Hogue Ritter RSK

stevekolt

stevekolt

Joined
Jan 9, 2007
Messages
3,081
I have been thinking about picking one of these up for quite a while. Now that they're in stock, I want to pull the trigger, but it seems as though many people are picking one up, and soon listing them for sale. Am I wrong in thinking this?
If you have one and are keeping it, why?
If you have/had one and are selling/sold it, why?

I have had many Griptilians...the operative word being "had". They felt too thick, and too "plasticy" to me. As a lefty I love the lock and the switchable clip, but I'm just looking for some real world advice here.
Thanks.
 
I've felt the same way about it but not because people are reselling them. People here always seem to be doing that; rushing off to buy the latest release only to find it doesn't suit them.

FWIW, it looks like a fine knife and its an excellent value for what you get but, frankly, it just looks boring to me; not much different in appearance and utility than any number of other knives.

So, it just sits in my "wish list" at KW but I have yet to pull the trigger and order it despite it being available for some time now. Just too many other knives that I'd rather buy instead.
 
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I am keeping mine. I had no issues with mine out the box:

1. Centered blade
2. Smooth action (smoother than anticipated, similar to that of a PM2)
3. Carries well in the pocket.
4. Fits my mits (size 12 )
5. Well finished for the price
5.1 little tooling marks that one can see except around the spine area of the ABLE lock (have seen worse in far more expensive knives)
5.2 all screws are flush except the clip

Only thing I do not like is the clip for extended cutting. It creates a hot spot.

Will be keeping mine.
 
Will be keeping mine for the above reasons plus some others. They shipped me one with black hardware on it which I prefer & I switched out the clip for a more comfy BM one. It’s all good now.
 
Hope this helps as I have one on the way :D
For me it was a no brainer since I had and like the 551 grip . So this one has m390 which I love ! Also I like the scales on this one . I’ve heard and read great things about it so will see when I have it hand . I’m also a lefty so the hot spot on the clip might not be a issue for me which I found on other knives . My finger usually falls right into the little dip in the clip and it’s not in my palm like a righty would be .But will see and if not I’ll get another clip so it’s a easy fix . As far as people buying and selling I see it all the time with most knives including myself and that’s why I understand and not concerned . Sometimes it can be a great knife but I’ll get board and sell it to buy another and keep the rotation going . Part of the fun of the hobby for me :thumbsup:
Although many I’ve sold I wish I still had but unfortunately I can’t afford to keep them all .
 
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I haven't got one of the hogue ritters but I do have a few of the older versions in the various steels.What I do like is flat ground blade when compared to the stand bm saber ground blades.Cuts items with little to no effort.
 
I have the prior model Ritter M2 grip which has been one of my favorites for many years. I just saw they rereleased it in M390 with a nicer grip and picked one up. Should be here next week. I really like BM designs bit it seems you have to buy one of the special edition to get it near optimum heat treat. Back when I bought the M2 Ritter someone tested them at 60-61 when other BM M2 was seen at ~57. I prefer the Ritter blade profile to the standard grip blade profile specifically for Bushcraft but it works just as well doing the day to day letter opening and box cutting tasks.
 
I have not purchased the knife, so I have little to offer in this discussion. That said, it might be the first grip-like model other than the 550-1 to actually tempt me - it looks like an exceptionally practical EDC, and is manufactured by a brand that stepped into the knife world out of nowhere with an instant and impeccable reputation for quality construction and heat treatments.

Having an advertised HRC of 61-62 on their M390 RSK is a competitive advantage, given the broad tendency for M390 from other brands to land in the 58-60 range.
 
The Grip was my introduction into the world of modern folders & has always been a favorite. I always wanted to get a Ritter Grip, but procrastinated too long. I like M390, so when the DLT exclusive Grip in M390 came out I had to get one. Great knife, but I like the blade shape & grind on this Hogue Ritter even more betterer. :)
 
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I really like the Grip design and the lock but have been moving away from BM as I don't believe the value is there like it used to be and I'm just not that crazy for the designs. I'm a native Oregonian, lot's of good knives here so you can't sit on your laurels and sell your name. I've got a couple mini barrages, a Crooked River and my 1st BM, a CLA but am just not into them anymore. I was sold on the Hogue Ritterer as soon as it came out, being Hogue and M390 sealed the deal. Took me a while to order one as I wanted to see some reviews 1st, it's in the mail now, shipped yesterday.
 
I just took delivery of mine and its really really good. Like, I am thinking that this may be one of the best, if not the best, US made knives out there right now in terms of value, good.

-Excellent utilitarian blade shape/grind/finish in an excellent steel, very sharp right out of the box
-An easy to use ambidextrous lock
-Pillar standoffs
-Nested partial liners
-Thick 3D milled G10 scales with a grippy but un-aggressive texture that give a solid feeling handle even with partial liners
-Reversible Deep Carry clip
-Threaded Brass reinforcement of the clip holes, 3-hole BM/Emerson pattern (even tho the stock clip only uses two screws!) to allow for use of a variety of clips based on personal preferences
-Ergos are solid(I feel that clip "hotspots" are too subjective to really comment on here)
-Solid F&F

I would not hesitate to recommend getting one to anyone. I hope Hogue does a Mini in the future.
 
