Ritter MK1 in CPM M4

I wasn't trying to imply anything about the standard Griptillian being weak. I have a regular RSK and it is a very nice knife indeed. However, I think the Rift is a better feeling knife, largely due to the handle materials. I realize that the 950-1001 was a product borne from unique circumstances, and no longer available. But considering the price I paid, that knife was a better deal when it was available. Of course, how long is the M4 RSK going to be available at $150, not much longer, I'd suspect.
 
Marvin8 said:
How much you folks think it'd cost to get the Mini RSK in M4, but switch out the black grips for safety yellow, making it my own personal "Bumble Bee"? Somebody at aeromedix said I could always buy two knives and switch the handles, but spending that kind of money is not affordable to me. Also, how worried should I be about rust if used as an every day carry? If it gets a bit wet, should I freak out immediately and run for the dry cloth and oil? I've always been told that a pocket folder should be stainless so as not to have to worry. Worth the tradeoff? thanks gotoran@gmail.com
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How else would you get the yellow handle scales? Buying a yellow knife seems to be about the only option you have. You can always sell the black knife once you have made the swap. If they make a regular griptilian in yellow then you don't have to get the more expensive ritter version.

Rust shouldn't be that big of a deal. I have been carrying my M4 Rift just about everyday since I got it and have yet to see anything that looks like oxidation. It resists rust quite a bit more than a simple carbon steel like 1080 or O1 and is probably closer to D2. Just wipe it off on your jeans if you get it wet and you will be fine. I might even cut different things with mine and not wipe it off to see how it does. I have thinned it out to about 11 deg per side so there is a bit more exposed metal than there was originally.
 
Thanks for the info. I forgot that the regular mini-Griptilian probably has a yellow handle.
:)
Still weighing the pluses and minuses of the S30V vs M4. I was always advised to never get anything but SS for a pocket knife, but if merely drying it off on my jeans would prevent rust, the M4 might be the way to go. Then again, it's always nice to never have to worry. Choices...choices....
 
I think stainless is overrated, at least in non humid environments. I've never trade my M2 blades for S30V, and once I get M4, I'm sure I'll feel the same about those.

The difference in edge holding ability is to big IMHO.
 
Marvin8 said:
Thanks for the info. I forgot that the regular mini-Griptilian probably has a yellow handle.
:)
Still weighing the pluses and minuses of the S30V vs M4. I was always advised to never get anything but SS for a pocket knife, but if merely drying it off on my jeans would prevent rust, the M4 might be the way to go. Then again, it's always nice to never have to worry. Choices...choices....
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With the coating this knife is going to have I don't think you have a whole lot to worry about. Just use common sense and some preventative maintenance.
 
I for one am going to use my M4 ritter to the fullest. I don't have any knives in M4 right now and I cannot wait to try it out. I'm thinking about reprofiling it down quite a few degrees and make it the ultimate slicer. Do not worry about corrosion as the knife has basically THE strongest coating in the industry. Its a DLC coating and from what I have read the rockwell hardness on the coating is RC 80! That is completely insane and is tough as nails. The only thing you have to be a little careful about protecting is the edge itself and the laser engravings as they will be bare metal. However if you wipe your blade off with your shirt after every time you cut something moist you will be fine. Hell you should be wiping your knife down anyway no matter what steel you have.
 
I can't wait to see the feel and texture of the new tumbled DLC coating. I wonder if the tumbling will smooth it out so that it its not so rough and will slice easier. Any ideas on this?
 
nevermind35 said:
I can't wait to see the feel and texture of the new tumbled DLC coating. I wonder if the tumbling will smooth it out so that it its not so rough and will slice easier. Any ideas on this?
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I would think that the texture would be like that of a tumbled S30V ritter only with the coating, so pretty smooth.

The rust concern really isn't an issue with me or many knife guys like me. The cleaning, sharpening, and general care is something I like to do on a weekly basis, and I would find it odd, that someone that was not a knife person, to specifically buy a Ritter M4 vs. a Benchmade Grip for 60.00.
 
I am an odd person indeed. ;)
I only like to buy the best of the best.
I don't plan on stroking or praying to the knife on a weekly basis, but I do plan on using it, and don't wish to be bothered by the worry of rust, that's all.
Seems that most folks think that the M4 blade will be better than the S30V, so it's really a matter of maintenance, which I will do when necessary. I just don't wanna have to worry that if I don't use the knife for a while (weeks, months), the edge will rust. I would think that merely keeping it dry should be good enough. I don't live in Florida, but in Chicago, so ultra-humid environs is not a worry.
 
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sodak said:
Phil Willson, http://www.seamountknifeworks.com/. He is a knifemaker who is quite knowledgeable in steels and heat treatments, particularly CPM steels. He does his own heat treatment, and has re-hardened many forumite's blades.
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I have one of these little guys on order, and the retreating to a higher RC is something I've considered too. One question (and it is by no means a deal-breaker, I'm just curious is all): he has to remove the coating to re-heat-treat the blade, correct? If so, no biggie. I think the performance improvement is worth it.
 
I'm with softrockrenegade:
Anybody hear anything, about when we can expect the release of these Gems??
 
M4 is a great steel, have it on my BM710.

Have the M2 on the original Ritter M2 and also the 710 M2. Just because M4 is now available, do not discount the high quality of M2. ;)

I've got two of the M4 Ritter Large on order. These knives are excellent for not only the back country, but also for EDC.
 
I would not worry about the blade not being stainless. People have been using iron and non-stainless steels for over 3,000 years. Gee whiz, didn't their tools just dissolve into piles of rust? No. Steel does not rust instantly when wet; it takes time. I am going to carry and use my M4 Ritters like any other knife I own, I will keep them clean, like any other knife I own, and, from time to time, I will touch-up the blade on a sharpening stone and wipe the blade with a thin coat of protectant, like any other knife I own.
 
Ordered mine again today. My order didn't go through online for some reason the first time so I did it by phone today. I'm pumped. The guy I spoke to said that more than half were gone. (Assuming he was talking about the large size cuz that's what I ordered). He also said they were expecting them in by the end of the month. This month is going to go by slowly for me.
 
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