First knife... Doug Ritter Benchmade?

C

carrot

Joined
Jan 9, 2006
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I'm looking at the Doug Ritter Mini-RSK Mk1 folder by Benchmade as my first knife. Basically what I'm looking for is a pocketable, durable knife that doesn't look too threatening. Preferably about $100 or less. This one seems to meet all my requirements, but maybe some opinions on the knife, alternate suggestions, or maybe ideas on what I should be looking for?

Link: http://www.aeromedix.com/index.php?...102bc46fe40b1b6b7416&action=sku&sku=bmrskmini
 
You might try Doug's M2 bladed version of the Ritter Grip. Something you won't find everyone else carrying. Available at your link above.

Best,

oregon
 
The S30V Mini-Rittergrip, D2 Mini-Rittergrip, D2 Cabellas Mini-Griptilian, and the normal 440C Mini-Griptilian are all great. You cannot go wrong with any of them.

The S30V and D2 versions are definitly higher performance than the 440C version, but do not discount the 440C version. 440C is a good steel and enough for pretty much everything you can throw at it. The 440C version is cheaper and gives you more handle color, blade finish, and stud/hole options. You can use the money you save to buy a good SAK. For general EDC, I think the 440C version will be a better buy for you.

Other options are:

Spyderco Delica, Spyderco Native, Buck Mayo Cutback

I consider the Griptilian to be a bit nicer than these, though. But do consider them.
 
The Ritter is a great knife, as well as the other grip variants, but I really have to recommend starting with the base model griptillian or (my favorite) minigrip.

Here are a few reasons:
As a knife n00b, I doubt that you'll be able to really appreciate an exotic steel--440C is MUCH nicer than the cheap knives 99% of the world uses, which is what's on the minigrip, and a great all purpose steel. It's just fine for we super knife users, and it'll be just fine for you.

The 50% price reduction is really nice--that other 50% you can buy a very different knife to compliment it in your collection when you later decide what it is, and it also makes it less of a huge loss if you happen to lose it, as new knife people sometimes do.

I really think you should go with the 440C model and look at some other knives and find something to compliment it in your collection--really, you need a benchmade AND a spyderco to see the world correctly. Kershaw is really doing amazing things lately, might want to consider adding them.

But the griptillian, especially the minigrip, is definitely a great knife to start out with. Just expect to have your standards raised pretty dang high once you get used to it.
 
This is only my second post here and I might not know as much as a lot of other people on here. I also don't want to be negative....but....

Let me first say this is a nice knife. I just don't see why this is a $100+ knife. A Benchmade griptilian can be had for a hair under $60 if you search around. While the rsk-mk1 is s30v and/or m2, it certainly isn't worth over $40 more. My 556 in 440c was a great deal for the money (around $50). It might not hold an edge quite as long as s30v but it isn't a slouch by any means. It's also easy to sharpen. If I wanted to spend $100 I could get something better than either one of these.

A $100+ small folder to me should have a rather expensive steel such as s30v and one or more of the following:
1. g10
2. Titanium
3. some sort of patented groundbreaking design

The rsk-mk1 has none of those extras. If you want to collect things like that, by all means. If you want an EDC....it's a great knife but a total waste of money imho.
 
Well, the Rittergrip only sells through aeromedix, so it's limited in sales, driving the cost up for the knife. Also, it isn't just a different steel for the grip pattern, it's a different blade all together, so it needed a bit of it's own tooling, I'm sure.
 
Yeah, it seems that a normal Mini-Grip for 60 bucks and a Spyderco Native (in S30V) for 40 bucks is a better deal for a new knife buyer than a more expensive Grip by itself. That way you get to experience BM and Spyderco and have a backup knife.

But I still suggest a normal Mini-Grip and a good SAK like a Super Tinker (15 bucks maybe). You'll have some money left over for a honing stone to sharpen your knife, some lube to keep it opening smooth, and other extras like a sheath, wipe cloth, diamond taper (if you get a partially serrated blade) etc...

I'd rather have a 440C Grip, a good SAK, and everything I need to keep them in great working condition than a Grip is slightly better steel.
 
Well, the way I see it is, I figure if I start off with one really good knife, I can save money by owning a few good knives than buying a bunch of (relatively) cheaper knives... but the 556 Mini-Griptilian looks quite tempting... and so does the Native FRN.

Okay, so I *do* have a SAK Spartan, SAK Executive/Original, and Leatherman Micra. But I don't have any locking knives except for this cheap $2 lockback I picked up at a bait and tackle store, which looks kinda like a Spyderco knockoff to me (but with an eagle!).

I just seem to keep stumbling into more and more expensive interests. :rolleyes:

What are reputable sites to buy the aforementioned knives at good prices?
 
I recommend www.newgraham.com.

Great prices, service, selection, very very reliable. I order all of my knives there.

However, you can only get the ritter grip from one place, as far as I know, and the D2 version can only be had from Cabela's.
 
