Doug Ritter run in...over a year ago.

M

Maikutis

Joined
Jan 2, 2007
Messages
193
(no rhyme or reason to this post, just want to tell someone)


So, some time last year I bought a Ritter mini-grip off of the forums here. I didn't know anything about the knife or the designer. I carried it around, liked it a lot, and that was that.

During this time, my unit in the Coast Guard was a surf station in Washington state. We operate the motor life boats (for a good visual, check this out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr6zTiKNxIs&feature=related or just search youtube for 47' mlb). Anyways, we had to test out our life rafts, GPS, and other survival gear. This time though, my BM1 said we had some guy coming to help test new gear or something . Yeah, it was Doug Ritter. Thing is, I didn't know it. Carried his knife in my dry suite the whole time we were out together. Then just today, here on the forums, I followed a link to his website and thought, "hey, thats that survival guy we did all that testing with!"

Anyways, thats my run in with a knife-lebrity.
 
Maikutis,

It is a small world. Thank you for the compliments on the Mini-RSK Mk1. Thanks very much for your assistance in the testing. It is always a honor and pleasure to work with the Coast Guard and the week we spent working with all of you at Air Station Astoria, Station Cape Disappointment and the National Motor Life Boat School was no exception.

Just to fill in the details, earlier this year Equipped To Survive Foundation conducted a comprehensive test and evaluation, both field tests and laboratory, of PLBs (406 MHz Personal Locator Beacons) for use by U.S. Coast Guard aircrew and rescue swimmers. These PLBs are replacing the 121.5 MHz Mini-EPIRBS that had previously been carried and which are being rendered obsolete this coming February due to the cessation of 121.5 satellite alerting.

The resulting 248-page report was delivered ahead of time and under budget, I am very pleased to say. The Coast Guard subsequently made a purchase decision based on the report and is well on its way to equipping their aircrew and rescue swimmers with the PLBs. It was an honor to be able to provide a service for the brave men and women of the Coast Guard who risk their lives for others, and to know for sure that the government got a really good value from our T&E program. I salute you and your fellow Coasties for your service.
 
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HA! So that's why I had to replace all the PLB's! The 406's are so much better than the old ones.

Mr. Ritter, I didn't know you were on the forums. It was fun working with you, even if I didn't directly know who you were (fun...except for lugging all that equipment up and down the brow at low tide)
 
Very cool story! :thumbup:

Mr. Ritter, I love the Mk1 and carry it habitually, got a new yellow-handled Mini for Christmas and am eagerly anticipating its more-intensive use in the coming days! Thanks for a great product.
 
Cool story... great knives. 'Bout the only Benchmades I have any more are my 5 Ritters, a couple of 14210s, and a couple of old 721s.
 
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