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- Aug 24, 2010
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A review of 3 popular knives
1. Doug Ritter Mini-Griptilian MK1 M4
2. Kershaw Skyline
3. Sog Flash 1
The Griptilian had the most sharp edges, everywhere. Between the scales, the thumb studs, the lock release studs, the handle, and the clip itself.
The Skyline had the BEST fit and finish, no sharp edges between the scales, the thumb studs not dont bite your hand excessively, and the pocket clip is smooth. In addition the spine of the blade is smooth.
The Sog had sharp edges on the thumb studs, on the lock release, and the spine of the blade.
Though the blade spine is not as sharp on the Griptilian as on the Sog, it is not smooth nor rounded like the Kershaw.
Opening the Griptilian with the thumb stud is very very smooth, and closing it, once you manage to get the lock released is super easy.
Opening the Kershaw, using the flipper, is pretty easy, the thumb studs do NOT work to open the knife. Closing the Kershaw requires digging your finger nail into the liner lock to release it, and the flipper hits your finger right away, so you cant hurt yourself..
Opening the Sog is a joy! It flips right open. Closing it requires a bit of effort, both to activate the lock release, and also to close the blade, because it is spring loaded.
Cutting fruit and tomatoes, the Griptilian is the worst, it resists slicing, possibly due to the thickness of the blade. It actually crushed the apple, more than it sliced it.
The Skyline is the best cutter, both for tomatoes and apples, it really slices throught, and the blade releases easily.
The Sog works OK, its just a very small blade.
None of the knife handles allow the cutting edge to reach the cutting board, unless you keep the handle off the edge of the board.
I removed all the pocket clips so I could get a feel for the handles, and to feel how the knife rides dropped inside a pocket of my thin nylon Ex Officio pants. The Sog, being smallest and lightest, fits best in a pocket. The Kershaw being longest, prints the most as it lies accross the bottom of the pocket. The Griptilian falls between the two in terms of length, but it is the thickest and heaviest.
The pocket clip on the Sog is the most elegant, and the whole knife is hidden below the pocket edge. The clip works to carry tip up only, which I happen to like, and can be left or right handed. Although the lock is only right handed.
The pocket clip on the Griptilian is also tip up only, and the finish on the clip is terrible, lots of sharp edges all around, even burrs. It is reversible left or right handed, and the lock release is on both sides. It works best to unlock using both sides at the same time, but it can be done with just one side. It is also possible to flip the Griptilian open and closed, by releasing the lock, and not using the thumb studs..
The pocket clip on the Kershaw can be tip up or tip down, but right handed only. The tip up clip location leaves more of the handle above the pocket line than the Griptilian, which also rides above the edge of the pocket.
The least scary lookiing knife is the SOG, the most dagger like is the Kershaw. The Griptilian is not very dagger like, it has nice curves, both in the handle and the blade profile.
If I had to carry only one, due to its light weight and small size I would choose the SOG.
As a food tool, the longer blade of the Kershaw works best, and it slices the best. It is also available in Damascus for just $55, very inexpensive.. I will probably buy one.
The handle on the Kershaw is G-10 and has a very nice feel. I also like how flat it is.
The handle on the Sog is very nice, a bit thick maybe, and the finger grooves dont fit my hand, but its a nice package.
The handle on the Griptilian was way too sharp on all the molded ridges, and took the most work to smooth out to a reasonable feel.
Cost wise, the Sog and Kershaw can be had for 30-35 dollars. The M4 Ritter mini-Griptilian cost $145.
Without the pocket clips, the Sog weighs 32 grams, the Kershaw 67 grams, and the mini grip 72 grams.
1. Doug Ritter Mini-Griptilian MK1 M4
2. Kershaw Skyline
3. Sog Flash 1
The Griptilian had the most sharp edges, everywhere. Between the scales, the thumb studs, the lock release studs, the handle, and the clip itself.
The Skyline had the BEST fit and finish, no sharp edges between the scales, the thumb studs not dont bite your hand excessively, and the pocket clip is smooth. In addition the spine of the blade is smooth.
The Sog had sharp edges on the thumb studs, on the lock release, and the spine of the blade.
Though the blade spine is not as sharp on the Griptilian as on the Sog, it is not smooth nor rounded like the Kershaw.
Opening the Griptilian with the thumb stud is very very smooth, and closing it, once you manage to get the lock released is super easy.
Opening the Kershaw, using the flipper, is pretty easy, the thumb studs do NOT work to open the knife. Closing the Kershaw requires digging your finger nail into the liner lock to release it, and the flipper hits your finger right away, so you cant hurt yourself..
Opening the Sog is a joy! It flips right open. Closing it requires a bit of effort, both to activate the lock release, and also to close the blade, because it is spring loaded.
Cutting fruit and tomatoes, the Griptilian is the worst, it resists slicing, possibly due to the thickness of the blade. It actually crushed the apple, more than it sliced it.
The Skyline is the best cutter, both for tomatoes and apples, it really slices throught, and the blade releases easily.
The Sog works OK, its just a very small blade.
None of the knife handles allow the cutting edge to reach the cutting board, unless you keep the handle off the edge of the board.
I removed all the pocket clips so I could get a feel for the handles, and to feel how the knife rides dropped inside a pocket of my thin nylon Ex Officio pants. The Sog, being smallest and lightest, fits best in a pocket. The Kershaw being longest, prints the most as it lies accross the bottom of the pocket. The Griptilian falls between the two in terms of length, but it is the thickest and heaviest.
The pocket clip on the Sog is the most elegant, and the whole knife is hidden below the pocket edge. The clip works to carry tip up only, which I happen to like, and can be left or right handed. Although the lock is only right handed.
The pocket clip on the Griptilian is also tip up only, and the finish on the clip is terrible, lots of sharp edges all around, even burrs. It is reversible left or right handed, and the lock release is on both sides. It works best to unlock using both sides at the same time, but it can be done with just one side. It is also possible to flip the Griptilian open and closed, by releasing the lock, and not using the thumb studs..
The pocket clip on the Kershaw can be tip up or tip down, but right handed only. The tip up clip location leaves more of the handle above the pocket line than the Griptilian, which also rides above the edge of the pocket.
The least scary lookiing knife is the SOG, the most dagger like is the Kershaw. The Griptilian is not very dagger like, it has nice curves, both in the handle and the blade profile.
If I had to carry only one, due to its light weight and small size I would choose the SOG.
As a food tool, the longer blade of the Kershaw works best, and it slices the best. It is also available in Damascus for just $55, very inexpensive.. I will probably buy one.
The handle on the Kershaw is G-10 and has a very nice feel. I also like how flat it is.
The handle on the Sog is very nice, a bit thick maybe, and the finger grooves dont fit my hand, but its a nice package.
The handle on the Griptilian was way too sharp on all the molded ridges, and took the most work to smooth out to a reasonable feel.
Cost wise, the Sog and Kershaw can be had for 30-35 dollars. The M4 Ritter mini-Griptilian cost $145.
Without the pocket clips, the Sog weighs 32 grams, the Kershaw 67 grams, and the mini grip 72 grams.
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