*Picked MK1*Another Benchmade 710 or Doug Ritter RSK MK1?

jfindon

jfindon

Joined
Dec 12, 2006
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967
Since Benchmade is being the suck and discontinuing both of these, I'm kicking around the idea of getting one. First thing first, I already have a 710 with the BK1 coating and serrations and I always kind of wanted the plain edge. I've also always wanted a Ritter Grip and love the M390 steel but can't stand the garbage scales it comes with, so I'd have to spend even more money to get aftermarket scales on that one. Both are around the same price. Thoughts? Do I go with another 710 so I have two or get the MK1 and spend almost the value of the knife on aftermarket scales?
 
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I just went through the same dilemma and got both!
Got the Ritter for a Christmas present to myself and have a 710-1401 on the way, and a HK mini axis!
It does suck what BM is doing to it's lineup so I got what could while I could.
I don't have a 710 so I splurged and went all out w/ the KW exclusive. I had the 710D2 in my cart and was ready, but there are knife shows coming up and I might run into one, maybe, for a decent price.

I personally don't dislike Grip scales but can't you get into aftermarket ones for less than $100 on the exchange?
Every review I read says it's totally worth it.

If getting only one, get the Ritter grip and spring for scales.
 
I have both. I bought the Ritter on the exchange already fitted with aftermarket scales. They are both great. One thing to keep in mind. There will certainly be special runs of the 710 in the future. Of course they won't be as cheap as the standard version is now on closeout.
 
I'd get one of these while you still can. I think there'll be more opportunity to pick up a 710 later.
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Get the Ritter Grip and try edc ing it for a while with the original scales. You might be surprised how good they are.
You can always spend an extra hundred dollars for other scales to change the appearance and feel of the knife and add some weight.
I like light and strong knives for daily carry.
 
Hackenslash said:
I'd get one of these while you still can. I think there'll be more opportunity to pick up a 710 later.
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That is the scale I want, man that looks nice. AppliedWeaponsTech right?

Thanks guys, if I go with either it will be the RSK then since I already have a 710.
 
jfindon said:
That is the scale I want, man that looks nice. AppliedWeaponsTech right?

Thanks guys, if I go with either it will be the RSK then since I already have a 710.
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Yup, AWT Hive pattern. I really like it. It solves a little bit of the "slick" feel to their standard scales, and I think it might be a bit lighter. This is the 4th pair of AWTs that I've put on a Grip, two regular and two mini, and they've all had great F/F. I keep a lookout for their blems, too. That can save a few $.

Benchmade with their great customer service sent me the deep carry clip free of charge! I love dealing with BM service!
 
Ritter Grip.

1) Support a man who does a lot for knife users

2) Benchmade ended the relationship, not Doug.

I've been trying to avoid negativity here of late, so I don't want this to turn into a "Benchmade hate" thread. But given the choice, I would advocate for the Ritter.
 
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Wait what? They are discontinuing the 710? Do i have to run screaming to the shop before i miss out on the model that invented the axis lock?
 
My choice was the Ritter
I had a small one and got a large one a month ago
I am planning to change the grips but I have to say that after a few week of carrying it, i think it is more an extra than a necessity.
The plastic grip perform quite well
My focus at the moment is more on getting a low carry clip


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I have both Ritters large and small plus 4 710s--2 standard D2 satins (one modded with Gnoleb standoffs), one SBK in D2, and a -1401. I would buy another 710 in a heartbeat if I could get a BK or M4HS. With that said, though, I think I would go for the Ritter first, as my guess is that their secondary market prices will begin to appreciate and the 710s will not. There are just so many 710s out there as they've been around quite a bit longer and were sold everywhere as opposed to the Ritters that were Knifeworks exclusives.

I have 5 Grips and hate the stock handles. All mine have aftermarkets and I doubled the price of my pair by adding Wilkins Grips which I absolutely love. There are many good aftermarket scales at under 100 bucks, though. The Ritter takes the Griptilian to another level and aftermarket scales complete the package. Well worth it in my book.

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On the other hand, the 710-1401 is also a Knifeworks exclusive and may disappear fairly quickly. It's a helluva knife with the M390 blade, polished hardware, and the textured, 3D machined scales.

I think the standard BF answer applies here--get both! :p
 
I think another consideration would be the large number of possibilities to find Franken-Grips in the secondary market. Even if the handle scales of a Ritter Grip are shattered, there's nothing stopping you from transferring a blade in the handle of a vanilla Grip.

Given how small a premium you pay for the 710-1401 versus a standard 710...it's looking like a pretty sweet deal on a great version of an iconic knife.

You all are killing me, you know? I don't own a 710 and now you've got me looking at one! You're all a bunch of Enablers!
 
I went with the RSK, I saw that 710 too but 180 is more than I want to spend given how much I've spent recently on knives. Thanks guys.
 
Hackenslash said:
I think another consideration would be the large number of possibilities to find Franken-Grips in the secondary market. Even if the handle scales of a Ritter Grip are shattered, there's nothing stopping you from transferring a blade in the handle of a vanilla Grip.

Given how small a premium you pay for the 710-1401 versus a standard 710...it's looking like a pretty sweet deal on a great version of an iconic knife.

You all are killing me, you know? I don't own a 710 and now you've got me looking at one! You're all a bunch of Enablers!
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All of us here are only too happy to help you spend your money, Slash, providing you actually have any left. :D I'm glad you picked up my Hogue before the well ran dry. ;)

jfindon said:
I went with the RSK, I saw that 710 too but 180 is more than I want to spend given how much I've spent recently on knives. Thanks guys.
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You can't go wrong with that RSK, man. That blade shape in M390 is just friggin' awesome. It's a super cutter and slicer that takes a wicked edge and keeps it. As much as I dislike the stock grips, they are serviceable and you can use the knife for a while and shop around for an upgrade. I went pretty high-end with my Wilkins set, but you can do very well for a hundred or less and that RSK+aftermarkets will be worth every penny of what you have into it. Congrats on your purchase! :thumbup:

Don't forget to share some pics and thoughts when you have your knife in hand.
 
ChazzyP said:
All of us here are only too happy to help you spend your money, Slash, providing you actually have any left. :D I'm glad you picked up my Hogue before the well ran dry. ;)



You can't go wrong with that RSK, man. That blade shape in M390 is just friggin' awesome. It's a super cutter and slicer that takes a wicked edge and keeps it. As much as I dislike the stock grips, they are serviceable and you can use the knife for a while and shop around for an upgrade. I went pretty high-end with my Wilkins set, but you can do very well for a hundred or less and that RSK+aftermarkets will be worth every penny of what you have into it. Congrats on your purchase! :thumbup:

Don't forget to share some pics and thoughts when you have your knife in hand.
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Will do, should be here tomorrow. Was looking at a member here who makes his own scales for many knives but I forget his name. Shot him an email to find out about pricing and such.
 
Just got home and opened it up. I didn't hate the feeling of the handle as much as I thought I would, but it still looks like cheap garbage and I will need a new set of scales. The action also isn't the best, nowhere near my 710 and I had to try putting some lube on the pivot to loosen it up. Still not flicking open real easily, should I take it apart and try lubing it that way?

On the plus side I love the blade shape and it is centered pretty nicely. With some new scales I can see it being a fantastic EDC .


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Good choice, that's what I would have done. I got aftermarket scales for my regular grip from Igorded here on BF. They make the knife and he has many materials to choose from.

Regular grip in green canvas micarta
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Mini in Ghost jade G10
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