knife for tired old man (pictures appreciated)

I can't add much but my experience. I find my Endura , mini grip, knockout, blur. In my pocket more then any other folder I own.
you really cant go wrong with any of them although the slight recurve on the blur might be harder for you to sharpen.
also don't forget the good old Buck 110
 
Damn guys, I was hoping to narrow down my options... after chatting with you guys, my price range went up and now I'm considering 2 knives... may have to sell one of my firearms to buy all the knives I want now. :p


Flarp, I guess you do own a knife store... :D

Sweet.... do those grips feel as good as they look? b/c they look awesome!

Does the Ritter come in a combo edge?


Thanks LG&M, that's why I joined the forum. You guys have a lot of experience with knives. Mine is limited.
 
Last edited:
DMTD3Ea.jpg


Is this the sharpener you guys were referring to?
 
Thanks Redbarchettayyz, RevDevil,

I may just have to buy both the Griptilian and Stretch (and a Blur) and rotate. :) I do like the Ritter blade quite a bit more than the original.

1. Any other knife recommendations that fall within the specs?

2. Tips on good online knife shops to purchase?

3. Blade recommendations (serrated vs. non-serrated)?

4. Type of metal? M390?

Thanks for all your comments!
 
FireCloud9 said:
Damn guys, I was hoping to narrow down my options... after chatting with you guys, my price range went up and now I'm considering 2 knives... may have to sell one of my firearms to buy all the knives I want now. :p
Click to expand...

Haha. This is exactly how I ended up with what I've got now.

The Wilkins Grips I have on my Ritter Griptilians look and feel fantastic! They really do transform the knife. That Ritter Mini-Grip w/ the Wilkins scales is my favorite Benchmade knife.

All the Ritter Griptilians I know of are plain edge. They used to be S30V standard, but they've since switched to M390. There have been a couple of limited runs in other steels as well (M4, and I think even some in M2).

FireCloud9 said:
2. Tips on good online knife shops to purchase?

3. Blade recommendations (serrated vs. non-serrated)?

4. Type of metal? M390?
Click to expand...

There's a list of paid forum dealers here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1089879-Paid-Dealer-Members-List-(Updated-9-3-14)

Personally, I prefer non-serrated blades. With a sharp edge, they'll cut just as well as serrations. Serrations can generally go longer without maintenance, but when you do have to re-sharpen, it is more difficult.

The VG-10 in the Stretch, 154CM in the standard Griptilian, M390 in the Ritter Griptilian, or the S30V or Elmax in one of the recent limited Blurs are all excellent blade steels, and each manufacturer for each respective knife does an excellent job with the heat treat of them. The easiest of the lot to maintain is probably VG-10, although I've found Elmax and 154CM to be very easy to touch up as well. M390 will likely have the best edge retention of these steels. I'd recommend a good diamond sharpener to work with any of those steels, as they are all pretty wear resistant. A Sharpmaker is also a great tool for regular maintenance.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: vba
flarp said:
Haha. This is exactly how I ended up with what I've got now.

The Wilkins Grips I have on my Ritter Griptilians look and feel fantastic! They really do transform the knife. That Ritter Mini-Grip w/ the Wilkins scales is my favorite Benchmade knife.

All the Ritter Griptilians I know of are plain edge. They used to be S30V standard, but they've since switched to M390. There have been a couple of limited runs in other steels as well (M4, and I think even some in M2).
Click to expand...

Ok flarp, I guess I'm buying 4 knives now... So what's the catch here? I'm not seeing a Ritter Griptilian M390 for sale on any of the forum dealer sites...ie. BladeHQ, KnifeCenter, etc. :confused:

flarp said:
There's a list of paid forum dealers here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1089879-Paid-Dealer-Members-List-(Updated-9-3-14)

Personally, I prefer non-serrated blades. With a sharp edge, they'll cut just as well as serrations. Serrations can generally go longer without maintenance, but when you do have to re-sharpen, it is more difficult.

The VG-10 in the Stretch, 154CM in the standard Griptilian, M390 in the Ritter Griptilian, or the S30V or Elmax in one of the recent limited Blurs are all excellent blade steels, and each manufacturer for each respective knife does an excellent job with the heat treat of them. The easiest of the lot to maintain is probably VG-10, although I've found Elmax and 154CM to be very easy to touch up as well. M390 will likely have the best edge retention of these steels. I'd recommend a good diamond sharpener to work with any of those steels, as they are all pretty wear resistant. A Sharpmaker is also a great tool for regular maintenance.
Click to expand...

