Got my Ritter Grip!

WadeF

WadeF

Joined
Apr 12, 2000
Messages
2,116
Since the Doug Ritter RSK Mk1 hit the market I have had my eye on it. The blade style (similar to a Sebenza's) and Axis lock looked like a winning combination. The only thing that was holding me back was the handle. Well, I decided to just take the plunge and get one anyway.

My initial impressions... The blade is great, came shaving sharp. The handle is okay, it feels okay in the hand, but it does feel cheap. This knife would be much better if the handle had full steel liners and g-10 scales. A handle designed more like the 710 or the Ares would be a big improvement. When you flick the knife open with the Axis lock it has a cheap "CLACK" sound thanks to the handle design. My BM710, 806, Ares, etc are all much quieter and feel much more solid. The handle also does take up more room in the pocket, but it feels okay. Drawing the knife is MUCH slower thanks to the plastic cleats that cover the handle for more grip. They really catch and dig into my jeans. I might attempt to sand these down on the clip side. Has anyone else attempted this? :)

All in all it's a nice knife and I'm going to try using it for my EDC for awhile. Shame they went with this handle though. If they ever put a better handle on it they will have a real winner of a knife. I could see a whole series of knives with Doug's blade on it selling like hot cakes. Maybe one with Titanium handles and the Axis lock, maybe through in some wood inlays and slap a $150-170 price tag on it. SOLD.
 
I hope it serves you well, Wade.

If it was offered with the same blade but with handles using the same materials as the 710 or 806, I'd be all over it, and I'd be willing to pay quite a bit more for it.
 
Keith Mayton said:
I hope it serves you well, Wade.

If it was offered with the same blade but with handles using the same materials as the 710 or 806, I'd be all over it, and I'd be willing to pay quite a bit more for it.
Click to expand...

Hopefully Benchmade will recognize the interest in Doug's knife with better handles and come through for us. :)

The Ritter Grip has been in my pocket for awhile now and I must say I keep forgetting it's there. So it isn't big and bulky like I had originally feared.

I think I may try sanding down the grippy stuff right under the clip to see if it makes pocket withdrawl smoother.
 
The Mini Ritter has been my EDC for a while now too. If I could change something, it would be the thumbstud, it tears up pockets...put it's not such a big deal that I'm looking for another EDC. I'm very happy with the Mini.
 
WadeF,

We have had reports from a small number of customers who have slightly eased the points of the checkering under the clip with some sandpaper or a Leatherman diamond file <!> and they appear quite happy with the result. For most of us, the extreme grip of that clip with those points is a positive, not a negative, but at least that is an easily solved issue.

As for the handle material, it is on the list, I'd like to try it, but for right now it's listed below the don't-hold-your-breath line. OTOH, don't give up; as the RSK Mk1 itself becomes better known and more widely established and as demand grows it may become more feasible. Meanwhile, the current handle does the job very well and while it may sound "cheap" is is durable and works, and as you noticed, is a major element in how light the knife is, one of its welcome attributes for many owners.
 
Critter said:
Meanwhile, the current handle does the job very well and while it may sound "cheap" is is durable and works, and as you noticed, is a major element in how light the knife is, one of its welcome attributes for many owners.
Click to expand...

I know you designed this knife with a certain purpose in mind and I think it lives up to your expectations. For it's intended purpose, it's fantastic. I agree with you, that the points in the grip do help keep the knife securely clipped in your pocket. If I was carring this in the field I wouldn't think of messing with the knife. I will most likely leave the knife as is.

Many of us love the blade design and would love to see it incorporated into different handle styles.
 
Actually Mel Pardue designed the knife and Mr. Ritter re-designed the blade only.


Good luck,
Allen.
 
allenC said:
Actually Mel Pardue designed the knife and Mr. Ritter re-designed the blade only.
Click to expand...

Yes, I know Mr.Ritter used a pre-existing handle design by Mel Pardue. I guess I should have said "When you designed your knife and selected Mel Pardue's handle.." :)
 
Took a couple pictures of my new Ritter Grip.

ritter01.jpg


ritter02sm.jpg


The Ritter pictured with other popular production knives. :) If you can't find it, it's in the left hand column, 4th knife from the top between a BM710HSSR and a Sebenza.

ritter03.jpg


These are just some quick snap shots with my wife's new Sony DSC-P200 which is 7.2Megapixels. It should be capable of some pretty killer close up shots, I just have set up some good lighting. These were all taken with the built in Flash which works very well considering I was very close to the knife in the 2nd shot.
 
Doug said his blade may never make it to another handle style, but we can still dream. :)

ritter_ares.jpg
 
dulaboy said:
what is that Tanto above the Spydie native?
Click to expand...

It's one of the Benchmade AXIS locks. I forget the exact model, lemme see if they still offer it...

It's something like this, but this may be a newer version?

http://www.newgraham.com/benchmad6.htm

dulaboy said:
And what is #6, below the Sebenza?
Click to expand...

That would be the Camillus Dominator with ROBO assist opening, s30v blade, titanium handles, etc.
 
neosporin said:
A ritter/BM705 would be awesome :D
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I think Doug's blade design is the best blade design Benchmade offers. Anyone else agree? You'd think if it was the best blade design, they'd want to make different variations of it. It's not like Benchmade doesn't like to make many variations of their popular models.
 
dulaboy said:
what is that Tanto above the Spydie native?

And what is #6, below the Sebenza?
Click to expand...

The tanto is a Benchmade 722. I believe they are no longer made with g-10 scales, aluminum is used now.

As stated above #6 is a Camillus Dominator.

Benchmade 722

bm722.jpg


Camillus Dominator

c2447_1.jpg
 
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