The Ritter Grip is a nice knife, and I'm sure you'd love it. But I'm with the "440C will do just as well" crowd on this one, especially as a first high quality knife. I really like the blade design of the Ritter, but for an all around EDC knife, the standard Grip may be a little better at mundane tasks like cutting boxes or field dressing the mail.

I don't have a Grip, but a good friend does. It was also his first knife, and I think he made a great choice. It's a great little knife. I've spent plenty of quality time with that knife, as I seem to be the one in charge of keeping it sharp (and clean... you'd be amazed at what a can of air will blow out of an AXIS lock bed).

As others have said, take a look at the Spyderco Native if you really want a blade of S30V. It's an amazing little slicer. You could easily get a mini-Grip and a Native for the price of a Ritter Grip. Then later down the road, if you still want the Ritter, get it.

I'll second Artfully Martial's recommendation of New Graham. They've been getting all of my business of late and they're wonderful people to work with.
 
I love all the Grips and the Ritter Mini is my favourite knife full stop (period).

One thing though..which ever one you get, buy a Spyderco Sharpmaker to maintain it scary sharp.
 
Just had to throw this out there... blackwater has the griptilian in 154cm steel as well. The griptilian has really shown its success with all the different models, colors, and steels available.
 
I thought I had heard something about the Rittergrip blade suffering chipping under minor use on these boards. Perhaps I am mistaken. But no! You ain't allowed to start off with a good knife. You need to start off with a cheap POS from China or something so that you can appreciate a good knife! Sure you may be able to afford it, but you don't deserve it yet! You haven't hand a flea-market bargin fold on your fingers yet! You haven't spent every other day trying to sharpen a 440a stainless steel pocket knife. Hell, you probably ain't cut yourself at all by accident yet! If you start off with a good knife, you'll be spoiled!
Go buy a fury. If you only keep it for a few weeks, just see what most knives are like!
 
carrot said:
Well, the way I see it is, I figure if I start off with one really good knife, I can save money by owning a few good knives than buying a bunch of (relatively) cheaper knives...
Click to expand...
You aren't wrong. I want to make it clear that I am just giving my opinion. Getting a Rittergrip may be the best thing for you. And wanting to buy quality, or the most you can afford is a good idea.

But the normal Griptilian is a quality knife, and I think many of us agree that it really isn't any worse for your needs and may even be better. It's great that you want quality, but don't pay extra for things that won't matter.

Now, I am not saying that 440C is as good as S30V. I like S30V much more. And I am not trying to say "Oh, I am so much better than you and *I* can tell the difference but you can't, so save your money". I am very new to knives too. And I really can't tell the difference very much.

For a first knife, and for a general EDC knife, 440C can actually be *BETTER* for you than S30V. 440C will resist stains better, and will be much easier to sharpen (especially since you will be a beginner). And if you are exploring the limits of your knife, well, 440C will roll (not too bad and easy to fix), while S30V will be more prone to chip (which is bad). 440C is a more forgiving steel for someone who doesn't yet have the experience to know exact what is beyond the limit of a knife (not saying that I do).

Think of it this way... you want to buy a first car. You can get the V8 version with twin turbos, or the V6. The V8 is definitly higher performance, and the premium model. But unless you plan on racing, that extra power is wasted, and you just have to buy more gas and pay higher insurance, and deal with the demands of a turbo (having to let the car cool after driving it hard, dealing with boost leaks etc...)

Yeah, a better engine or steel is temping, and the higher price and performance may make it seem better for you. But unless you are really, really going to use that performance, than the extra money you pay, and the extra demands placed on you are not worth it.

Faster engines and harder steels are better for all purposes. For a daily driver (not a race car), a V6 can be *BETTER* than a V8 due to the better gas milage. And also 440C can be better than S30V as it is easier to sharpen and less prone to chipping when abused. For a first knife, and one that will be a light use EDC rather than a hardcore box murderer, 440C can actually be better reguardless of price. You pay more for S30V because it is more expensive, not because it is better for you. It is generally considered better, but it is very subjective.

And this is coming from someone that owns several S30V knives and a turbo car.

Sorry to type so much, and I don't want to seem like I think I know what is best for you. You should get the knife you want. The one that makes you happy.
 
I work in a warehouse and cut a lot of boxes .... I never use one of my knives, I use a cheap box cutter I got for free with replaceable razor blades.

Sorry, I just cringe when I think about cutting cardboard with a nice knife.
 
Isn't part of the expense of a Doug Ritter Grip a donation to a rescue group?
 
i like the ritter grip i have 2 one is my edc and one is put away in my tool box . iuse it all the time and i am a knife nut ive carried alot of knives and this is a good one good lockup .user friendly. does not scare most people when you use it. and the blade resembeles the sebbe witch is sturdy and wide . doug took alot of time with this knife. it has bronze washers to if imcorrect you won,t go wrong bying this knife. get that spyderco sharpmaker to and enjoy
 
I (and a lot of other folks) love the BM axis lock. It is ingenius. I would put a 440C BM Grip/mini - Grip up against an S30V Native (both around $40-$50) just based on the Axis lock alone...
 
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