Doug Ritter Grip

I have never opened an AXIS lock without pulling back both sides - isn't that how you are supposed to do it? I can't imagine it ever being smooth by pulling back just one side of the bar...
 
Between my wife, my dad, and myself, we have numerous axis lock benchmades. None of them require using both sides of the lock stud to disengage the lock. They are buttery smooth and only require one finger. I did have a 710 once that I had to send back to Benchmade twice because the lock was gritty and difficult to operate. It was an anomaly however.
 
Well, after (cleaning/lubing/working) repeat ad naseum, the axis bar is smoothing out "a little." Its got a long way to "buttery smooth," that's for sure. I do have hope, though...
I guess I'll have to pick up another Benchmade Axis lock just to see how nice they can be... so, who has a M2 Axis lock with a plain blade they just must be rid of?

MPotter
 
Got my Ritter Grip yesterday. Great knife. The axis is nice and smooth.
This is one of the sharpest new blades that I have ever received. Much sharper than my other new Benchmade knives.

One thing though -
I ordered the Bianchi sheath that is recommended on the Aeromedix site but have found that it is a poor fit. I will hopefully be returning it.
It has snap closure and neither of the two snaps are in the right place for the RitterGrip - velcro closure would have been better.
 
I got mine..it is as perfect as imaginable. REALLY sharp, great QC!! I even dont mind the thumbstuds.

I, too, have always used my thumb andindex finger to pull back the cross bolt. Using one digit feels awkward to me.
 
potterma said:
The problem with the Axis is the thumb stud. It grates and grinds when I pull it back to open or close the knife. I've resorted to a two finger (left hand) push on both sides of the lock to close it. Quite unhandy. I'll try cleaning it up and putting some lube on it and see if that helps.
MPotter
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Hi, Doug Ritter here; I was just apprised of this thread. The AXIS Lock on the RSK Mk1, or any other Benchmade for that matter, should work reasonably smoothly and be easily actuated with your thumb alone. That's how I close mine (and often open it as well, using the "flick" method). Something is not quite right. I apologize, but these things do occasionally slip through, so I am told. <~> Benchmade will take care of it under warranty, please contact them if you have not already. If there are any problems in this regard, please do not hesitate to let me know (click on the email link at the bottom of any page at www.equipped.org). Again, sorry for this trouble.

Doug Ritter
 
Mine came through just fine, so it must be just a random thing. I think the overall design and function is just perfect, like a poor mans Sebbie! I'm not a huge fan of the plastic handles, but it is comfortable and feels secure in the hand and obviously helps keeps price in check.
 
Say, Doug since you're here:

I love my RSK1, but there's one change I'd like to request if there are future variants. For this knife's intended purpose, I think it should be available in a nice obnoxiously bright color like the mini-Grips are.

I've lost more than one knife due to black-handle-induced invisibility and so made a command decision that I would avoid black for any future knife intended for emergency use. The RSK1 met all my other requirements so perfectly that I had to violate my own rule for it. Although I did try to mitigate this failing by rigging it with a lanyard made out of a re-purposed camp clothesline that conveniently is bright orange with Scotchlite threads in it.

But otherwise, it's exactly what I wanted, and my particular example (#33/100) is perfect.

thanks,
vv
J.O.
 
J.O.

Thanks! I absolutely understand where you are coming from and I can assure you we looked into that (yellow to be specific). Unfortunately, we haven't been able to figure out an economical way to accomplish that on the full-size RSK Mk1. It would require a special run of handles and the minimum run and cost are simply beyond us at the moment. There are some other lesser issues, but those are the primary ones. I have not given up on the idea, but... If we do a mini-RSK Mk1, there's a good chance it may be available in one of the brighter colors as well as black since they already exist. A major key to our being able to do this knife was our ability to base it on the existing product line and components. Every time we look at something beyond that as an alternative, such as the colored handle or sculpted G10 scales, etc., the cost goes through the roof to the point of making it impractical. :-(

Doug Ritter
 
I've found that polishing up the friction surfaces on the blade/washer junction, the bronze washers, and the AXIS ramp and curve with Flitz or Maas will really, really improve the action on AXIS folders.

With really stubborn ones, I put a little Flitz on the curved cam and worked the action maybe 50-75 times (taping the blade edge, too.)

Wash VERY thoroughly, dry, and lube with the tiniest bit of Militec-1.

Voila... smooth AXIS action.

Now... to figure out how to tune them so there's no play but it doesn't bind to hell... I don't know with the bronze washers. So far it's been a tossup -- sometimes they're smooth and sometimes they're not.

-j
 
Mr. Ritter,
It is great to see that you care enough about this product to come over to our forum and participate in the discussion. Since working the action a bunch of times on the axis lock, and cleaning it thoroughly, applying a dab of lube, it works much better. Probably not up to the standards of Biogon's polish job, but quite acceptable now.
One thing I discovered while 30 feet up a ladder trimming tree limbs, is that Axis lock is probably the best lock/unlock mechanism you can have for working with gloves. Most other locks I find somewhat difficult to disengage with work gloves on. The Axis is a breeze.
Hey, Doug. Thanks for a great knife!

MPotter
 
Don M said:
Hey Doug, I'd definitely go for a mini version! Please?
Click to expand...

I can say that we are seriously looking into it, but no final decision yet. It would represent another major commitment. Not like we can just produce a dozen and see how it goes. :( One significant concern is that there isn't much savings producing the mini, the price wouldn't be much less than the full size, maybe a $10 savings <!> and, as you may notice, there are those who can't get beyond the "Griptilian" heritage and Noryl GTX handles with regards the price. Mind you, we've had enough who appreciate it to allow us to get over the hump, but it's still scary, truth be told. :)

I'll be sure to post a message here if we do go ahead with it.

Doug Ritter
 
potterma said:
Mr. Ritter,
It is great to see that you care enough about this product to come over to our forum and participate in the discussion. Since working the action a bunch of times on the axis lock, and cleaning it thoroughly, applying a dab of lube, it works much better. Probably not up to the standards of Biogon's polish job, but quite acceptable now.
One thing I discovered while 30 feet up a ladder trimming tree limbs, is that Axis lock is probably the best lock/unlock mechanism you can have for working with gloves. Most other locks I find somewhat difficult to disengage with work gloves on. The Axis is a breeze.
Hey, Doug. Thanks for a great knife!

MPotter
Click to expand...

OK, fair 'nuf. One reason I am working with Benchmade is they generally do very good work for a production house and they do stand behind their product. Glad you're liking the AXIS Lock and appreciating its advantages, it really is a helluva lock, IMHO.

Doug Ritter
 
If sales are good could this possibly become a regular production model?
 
shootist16 said:
If sales are good could this possibly become a regular production model?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say that's impossible, but it appears unlikely.

Doug Ritter
 
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