Doug Ritter Hogue - Is the hype true..?

[LJTanzer]

There seems to be a YouTube consensus about the Hogue Doug Ritter RSK® MK1-G2 being GREAT. Is this true or just hype..?
How would it compare in build quality and ergonomics to (let's say) a Benchmade Freek..?

 

[J.Mattson]

Functionally its a great knife that will equal or beat (IMO) the Freek. That being said, mine has left me a little cold and I have not quite been able to warm up to it.

 

[whp]

Interesting response.
Despite having a Ritter Griptilian with m390, I ve been considering the Hogue Ritter. I like my Ritter Grip.

 

[c7m2p3]

If you are looking for a knife to really use it is fantastic and a pretty great value even in todays market with a pretty solid combination of materials. Throw on an aftermarket clip and sand down the texture underneath it and it gets even better. Thinner with a better grind than the standard grip, better steel than the stock PM2, and the added benefit of part of the proceeds going towards knife rights. I have the mini and have been very happy with it.

 

[sharp_edge]

It is great not hype. I don't have the s30v Benchmade Freek but I imagine I would pick Hogue Ritter over it due to materials. I do have a Benchmade Super Freek with M4 steel. The quality and action of it are superb. It is larger than Hogue Ritter so it's an apple to orange comparison.

 

[hhmoore]

YouTube consensus?
Is that even a thing?
Yes, it's a great knife - I have the "regular" and the mini; and I like both enough to pocket/use them periodically. (In my time on this forum, there have only been 3 "modern folders" that basically owned my rfp for extended periods - the Hogue Ritter might not have managed that trick; but I think highly enough of it to recommend it frequently)

 

[photoman12001]

I like my Benchmade Ritter Grips and I've thought about getting a Hogue Ritter for a friend.

 

[barleywino]

I'm a big fan of the Hogue Ritter. It would be my EDC except that technically it's above the legal limit around here.

 

[darsk20]

Not sure what hype you’re talking about, but mine is a great knife. It is in my EDC rotation with my small Sebenza and BM 943. Love it and use it. Maybe only concern was the pocket clip kept getting caught on stuff. Swapped it for an original BM and no problems since.

 

[DMG]

The Hogue Ritter is a great knife. I rotate it an Gayle Bradley 2 in my pockets mostly now. Everything else just sits in a drawer. The Benchmade Ritter is a great knife too. I carried a S30v Ritter Grip for maybe a decade before the Hogue.

 

[c7m2p3]

Not sure what hype you’re talking about, but mine is a great knife. It is in my EDC rotation with my small Sebenza and BM 943. Love it and use it. Maybe only concern was the pocket clip kept getting caught on stuff. Swapped it for an original BM and no problems since.

The pocket clip is the weak point. Fairly thin spring metal, not a huge fan of the space underneath it for thicker pants, and the texture of the handles can start to get pretty shreddy on your pants. Luckily it does have the same Benchmade pattern for mounting so if you have any bm clips laying around it is fairly easy to swap out.

 

[Chronovore]

There is a lot to love here. The overall shape and blade steel are very good. It's generally better than the Benchmade alternative. That said, buying the Ritter Hogue means supporting Knife Rights, which is a great organization working on a great cause that benefits all of us. That's a lot better than where some of the proceeds might get donated if you buy a Benchmade.

 

[soc_monki]

It is a great knife. I like the handle better than the Benchmade G10 Grip (more hand filling). However, it really comes down to preference IMO. I have 2 G10 Grips (standard 20cv, and a custom M4), and of course the Hogue. Both my Grips are perfect. Centered, great action, no lock stick. My Hogue is off center and nothing I do can fix it, and it has lock stick. Mild, but still there. Not a big deal on either count, but Benchmade has the Hogue beat in both areas. Action is really good on the Hogue as well, as good or better than the Benchmades. I do love the blade shape and grind as well. And it's cheaper than the Benchmades.

Compared to a Freek (Super Freek specifically) I'd give the nod to the Freek. Again, personal preference. I pick up the Freek more than the Hogue.

Supporting knife rights is priceless though. Great knife, worthy cause, no reason not to get one IMO! I do love the RSK, don't get me wrong. I think some people just think becauase it's not a Benchmade that it avoids the Benchmade gripes that people all seem to think is so common (off center blades, lock stick, etc). I think the Omega springs are better, I haven't heard about much breakage, but I haven't had a Benchmade Omega break either so, moot point. One thing they really did improve on, they used T8 screws for the body and clip! Now if everyone would make that improvement...never had problems with T6's myself, but T8 are better and I'm not going to act like they're not.

 

[goldie]

Thats why im sick of, have ignored opinions of not all, but most of the youtubing gum flapping dorks long ago.Since when is their word the law? Hogue makes very good knives; case closed.

 

[soc_monki]

Thats why im sick of, have ignored opinions of not all, but most of the youtubing gum flapping dorks long ago.Since when is their word the law? Hogue makes very good knives; case closed.

Not to mention when those you tubers spout information that is false or misleading. Please do your research, give correct information, and don't say a knife has a flaw when something is part of the design. It may not be something you like, but if the designer himself gave a reason for a feature it is not a "flaw".

I usually watch Pete or advanced knife bro... They never take themselves too seriously haha

 

[Elite_KG]

My Hogue mini-Ritter came with a smoother action, more solid lock-up, less play than any Benchmade Ritter I’ve purchased and I have bought many. Im not down playing Benchmade as I am still buying mostly Benchmades today. Just saying the quality of the one Hogue Mini-Ritter I purchased has the best action and likely over quality of any Benchamde Ritter I’ve bought. Maybe I got lucky…..happens with Benchmades.

 

[Worldwatcher]

Picked one up here recently and so far I am a pretty big fan. They nailed the axis/able lock imo.

 

[greater]

I have the orange scale (G10) full size. I find it to be a very well made precision folder with a super smooth action. I also have the Benchmade regular and mini griptilian. I like the Hogue version better.

 

[mongomondo]

I like mine, it's very similar to the g10 Griptilian while being slightly cheaper so that's a plus. I also don't really trust any Youtuber "consensus" because 99% of them never use their knives. They just constantly flick it open and closed for a day or two and then they sell it and move on to something else. Love watching the videos just for entertainment and to see close up shots of the knife though.

 

[c7m2p3]

I like mine, it's very similar to the g10 Griptilian while being slightly cheaper so that's a plus. I also don't really trust any Youtuber "consensus" because 99% of them never use their knives. They just constantly flick it open and closed for a day or two and then they sell it and move on to something else. Love watching the videos just for entertainment and to see close up shots of the knife though.

Yeah it comes with the territory you have to know what they are by nature but that is true for a lot of product review things. If someone has hundreds of knives coming through for review you really arent getting a comprehensive daily use and carry review since there simply isnt enough time. We run into this in the firearm community as well. People will try and simulate "daily carry" but there is no substitute for actually owning and using the item as intended.