Doug Ritter knives?

[Arakiel]

Will someone please shed some light on this for me? In what way are his modifications an improvement over the original BK&T and Benchmade knife designs?

 

[Evany]

I have his versions of the Benchmade Griptillian and Mini Griptillian. Basically the Ritter's have a modified blade shape with a higher, almost full flat grind and a blunter, stronger tip. The steel has been "upgraded" to S30V with a custom "stonewashed" finish. Otherwise they are the same as the regular Benchmade Grips. They are very nice user knives, I especially like the mini as it's packs a lot into a very compact form.

 

[Arakiel]

I just have to ask...why does he modify existing designs instead of creating his own from scratch? If I were a designer, I don't think I would appreciate his approach. I'm not saying his modifications aren't valid, in fact I am seriously considering getting an MK3, but something about his promotional tactics rubs me the wrong way. Seems like he is somehow tolerated by his contemporaries in the survival industry, and his website is a little too "as-seen-on-tv" for me, rife with testamonials. Does anyone else feel this way? Am I being too sensitive? If so I'll gladly just have a glass of scotch and forget all about it.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Have a glass of Scotch.

Doug is great source of information and inspiration on survival, and if he uses an ad-oriented approach, that's a proven way of getting people's attention.

His Sebenzafied blade on the Griptilian platform was in line with the Griptilian philosophy anyway. Just look at all the variants they've done on their own. It isn't even that it's "better" as that it's another choice.

 

[Arakiel]

Okie dokie, single malt it is. Thanks, Esav.