Mini RSK MK1 "Ritter Grip" - Initial impression from a knife newbie

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kylekim

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May 23, 2005
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(Probably belongs in Knife Reviews but I'd rather leave reviews to the more knowledgable people here.) :D

I'll admit that, so far, I only own Benchmades. A friend that introduced me to pocket knives/folders had a Benchmade 705 and I got hooked on the Axis Lock. Currently, I own a BM 921 (work), 707S (weekend) and a 705 (eh, it's the one that got me hooked on Benchmades). But after reading all the positive reviews on the Ritter Grip and my own personal, though limited, experience with S30V, I wanted to try one out so I ordered the Mini RSK MK1 and it arrived today.

Handles

Personally, my favorite handle so far is on the 707. Nice, thin and just grippy enough. Maybe I'm one of those guys who prefer metal handles. In the case of the 705, it's just has too much handle/weight for a small knife (for me). I'll admit, I'm not really wild about the Mini RSK handle. It just feels "cheap" compared to the 705/707. But the actual grip on the Mini RSK is awesome. Since I have small hands (Size M gloves on average), the thumb ramp on the Mini RSK makes sure that even my pinky finger has a positive grip on the handle.

One bonus to the "cheap" and rough handle is that I can't imagine it slipping out of my pocket with the clip on. And weight wise, it's right up there with the 707. When I carry the 705, I can feel it's weight which some may like but I'm not too happy with. Both the 707 and Mini RSK just fits in my pockets better.

Blade

Because of the shape of the Mini RSK, the thumb lugs are slightly higher than the other Benchmades I own. Makes it really easy to flick open with my thumbs. Utterly in love with the blade shape and the "stonewashed" finish. At least I don't see finger prints all over the blade if I touch it. Sharpness wise, it was about the same as all the other Benchmades ('cept the 705 ... I think I'll need to send this one back to Benchmade or find someone locally with an Edge Pro for reprofiling). I think I'll need to touch it up on the Spyderco Sharpmaker before really putting it to use. Will be a happy man if it stays as sharp as my 921 after normal usage after the touch up.

Axis Lock

Maybe it's just my particular one but the open action is smooth but "sticky" when I try to close the knife. I know it'll wear in because my 921 was the same way. Probably will try and wear it in a bit plus apply a little Militec to the Axis Lock.

Conclusion

The Mini RSK will probably take over weekend duties. I think I prefer non-serrated blades. One of those things that I had to figure out myself after some use. And I have no doubt that this knife is probably "everything I need and nothing I don't". But after reading various reviews (especially Cliff Stamps) and doing some research, I think I know what my next knife purchase will be. A small Classic right hand Sebenza. I think it might be everything that I like so far in a folder. Well, except the "no flicking rule" that seems to be the case with Sebenzas. That, and the price. Ouch! ;)

I also wanted to mention how great this site is. A lot of great information here which helped me decide on trying out the Mini RSK and also helped me do more research on Sebenzas.
 
I appreciate your review. I really like the look of the Mini RSK, but I've only seen pictures, never handled one. I too am not crazy about the scales; I wonder how hard it would be to replace them with something a little upscale (har har.)
 
I've had all I can stand, I's can't stands no more....when the hell will Doug Ritter listen to the overwhelming demand to incorporate nicer handle slabs into the RSK?!?!? Benchmade is well renowned for listening to their internet customers, Doug Ritter is beginning to listen to his customer base (monochromatic/half serrated blades), and in every...EVERY...review of a RSKI or II, all I hear is a resounding holler for G10/aluminum/micarta scales for the knife. I know they want to keep the price point low. I've seen G10 handle slabs on $20 knifes. G10 is not that expensive. Neither is Aluminum or micarta. Come on already. Maybe Doug, Benchmade, and Bladeforums should release a LE RSK with a decidedly Grip shape but with a higher end handle material. Those things would sell out within an hour...guaranteed. Who's with me?


http://budk.com/product.asp?pn=RR333

A complete POS knife can have G10 handles and cost less than $5 and BM and DR can't find a way to do it? C'mon.
 
kylekim said:
I'm not really wild about the Mini RSK handle. It just feels "cheap" compared to the 705/707.
Click to expand...
I get that a lot on some of the Spyderco FRN's especially if you compare it to the G10 and especially to the bolstered micarta models. It does actually work well though.

Sharpness wise, it was about the same as all the other Benchmades ('cept the 705 ... I think I'll need to send this one back to Benchmade or find someone locally with an Edge Pro for reprofiling).
Click to expand...
So is there an issue with the edge geometry or its just a little less than optimal hair popping sharpness?


I think I know what my next knife purchase will be. A small Classic right hand Sebenza.
Click to expand...
Based on the above comments it would seem like you would enjoy it, the price really isn't much of a concern long term, as it isn't like it wears out rapidly and the resale ability is really high, especially when you consider the refinishing Reeve offers.

