Ritter Grip/ Military costs?

[edgetrip]

So the Spyderco Military and the Doug Ritter/BM RSK1 cost within 5 bucks of one another. The mili has a handle made of g10 and the RSK1 has a zytel handle; both knives have large s30v blades and one has a liner lock and one an axis lock. So the question is why are they so comparable in price? Seems to me like there should be more then a five dollar difference. I have a Ritter and had a military from the pass around and IMO the Spyderco feels like a much more high quality/rugged knife. The handle on the RItter feels "cheap" in comparison. Don't get me wrong I am sure the RSK1 will hold up just fine but the plastic handle really feels sort of lacking.
Considering the price I wonder why BM or Mr. Ritter didn't go with another material? I think the RSK with a g110 handle would be awesome but as it is it seems a tad overpriced. Is it because of the fewer numbers of the BMs being produced perhaps making the costs higher per unit?

 

[Patryn]

The Military has a retail price of $173.95 according to the Sypderco web site.

The base Griptillian 551 (which is what the Ritter is based on) has a retail of $95.00.

There is your price difference. The prices you're seeing are the Spyderco's being discounted by sellers, while the Ritter Grip is an exclusive and priced closer to retail.

The Ritter Grip is worth every cent they are asking btw. I'm sure you've seen that said here many times before too.

 

[Will]

So the Spyderco Military and the Doug Ritter/BM RSK1 cost within 5 bucks of one another. The mili has a handle made of g10 and the RSK1 has a zytel handle; both knives have large s30v blades and one has a liner lock and one an axis lock. So the question is why are they so comparable in price? Seems to me like there should be more then a five dollar difference. I have a Ritter and had a military from the pass around and IMO the Spyderco feels like a much more high quality/rugged knife. The handle on the RItter feels "cheap" in comparison. Don't get me wrong I am sure the RSK1 will hold up just fine but the plastic handle really feels sort of lacking.
Considering the price I wonder why BM or Mr. Ritter didn't go with another material? I think the RSK with a g110 handle would be awesome but as it is it seems a tad overpriced. Is it because of the fewer numbers of the BMs being produced perhaps making the costs higher per unit?

I couldn't help but wonder the same thing. If the Ritter were sold by many other vendors like the Spydie, I am sure there would a greater range in price. As it is now, there is no competition. People certainly seem satisfied with Ritter, and I am sure it is worth every cent. I would feel bad paying $175 for the Spydie since it is ready availble for around $100.

Will

 

[Skyline]

According to Doug Ritter:

So, you ask, what features were required to fully satisfy my desired requirements?

- Composite non-slip handle/scales

This is a handle that just plain works and has all the features I prefer, including a secure non-slip grip that fills the hand comfortably and a pronounced finger guard for safety, as well as a full-size lanyard hole.

 

[Glenn Jones]

I own both. They are both great folders and I use them both. My favourite though is the Ritter.

Strangely the material of the grip is not one that has ever worried me - in fact I find the shape and feel of the Ritter more comfortable most times than the Military - but that comes down to personal preference. I am willing to bet there are people with a different sized hand who would prefer the Military. When you close up on the grip on the Military for fine work it is hard to find a better folder and the pointed blade end is also great for many fine jobs.

But, when it comes down to what counts, I like the Ritter because that axis lock makes it so smooth and easy to open and close with either hand - if you haven't tried the axis lock on the Ritter you have missed out on something. I also find the the weight of the Ritter is about what I like to carry in a pocket. For me the Military is just slightly too heavy - but again there will no doubt be many who wouldn't find this a concern. I like the Ritter so much that I bought a second one just to make sure I always had one available. The thing is though, they are both great knives and both are worth the price - it sort of comes down to a choice between two greats.

 

[cmd]

The handle on the RItter feels "cheap" in comparison. Don't get me wrong I am sure the RSK1 will hold up just fine but the plastic handle really feels sort of lacking.
...
I think the RSK with a g110 handle would be awesome

I agree. The handle is the ONLY reason there is not one in my pocket right now. Just don't care for the griptillian handles - they don't feel all that great in hand and are downright bulky to cary in a pocket.

And when considering the price, plastic handles on a $60 knife is just about the limit for me, but in a $100+ knife I expect the best materials all around.

Kudos to Mr. Ritter for bringing this product to market, though. This is his vision of the perfect folding knife and he has not only realized this vision but made it available to anyone else who wants one. I have a lot of respect for his doing this.

Hopefully Benchmade will make some full production models with S30V blades, axis locks, and different handles in G-10 and/or steel and/or titanium and/or micarta.

Chris

 

[s0rce]

Hopefully Benchmade will make some full production models with S30V blades, axis locks, and different handles in G-10 and/or steel and/or titanium and/or micarta.

Chris

I would love an S30V 705!

 

[Skyline]

I would love an S30V 705!

Not likely since the 705 has been discontinued. One can hope for a regular production 706 priced more reasonably though.

 

[cognitivefun]

I like the plastic handles. I'm not kidding. I can keep the knife in with my keys or my flashlight or my pepper spray and not worry about scratching. My Sebbie scratches and I have to baby it as far as where I put it in my pocket. Not so with the Ritter.