Ritter Griptilian

The Ritter is one of my favorite knives. As others have noted, you buy it through KnifeWorks and only KnifeWorks as they are the sole distributor. The colors are not customizable like the regular Grips, and I believe they now come in black, yellow, orange, and pink. The finishes are either stonewashed (awesome finish BTW) or coated. Thumb studs are the only opening mechanism and S30V is the only blade steel.

The blade geometry is exceptional. It uses the flat grind, which gives you great performance at both fine tasks/slicing and heavier tasks that are tough on blades/edges. It also is easy to sharpen. The tip is super strong, but done in a way in which it is still more functional than most knives. The spine serrations give you incredible control on the entire knife and this helps with making precision cuts. The blade steel is S30V, which is a fantastic steel for folding knives and the stonewashed finish is one of the most durable finishes used.

The Grip is great, but IMO the Ritter improves upon an already great knife across the board. I think it's worth every penny and one of the best values of all knives.
 
Hopefully I don't sound too blasphemous, but aside from near full flat ground S30V blade shape and surface finish what else does Doug Ritter's RSK Mk-1 differ from Regular Griptilian?
 
MobileFireLord said:
Hopefully I don't sound too blasphemous, but aside from near full flat ground S30V blade shape and surface finish what else does Doug Ritter's RSK Mk-1 differ from Regular Griptilian?
Click to expand...
Simplified, that's about it. But, if you think about it both those things can add up to a sizable difference.

First, blade steel. There's no debating that different steels can completely change a knife's handling characteristics, intended use, and ease of sharpening, among other things. The S30V used by Benchmade takes a razor sharp edge and does an excellent job keeping it, IMO. Also, my personal experiences with S30V have proven the steel to be up to just about any knife related task(and they still have an edge after cutting) and therefore lend themselves to being used a bit more often than less durable steels.

Second, blade shape. Although handling characteristics and intended use apply here as well, the Ritter Grip's grind lends itself to being slicier than regular Grip. It's also more comfortable in hand, IMO, due to the shape of the spine. Not to mention I think it looks cooler than the regular Grip which translates to more pocket time all by itself.

The Ritter grip is by far my favorite Griptilian and I've handled and owned quite a few. Even my Blade Show edition Griptilian in M4 steel doesn't get a 10th of the pocket time that my Ritter Grip gets, so much so that I'm probably gonna sell the Blade Show Grip just to fund another Ritter!
 
I've been meaning to get myself a Ritter, but I've sort of been stuck between the Ritter or maybe getting a custom Grip. Also I'm not sure if I want the thumb stud or hole.
Also, what about dirt getting into the axis lock? Have any of you had any problems with this?
 
MobileFireLord said:
Hopefully I don't sound too blasphemous, but aside from near full flat ground S30V blade shape and surface finish what else does Doug Ritter's RSK Mk-1 differ from Regular Griptilian?
Click to expand...

The spine serrations are totally different. While a very minor design detail, I find it makes a huge difference on control with precision cuts. I can use a Ritter with the control that I get with my favorite paring knife. I also think the grind makes a big difference as my Ritter does better than the S30V Grip I have in holding an edge, and I think the Ritter's high flat retains the ability to slice like the HG can, but with strength to the edge, tip, and blade like that of a saber grind. The Volli uses a very similar blade design and is another knife I like a lot and IMO one of the finest offerings Benchmade has. Spyderco went the route of the full flat, but I actually like the high flat more. Like the Sebenza 25's blade, I think it's a great multitasker.
 
I've EDCd a large Ritter grip since the day it was available. No issues with chipping, easy to keep clean and just a great overall knife.
 
fatheadhill said:
Simplified, that's about it. But, if you think about it both those things can add up to a sizable difference.

First, blade steel. There's no debating that different steels can completely change a knife's handling characteristics, intended use, and ease of sharpening, among other things. The S30V used by Benchmade takes a razor sharp edge and does an excellent job keeping it, IMO. Also, my personal experiences with S30V have proven the steel to be up to just about any knife related task(and they still have an edge after cutting) and therefore lend themselves to being used a bit more often than less durable steels.
Click to expand...
No disagreement there.

Second, blade shape. Although handling characteristics and intended use apply here as well, the Ritter Grip's grind lends itself to being slicier than regular Grip. It's also more comfortable in hand, IMO, due to the shape of the spine. Not to mention I think it looks cooler than the regular Grip which translates to more pocket time all by itself.
Click to expand...
May be BKC and Doug Ritter should get together and offer Doug Ritter Blade as an option in custom knife builder. (D.R. S30V blade)

Original intention written in D.R.'s site was affordable survivor folder. It certainly hit the nail in the head. I really wish the choice of handle of FRN is not something I feel comfortable with partial liner.

I feel that recent 551-1401 resolved that issue.
 
