Hogue Doug Ritter rskb or Benchmade 560bk-1

Which would you choose?

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    96
kingston73

kingston73

Joined
Oct 14, 2013
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I had one breifly but sold it and bought a Benchmade 560bk-1 instead. Now I'm regretting it and think I want another hogue. Is there enough difference between the two to justify owning both? Anyone have both? Opinions?

Edit: I ended up getting both. I have a standard black stainless Ritter now. It has a slightly better action than the freek, I think because the thumb studs are in a different place. Also the hogue lock does feel slightly more solid, not really sure how to describe it. I like the freeks looks better and prefer it's scales, the hogue will destroy your pocket pretty quickly.

Anyone know a source for custom scales for the hogue?
 
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While I appreciate the aesthetics of the Freek, I'd choose the Hogue/Ritter for the blade steel (and because I'm not really big on black blades anymore). Now, if you WANT a black blade, and jump to the 560bk1, it becomes a more difficult decision (for me).
As far as color, that's up to you. I had the Hogue in black...decided I wanted orange instead, so I ordered one and sold the black. (It's my only modern folder in orange; and I don't foresee any others)
*edited to add*
Reading fail - you have the 560bk1...
In that case, since you're questioning if they're different enough to justify having both, skip the black blade on the hogue
 
I would, and did, pick the Hogue. They're supposedly targeting 61-62 HRC for their M390/20CV blades, and the RSK has been holding up great in my experience.

I've heard Benchmade does a great job with M4, but I'm not a fan of coated blades and I generally prefer stainless steels for EDC. Hogue might have better QC too, which would mean you'd have a better chance of getting a perfect knife from them as opposed to Benchmade.
 
Just after I posted this I looked at the exchange section and found a hogue for sale, so I’ll have a black handle/stainless blade hogue to go with the freek. Thanks for the opinions so far. I’m curious about the 8 votes for the hogue, what is it that people like about it over the freek ?
 
I've got both the black and orange. I got the black first, and it arrived perfect in every way. I don't usually buy two of the same knife, but I really liked everything about the knife, so I decided to get the orange as well since it would benefit Knife Rights.
Don't know why you'd need the black blade unless you just like it because the steel doesn't need it.
 
kingston73 said:
what is it that people like about it over the freek ?
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I can't find a street price for the Doug Ritter Hogue knife. How much MORE expensive is it than the Benchmade 560? That also needs to be a consideration. Is it worth the premium in price for its intended use?
 
blade length may be an issue for some Hogue / Ritter is just under 3.5 , the FREEK IS 3.6
Both nice for edc - black blade is a no for me other wise I'd consider it
Already put the Hogue on Christmas list - I have a mini Benchmade Ritter in pocket most days for years
 
So maybe I’m being paranoid but is there any reason to suspect my freek is counterfeit? I don’t usually buy from eBay but got this at a fair price from a private seller (not an eBay “store”). I have only had it a few days and barely used it, cut a little cardboard. Today was trying to slice some wrapping paper and it wasn’t doing very well, ended up sharpening it a bit. Does Benchmade just not do a good job sharpening or could this possibly be a phony?
114536E8-D6F2-4B47-BA85-06C0D765061E.jpeg 2119E270-D9CF-4267-B75A-B9B9C93115F0.jpeg
 
I doubt it's a counterfeit , probably could use a sharpening - kind of remember mention of benchmade not being so sharp out of box
 
I would go for the basic 560 Freek, s30v, plain blade. I don't like coatings either. It is less expensive, and fine for EDC, and most uses.
 
I’ll say the Hogue too, but you could always build a Griptilian to your spec. Price wise it’d be close to the Hogue last I recall. The only downsides would be that they still don’t offer M4 uncoated, and you’d be missing out on the Ritter blade profile. I carry my old Benchmade Mini Ritter a lot and it’s certainly one of my favorite profiles.

Now if only Hogue and Ritter would get around to making an orange Mini version and I’d be complete, haha.
 
McFeeli said:
Now if only Hogue and Ritter would get around to making an orange Mini version and I’d be complete.
Click to expand...
This.
My only concern is that, with so many people waiting for a $25-30 discount on the secondary market, sales might not hit a level that makes the small seem worthwhile. (Does it really need saying that the secondary market sales don't benefit Knife Rights?)
 
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