Regular Grip VS Doug Ritter Grip?

N

newknife

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Jul 6, 2008
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Has anyone owned both? Is the Doug Ritter Grip worth the extra money? If so why?

Thanks!
 
The Ritter Grip has better steel, a different blade shape. It also has a different grind to the blade.

Worth it is up to the person buying it.
 
Unfortunately can't speak to this question specifically as I've never owned a Ritter. I love my Griptilian? Does that count?

It's one of my least expensive knives, and yet it gets an inordinate amount of pocket time in comparison. It does so because of a few features - it's extremely tough, reliable, functionally powerful and good at its job, and I trust it. It's also the knife that, due to cost, I've subjected to harder use. Didn't even flinch. I'm sure the Ritters are superior in their own way. The steel is better and Ritter has a lot of experience in the game. Take that as you will.
 
I would like just to be able to find a Ritter. But to the op I like the blade shape much better on the Ritter.
 
I've had both in mini form, my Ritter got treated to some custom scales and is now my favorite knife, the regular was gifted to a friend years ago who has used it well. To me the Ritter is worth it, but this is coming from someone who regularly carries what basically amounts to a $240 mini grip after all is said and done. The biggest advantage of the Ritter is the blade shape and high flat grind. It's simply a better cutter that the regular version and seeing as the purpose of a knife is to cut, that would make the Ritter simply a better knife.

That is unless you can track down the m390 version of the standard blade shape...but good luck with that one...
 
newknife said:
Is there a US dealer where you can buy custom grips for the Doug Ritter Grip?
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Kevin Wilkins and Cuscadi, both out of Germany, are going to be your best bet. Wilkins grips are very well thought of and give the knife a completely different feel but typically only uses g10, but Cuscadi offers almost endless options in terms of materials and milling/contouring. I have no first hand experience ordering from Kevin Wilkins but seeing as he only sells stock that he has on hand, the process should be pretty slick. Ordering from Cuscadi is easy enough too, a few emails and you're in. They make the scales custom for each order so there is some wait time. My turn around time ordering from Cuscadi was about a month, some people see less, some more. Either way, the Internet age as made it pretty painless to order from over seas. Alternatively you could try to snag a set of Wilkins or Cuscadi scales from someone in the US on the exchange here at BladeForums.
 
Love the Ritter blade even though it is nearly twice the price as you can snag minis for $60 if you know where to look.
I've been having fun outfitting regular minis with custom scales. Really adds a lot to an already good knife.
 
mkjellgren said:
Kevin Wilkins and Cuscadi, both out of Germany, are going to be your best bet. Wilkins grips are very well thought of and give the knife a completely different feel but typically only uses g10, but Cuscadi offers almost endless options in terms of materials and milling/contouring. I have no first hand experience ordering from Kevin Wilkins but seeing as he only sells stock that he has on hand, the process should be pretty slick. Ordering from Cuscadi is easy enough too, a few emails and you're in. They make the scales custom for each order so there is some wait time. My turn around time ordering from Cuscadi was about a month, some people see less, some more. Either way, the Internet age as made it pretty painless to order from over seas. Alternatively you could try to snag a set of Wilkins or Cuscadi scales from someone in the US on the exchange here at BladeForums.
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Wilkins has titanium scales for the full size Grip in stock now. They won't last long.

I've ordered from him. Send an email saying you want them. He emails back and says he has what you want. Pay Pal (there are fees for exchange into Euros) and 7 days later I had my scales.
 
I've owned mini gripd with 440C, 154, and S30V... I never had any issues with any of the steels. I don't think I would consider 154 inferior.

Another option is, the "Build a Grip" program on the Benchmade website. Many different scale colors to choose from, and IIRC 4 different steels to choose from, as well as blade styles. The only drawback is, they don't offer the same blade shape as the Ritter. The price is a little more than the Ritter, but imho it's worth it.
Hers my current edc mini grip from the build program. I don't think you will be disappointed with any of the grips.


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The advantage of the Ritter is the S30V steel upgrade and higher grind=better slicing ability.
 
So there's not much that the Ritter Grip really does better? Some mentioned slicing, but I'm sure the difference is negligible in the long run.
 
I don't really think a folder 3" or under is worth spending that much for just a premium steel and blade shape... are you really getting that much more performance for your money?

I asked myself the same question when I was getting my Mini Grip, and got the regular Mini instead of the Ritter... couldn't be happier. With something like the Para 2, the nice steel is worth something, but for a small EDC like the Mini Grip, I've never had a problem with either the blade shape or 154CM.

Now, if it came with a different handle material or something like that, maybe...
 
hayes31 said:
I don't really think a folder 3" or under is worth spending that much for just a premium steel and blade shape... are you really getting that much more performance for your money?

I asked myself the same question when I was getting my Mini Grip, and got the regular Mini instead of the Ritter... couldn't be happier. With something like the Para 2, the nice steel is worth something, but for a small EDC like the Mini Grip, I've never had a problem with either the blade shape or 154CM.

Now, if it came with a different handle material or something like that, maybe...
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Well I'm actually looking at the full size one and not the mini. Would you consider the Ritter grip if you were getting the larger one?

FYI - the price difference between the two is only $19, which isn't really bad. Just trying to find out if anyone thinks the blade shape and the steel of the Ritter really lends itself to anything that the regular Grip doesn't; in a significant way.
 
newknife said:
So there's not much that the Ritter Grip really does better? Some mentioned slicing, but I'm sure the difference is negligible in the long run.
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The Ritter is a better cutter and holds an edge better. Otherwise they're the same. Do you want a knife that cuts better and continues doing so for longer? I thought so.... Now you just need to decide how much more you're willing to pay for that performance. That's not to say the standard blade shapes are bad, just that most people tend to prefer the Ritter, and for good reason.
 
mkjellgren said:
The Ritter is a better cutter and holds an edge better. Otherwise they're the same. Do you want a knife that cuts better and continues doing so for longer? I thought so.... Now you just need to decide how much more you're willing to pay for that performance. That's not to say the standard blade shapes are bad, just that most people tend to prefer the Ritter, and for good reason.
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Yea, I'll probably get the Ritter (in orange). Like I said, it's only $19 more.
 
Many (including myself) prefer the Ritter. The blade shape on the Ritter is a big plus. To really see & feel the difference you should handle both. There is nothing wrong with a standard griptilian. It's an awesoma knife. But, you get more belly and more blade with a Ritter. The second reason for me is the steel. I've got 2 in M2 & 2 in M4. Ritters standard S30V is nothing to shake a stick at either. But, M2 & M4.....come on! I,ll take it, they're awesome!
So, the difference between the two is only $20?
OK, I give up.
Why wouldn't you get the Ritter?
No offense....but it's a no brainer. Get the Ritter!
 
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