Manix vs. Ritter MK1, what say you?

[phatch]

Only paying members can vote in polls.

Phil

 

[Captain Ron]

Disappointed how?

Lil Timmy
The Ritter is ok but does not seem as solid as a Sypderco. The handle is thicker and has a cheap feel to it.
It was duller than any Sypderco that I have bought and it is bulkier. The blade has nice thin shape to it. Axis lock is good but just not a Sypderco. Sypderco's have a more solid feel to them. And I would not have bought if I could of handled first.

 

[French Kiss]

Only paying members can vote in polls.

Phil

That's why the benchmade won this poll... just kidding

 

[Cliff Stamp]

it's almost funny to see such a thinly ground blade on an overbuilt handle being embraced by the "heavy-duty" crowd just because of a strong lock.

The blade is 3/16", the same on on the custom Striders, the tip has a very acute profile and would break readily under lateral loading, however the lock is vastly more secure than liners and integrals under impacts and torques and thus thicker blades on locks of that type are problematic as the lock doesn't match the strength of the blade.

-Cliff

 

[WadeF]

Keep in mind the topic starter wondered which knife we would choose, not which knife we think is stronger, better built, etc. For most people the Ritter Grip is much more practical. The Manix is a great knife, but it's BIG. Most people here will find the Manix to large for an EDC.

Some people will find the Manix isn't to large for EDC, but I have a feeling those people will be in the minority and that is why the Ritter Grip will get more votes.

So don't fret Manix fans, no one is saying the Ritter Grip is better than the Manix, they are just saying the Ritter Grip is more practical for them to carry and use.

 

[Alpha Knife Supply]

The Manix is a great knife, but it's BIG.

A big knife can do the work of a small knife, but a small knife cannot do the work of a big knife.

I've been carrying a Manix for a couple months. The handle was too small for me. I modified the handle to fit my hand.

 

[WadeF]

A big knife can do the work of a small knife, but a small knife cannot do the work of a big knife.

I've been carrying a Manix for a couple months. The handle was too small for me. I modified the handle to fit my hand.

So bigger is better? Even when it's uncomfortable in my pocket and annoying the F#(@ out of me?

 

[logo]

The Manix is a great knife, but it's BIG.

Again, only as reminder: it's a big knife indeed, but its cutting edge is in fact only as long as that of RSK.

Their cutting abilities and "practical" effect are equal in that aspect - also RSK offers so far a "more knife in a smaller body" for me.

 

[UltraSteele]

I have 2 Grips and I don't like the handles as much as some. I love the mannix accross the board and consider it a much better knife... though of course its also twice as expensive... Mannix hands down though.

 

[phatch]

Ultra, it's not a comparison of the standard Grips but the Ritter Grip, a very different blade and steel than the standard Grips. The Ritter Grip is only about $15 less than the Manix.

Phil

 

[Duffin444]

... though of course its also twice as expensive...

No. The Ritter goes for $105 and the Manix for about $115.

-Duffin

Edit: Beat to it!

 

[Alpha Knife Supply]

A big knife can do the work of a small knife, but a small knife cannot do the work of a big knife.

So bigger is better?

In the overall scheme of things, yes.

Even when it's uncomfortable in my pocket and annoying the F#(@ out of me?

This may be a person problem. The differences in size and weight are not that much. However, if the difference are so big that you are annoyed, that is your choice.

The bottom line is the poll is an overly broad question so the answer should be overly broad. Is the Manix a nice gentleman folder to wear with a suit, no. Can you wear it with a suit, yes. Would I wear it with a suit, no. Is the Manix a a heavy duty working knife, yes. Will it do the work of a gentleman folder, yes.

 

[HoB]

That would be a close one for me. I have the Manix, the Ritter is on my "to buy" list, know other Grips. Those two are IMHO the two most interesting designs of "working knifes" on the market right now (personally, I would add the Lil'T which is now discontiued as well). To me the decision comes down to the handle for me. The ergos on the Manix are the best of any knife I have ever handled. It fits as if it was made for my hand. Shape of the handle on the grip doesn't come close. Again, just my $0.02. I will add that I am also a bit partial to Spyderco.

One more addition. The Manix is big, but I think it carries well because of the high clip. Some people hate that the Manix doesn't carry deep pocket. Personally I love it, because I think it makes the Manix carry like a much smaller knife. Btw. the Ritter isn't exactly a small pocket knife either and the handle is fairly thick. But it is quite a bit lighter with a shorter handle. Well proportioned though. I wear jeans and EDC either a Manix, Lil'T or Byrd Meadowlark, and to me the Manix and the Meadowlark (MUCH smaller) carry equally well. The Lil'T has a bit more bulk.

 

[WadeF]

A big knife can do the work of a small knife, but a small knife cannot do the work of a big knife.
In the overall scheme of things, yes.

Will it do the work of a gentleman folder, yes.

I don't see many doctors using a 10" bowie knife to operate. They tend to use tiny scalpels. Also for whittling a small blade is much easier to work with than a large blade. I wouldn't say a large blade can do everything a small blade can do, at least not as comfortably or easily.

Now I'm going to have to order a Manix so I can give a better opinion. I held one once and was very impressed with it, but felt is was much larger than my BM710, Ritter Grip, etc, and would be to much to haul around for an EDC.

 

[Alpha Knife Supply]

I don't see many doctors using a 10" bowie knife to operate. They tend to use tiny scalpels.

Using your example, could a 10" knife be used for emergency surgery, yes but ineffectively. Could a scalpel be used to chop firewood, no. Toothpicks maybe.

The Ritter is a nice knife. However, the plastic handles did not inspire me as a hard working knife. I would use it as a medium duty knife.

My EDC gets used very hard. I trim calluses, clean fingernails, scrape wood, cut wood, separate wood blocks that are stuck together, scrape welding spots off my glasses, cut cardboard, strip wire, cut metal banding, cut plastic banding, scrape labels, etc. I do lots of the jobs while wearing gloves. The Manix opens, closes and takes a beating and still works great.

 

[WadeF]

My EDC gets used very hard. I trim calluses, clean fingernails, scrape wood, cut wood, separate wood blocks that are stuck together, scrape welding spots off my glasses, cut cardboard, strip wire, cut metal banding, cut plastic banding, scrape labels, etc. I do lots of the jobs while wearing gloves. The Manix opens, closes and takes a beating and still works great.

Good points. I think someone talked about using the Ritter Grip to baton (split) wood. Since you are wacking the blade the handle strength shouldn't be an issue if proper technique is used. I would like to see the Ritter Grip blade in a handle with full dual steel liners and G-10 scales.

I still choose the Ritter Grip for my personal uses and that's what this thread is about. I also prefer the AXIS lock over a lock back.

I'll probably order a Manix by the fall. Might be something I'd take out on a hike in the wood, fishing, etc. I find the Ritter Grip a little more sheeple friendly and I live in a populate area and use the knife when I work my retail sales job.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

I think someone talked about using the Ritter Grip to baton (split) wood. Since you are wacking the blade the handle strength shouldn't be an issue if proper technique is used.

It isn't an issue in any case unless you are actually beating on the handle, impacts to the blade, prying, torques and so on will damage the blade and/or lock mechanism before even FRN handles get damaged. If you don't like the look of platic that's a personal choice, but it is hard to argue against it from a durability perspective. The only real issue is that some times micro screws are used which can shear through FRN much easier than G10.

-Cliff

 

[shootist16]

Looks about even.

 

[digdeep]

Own both Ritter Grip and Manix and really like them both.
It's only the Axis lock of the Ritter Grip that makes me like the Ritter a tad more.