How are Ritters holding up nowadays?

I

imns

Joined
Aug 5, 2022
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I honestly don’t see them talked about a lot. I am still pretty green here and that’s to be expected, but even searching for discussion related to them mostly yields classifieds.

Are they still worth their salt? I’ve been eyeing them lately. I know they recently dropped a CF version of their RSK in Magnacut which looks tempting. The premium being in the CF I suppose, as the Deka in Magnacut runs about $60-70 cheaper. Weight difference in that regard is probably minimal. Have had many Benchmades, never a single Ritter or Hogue. Want to stir the pot a bit. And also want to take a ride on the Magnacut wagon, for no other reason to say I have.

Let me know what y’all think!
 
I really want to get ahold of a Griptilian with a Ritter blade and put G10 scales on it, because that's the shape that fits my hand best of all the knives I've ever used. But I've got 2 Grips and this Ritter and there's just no reason to have more. The Ritter Mk1 is slightly too thin across the scales for me, but good enough that I carry it frequently on construction jobs.
It's a great knife. I do feel the edge retention is slightly less than I'd want in a hard-use knife, but it was hard to match whatever original bevel was there sharpening freehand, so it could well be I've introduced some bad factor into the equation. If it shaves, it'll cut most anything I need to. If I can find it in the mess of boxes that is my life right now I'll post pics, it has been used very hard.


Edit - Technically it's a Hogue, but still a Ritter.
 
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Mines held up very well throughout the 10 or so years I've had mine. I don't use it very hard but I was playing with it earlier and the action is just fantastic, much better than my Bugout, however I haven't given the washers a light polish yet and given it the full Limp treatment. The BM Ritters have a nice semi then blade too. Thinner than most current one handed folders.
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While I admittedly didn't fall for the Hogue versions so much (there is something "off" about the back of the handle to me) there is something about the BM Ritters I still love. Daily carried a Mini Grip for a year or two before thinking that the Ritter Mini Grip was going to be my forever knife. It was everything I loved about the Mini Grip with a better blade shape, stonewash finish and M390. I ended up picking up the orange version and carried that daily for 2 years or so before wanting a change and moving on to a Bugout and eventually a CRK Sebenza. I ended up dyeing the scales last year one a bit of a whim. I still carry it in my EDC pouch but don't use it a ton - I like it too much and knowing how hard it would be to replace it gets the light duty stuff. Don't think I'll ever get rid of it and kind of wish I had a second!

DXZcNXT.jpg


And with it's stubby little brother...
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amngwlvs said:
While I admittedly didn't fall for the Hogue versions so much (there is something "off" about the back of the handle to me) there is something about the BM Ritters I still love. Daily carried a Mini Grip for a year or two before thinking that the Ritter Mini Grip was going to be my forever knife. It was everything I loved about the Mini Grip with a better blade shape, stonewash finish and M390. I ended up picking up the orange version and carried that daily for 2 years or so before wanting a change and moving on to a Bugout and eventually a CRK Sebenza. I ended up dyeing the scales last year one a bit of a whim. I still carry it in my EDC pouch but don't use it a ton - I like it too much and knowing how hard it would be to replace it gets the light duty stuff. Don't think I'll ever get rid of it and kind of wish I had a second!

DXZcNXT.jpg


And with it's stubby little brother...
R3JRRq9.jpg
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Nice set of Grips! I actually really like the blade shape you did on the mini, even though you probably did it because you broke the tip? I didn't realize that Ritter Grips came in M390 also, mines S30v. I agree though, at one point I was planning on it being my forever EDC also. Although mines that mini I posted above, I wish I had a full size. The regular mini Grip handle is just a little bit too small for me, the Wilkins scales help a little but I'd love to have a full size like ya got there.
 
I think the Grips handle is great, fits my hand just right, had not considered the Hogue Ritter handle because 20cv is such a great steel, and no one complains about how it fits their hand. I also like Ritters re-design of BMC frame, capturing another screw for strength.
 
amngwlvs said:
While I admittedly didn't fall for the Hogue versions so much (there is something "off" about the back of the handle to me) there is something about the BM Ritters I still love. Daily carried a Mini Grip for a year or two before thinking that the Ritter Mini Grip was going to be my forever knife. It was everything I loved about the Mini Grip with a better blade shape, stonewash finish and M390. I ended up picking up the orange version and carried that daily for 2 years or so before wanting a change and moving on to a Bugout and eventually a CRK Sebenza. I ended up dyeing the scales last year one a bit of a whim. I still carry it in my EDC pouch but don't use it a ton - I like it too much and knowing how hard it would be to replace it gets the light duty stuff. Don't think I'll ever get rid of it and kind of wish I had a second!

DXZcNXT.jpg


And with it's stubby little brother...
R3JRRq9.jpg
Click to expand...
Wow! That dye job really came out fantastic! Mind if I ask how you got that faded effect like that?
 
