New Ritter neck knife from CRKT

Here is the pic Doug has posted of the Becker colab, looks awesome.
rskmkii-bk12_proto1.jpg
 
I like the Mk2, and the Mk5 is certainly on my list too. It's price point is so low that I can hardly pass it up. The low price point was a major factor in the design from its article at www.equipped.org.

I don't think you can go wrong with a Ritter design. I'm still playing with the idea of the Mk4---I need (well, want) another gentleman's folder, and it looks like the ticket.

I'll probably switch it over to an Altoids tin---that is a great concealed carry mechanism for knives at places where they'd usually be frowned upon. I carry all my survival kit to Ohio State and Cleveland Indians games without a second glance because the security folks think I enjoy fresh breath. I do, but I enjoy a PSK even more. :D
 
I have a Boker Edit too and I love that as well. I do EDC it whenever I have a belt on, but once again it's biggest downfall is the sheath. I really REALY hope CRKT does well on the sheath of I won't be buying one... Knives this cheap, I really don't feel its worth getting an after market sheath for.
 
In addition to a tin knife, I can see myself slipping a couple of these into the pocket of the sheath of a couple of my larger knives. I look at a knife like this as the modern equivalent of a flint chip. Where I, personally speaking, would not consider the Hartsook, I like the wider blade of this two-finger knife. I've bookmarked the page: nuf said. :)
 
I hate to admit this, but when I first saw that MK5 Ritter, the first thought in my head was "I wonder if it would fit in the hidden pocket inside my Tilley TH4 hat".

:D
 
Just don't forget that the Mk5 was designed as a backup knife. A small and very lightweight knife stored in a survival kit but still sized and tough enough to get the job done when called upon.

My plan is to get two - one for the survival kit and another to play with. Would make a great give to others who carry kits.

Critter said:
the Mk2 will get another chance at production before too long.
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Doug - define "too long" :D

Ken K.
 
ziptrickhead said:
Looks great. I'm not too crazy about the steel but it'll probably do. Once it comes out and someone reviews it I'll most likely get at least one. I'm just worried about the sheath since in my experience, the main problem for me with production fixed blades is a poor sheath.
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If they are using OnScene Tactical for the sheaths (which was my impression from the article) then don't worry...the sheaths they make are among the best thermoplastic sheaths I've ever seen. I would put a lot of faith in any sheath they send out.
 
I'm by no means a steel expert but like others have said 52-55 HRC seems kinda soft and with only .35% carbon I'd imagine you'd be resharpening it after every fuzz stick. In my experience softer steel is actually harder to sharpen, sure it gives up metal quickly but refining the edge, removing the burr can be a big PITA, even more so I'd imagine using a found stone. Love the design though.
 
misanthropist said:
If they are using OnScene Tactical for the sheaths (which was my impression from the article) then don't worry...the sheaths they make are among the best thermoplastic sheaths I've ever seen. I would put a lot of faith in any sheath they send out.
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Eric did the prototypes, but another company is doing the production sheaths. In any case, I think you'll like the finished product.
 
theonew said:
I'm by no means a steel expert but like others have said 52-55 HRC seems kinda soft and with only .35% carbon I'd imagine you'd be resharpening it after every fuzz stick. In my experience softer steel is actually harder to sharpen, sure it gives up metal quickly but refining the edge, removing the burr can be a big PITA, even more so I'd imagine using a found stone. Love the design though.
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I'll respectfully disagree. I won't pretend to suggest that this will hold an edge like S30V or even 440C, and if anything less than that is inadequate in your opinion, you won't be happy with the RSK Mk5. OTOH, I can guarantee you won't have to sharpen it after every fuzz stick. The fuzz stick in the image on the page was done after already taking down the two-inch sapling shown and a bunch of other work that day. On that occasion we did a day's worth of testing for photography without sharpening. Other's tested the pre-production samples as well with good results. Now, would it shave hair when we were done? No, but it would still function adequately. That's a function of both the design and the adequate steel. "Adequate" is not a bad thing. And, in my experience, I was able to put a decent edge on it pretty easily, both in the field and using more sophisticated sharpeners.

