Doug Ritter RSK Knife Announcement

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And its technically not even the same handle. The finger choil area is different and so is the rear shape and lanyard hole placement. Also, if BM still made a similar model, or if Ritter jumped ship and had Hogue produce the knife then I might scream clone, but that's not what happened. BM dropped him and stopped producing the model so I feel Ritter should be able to produce a similar knife on his own. The Axis lock issue is a bit more complicated, but I believe that as long as the patent is expired then its fair game.
 
craytab said:
Sad to see Doug putting his name on something like this, hogue as well. Could they not come up with their own handle and lock?
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The handle design does differ slightly in that there is a hump that sits behind the index finger. Mel Pardue designed the original Griptilian and Doug had talked with Mel before working with Benchmade. Maybe there was an agreement?

As far as the lock goes it's fair game, correct? Hogue had already been putting out the HK knives with an Axis Lock.

91bravo said:
I was thinking the same thing. I mean, upon first glance, everyone's gonna call it a Ritter Grip!
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RG2.0 :D
 
jstrange said:
And its technically not even the same handle. the finger choil thingy is different and so is the rear. Also, if BM still made a similar model, or if Ritter jumped ship and had Hogue produce the knife then I might scream clone, but that's not what happened. BM dropped him and stopped producing the model so I feel Ritter should be able to produce a similar knife on his own. The Axis lock issue is a bit more complicated, but I believe that as long as the patent is expired then its fair game.
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But it looks just like a Benchmade Ritter Griptilian. Only it's not a Benchmade Griptilian...
 
godzilla78 said:
Doug Ritter and Hogue have basically put out a Griptilian clone, I’m sure it’ll be a great knife but doing this doesn’t feel or sit right.
Where is this knife made?
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OK, now I hate being the voice of reason. I feel like my mom when I do things like that, but before we start jumping up and down about cloning, do we know if there is an agreement with Benchmade and/or Mel Pardue to use the design? If BM has said "we don't want it any more, so yeah sure, you can use it" then they have permission and it wouldn't be an issue as far as I'm concerned.

I don't know of any agreement, but considering how much credibility Doug Ritter has, and the fact that neither Hogue nor Knifeworks are shady businesses, gives me reason to give them benefit of the doubt, unless shown otherwise.

I feel like we owe it to them to investigate before we castrate...
 
The differences between this knife and griptillian are subtle but I'm sure the lawyers from all three have come to an agreement about it's production. With all the time Hogue has spent getting the button lock right it seems a waste not to have the button lock on this, what the world doesn't need is yet another rehash of the Axis lock.
 
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bluemetalchurch said:
The handle design does differ slightly in that there is a hump that sits behind the index finger. Mel Pardue designed the original Griptilian and Doug had talked with Mel before working with Benchmade. Maybe there was an agreement?

As far as the lock goes it's fair game, correct? Hogue had already been putting out the HK knives with an Axis Lock.



RG2.0 :D
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Just like the classic example of defining porn, I know a copied design when I see it. Sure, that version of the axis lock might indeed be fair game. The handle has a little hump. But let's be honest, if folks are fine with this copy, they should be fine with stuff that ganzo puts out.

19-3ben said:
OK, now I hate being the voice of reason. I feel like my mom when I do things like that, but before we start jumping up and down about cloning, do we know if there is an agreement with Benchmade and/or Mel Pardue to use the design? If BM has said "we don't want it any more, so yeah sure, you can use it" then they have permission and it wouldn't be an issue as far as I'm concerned.

I don't know of any agreement, but considering how much credibility Doug Ritter has, and the fact that neither Hogue nor Knifeworks are shady businesses, gives me reason to give them benefit of the doubt, unless shown otherwise.

I feel like we owe it to them to investigate before we castrate...
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We don't need to do the investigating. Doug and hogue need to do some explaining. If there is an agreement, say so. Even if you are using another person's design, give credit. Look at how spyderco words their description of the frame lock.

Read the knife works blurb. There is no mention of the original designer of this knife. As it is presented now, it is an un credited stolen design.
 
Thanks to those who have ordered and expressed kind words and compliments.

With regards to those expressing concerns about the similarities between the RSK® Mk1-G2 and the Benchmade Griptilian that served as the basis for the original OEM RSK® Mk1 produced by Benchmade for me, I suggest you carefully re-read the precisely crafted remarks on the product page, reproduced below. I would just as soon not say anything more and hope that, as noted by one poster, that the credibility and honor of the parties involved will speak volumes. :

Ritter explained, "when Benchmade advised me in the summer of 2016 that as part of a restructuring that they were no longer going to produce my RSK knives, it was quite a shock. These highly regarded knives have been my primary source of income for the last decade. That income is what has allowed me to spend the majority of my time on Knife Rights' efforts to free knife owners from irrational knife restrictions. This has resulted in 29 bills repealing knife bans enacted in 21 states, eight anti-knife bills defeated and numerous litigation victories in the past eight years. The sales also support my Equipped To Survive™ site and my participation on numerous national and international safety and survival standards committees. Walking away from Knife Rights and ETS due to the loss of knife income simply wasn't an option I would consider."
…
"Needs must when the devil drives," said Ritter. The question facing Ritter was what would the next generation knife look like; how could he make it better? Over the years Ritter had considered "next gen" versions in various configurations, some even got sketched or spec'd out with Benchmade. However, none ever came to fruition for him.
 
GermanyChris said:
The differences between this knife and griptillian are subtle I'm sure the lawyers from all three have come to an agreement about it's production. With all the time Hogue has spent getting the button lock right it seems a waste not to have the button lock on this, what the world doesn't need is yet another rehash of the Axis lock.
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Agreed. They've differentiated. Why now copy?
 
wright88 said:
Any plans to do a mini version? Would be very interested in this if the blade was closer to 3".
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One step at a time. Huge investment, need to see if folks like this new one as much as they liked the old one.As a rule, we don't comment on future product plans until they are ready to sell. :) Thanks for your understanding.
 
RaulDuke said:
Given that many of us will no doubt wish to replace the G10 scales with Wilkins or other after-market grips, do we know if the specs are the same on the Mk1-G2's such that the scales currently produced will fit them?
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With the exception of the pattern for the clip screws, there is not a single common element between the original and gen. 2 knives. Obviously, the blade shape is the same, but that's it. I am pretty confident, however, that at least some of the aftermarket handle suppliers will eventually do one for this knife. I wouldn't be surprised if some will also offer a solid back spacer for those that might prefer it.
 
Whelp, I more or less called it. As I already have a Benchmade Griptilian, I'm seeing nothing that makes this "new" version worth spending the money on, so I'll definitely pass. Good fortune for those who may not have been able to get one of the originals from Benchmade though. :thumbsup:
 
wright88 said:
Nice looking knife. Any plans to do a mini version? Would be very interested in this if the blade was closer to 3".
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Well, since they already used 99.9999% of the design of the Griptilian with absolutely vanishingly minor alterations, it stands to reason that they'll do the same with the Mini Griptilian. (shrug)
 
Critter said:
KnifeWorks.com has a dealer membership. You might also note that Spark fully supports Knife Rights
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I know he does, and many of us do. A statement from KnifeWorks and their Dealer membership would have made things clearly within the rules.
 
GermanyChris said:
The differences between this knife and griptillian are subtle but I'm sure the lawyers from all three have come to an agreement about it's production. With all the time Hogue has spent getting the button lock right it seems a waste not to have the button lock on this, what the world doesn't need is yet another rehash of the Axis lock.
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I wondered about this as well. They do it so well and it’s a nice smooth lock that by all accounts is strong enough.
 
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