-Cliff
 
Laceration said:
I know they want to keep the price point low. I've seen G10 handle slabs on $20 knifes. G10 is not that expensive. Neither is Aluminum or micarta. Come on already. Maybe Doug, Benchmade, and Bladeforums should release a LE RSK with a decidedly Grip shape but with a higher end handle material.

A complete POS knife can have G10 handles and cost less than $5 and BM and DR can't find a way to do it? C'mon.
Click to expand...

When BM does G-10 scales, they are flat. The Grip handle is contoured. And the contouring is not a simple roundover bit. Currently, the handle is done in a single step mold with a little cleanup. To use G-10, aluminum or other higher grade material is some multi-setup 2.5D CNC work to get the pockets for the liners, the axis and screw holes and such on the insde; 3D CNC work to get the contouring right, the contoured checkering, and more.

The 94X series of aluminum handles is still all comparatively simple 2.5D CNC.

The material cost isn't that bad, true, but to get the shape and textures on the Griptilian handle is an expensive and non-trivial bunch of work.

Phil
 
Cliff Stamp said:
So is there an issue with the edge geometry or its just a little less than optimal hair popping sharpness?
Click to expand...

It's the less than optimal hair popping sharpness. After I did a couple of passes on the Sharpmaker on just the white stones, it was shaving just fine. Couldn't do it right out of the box. And edge geometry does seem uniform since after said passes on the Sharpmaker, to the naked eye, it looked like it took metal off evenly on both sides (if that makes sense?). Since I don't own an Edge Pro or any other way to measure the angle yet, I'm just going by how it looks after passes on the Sharpmaker.

Based on the above comments it would seem like you would enjoy it, the price really isn't much of a concern long term, as it isn't like it wears out rapidly and the resale ability is really high, especially when you consider the refinishing Reeve offers.

-Cliff
Click to expand...

After reading your review on it and seeing the pictures of the "choked up" grip making up for the lack of length of the handle made me consider the Sebenza a lot more. Too bad the small (classic and regular) seems to only come in "clip point". It's going to take a month or two unless I find a deal that I can't pass up. :D
 
You can watch ebay and the forums here, but it is rare to see a Sebenza go at signficantly less than close to full price and when someone does discount one heavily you either catch it immediately or just see a SOLD!

-Cliff
 
Laceration said:
I've had all I can stand, I's can't stands no more....when the hell will Doug Ritter listen to the overwhelming demand to incorporate nicer handle slabs into the RSK?!?!? Benchmade is well renowned for listening to their internet customers, Doug Ritter is beginning to listen to his customer base (monochromatic/half serrated blades), and in every...EVERY...review of a RSKI or II, all I hear is a resounding holler for G10/aluminum/micarta scales for the knife. I know they want to keep the price point low. I've seen G10 handle slabs on $20 knifes. G10 is not that expensive. Neither is Aluminum or micarta. Come on already. Maybe Doug, Benchmade, and Bladeforums should release a LE RSK with a decidedly Grip shape but with a higher end handle material. Those things would sell out within an hour...guaranteed. Who's with me?

A complete POS knife can have G10 handles and cost less than $5 and BM and DR can't find a way to do it? C'mon.
Click to expand...
Laceration, if you'd be kind enough to place an order for about 10,000 of these knives at a price about double current, with a deposit of 50%, we'll hop right to it. :D Only half joking.

On a more somber note, I can assure you that doing this is a lot more complicated and involved than you might believe, to say nothing of the issue of priorities and limited resources. If it were that easy, there would already be one. The cost of the raw material is not a factor. Perhaps someday...

While I know this isn't the answer you were looking for, I hope this at least lets you know that we not doing it just to frustrate you, :D or "just because."
 
Kyle...
"(Probably belongs in Knife Reviews but I'd rather leave reviews to the more knowledgable people here.)
"
Your review is better than most of the long term self apointed exsperts. Good job.
 
Good review, I tend to run out of words on my reviews.

I am not fond of the plastic grips either, but the "package" just seems to work. This is a small knife, but I tend to carry this knife on rough jobs, because I know it can take abuse. The S30V blade and the tough plastic handle are a great combo.
 
Mr. Ritter,

I still love the knife. :D For $100 and change (shipping), it's a lotta knife for little money (relatively). It'll definitely find a place in my pocket if I'm not carrying my BM 921. But I know I'm willing to pony up to somewhere in between the Benchmade price and Chris Reeve price to get a Ritter Axis folder with nicer scales.

I just wanted to add that all in all, for a small folder, it's wonderful. It's going to keep my plenty happy till I can justify ponying up for a Sebenza.

