New Doug Ritter folder

rexromic said:
Wonder if Wilkins grips would be possible to fit on this new Ritter?
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From Doug Ritter on the thread that was closed a while back:

"With the exception of the pattern for the clip screws, there is not a single common element between the original and gen. 2 knives. Obviously, the blade shape is the same, but that's it. I am pretty confident, however, that at least some of the aftermarket handle suppliers will eventually do one for this knife. I wouldn't be surprised if some will also offer a solid back spacer for those that might prefer it.

Doug Ritter"
 
Sure would like to see Doug or Hogue release some sort of introduction video displaying the knife and discussing the improvements but with delivery being so close I guess that's not going to happen.
 
I am looking forward to seeing how well made this knife is- that is my main reason for looking at it- I want to see Hogue F&F but dislike most of their designs. This will be a great way to see- and it can also be compared to the ones BM made for some interesting possible conversation.
 
Agith said:
I am looking forward to seeing how well made this knife is- that is my main reason for looking at it- I want to see Hogue F&F but dislike most of their designs. This will be a great way to see- and it can also be compared to the ones BM made for some interesting possible conversation.
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This.
 
Agith said:
I am looking forward to seeing how well made this knife is- that is my main reason for looking at it- I want to see Hogue F&F but dislike most of their designs. This will be a great way to see- and it can also be compared to the ones BM made for some interesting possible conversation.
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I've literally never owned a Hogue simply due to the fact I cant find a single design I like (until now)
 
I have an M2 Ritter Grip, love it! This new one really appeals to me. Just have to wait until I get some other expenses whittled down. Thank you Doug!!!!
Bob
 
Knife_Geek said:
I've literally never owned a Hogue simply due to the fact I cant find a single design I like (until now)
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Babyboomer said:
I just looked at the knives on the Hogue website and I agree. The new Ritter is the most appealing knife they make.
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Of course, Mel Pardue knew how to design a knife, didn't he? Shame his name is not mentioned by Hogue or Ritter, isn't it?

Benchmade were always proud of the association, but of course they paid him to work with them...

"It all started with a drop-point fixed blade hunter made from an old crosscut saw and some Bakelite. Mel Pardue began his career as hobby in 1957 and took his pastime and turned it into a full time career punctuated by modern classic designs like Griptilian and Presidio. With an affinity for folding knives and their complexities Pardue joined the Knife Makers Guild in 1974 and set forth to create new and unique designs that would soon become his signature. Upon joining the guild, Pardue diligently researched through books and magazines using everything he saw as benchmarks of how he could differentiate himself from other designers."

Can somebody please remind where exactly Ritter comes in the pantheon of knife designers? And then I'd appreciate somebody talking me through why this version of Pardue's Griptilian somehow has practically nothing in common with the original. I mean, the lock is so clearly different from McHenry & Williams' AXIS lock, right? And the handle is so very, very different, right? Thanks.
 
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Benchmade doesn't own the patent to the axis lock anymore. Ritter never claims to have invented the axis lock and on the product page he credits Benchmade with creating the axis lock. He just thinks the ABLE lock has improvements on it. He also credits Les George for the inspiration for the pattern on the handle. I guess they feel that the handle is different enough from the Pardue version to not mention him.
 
mongomondo said:
He also credits Les George for the inspiration for the pattern on the handle. I guess they feel that the handle is different enough from the Pardue version to not mention him.
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Which is horse snot. With doug being such a pillar in the knife community he should know better. What a shame.
 
craytab said:
Which is horse snot. With doug being such a pillar in the knife community he should know better. What a shame.
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Maybe I'm just ignorant, but I understand Pardue did influence the Griptilian design and while the structure was the same with Ritter's original design, it was IMHO quite different...again, of all the Griptilian models, that design structure was complemented by Ritter's blade design. I don't think Doug would snub him purposely...but if you mean that Pardue had a lot of influence on the Griptilian models, I guess you could infer the original Ritter knife was linked to the bloodline. While the Hogue version will be inherently a more robust design by materials, I always thought the Griptilian structure was the best balance of weight to strength and the Ritter blade profile was the best of the whole lineup. I only thought the only contribution from Ritter was his blade profile; a simple wide, full-flat grind...which I happen to prefer. Benchmade obviously mated it to the Pardue-influenced Griptilian. I'm not sure how much influence Doug had on the handle as it's very similar to the Griptilian models as well.