I'll go with that advice - I'm planning on a rescue knife for the car and that'll have serrations - so the hunt for

- Ritter Griptilian M390
- Stretch VG-10
- S30V Blur

(and a sharpener) begins...
 
FireCloud9 said:
DMTD3Ea.jpg


Is this the sharpener you guys were referring to?
Click to expand...

That’s the one. I like the coarse card myself. That’s pretty close to a 325 grit, which gives you a nice toothy edge. Good for general purpose use. Good for cutting zip ties, opening plastic bubble packaging, and cutting synthetic rope. When I bought an Ed Fowler knife, that’s the grit size he recommended to me.

I don’t like a combo edge, myself. A plain edge right by the grip is too useful for stuff like making fuzz sticks or peeling apples. That toothy edged I just mentioned helps you do most of what serrations can do.

I own is a Ritter Grip. With the deep carry clip. Love the blade.

We can’t recommend non-supporting dealers here. Google Doug Ritter Griptilian.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: vba
Thanks Ray!

Exclusive huh? No wonder I couldn't find it.... can even have it personalized... :)
 
Last edited:
First, let me say that I truly appreciate all the help and information I've received from everyone who has posted on this thread. I mean that.

Ray, can you confirm this is the Doug Ritter knife we discussed?

I'd also like to add....

I don't smoke, drink, gamble, do drugs, rarely if ever buy anything unless thoroughly vetted through Consumer Reports, I can pack all my clothes in 1-2 suitcases max; I'm not a "car guy" and my only "vices" thus far have been watching TV (when my kids aren't bugging me), education and a few flashlights (Surefire, Fenix).

I came on here looking for 1 knife and now I have my eye on 5 knives (3 of which I bought in the past 12 hours alone....). Two from KnifeCenter, one from a local shop, still haven't pulled the trigger on Knifeworks

How is this any different than women buying 300 pairs of shoes they don't need?? :p

Words alone cannot express how much I hate you guys! :D
 
FireCloud9 said:
First, let me say that I truly appreciate all the help and information I've received from everyone who has posted on this thread. I mean that.

Ray, can you confirm this is the Doug Ritter knife we discussed?

I'd also like to add....

I don't smoke, drink, gamble, do drugs, rarely if ever buy anything unless thoroughly vetted through Consumer Reports, I can pack all my clothes in 1-2 suitcases max; I'm not a "car guy" and my only "vices" thus far have been watching TV (when my kids aren't bugging me), education and a few flashlights (Surefire, Fenix).

I came on here looking for 1 knife and now I have my eye on 5 knives (3 of which I bought in the past 12 hours alone....). Two from KnifeCenter, one from a local shop, still haven't pulled the trigger on Knifeworks

How is this any different than women buying 300 pairs of shoes they don't need?? :p

Words alone cannot express how much I hate you guys! :D
Click to expand...

FireCloud, that’s the very same knife.

There’s nothing wrong with the stock Griptilian handle. People take against it because—scratch your fingernail against it. It sounds hollow and plastic. But it doesn’t act hollow and plastic. It’s strong, rigid, light, well-engineered. I’ve had mine for ten years and the handle is still going strong. Carry the Rittergrip for a while before going into debt for custom handles.

Too many knives? Poor baby! :p Everybody’s got to have a hobby. Enabling the addict and seducing the innocent is ours. :D

Look at it this way. With all that ballast you could meet a tornado and not be carried away. Unless you want to visit Oz, buy a few more knives. :thumbup:
 
  • Like
Reactions: vba
alclark2 said:
It's all downhill from here... Too many knives to buy just one :D:D:D
Click to expand...

Gee thanks alclark2....Now I know how women feel about shoes!

Raymond1000 said:
FireCloud, that’s the very same knife.

There’s nothing wrong with the stock Griptilian handle. People take against it because—scratch your fingernail against it. It sounds hollow and plastic. But it doesn’t act hollow and plastic. It’s strong, rigid, light, well-engineered. I’ve had mine for ten years and the handle is still going strong. Carry the Rittergrip for a while before going into debt for custom handles.
Click to expand...

