BM Ritter M4 with Lightning Strike CF - Dobson.

mqqn

mqqn

JD Inventory Reduction Specialist
Gold Member
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Nov 12, 2009
Messages
13,473
Hi folks -

I was lucky enough to have bought one of the much awaited CPM-M4 Ritter Griptilians. The knife is a very nice knife, but I wanted a little something better than the glass-filled nylon handle scales.

I contacted Phillip Dobson, and we eventually agreed to do this knife in the new Lightning Strike Carbon Fiber.

The resulting knife is very beautiful - Phillip did an outstanding job of putting the LSCF on the Grip.

Here are pictures - I tried a lot of settings to try and get the pictures to reflect how beautiful this knife is, but still did not succeed, but you'll get an idea.

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How about the damascus spacer?
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In person, the flecks of copper give a sparkle to the carbon fiber. Phillip did an outstanding job of contouring the scale, it feels remarkable in hand.

Thank you Phillip for another wonderful custom job on a knife that would otherwise have been a high quality but exceedingly ordinary-looking piece.

Thanks for looking.

best regards -

mqqn
 
Wow, that's gorgeous. If you don't mind me asking, how much did Phil's mods run you? (If you don't want to post the cost on the open forum, please PM me. I'd be very keen to get a Ritter Grip and send it to Phil for something similar!)
 
neuron said:
Wow, that's gorgeous. If you don't mind me asking, how much did Phil's mods run you? (If you don't want to post the cost on the open forum, please PM me. I'd be very keen to get a Ritter Grip and send it to Phil for something similar!)
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Hi neuron - pm sent.

MORIMOTOM said:
awesome!!

is that a damascus backspacer???
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Hi MORIMOTOM -

yes - that was a nice surprise, Phillip did that just because it looked so cool.

best regards -

mqqn
 
Hi Striderco -

Phillip gave me a very special deal on this work, as we were going to do a different material, which gave Phillip a lot of trouble.

Eventually, we decided to do the knife in this new material, as Phillip wanted to try it out.

I can tell you that the raw material for the scales on this knife sell for a little over $100, and Phillip has charged $80 in the past for a simple re-scale of a knife.

The Griptilian is not a simple re-scale, having the axis lock.

I would contact Phillip and ask him to quote you a price - he is a great fellow to deal with.

I will also say that Phillip is in Japan right now, I think he was going mountain climbing there. His mother reports he is ok, but he will not be home for a little while.

best regards -

mqqn
 
Stunning! The backspacer is very cool

Not having the liners inlaid as designed is obviously a a bit of a drawback in terms of ultimate strength, however.
 
the copper in the carbon fiber is a neat idea and appropriately named too. It looks like a surge of electricity going through a network of wires.

Thanks for pictures and good luck to the maker getting out of Japan.
 
Critter said:
Stunning! The backspacer is very cool

Not having the liners inlaid as designed is obviously a a bit of a drawback in terms of ultimate strength, however.
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Hi Doug -

One might consider that the carbon fiber is significantly stronger than the original material, so I may not be giving up as much structural integrity as may be thought. I have no scientific data to back up that claim.

I would say the knife as delivered was of a very high quality, I just wanted to treat my example to a classier handle treatment.

Love it either way!

best regards-

mqqn
 
mqqn said:
Hi Doug -

One might consider that the carbon fiber is significantly stronger than the original material, so I may not be giving up as much structural integrity as may be thought. I have no scientific data to back up that claim.

I would say the knife as delivered was of a very high quality, I just wanted to treat my example to a classier handle treatment.

Love it either way!

best regards-

mqqn
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No question is is gorgeous! My wife is now all over me to do one for her. Thanks a lot! :D

I'd be inclined to stick to my concern about the ultimate strength. The carbon fiber may or may not be as strong as or stronger than the original molded handles, carbon fiber is funny that way, brittle and strong both and depends on the axis of force, but the issue is now all that shear is acting only on the retaining screws and is not spread out to the body of the handle unless Phil has done something not readily obvious. I think it'll be just fine for "normal" use, not really concerned about that. Use and enjoy it. It is a beauty. I am pleased to have created something that inspired you and Phil to such heights. :thumbup:
 
Hi Doug -

I apologize for the wife thing - as it stands, my wife is sitting next to me playing with the Ritter like it is a piece of jewelry. She has never done this with any other knife I have owned, so it must be good.

I cannot (and would not) dispute your observations about the strength of the knife, as I am not qualified to stand on that field of play with you, and trust your knowledge in that area.

Thanks for your comments, and thanks to all who commented on the knife.

best regards -

mqqn
 
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