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Doug Ritter mini-grip question
- Thread starter mfm22
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- Joined
- Feb 28, 2010
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- 239
Different blade shape.
Limited editions were made of M2 and M4. Other than that they are S30V.
Limited editions were made of M2 and M4. Other than that they are S30V.
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2005
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There are tons of reviews here and on the internet in other places. The Grips are good knives. The big ones sometimes get knocked for feeling/sounding "cheap" but they are solid cutting tools, well made with a great lock. Including the Ritters, there are four different blade types, not including serrated/non-serrated variations. It's hard to know where to begin...but you could do worse than buying one that appeals to you and seeing if it works for you. The Ritters sell for a premium but the others are available at very reasonable prices.
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- Aug 9, 2007
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I have a small S30V and a small M4 Ritter and the S30V version does have a slightly wider blade. The M4 is still very nice though and has an excellent coating on the blade.
I'm sure if you dig around you will find many positive reviews of the Ritter. I will say only this: I own many high end folders like CRKs, Hinderers, Galyeans and the like but when I take off into the woods each summer for backwoods paddles and hikes, I take a Ritter with me. They will serve you very well. Good luck!
I'm sure if you dig around you will find many positive reviews of the Ritter. I will say only this: I own many high end folders like CRKs, Hinderers, Galyeans and the like but when I take off into the woods each summer for backwoods paddles and hikes, I take a Ritter with me. They will serve you very well. Good luck!
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- Sep 12, 2010
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- 220
Agreed. I too have some high-end folders. But for the price / value equation, the Ritter's rock. You can't go wrong with one. Get one now. Or four.
The mini S30V Ritter is one of my favorite folders, and I just bought a second.
But calling it a good value for the price ....well, that's a bit of a stretch, IMO.
The stonewashed mini S30V now lists for $112 and that's what you'll pay -- BM requires dealers to sell Ritters at list. This kind of price-fixing used to be illegal.
For that kind of price, BM could do better than the Noryl handle it puts on the Ritters. (No knock on this excellent synthetic product; but it doesn't match the inflated Ritter price.)
And what's with the cheap, painted black clip? Wear marks show up almost immediately.
I added the WilkinsGrip G10 handle (list price $140) and had the clip bead-blasted.
Total price for blade and handle: more than $250.
Compare that with, for example, BM's fine Mini Presidio Ultra, with street price in the $60s. No, it doesn't boast an upscale steel, but 440C is just fine for me, thank you. The size, shape and weight of both are similar.
If you're looking for a wonderful blade, I recommend the Ritters without reservation, save only their artificially-inflated prices.
If you want value for the dollar, check out the Presidio Ultra.
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- Nov 18, 2005
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One of the price issues is that the Ritters are sold at MSRP whereas it is still possible to get below MAP pricing on regular Benchmades. That is a function of single-source selling, I think, not BM's MAP price policies.
Putting Wilkins scales on a Grip is a really quick way to turn a less expensive knife into a really expensive knife, as your math shows.
Very nice grips, but they cost more than most versions of the knife. 
Having said all that, I agree that the Ritters are hard to call a "value" knife, although I think they are a great choice (I own four).
Putting Wilkins scales on a Grip is a really quick way to turn a less expensive knife into a really expensive knife, as your math shows.
Very nice grips, but they cost more than most versions of the knife. Having said all that, I agree that the Ritters are hard to call a "value" knife, although I think they are a great choice (I own four).