
I own both knives, so if you prefer theory and conjecture, move along, nothing to see here.

I have used both for field work, like skinning, as well as daily use.

Although you can take EITHER knife apart, the ‘zaan is easier to disassemble and reassemble. However, Axis knives aren’t that hard to work on. It isn’t rocket science.
It’s a tradeoff.

The WilkinsRitter has a wider handle and is much more comfortable to use for extended periods. This is good for field use but isn’t quite as nice for EDC. Again, tradeoffs.

Both blade designs work very well for field work and are among the best ever designed for this. However, some people, including myself, think CRK’s heat treat is a bit on the soft side. This may or may not matter to you. The built in ramps and swedge on the ‘zaan are great features though. They both are simply fantastic designs though and are excellent slicers.

Axis locks are still one of the best locking systems out there, extremely easy to open and close. I can open and close an Axis in half the time of a framelock. That being said, the ‘zaan has the best framelock interface of any Ti-framelock made. If you want to get a framelock this is the one to buy.

Which one garners more admiration and attention from others? The WilkinsRitter.

Unless you hang around people who worship CRK’s, the average Joe’s I run across always like the Wilkins better than the ‘zaan. This may or may not matter to you.

BTW, someone mentiond a BM Mini-Rukus as an alternative to the WilkinsRitter. I have owned that knife too. It is NOT a good alternative. The handle and blade shape is not well designed for field use. It’s a good knife, but for field use, it leaves a lot to be desired. I sold mine.

If you had picked any other knives to choose from, I could have offered a more direct opinion of my first choice. But these two knives are in my top 4 heavy use folders that I own, and I own quite a few. They are both so good.

Here’s some specs you usually won’t see, the rest you can look up :

Handle width: WR=.59 CRK= .47
Weight, ounces: WR= 5.45 CRK= 5.05
Folded length: WR= 4.5 CRK= 4.75

Hope this helps.
 
I have to say after having experience with both that after prolonged use the clips on these tend to hot-spot. I prefer the large 21 sebenza over both: it's slimer, easier to carry, doesn't hot-spot (for me), works great in the kitchen and will skin and process game (though a large reg has more belly for this). for just a pull it out and cut something they are all great but for something time consuming I would go for the 21. as for resale any crk will hold it's value.
 
Bearcut,

Now you've got me curious, what would your first choice be for a med-large folder for field and kitchen use? And thanks for the input about W/R Grip and the 'Zaan. I'm leaning towards the 'Zaan as I already have a W/R Mini Grip.

EE
 
Evany said:
I'm getting this knife for moderate field use--deer hunting, dressing out game and other outdoor pursuits, and also I tend to use any knife I carry for various kitchen chores--either when I'm at other people's houses (how come no one seems to have sharp knives in their kitchens?) or just when it's more convenient to reach into my pocket rather than go over to the knife rack.
Click to expand...

unwisefool said:
Tanto Umnumzaan!
Click to expand...

:confused:
 
I owned an Umnumzaan and currently EDC a Ritter Grip. I've been very interested in getting the Wilkins grip for my 552 once finances are better. The clip on the Umnumzaan created a hot spot for my hand whereas the Ritter grip doesn't do that. The fuller handle on the Ritter grip feels better after a lot of constant use.

I hope this helps, J.
 
Evany said:
Bearcut,

Now you've got me curious, what would your first choice be for a med-large folder for field and kitchen use? And thanks for the input about W/R Grip and the 'Zaan. I'm leaning towards the 'Zaan as I already have a W/R Mini Grip.

EE
Click to expand...

Can't help you with suggestions for a Field/Kitchen use blade.

I have a dedicated kitchen knife set. I never use my folders for culinary use. The right tool for the job and all that. What's another 25-100 bucks for a chefs knife when you spend 3-400 for a folder? A folder is a kitchen compromise no matter how you look at it. In fact, folders make pretty crappy kitchen knives. A chef and paring knife are the two best possible blades for food prep. I would much rather use a (sharp) $25 chefs knife than a $400 Sebenza or 'zaan for food prep any day.

