Ritter RSK Mk1 vs. Zero Tolerance 0200

[JD Mandrell]

I don't think i would ever abuse the knife, but i want to know that if push comes to shove, i will be able to use it for whatever i need. My main knife is a Swamprat M6, and it serves me well. I also regularly take out my Becker BK9 and Mora 870. Although the RAT RC4 might be joining my collection very soon!

Sounds like you've got fixed blades covered!

 

[knivesandguns]

I would not go after the Ritter--The plastic scales do feel quite cheap to me, and it feels most definitely chunkier in the hand compared with the 3-D contoured handles on the ZT. The handles just don't contour to your hand. Strength-wise, I'm sure both will take whatever you dish out, however the ZT seems tougher to me when compared side to side. It's just an over-built tank of a knife.

The HK14205's G-10 handles are quite slippery, at least the one I held--although I've found most of Benchmade's G-10 to be that way. I do not like my knives with poor traction.

The recurve on the ZT should not be a problem if you have a sharpmaker.

 

[dalefuller]

...I'm hesitant to make another suggestion and confuse matters further, but if you are dead set against Spyderco you might want to look at the Benchmade HK 14205. I don't have one yet, but I've been considering getting one as a large heavy duty folder. It has a 3.4" blade, 154cm, and weighs just under 5oz.

I just got my second 14205 yesterday. I had one for a few months and traded it away about a year ago. I've missed her ever since so I picked up another one this week. They are great. I really love the blade's width and the tip on these and the 14210s. They're pointy enough to pierce easily but stout enough so you don't have to worry about them breaking off easily. 154CM has been a good steel for me. It's a little easier to use hard and bring back than S30V (which I really love for a pocket slicer) and it's taken everything I've ever done to it with no chipping, rolling, or staining. Doesn't hold an edge quite as long as S30V, but I usually place a bit higher value on toughness than I do on extreme edge holding so I don't care about that.

My 14210 is becoming a very regular part of my EDC rotation. It's actually easier for me to handle than my small micarta Sebenza. I can see the 14205 turning into a regular weekend/yard & garden knife.