I just started using my CF and Magnacut Ritter, and so far, working out great. Turned a medium hardwood log chunk very handily into small shavings for a fire, didn't lose the edge at all so far.
 
I personally like the RSK alot more than the BM variant. I had a bm Ritter and ended up selling it. I really disliked the handle, and the forward heaviness of the knife. I also didn't like the handle. It was plenty strong but felt cheap. The RSK solved all of this. It's a freaking fantastic knife. I carry if often. One of my favorites hands down.
 
LimpCroissant said:
Nice set of Grips! I actually really like the blade shape you did on the mini, even though you probably did it because you broke the tip? I didn't realize that Ritter Grips came in M390 also, mines S30v. I agree though, at one point I was planning on it being my forever EDC also. Although mines that mini I posted above, I wish I had a full size. The regular mini Grip handle is just a little bit too small for me, the Wilkins scales help a little but I'd love to have a full size like ya got there.
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Thank you kindly! Strangely no, no broken tip just fell in love with the Insingo blade on my small Sebenza and wanted to rekindle the love of my first “good” knife so I chopped the tip to give a sheepsfoot/reverse tanto feel. IIRC earlier versions of the Ritters were S30V and they switched to M390 for the later Benchmade versions before that ended and they went to Hogue. I was looking at upgrading the scales on mine before the dye job and Wilkins were on the list, great looking knife got!

Must be the angle of the photo making it look big but the Ritter is actually a mini as well. Given I work in an office the full size seemed like it would have been more knife than I’d regularly need!

imns said:
Wow! That dye job really came out fantastic! Mind if I ask how you got that faded effect like that?
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Thanks! I was very pleased with the results. The scales were dyed with Rit dye. Loosely from memory - scales were removed and cleaned with rubbing alcohol, Cherry Red Rit was boiled on the stove, and the scales were hung, I believe, on a wire coat hanger and dipped focusing on a dipping motion letting the front soak for more time than the rest. Repeat the process with purple dye and you’re done. The red didn’t really show up (goal was orange to red to purple) because I dipped the purple a little deep but I think it helped the transition. Don’t know exactly which YouTube tutorial I watched but there are a few out there so I’d recommend watching a few to compare if you’re going to give it a go. It’s not hard but there is a butt pucker moment when you cross the point of no return. Good luck if you try!

anthonycastorena2014 said:
I personally like the RSK alot more than the BM variant. I had a bm Ritter and ended up selling it. I really disliked the handle, and the forward heaviness of the knife. I also didn't like the handle. It was plenty strong but felt cheap. The RSK solved all of this. It's a freaking fantastic knife. I carry if often. One of my favorites hands down.
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Glad to hear! I always preferred the BM variant but there are some new Hogue version that would certainly tempt me!
 
A amngwlvs Oh ok, yea I see what you mean, the Insingo blade looks like a very useful bladeshape. I've been wanting to get an Insingo Sebenza, because I know deep down that it will be the superior blade shape useability wise. Atleast that's what I think, but my love for the traditional drop point has kept me from doing it. I don't plan to spend the money on another Sebenza but I have one with a modded blade (opening hole) that some day I'd like to get a new blade for and go to double thumb studs.

Anyway, you're Ritter does look real good with the dye job. I do see know that it's a Mini, hard to tell from some angles in a picture. Take it easy 🤙
 
madcap_magician said:
I just started using my CF and Magnacut Ritter, and so far, working out great. Turned a medium hardwood log chunk very handily into small shavings for a fire, didn't lose the edge at all so far.
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Madcap, I completely missed this Knifework's Exclusive first run, and am now signed up for the second run's notification. With Hogue shooting for Magnacut's HRC between 63-64, on Ritter's RSK Mk2 geometry, and changes to the Griptillian's frame and bar lock, this pocket knife is another reminder that now is a great era for cutlery!
Just re-watched Larrin's Feb 2022 MagnaCut utube, linked out from this exclusive's webpage. I would love to hear or read Doug's thoughts on why he wants the RSK at 63-64 instead of 61-62. Wonder what his RSK Mk 3 fixed blade would be if he started using MagnaCut? These questions are my way of understanding steels based on makers choices.
As a hobbyist I'm excited to get increased toughness and hardness/strength AND stainless properties in one steel, similar to my favorite m390 / 20cv as cooked up by Benchmade (have not tried Carpenter's 204p yet).
 
Introduced to Benchmade Freeks, both mini and regular. Very close in blade shaper as the Ritter's. Got a mini RSK, very nice, those scales are more grippy than the Freek rubber scales. Scored the full size RSK in Magnacut. Scales still grippy but not as rough as the mini. Worked out since it's my first and only Magnacut. I see the Benchmade Ritter come up now and then for sale, pricey. I'm glad I waited. Now the griptilian's, it's one of my favorite Benchmade's and that I tend to customize . Talk about blasphemy, purchased a RSK in a griptilian awt aluminum scales. I may be a purest and put it back together or see what griptilian blade can go with the RSK stock scales.😅
 
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