Actually, Kevin Wilkins himself makes a folding KITCHEN knife. It actually has knuckle room on the handle....

If you're dealing with using knives at friends houses, tell your friends to sharpen their knives. Or take one of those 'V' shaped carbide pocket sharpeners over to their house and ask if you can sharpen their knife. Hey, those sharpeners are nasty, but it's not YOUR knife! They will probably thank you for 'sharpening' their blade! People who have dull kitchen knives usually have the wrong blades anyway. (Boning knives are common, Arghhff!) ( So, I guess a folder IS better than a dull boning knife. )

You already have a WilkinsGrip Mini?!
I guess you know what those are all about already.
I thought you were moving up from a Spyderco or Kershaw or something.
I don't think a 'zaan is going to knock your socks off.
I wouldn't get too excited.
 
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bearcut said:
I own both knives, so if you prefer theory and conjecture, move along, nothing to see here.

I have used both for field work, like skinning, as well as daily use.

Although you can take EITHER knife apart, the ‘zaan is easier to disassemble and reassemble. However, Axis knives aren’t that hard to work on. It isn’t rocket science.
It’s a tradeoff.

The WilkinsRitter has a wider handle and is much more comfortable to use for extended periods. This is good for field use but isn’t quite as nice for EDC. Again, tradeoffs.

Both blade designs work very well for field work and are among the best ever designed for this. However, some people, including myself, think CRK’s heat treat is a bit on the soft side. This may or may not matter to you. The built in ramps and swedge on the ‘zaan are great features though. They both are simply fantastic designs though and are excellent slicers.

Axis locks are still one of the best locking systems out there, extremely easy to open and close. I can open and close an Axis in half the time of a framelock. That being said, the ‘zaan has the best framelock interface of any Ti-framelock made. If you want to get a framelock this is the one to buy.

Which one garners more admiration and attention from others? The WilkinsRitter.

Unless you hang around people who worship CRK’s, the average Joe’s I run across always like the Wilkins better than the ‘zaan. This may or may not matter to you.

BTW, someone mentiond a BM Mini-Rukus as an alternative to the WilkinsRitter. I have owned that knife too. It is NOT a good alternative. The handle and blade shape is not well designed for field use. It’s a good knife, but for field use, it leaves a lot to be desired. I sold mine.

If you had picked any other knives to choose from, I could have offered a more direct opinion of my first choice. But these two knives are in my top 4 heavy use folders that I own, and I own quite a few. They are both so good.

Here’s some specs you usually won’t see, the rest you can look up :

Handle width: WR=.59 CRK= .47
Weight, ounces: WR= 5.45 CRK= 5.05
Folded length: WR= 4.5 CRK= 4.75

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...



One of the biggest complaints I hear concerns the plastic feel of the Griptilian. I've never owned one. Bearcut, you say that you have used the WR Grip for heavy use, and I'm guessing that you maybe used the Grip before you converted it. How is the feel between the standard Grip and the WR Grip concerning the handle materials?
 
The biggest complaint about the plastic Griptilians is the sound they make when opening and closing. Needless to say, the Wilkins solves that problem.

As far as the strength and feel of the two grips goes, the origional was pretty good.

The WilkinsGrips turns it into a more solid feeling folder for sure.
It feels like the Pardue (522?) folder that BM used to make. It had solid aluminium handles and was one of the first true 'tank' knives.
 
I have a Mini Ritter Griptilikan and I love it. I don't have a umnumzaan though. I think the g10 would provide a better grip for field use.
 
As soon as I noticed "deer hunting" I thought of Bob Dozier's folders.

Dozier's Trapper model is highly recommended and his D2 will hold an edge better than the S30V in the Umnumzaan due to the heat treatment. :thumbup:
 
I can't figure out why you would want an EDC type knife for what seems to be a dedicated skinner/field knife; but it's all about what makes you happy. I'd pick up a good ole Buck knife or a 'fancier' folder geared more towards skinning game. Sorry that doesn't really help your decision, just my $.02
 
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