I still think this is a positive for the whole knife community.

ROCK6
 
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The few people who've had a chance to handle the knife have commented how it feels different from the Griptilian (Pardue) handle. Comments have been made about the thinness of the handle and lesser "swell" near the pivot. Maybe we should withhold judgement until the knife is available in the wild and some of it's critics have a chance to feel it compared to a Griptilian. There are a lot of Assumptions being made with relatively little exposure to this knife.

It makes no sense to beat up Doug or rush to Mel's defense if you haven't seen the knife firsthand.
 
ROCK6 said:
Maybe I'm just ignorant, but I understand Pardue did influence the Griptilian design and while the structure was the same with Ritter's original design, it was IMHO quite different...again, of all the Griptilian models, that design structure was complemented by Ritter's blade design. I don't think Doug would snub him purposely...but if you mean that Pardue had a lot of influence on the Griptilian models, I guess you could infer the original Ritter knife was linked to the bloodline. While the Hogue version will be inherently a more robust design by materials, I always thought the Griptilian structure was the best balance of weight to strength and the Ritter blade profile was the best of the whole lineup. I only thought the only contribution from Ritter was his blade profile; a simple wide, full-flat grind...which I happen to prefer. Benchmade obviously mated it to the Pardue-influenced Griptilian. I'm not sure how much influence Doug had on the handle as it's very similar to the Griptilian models as well.

I still think this is a positive for the whole knife community.

ROCK6
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Pardue didn't influence the design of the grip. He designed it.
 
Hackenslash said:
The few people who've had a chance to handle the knife have commented how it feels different from the Griptilian (Pardue) handle. Comments have been made about the thinness of the handle and lesser "swell" near the pivot. Maybe we should withhold judgement until the knife is available in the wild and some of it's critics have a chance to feel it compared to a Griptilian. There are a lot of Assumptions being made with relatively little exposure to this knife.

It makes no sense to beat up Doug or rush to Mel's defense if you haven't seen the knife firsthand.
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I don't need to hold a knife to know what my eyes tell me.
 
Hackenslash said:
The few people who've had a chance to handle the knife have commented how it feels different from the Griptilian (Pardue) handle. Comments have been made about the thinness of the handle and lesser "swell" near the pivot. Maybe we should withhold judgement until the knife is available in the wild and some of it's critics have a chance to feel it compared to a Griptilian. There are a lot of Assumptions being made with relatively little exposure to this knife.

It makes no sense to beat up Doug or rush to Mel's defense if you haven't seen the knife firsthand.
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BM cut Mel out of Presidio II line, that’s for sure!
 
craytab said:
I don't need to hold a knife to know what my eyes tell me.
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Your eyes are using pictures to make assumptions about the knife. Which while well and good, isn't going to provide a meaningful level of insight on any more than superficial differences. If the knife has a distinct feel to it, then that pretty much locks you into the argument of it being very similar at a glance. However IF the swelling on the handle is different, the thickness is different, the addition of the finger groove is different, the choice of closed vs open design is different (however the g10 version of the grip has stand offs to as I recall, to play my own devil's advocate), the hardware is differently positioned internally (externally it is still the same however), the lock itself is supposedly different enough to warrant mentioning (despite not being patented anymore, so saying there are improvements to it, is entirely unnecessary.). Then I fail to see how one could call it a clone instead of an inspiration. I do agree that it would be good if Ritter placed that note on there about the Pardue handle playing an immense role in inspiring this new handle- but I have to agree with Hackenslash. People are just speculating.

I appreciate your passion, but I wholeheartedly believe we need to just wait. Everything right now is pure speculation with little meaningful foundation beyond what...9 pictures with what, arguably 5 of those actually showing meaningful info about the knife, while the other 4 are duplicate angles showing nothing new.
 
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