I agree Mobilefirelord, that would be sweet. Only problem I see is that I bet the price would skyrocket. Even with G10 scales I think $200+ would be pushing it. Hell, I think $175 for the REI version is a bit much. Maybe I'm just cheap, lol!
 
I own everything from CRK to Strider and Hinderer, and I think the mini Ritter Grip may be the perfect EDC. There's nothing wrong with the S30V. I'm currently running this knife at 15 dps stropped to 0.5 micron CBN and it takes a beautiful and one of the sharpest edges I've ever attained. I much prefer a high flat to a full flat, and the grind on this knife is awesome. The stonewash is also one of the best out there on any knife. You also get the great parkerized clip with this one. The jimping is much better and my hand locks into this knife perfectly. Just an outstanding knife well worth the cost. I wish I could just buy a few blades and sets of springs from Benchmade and I'd be set.

I know it's a KW exclusive, but I saw an orange mini Ritter in my local shop's case for sale last Friday....
 
uofaengr said:
I own everything from CRK to Strider and Hinderer, and I think the mini Ritter Grip may be the perfect EDC. Just an outstanding knife well worth the cost. I wish I could just buy a few blades and sets of springs from Benchmade and I'd be set.
Click to expand...

I'm seriously looking at picking up a Ritter but the one thing that's holding me back is my doubts about the axis lock. Not the actual lock but the omega spring.
By you saying that you wish you could buy some springs from Benchmade, it's like you're expecting the spring to break at some point. Am I wrong?
 
csisland said:
I'm seriously looking at picking up a Ritter but the one thing that's holding me back is my doubts about the axis lock. Not the actual lock but the omega spring.
By you saying that you wish you could buy some springs from Benchmade, it's like you're expecting the spring to break at some point. Am I wrong?
Click to expand...

This issue is overblown and caused by poor maintenance and excessive flipping. I have 7 knives with Axis, two both EDCd for over 5 years each no issue.
 
billym said:
This issue is overblown and caused by poor maintenance and excessive flipping. I have 7 knives with Axis, two both EDCd for over 5 years each no issue.
Click to expand...

I don't flipp in fact I hate flipping, so I guess I wouldn't run into any problems with the lock or spring.
 
csisland said:
I'm seriously looking at picking up a Ritter but the one thing that's holding me back is my doubts about the axis lock. Not the actual lock but the omega spring.
By you saying that you wish you could buy some springs from Benchmade, it's like you're expecting the spring to break at some point. Am I wrong?
Click to expand...

Yes, you're wrong. :) Fifteen + years and dozens of Axis locks with not a single spring broken here. Fret not.
 
JNewell said:
Yes, you're wrong. :) Fifteen + years and dozens of Axis locks with not a single spring broken here. Fret not.
Click to expand...

Than why be concerned about buying springs? Be prepared I guess. Another thing that's concerning is looking at that knife in the other thread.
The one that's full of dirt and lint with the broken spring. Just seems like it might be high maintenance. I come from lock backs and slip joints.:p
 
csisland said:
Than why be concerned about buying springs? Be prepared I guess. Another thing that's concerning is looking at that knife in the other thread.
The one that's full of dirt and lint with the broken spring. Just seems like it might be high maintenance. I come from lock backs and slip joints.:p
Click to expand...
Maintenance is really a non-issue IMO. You don't have to clean it any more or any less than any of your other knives. I just took my Ritter Grip apart for the first time in 3+ years for no reason other than I saw some pocket lint in the scales that I couldn't get out with a q-tip. Function of the knife was still perfectly fine, but I was bored and the lint was annoying me.

Honestly though, the Axis lock is known for being strong and durable. Will there be failures or other issues? Sure, but I'd wager there will be less than many other knives. I've had 15+ Benchmade's with Axis locks and 6+ Griptilians with nary a problem one.
 
Get an Opinel....Sorry just fooling around. Just got back from a heated Opinel riot over in General forum. :)
Buy it Csisland you will not be disappointed and if you are you could sell it in a moment here on BFs.
 
billym said:
Get an Opinel....Sorry just fooling around. Just got back from a heated Opinel riot over in General forum. :)
Buy it Csisland you will not be disappointed and if you are you could sell it in a moment here on BFs.
Click to expand...

Only if you're a gold member can you sell.
 
csisland said:
Than why be concerned about buying springs? Be prepared I guess. Another thing that's concerning is looking at that knife in the other thread.
The one that's full of dirt and lint with the broken spring. Just seems like it might be high maintenance. I come from lock backs and slip joints.:p
Click to expand...

I'm not concerned about buying spare springs. I do keep spare parts for other tools on hand, but I've never needed one for an Axis lock. If it happens, I have plenty of spare knives.

Lockbacks need maintenance more critically than Axis locks. Specifically, lint/dust/crap in the lock recess in the blade can severely compromise lock function and they're not self-cleaning. They are easily cleaned, but the owner needs to be aware of the issue.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top