Help me choose

[POCEH KOCEB]

I’m far from arguing, obviously you know both knives. I also went through few Grips and Rats, currently have only two Grips and I think 3 or 4 Rats.
Also obviously we have different experience with those two, and this is perfectly normal.

You are not mentioning it directly but just for the record:

I think the Hogue Ritter is the better Grip.
” …My Griptilian is so old, it had 154cm blade on it… “
In this regard, I did show D2 Rat model but don’t remember recommending same steel.
Aus8 would be better steel and you know why.
In my experience, it’s easier to work on the ground with the Rat, than the Grip.
I also agree about the marketing element but the Rat does have a features that makes it more serviceable outside,
‘the replaceable stop pin/stud is one of those And you can replace it 4 or five times.
BTW, I live on the West Coast of FL, close to the Gulf. Salty spray is all over the place almost year around.
My D2 knives have no issue with rust. You’ll find spot or two, usually around the pivot but little fine steel wool
is all it takes to take care of it, Thinking about it, I don’t even lube the blades of the one that I keep home
where you usually have the effect of the condensation when you bring your “hot” from outside knife, on the cold home AC air.

 

[Roguer]

For big game I suggest a Lock Back type or stronger. I've had other forms of locks fail on me many times. The blades of the knife were great, but the locking mechanism failed greatly, I went to Cold Steel for their lock backs are some of the best, but still use my Bucks and Gerbers still a lot as well. I've had to many slashed fingers and almost lost digit experiences due to failures.

 

[Owen K.]

As it was my first(and most likely last) axis lock, of course it got some fidget time. And it should have been taking it IMO.

Yes it will still function, but for how long? I imagine the second spring will wear even faster on it's own.



Toyota and Honda's are fine by me, dont know what a timing belt is.

But I would not take a car known for suddenly loosing half it's breaking power at any moment, without any warning, out into the wilderness.

Have you tried using BM's fantastic warranty and request more springs? I bet they'd send you an extra.

 

[353]

Have you tried using BM's fantastic warranty and request more springs? I bet they'd send you an extra.

No problem with BM's warranty, and yes they sent me springs, the wrong size thow..

But I made new ones from memory wire, I think they are more sturdy than the originals. Works great, but I've heard, or read of one case, that even they can snap.

 

[strategy9]

If you're liking the Grip, I would suggest the Doug Ritter MSK instead...

The Rat is a great little knife that would save you some money.

But agree with others here, if you intend on using it on field dressing animals, a frame lock or Backlock would be easier to clean, and which point the Esee Avispa (or Zancudo), a Kabar Dozier, a Cold Steel or a Buck, or a handful of Kershaws would better suit the ease of cleaning afterwards in that regard.

 

[Hjalmar69]

Thanks for all the input. Now I'm looking at the Buck slim select after suggestion in thread and my son favors a budget Spyderco Tenacious since the BM is above my price range. I might as well skip buying a new knife since it makes me confused