Is it worth it?

D

Dude Crush

Joined
Nov 22, 2004
Messages
30
There are two folders, the same in everyway save one...well two actually.
One uses 440C and costs $60.
The other uses S30V and costs $100.
Which would you get?
Is S30V worth the extra $40? :(
 
No, it's not worth it IMO - would I spend the extra money anyway, probably.

We're talking two identical knives here right? Same brand, same knife just different steel (ala Buck 110 420hc/bg42)...

Edited to add, it would also depend on my intended use. 440c is more rust resistant and easier to sharpen so it may be better for a knife that spends a lot of time in the field.
 
We're talking two identical knives here right? Same brand, same knife just different steel (ala Buck 110 420hc/bg42)...[/QUOTE]

Yep, the Benchmade Mini-Grip and the Ritter Mini-Grip.
 
For practical purposes it depends on what you use it for. If you need better edge retention so you can finish the job without having to stop in the middle to touch up the edge it's well worth it. If either steel is good enough to finish the job and you can touch it up later at your leisure, or if you have to stop in the middle to sharpen no matter which you buy, then you won't even notice the difference.

Of course we're knife knuts and not always motivated by practical considerations.... :cool:
 
Like cpirtle said, the difference in steels probably isn't worth it, but I'd pay for it anyway.
That's what being a knife nut is all about!

btw, the Ritter has a higher grind, and better finish, along with the better steel, and personally I would buy it before I'd buy the regular one.
 
Get the Ritter its a much, much better knife. Superior edge holding aside, even the better blade geometry itself is worth the extra $40.
 
The Ritter is a great little knife. Saying that they vary in only two ways, steel, and price, kinda discounts the blade shape. The shape is a lot more useful for me, I can use it to do just about anything. When I had the choice between Ritter and not, I bought the Ritter first.

-Duffin
 
I think I would split the difference and buy the full sized 551 Griptilian.

But to answer your question:
I don't think the blade-steel difference alone is worth the extra money.
I'm not sure about the Ritter blade design--that might be worth the extra loot.

Good luck,
Allen.
 
I don't like 440C, everybody knows that and thinks I'm insane, but this is the one time that I would choose 440C, the upgrade is not worth $40... If the S30V or whatever was only say $20 or more like $10 more then hell yes I would go for it.
 
With any of the good steels(properly heattreated 440C on up ) , I'm pretty hard pressed to see a difference in the course of the daily grind . ten bucks , yes forty , no way . In the case of the ritter grip , you are getting a better , more useful blade shape , so it would be worth it .
 
Not worth the difference. Even less so when you use that same price ratio for larger dollar amounts; $500.00 - $300.00.
That goes for INFI too.
 
Dude Crush,

The Ritter Grip is not more expensive because it uses S30V steel vice 440C. The Ritter Grip is more expensive since it is a special run commissioned by Doug Ritter and AeroMedix and they are the sole source for said knife. I'm sure there are higher costs associated with the limited production and the fact that Doug Ritter/AeroMedix bear the brunt of the costs in advertising these knives. If the Ritter Grip was a standard production item for BM, I would imagine that the differential would be marginal.

That's my understanding of it, anyway.

That being said, I wouldn't base the decision solely on steel choice. S30V is a great steel, but the wide, flat blade of the Ritter Grip is a much more significant differentiator. The only downside to the mini-Grip that I found (and this is true of either) is that the handles can put a hurtin' on your hands with extended use, due to the aggressive checkering pattern.

Matthew

P.S. While I understand the economics behind the higher-priced Ritter line, I still have a hard time with paying $100 for FRN handles...
 
On the blade shape differences - while the Ritter Grip certainly has a somewhat better slicing geometry, the 551 has a MUCH tougher point. So one question is, which do you do more - deep cutting in soft stuff (meat, etc) where the Ritter will really shine, or utility poking and twisting where a strong point is a bonus? From a design, rather than metallurgy POV, thats the main question, and the advantage is not one-sided.
 
Heresy! Ignore these apostates, for thou shalt surely lay down thy earnings upon the alter of s30v, or suffer the wrath of the god of edge retention. A sacrifice of an additional 40 dollars is required to quell the anger of the aforementioned deity.
 
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