Oh, there is something I wanted to add something to my mini review. Aeromedix.com was easy to use and they stuck to their policy on shipping out the same day, if in stock, if ordered by 2pm MST. Ordered the knife on Tuesday and I got it on Thursday via UPS 3 Day Select. Great site to order from.

db said:
Kyle...
"(Probably belongs in Knife Reviews but I'd rather leave reviews to the more knowledgable people here.)
"
Your review is better than most of the long term self apointed exsperts. Good job.
Click to expand...

Thank you. :)
 
Thanks very much for the positive comments on the Mini-RSK MkI and the feedback on Aeromedix. Always nice to hear they are providing the high quality service I always expect from them. It's nice not to have to worry about that aspect.
 
Laceration said:
I've had all I can stand, I's can't stands no more....when the hell will Doug Ritter listen to the overwhelming demand to incorporate nicer handle slabs into the RSK?!?!? Benchmade is well renowned for listening to their internet customers, Doug Ritter is beginning to listen to his customer base (monochromatic/half serrated blades), and in every...EVERY...review of a RSKI or II, all I hear is a resounding holler for G10/aluminum/micarta scales for the knife. I know they want to keep the price point low. I've seen G10 handle slabs on $20 knifes. G10 is not that expensive. Neither is Aluminum or micarta. Come on already. Maybe Doug, Benchmade, and Bladeforums should release a LE RSK with a decidedly Grip shape but with a higher end handle material. Those things would sell out within an hour...guaranteed. Who's with me?


http://budk.com/product.asp?pn=RR333

A complete POS knife can have G10 handles and cost less than $5 and BM and DR can't find a way to do it? C'mon.
Click to expand...

The G-10 used on cheaper knives is usually not the same quality as the G-10 on more expensive knives. FRN is molded to shape, with a small amount of hand finishing involved. Plus the molds for the Griptillian handles were already produced. A G-10 handle must be machined into shape and requires more hand finishing and fitting. This takes more time and that means more money. This doesn't even include the upkeep of the CNC machines. All of this goes for Micarta and Aluminum too. Factor in anodizing for the aluminum handles.

Since the Ritter designed knives are small runs, Doug Ritter can't afford to let these knives be sold at a deep discount. That is why Aeromedix is the only source, price control. I estimate that a RSK with a nicer handle would run pretty close to $200, maybe $175. That would seriously cut into the number of units sold and would not improve the performance of the knife. I would love to see a RSK with nicer handles too, but these are the reasons I think you won't see one any time soon. I would say if you really want one buy as many of the current RSKs as you can and that may encourage the Critter to add more options.

As it is I can buy a Mini Griptilian with 440C blade for less than $55 locally, compared to $100 for the RSK. I don't think raising the price is going to help RSKs move off the shelf.
 
You people and you're damned logical explanations. :p

I kind of forgot about the AXIS lock and the amount of machining required to deal with it.
 
Laceration said:
You people and you're damned logical explanations. :p

I kind of forgot about the AXIS lock and the amount of machining required to deal with it.
Click to expand...

Like I said, I would love to have a RSK Mk 1 with a G-10 handle, especially that high vis orange G-10 that has been popping up everywhere. I'm just not holding my breath. :eek: <<what I look like while holding breath

added:
D'oohhh!!! I didn't even see that Doug Ritter had replied already. How did I miss that? Redundancy is good for survival learning right?
 
After reading this I have to ask (because I'm getting ready to buy) is the RSK worth the extra money?

Is it worth $45 more to get the fatter blade in S30V rather than the standard blade in 440C?
 
When BM does G-10 scales, they are flat. The Grip handle is contoured. And the contouring is not a simple roundover bit. Currently, the handle is done in a single step mold with a little cleanup. To use G-10, aluminum or other higher grade material is some multi-setup 2.5D CNC work to get the pockets for the liners, the axis and screw holes and such on the insde; 3D CNC work to get the contouring right, the contoured checkering, and more.
Click to expand...

Actually, Benchmade has some contoured G-10 handled knives too, the 730 Ares series and the 721 Pardue also.
And they have some contoured aluminum handled knives as well.

I don't think that it would cost that much more to offer G-10 or aluminum scales.
As much as I like the Griptilian series, and as nice as the RitterGrip is, the handles are the only reason that I don't carry one today.

BTW, this was an excellent review!

Thanks,
Allen.
 
It's funny how everyone doesn't like pastic/FRN/Zytel handles.

I see nothing wrong with them. Things have come so far in the last 20 years that a polymer handle on a knife is a great thing I think. G10 is brittle. FRN and Zytel are not.

I would bet if people could get past the old idea that plastic is cheap junk they would find that 'plastic' handled knives may out last everything they have. :)

Also agree. Great review.

:thumbup: :thumbup:
 
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