It's important to put things into perspective. The RSK Mk5 was designed to a price point and a function and I think those who recognize and appreciate that will be very happy with it. If you expect more than what it was designed for, well, you may be disappointed. It isn't what it isn't. :D Perhaps one of these days, if there is demand, we might be able to do one with higher grade steel. But, if we do, it will inevitably cost more. There's no free lunch. :)

I'm very happy with how this knife turned out. Thanks for the compliment on the design. It does what it was designed to do at a price that's easy for anyone to afford. That fits my definition of "good design" and "good value." YMMV, of course. Thanks for the opportunity to explain. I'm off to pack, leaving for SHOT Show zero-too-early tomorrow to see what the buyers' reaction will be.
 
Critter said:
OTOH, I can guarantee you won't have to sharpen it after every fuzz stick.
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Sorry, I probably should have put a smiley after that in my post :o

Great explanation and I'm sure you didn't put it out there without putting it through its paces first :thumbup: I honestly think the design looks fantastic.
 
Critter said:
I'll respectfully disagree. I won't pretend to suggest that this will hold an edge like S30V or even 440C, and if anything less than that is inadequate in your opinion, you won't be happy with the RSK Mk5. OTOH, I can guarantee you won't have to sharpen it after every fuzz stick. The fuzz stick in the image on the page was done after already taking down the two-inch sapling shown and a bunch of other work that day. On that occasion we did a day's worth of testing for photography without sharpening. Other's tested the pre-production samples as well with good results. Now, would it shave hair when we were done? No, but it would still function adequately. That's a function of both the design and the adequate steel. "Adequate" is not a bad thing. And, in my experience, I was able to put a decent edge on it pretty easily, both in the field and using more sophisticated sharpeners.

It's important to put things into perspective. The RSK Mk5 was designed to a price point and a function and I think those who recognize and appreciate that will be very happy with it. If you expect more than what it was designed for, well, you may be disappointed. It isn't what it isn't. :D Perhaps one of these days, if there is demand, we might be able to do one with higher grade steel. But, if we do, it will inevitably cost more. There's no free lunch. :)

I'm very happy with how this knife turned out. Thanks for the compliment on the design. It does what it was designed to do at a price that's easy for anyone to afford. That fits my definition of "good design" and "good value." YMMV, of course. Thanks for the opportunity to explain. I'm off to pack, leaving for SHOT Show zero-too-early tomorrow to see what the buyers' reaction will be.
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Nice to see you round here, stop by more often.:thumbup:

I like the idea that it cost what it does. I think for using it what it is designed for, a PSK type knife, its right on. I dont need a 50-100.00 knife in my altoids tin. I look forward to checking one out......

j
 
I think it's a cool idea and at a price point that is reasonable. I could see a lot of applications for this little knife. I can even see giving it as a gift to people who would not normally carry a knife. Something to slip into a purse or coat pocket.:thumbup:
 
Put it in the tilley hat - now thats a great idea!
I do tend to favor John's myself, being that his is made of O1. My first thought was what a great little ferro-rod striker that would make!
 
Same simple shape as my Edit, will satiate my sudden craving for smaller fixed blades...and Doug Ritter mentioned it, let alone helped design it? It really is ideal for the kit with its profile along with that new LED that was released with it. I'm always been fascinated with how the PSK was put together, finding out there's going to be an expanded version makes me very curious how the parts and additions will be determined. I'll have to EDC this little guy for a while before it goes in the kit, maybe get another for casual use.

As for the RK2...I've been staring at the Ka-Bar BK2 for a long while and haven't been able to condone why I need more than my Mora. Now you're telling me it could have the Ritter drop point? If it ever does get going, I'm eager to see how else it changes besides shape, will it have a pocketed sheath for the PSK components?
 
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