Doug Ritter MK1 S30V versus Custom Griptilian S30V

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thallium

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Jan 25, 2011
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I was wondering if anyone knew how the Doug Ritter MK1 S30V compared to the custom Griptilian S30V that you can order on Benchmade's site. Are the blades both produced by Benchmade, have the same heat treat etc? I'm not talking about the blade shape, just the steel. I think with Ritter's MK2 the blade is made and heat treated by the ESEE guys if I'm not mistaken and I just didn't know if that was the case with the MK1 as well.

The reason I'm asking is becuase I'd like a Doug Ritter Mk1 and a regular Griptilian but I don't want 154CM so I'll probably get a custom Griptilian but can't decide on the steel; S30V or D2. How do people like the Griptilian D2 steel?
 
Worrying about all the dfferent heat treats and steel types will drive you nuts. There is not a lot of difference between them in normal use. Buy what you like best.
 
I have a Warn Barrage with D2. It's fairly new to me but it seems to hold an edge very well. But I've only used it for light duty.
 
The Rittergrip was Doug's first customized knife. It was a straight Benchmade product; a griptilian with Ritter's preferred blade shape.

That was a done deal well before he branched out to Rowen, who also makes knives for ESEE.
 
I think BM does a good job with it's D2. I have a Bone Collector folder, and the 275 Adamas, both in D2, and have had excellent results.
 
@raymond1000, yes it was Rowen, thanks. Ok so they presumably should be the same. So now the question is if I get a custom Grip should I get D2 or S30V?
 
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If you plan to or are collecting several knifes, then i'd get the D2.
There are so many other knives you can get in S30V.
 
I tend to prefer s30v over d2 for edc style knives. I like d2 for skinning but s30v is the current easy button of the knife world; (relatively)easy to sharpen and easily resists corrosion. D2 is a good steel, especially BM's, but s30v is just a little better IMO.
 
With respect to S30V - In as simple a way as can be put, same company, same blade steel, same heat treat. Different bladeshape, different blade grind, different name on the blade, different price.
 
thallium said:
That's what I wanted to know. Thanks.
Click to expand...

I have a s30 Ritter full size snd a full size grip but In 154cm steel. The s30v has one advantage I would say and that's the stonewash that Doug uses on his blades. Besides looking bad ass it also helps the corrosion resistance by filling all the micro pores. So if you custom made a grip and chose the s30v steel I don't believe it will have the same stonewash finish..
- that's just my 2 cents
 
I would spend the extra money (not much) and get a Ritter Grip in M390, if you are dead set on the Griptilian. In my experience, CPM-S30V tends to be very chippy.
 
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