Doug Ritter Grip

[Donald]

Thanks once again to all of you for the compliments.

With regards future developments and suggestions, all I can say at this time is that we are working diligently on some new stuff, some that many have asked for and others that I think (hope!) many of you will appreciate. I should also note we have decided against some other things that some have asked for; we can't fulfill every wish, even my own. However, it takes time to figure out what can be done with the resources available and still produce a good value and something to which I am willing to affix my name, then more time to turn those concepts into prototypes, then do testing, refine and adjust the design based on testing, more prototypes and testing, and then hopefully put it into production. Like a fine wine, a good blade cannot be rushed. But, be assured, we are not resting on our laurels and I have no shortage of ideas and suggestions to fuel the future. But, I am learning a lot about patience. Seems everything takes longer than one might wish.

I've heard nothing but good things about this knife and hope to get one sometime, perhaps the yellow in the smaller version, or blue if it ever comes in that color.

I just wanted to comment that on an ealier view of this thread, I noticed a comment that the reason the colors were not available on the larger version was that it required the material to be glass filled for rigidity which the glass-filled Noryl GTX satisfied. I looked into that briefly at the time and found that the material in the yellow handle, Valox, is available in a glass filled version. I could probably find it again if necessary. Critter comments on that in post #51.*

(*I note that searching for glass did not find the comment apparently because it had a hyphen after it. Searching for color found a few.)

 

[Critter]

Both are glass filled; I apologize if I didn't communicate that well. The issue is that the Noryl GTX cannot accept the bright colored additive without losing some of its structural strength and rigidity and the Valox, even though glass filled, doesn't have the inherent rigidity of the Noryl, but can accept the color without adverse impact on its structural properties, or at least not so much that it makes a difference. At least that's how it was explained to me. Bottom line is that this is what Benchmade can and will do and what they are comfortable with with regards handle material. It works very well. I am pretty confident that if they could get by with a single material, they would. <shrug>

Again, sorry for any confusion.

Please don't hold your breath for a blue Mini-RSK Mk1 version. I try not to say "never," but I really cannot envision circumstances that would allow that to happen on a production basis. Purely a matter of economics. OTOH, nothing to stop someone from picking up a blue Mini-Grip and exchanging the handles...

 

[Donald]

OTOH, nothing to stop someone from picking up a blue Mini-Grip and exchanging the handles...

Not only does Doug clear up any misconceptions, he figures out how to sell more knives too! Clever! To bad this forum does not have the ROTFLMAO icon! Wow, not only a good designer, but a marketing genius too!

 

[Critter]

he figures out how to sell more knives too! Clever!

Uhhhh, it's only "clever" if you actually had that as your strategy to begin with. In this case, I have to admit having stumbled into "clever."

but a marketing genius too!

LOL! I don't think anyone else has ever come close to suggesting I'm a marketing genius. Usually they take my marketing ideas and do just the opposite if they want to be successful. I feel I've been very lucky with the RSK Mk1 that others just happened to like what I wanted in a knife. It has turned out to be a very successful experiment; I certainly never expected it to do as well as it has. We'll see soon enough if my luck holds or if this was a one-hit wonder...

 

[Hrolf]

Got the full size, excellent edge geometry and outperforms many more expensive knives I own. The mini is too small for extended "real" work. If you plan to use it in the woods get the full size. For daily EDC cutting chores the mini will be enough.

 

[Sabre77]

Mr. Ritter,

You have alluded to the fact that we can expect more "creations" ala Doug Ritter in the future. So my questions are: How soon, and will you be working through Benchmade &/or other production houses, or will it be more custom than that? Also, you ave mentioned that you prefer knives that are top quality, but at reasonable prices for the product. Will future products from you follow that same format?

By the way, I ordered my RSK Mk1 on Friday, and it should be here on Tuesday! I can't wait! Also, the people at Aeromedix were extremely helpful and courteous.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[Critter]

How soon

Not as soon as I'd like? Seriously, I hesitate to put any date on it since stuff happens, but with a little luck sometime late Spring or this Summer is what we are aiming for.

will you be working through Benchmade &/or other production houses

Yes (and don't bother asking )

or will it be more custom than that?

No

Also, you ave mentioned that you prefer knives that are top quality, but at reasonable prices for the product. Will future products from you follow that same format?

Yes

By the way, I ordered my RSK Mk1 on Friday, and it should be here on Tuesday! I can't wait! Also, the people at Aeromedix were extremely helpful and courteous.

Thanks for your order and I'll pass along your compliments about Aeromedix.

 

[Senator]

Doug - I bought the large Ritter Grip when they first came out. For whatever reason I wasn't sold on it when I first received it. Perhaps it was the handle material; I am a bit of a knife snob. I offered it up for a pass-around here on the forums. It got great reviews from eveyone in the pass-around, and when I got it back a few months later I gave it a second look. It hasn't left my pocket since.

The Axis lock, the hand-filling grip, the S30V steel, the stonewashed finish, the fantastic thin edge... It's definately the total package. Thanks for making a great knife.

The only thing that would make it my perfect EDC knife would be to drop the point about 3/8", giving it more of a modified sheepsfoot blade profile. I find most of the work I do with a knife would be better served by a somewhat straighter edge and a lower point. Any chance of seeing this style in the future?

 

[Critter]

Glad you gave it a second chance.

Can't say that we've considered a sheepsfoot blade version. The standard Grip has such a blade, though of course it is 440C. Not sure that simply changing the steel and blade finish while providing a similar edge shape, all for twice the price, would make for a viable product. With the exception of the marine or safety markets, sheepsfoot blades don't seem to be particularly popular, and even then it's mostly serrated edges. However, I won't rule it out.

 

[dig-it]

I`ve enjoyed my large Ritter since I`ve had it. I`ll certainly keep my eyes open for future blades to come out.

 

[Sabre77]

Received my Large Ritter Grip yesterday! All I can say is, I LOVE S30V Steel. This is seriously the sharpest blade I have gotten, out of the box. The handle has a good feel to it, I like the versatility of the grip in the standard "sabre" position, as well as in the reverse grip. Overall, very good utility blade design.

 

[Lobo103]

I recieved my RSK-1 today and I have to say this is one blade that lives up to it's press. This is a tough, no-BS, knife that excels at it's function; CUTTING! I've cut all sorts of stuff from wood and plastic to cardboard and cloth and have been very impressed with the factory edge configuration and the blade geometry. Although not designed as one I think this blade is virtually Ideal for SD as well as survival situation and EDC. Aeromedix was great to deal with, and I actually recieved my knife a day earlier than expected. Mr. Ritter...thank you for designing such a great product!

 

[Mudflap]

Have to jump on the bandwagon--Ritter Mini-Grip for me. Just what I was looking for in a "summer weight" pocket knife. Great for urban carry, but I wouldn't feel uncomfortable taking this one out in the woods either. A lot of performance in a small package. Couldn't be happier! Thanks, SK

 

[PartialSerrations]

I am buzzing in really late on this one but I feel it is worth it. I just received my full size Ritter and I can say it is worth the price I paid and then some. I had to sell a Sebbie: to pay for school. Now that I have this knife, I can say that I won't be so saddened. The knife blade is sharp as hell and I wanted one ever since I read the review in Tactical Knives magazine. I can honestly say that this knife will give those expensive customs a run for their money. Not to put down custom knifemakers because their work is fabulous, I just can't afford to buy one but I still need a good knife. Thanks Doug for a very swell knife. I can live with the plastic handles as well and just add grip tape as needed.

IF WAR IS HELL, TAKE A BETTER PITCHFORK THAN THE DEVIL