Yes, I heard about that complaint in some of the reviews I've read, but it's not something that would bother me (at least not at the moment) as I'm not that picky as of yet :)

Might have to personalize to keep the Ritter from 'disappearing' amongst friends and neighbors.... ;)

Raymond1000 said:
Too many knives? Poor baby! :p Everybody’s got to have a hobby.
Click to expand...

I can see how quickly this one can get very expensive.... I saw a BM 580 earlier today and now I'm researching again *sigh* - and my goodness those custom knives are beautiful (and outrageously expensive).

I was going to ask about fixed blades, but I guess I'll wait until I hit the lottery....

Raymond1000 said:
Enabling the addict and seducing the innocent is ours. :D
Click to expand...

You bastards! :p

Raymond1000 said:
Look at it this way. With all that ballast you could meet a tornado and not be carried away. Unless you want to visit Oz, buy a few more knives. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

A few more knives and I'll drown in the local pool carrying all that gear. :D

Anyone in the market for a Glock? I'm selling to afford my habit (feel like a drug addict now) :p

I even had to get my daughter a small purple SAK b/c she said it wasn't fair that she wasn't getting any knives. Especially after giving one of my sons, one of my small SAKs.

Now I have to look for a Skinth or micro edc organizer and probably a hiking stick to maintain my balance!

Thoughts on the 580? Wait, why the heck am I asking on this forum? I'll just end up with another knife!!
 
Last edited:
I started out with a 580 and I really liked it. The one thing about them is that they fire super hard and if you don't have a ton of hand strength it might be hard to hold onto. I would definitely look into an Axis lock knife. If I were you I would just try out an assisted open knife before purchasing. I de assisted my 580 just because it doesn't scare people when you go to open it in public.
 
cbking said:
I started out with a 580 and I really liked it. The one thing about them is that they fire super hard and if you don't have a ton of hand strength it might be hard to hold onto. I would definitely look into an Axis lock knife. If I were you I would just try out an assisted open knife before purchasing. I de assisted my 580 just because it doesn't scare people when you go to open it in public.
Click to expand...

I know what you mean. I handled one at REI today. Reminds me of my old switchblade when I was a kid back in the 70s.

Salesperson said you have to "activate" the blade first before assist kicks in so it's not a switchblade. As I recall, I had to "activate" a button on my switchblade for it to deploy. Don't see any difference....

I like the quick open, but it's annoying to close one handed. Besides, knives aren't a "tactical" tool for me. It's the utility that I appreciate. So I don't really need the quick open with the Benchmade and Spyderco knives as they're pretty easy for me to open unlike some of the other knife brands.
 
IMO axis lock knives don't need to be assisted. They flick plenty smooth as it is and the ease of one handed opening and closing is what makes them so enjoyable. I've owned both 580 and 585, and don't own either anymore. They lost their luster quickly for me. I do own a Volli, which I promptly deassisted, and like it much more full manual.
 
FireCloud9 said:
I know what you mean. I handled one at REI today. Reminds me of my old switchblade when I was a kid back in the 70s.

Salesperson said you have to "activate" the blade first before assist kicks in so it's not a switchblade. As I recall, I had to "activate" a button on my switchblade for it to deploy. Don't see any difference....

I like the quick open, but it's annoying to close one handed. Besides, knives aren't a "tactical" tool for me. It's the utility that I appreciate. So I don't really need the quick open with the Benchmade and Spyderco knives as they're pretty easy for me to open unlike some of the other knife brands.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say you have to activate it but you have to over come the force of the omega springs in the axis lock before the spring will take over which is when the thumbstuds have been pressed up about 1/4 of an inch. I've owned two axis lock knives and I believe that they have a big advantage over other lock methods.
 
blades&wrenches said:
IMO axis lock knives don't need to be assisted. They flick plenty smooth as it is and the ease of one handed opening and closing is what makes them so enjoyable. I've owned both 580 and 585, and don't own either anymore. They lost their luster quickly for me. I do own a Volli, which I promptly deassisted, and like it much more full manual.
Click to expand...

I agree I like my 940 much more than any of my assisted knives.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top