KAEDC said:
I just took delivery of mine and its really really good. Like, I am thinking that this may be one of the best, if not the best, US made knives out there right now in terms of value, good.
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Agree 100% with this statement. It has become my favorite knife.
 
Comeuppance said:
I have not purchased the knife, so I have little to offer in this discussion. That said, it might be the first grip-like model other than the 550-1 to actually tempt me - it looks like an exceptionally practical EDC, and is manufactured by a brand that stepped into the knife world out of nowhere with an instant and impeccable reputation for quality construction and heat treatments.

Having an advertised HRC of 61-62 on their M390 RSK is a competitive advantage, given the broad tendency for M390 from other brands to land in the 58-60 range.
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Well said.

Hogue came out seeking involvement with the independent testing Kurt has been doing. They jumped in during the 3V hubub on IG and volunteered to get stuff out through @Alchemy1 .

Added to that, they hand sharpen their blades, so burnt edges during sharpening should be a non-issue. My review prep experience with an RSK and Exemplar have left me thinking it seems very possible.

Their excitement to show & prove is commendable. I’d love to see that M390 hit 61-62.
 
I recently sold mine. I did adore the knife, however it ended up getting put to the wayside by a gen 6 xm-18 that really has put a big nail in my collecting habits. The knife is great, and I would absolutely recommend it to those interested.
 
Banter 247 said:
Added to that, they hand sharpen their blades, so burnt edges during sharpening should be a non-issue.
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By this do you mean that they don't use powered grinding for sharpening, or that the blade is held manually to the belt/wheel rather than robotically?

Thanks
 
ekastanis said:
By this do you mean that they don't use powered grinding for sharpening, or that the blade is held manually to the belt/wheel rather than robotically?

Thanks
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My assumption, based on their “hand sharpening” language and volume of units sold, is manual vs robotic, powered sharpening. I understand that the belt can still generate a ton of heat in the blade (especially ground thin), but it also allows a bit of extra control. I’ve only personally checked out two (154CM, M390) in extended cutting + use, and each was free from the kind of chip out and degradation I’d expect from damage.

But, the take away from what I’m saying here is, “based on a very small sample size, in non-controlled use, these casual observations of edge stability are making me lean toward expecting good things”, as opposed to “here are my attempts at concrete conclusions.”
 
Agith said:
I recently sold mine. I did adore the knife, however it ended up getting put to the wayside by a gen 6 xm-18 that really has put a big nail in my collecting habits. The knife is great, and I would absolutely recommend it to those interested.
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I thought that when I got my 1st XM-18...now I just have 7 XMs in various sizes and configurations in the collection...:D
 
Just received mine and couldn’t be happier unless I had two .What a Quality knife that feels perfect in my hand and no issues with clip what’s so ever in my left or right hand . This knife is solid ! I’ve had many knives over the years from customs to mid-techs and this just might be my all around favorite. That says a lot and I highly recommend it .
What a quality knife and Mr Doug Ritter and Hogue knocked it out of park and I’m honored to have the opportunity to own this beautiful knife and Thank you Mr Ritter for helping us all have the right to own and carry knives in many states .
Thank you :)
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I got mine today too. So far so good, a Gavko Thresher came in also, 2 non flippers in the same day, pretty good NKD!

I carried the Ritter a little, I like the Abel lock, I like the Axis too. I compared the Hogue to my BM Crooked River and my Barrages, it feels slightly different. I do like the way the Hogue fills my hand, I tend to like knives with a fuller profile over a flatter one. Love the blade profile on the Hogue for sure, nice and slicy. I do have a little lock rock on my example but if I push the lock up hard it goes away, it's pretty minor, being the kind of lock it is it doesn't bother me. The blade isn't as free falling as my BM's but it may get that way over time. It launches very easily with thumb or fingers from the back, I like it quite a bit. Overall it weighs in above it's price range from my experience, feels like a knife that's been around for a long time and basically it has. I'm off the BM tit so I was happy to see the Grip and Ritter land @ Hogue, a great match up and a great knife!
 
Mistman68 said:
I got mine today too. So far so good, a Gavko Thresher came in also, 2 non flippers in the same day, pretty good NKD!

I carried the Ritter a little, I like the Abel lock, I like the Axis too. I compared the Hogue to my BM Crooked River and my Barrages, it feels slightly different. I do like the way the Hogue fills my hand, I tend to like knives with a fuller profile over a flatter one. Love the blade profile on the Hogue for sure, nice and slicy. I do have a little lock rock on my example but if I push the lock up hard it goes away, it's pretty minor, being the kind of lock it is it doesn't bother me. The blade isn't as free falling as my BM's but it may get that way over time. It launches very easily with thumb or fingers from the back, I like it quite a bit. Overall it weighs in above it's price range from my experience, feels like a knife that's been around for a long time and basically it has. I'm off the BM tit so I was happy to see the Grip and Ritter land @ Hogue, a great match up and a great knife!
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I’m liking this Hogue much better then multiple BM Grips I’ve owned . From the action to the feel in hand . I’m not experiencing any lock rock on mine or side to side . It is adjusted a little tight and blade doesn’t freefall but I’m just going to let it break in for a week or two and see if it needs any adjustment . I think free falling blades personally are over rated except for entertainment purposes. The action feels smooth as glass and blade deploys lightning fast and blade is centered nicely .
I think it should break in very nice .
Razor sharp to with a nice even edge on both sides :thumbsup:
 
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