Ritter RSK Mk3

The handle is decently grippy - definitely NOT smooth. When they CNC machine the handle they leave small grooves in the surface. These are small enough not to be irritating and won't fill up with gunk, but they are large enough to provide a nice grip and as a side benefit provides an especially nice look. I would LOVE to have a handle like that on my folding grips.

I'm a fan of the handle shape on the grips. I have really big hands (VERY hard for me to buy gloves!!) and I find the handles on the grips fit me nicely. The amazing part is that they also fit the hand of my 12-year old daughter too. Slick design.
 
The Ritter Mk 3 is one of the best knives I have ever used in that size. The handle is grippy and comfortable. I got a kydex sheath for mine. Now it carries more compactly and I hardly notice it is there. Great knife.
 
I'm definitely considering getting a Mk3, for hiking/camping. I have a Mk1 that I've edc'ed for years, and it's the best knife I've used/owned, period - not even barring the $400 customs I've seen.

I'm wondering though if the Mk3 is 'larger enough' than the Mk1 to merit a separate purchase? Because so far the Mk1 has been fine enough for cutting small branches, making fire foodsticks, etc. I do like the sturdiness of a fixed blade, though, which is why I'm considering the Mk3 - but would I'm wondering if a larger knife would be a better distinction from the Mk1...

I would love to be convinced that I don't need a 6.5+" knife though, as the Mk3 just does look great and has that wonderful blade shape.
 
I actually handled Bryan Breeden's Mk3 while at his shop a while ago. While I probably wouldn't buy one myself, it seemed like a nice knife. Nothing wrong with S30V as far as steel goes. I would not feel comfortable batonning the blade, but it should handle most everything else just fine. Holds a great edge. If somebody proved me wrong about batonning an S30V blade, that would be fine.
 
I bought several Benchmade knives before I found out about the Ritter versions.

I love my 154CM Mini-Grip with the sheepsfoot blade. That led me to order the standard fixed Griptilian with the 154CM blade. I had no problem with the steel or edge holding capability of that knife, but I hated the cheesy nylon sheath and the fact that the full tang metal is "proud" (extends beyond) the scales all the way around - can you say "full circumference hot-spot?" It was not for me, but I gave that knife to a friend and he loves it - great.

After I learned about the Ritter MK 3 version, I researched it and found that it kept what I liked about the standard fixed-grip, but corrected most of the shortcomings. I really like the lightly machined textured G-10 scales. S-30V and the stonewashed finish is definitely an upgrade. The first knife I ordered showed up duller than any Benchmade I ever owned, so I returned it for an exchange. The second knife was much sharper and I kept it. The only thing that I didn't like was the sheath. It is a nylon sheath that is definitely better quality than the one supplied with the standard Fixed-Grip, but still not what I wanted. After some more internet research, I ended up ordering a right-side vertical kydex sheath with Tek-Lok from Brian at www.okuden.net for $65. After I received this sheath and mounted a firesteel loop, I finally felt like I had a great package. The knife is solid and light-weight for it's size. Using information I learned from this site, I hand-convexed the edge using sandpaper with leather backing and stropping. Now you are really talking about a nice package.

I am a big Bark River fan for most things since they come with great convexed edges and nice Sharpshooter sheaths. Having said that, if I was asked to pick an all-around set of knives to do everything I do, I would choose the following four knives:

1) Small - RAT Izulu (with hand-convexed edge)
2) Medium - Ritter Mk 3 (with hand-convexed edge and Okuden kydex sheath)
3) Large - Busse NMSFNO (hand-convexed edge & Mashed-Cat kydex sheath)
4) Chopping - Bark River Golok (with optional EEP treated leather sheath)

These four may not work for you, but they are all proven choices for my realistic needs.

Good luck with your choice(s).

Phil
 
I wish I had pictures, but I have used both my Mk1 (full-sized and small) and my Mk3 for batonning. As well as a couple other knives that have S30V blades with no issues.

I cannot figure out what property of S30V makes it a poor choice in this application?
 
Buffalohump said:
Yup, the sheath is often the weak point on production fixed blades....
Click to expand...

I had one, great knife. Would like to see it offered in M2 :cool:. Most of my folders are S30V, but I am not a big fan of it in fixed blades. D2 would be better. There are some minor changes I would make, but the sheath was my biggest gripe.
 
Personally, I'd be afraid to use the Mk3 (as well as the Ritter Grips) for batonning. I really like what the Mk3 appears to be able to do, but for frequent batonning, even of small stock, I'd be MUCH more comfortable abusing a Bark River Bravo 1 or something similar. If the Mk3 had just a wee bit more blade girth, I'd feel a LOT more comfortable. Heck, the Bravo 1 is almost a quarter inch thick! I plan on getting an RSK mini in the next several months if they go on sale, or if they provide free shipping. I HATE paying full retail for ANYTHING. :D I also plan on picking up a Bravo 1 at some point, but would have preferred a Mk3 if had been just a wee bit thicker. Love a full convex blade as well (Bravo 1). I like the S30V steel of the Ritter, though.
 
Much as I like the way the blade is designed, I don't see how this MK3 fixed is anything but a utility knife. What happened to the feature rich designs seen in survival blade predecessors? Like Atax, Becker Necker, Commander, for example. For survival, give me a skeletonized handle with lashing holes, cutouts for wrench use, slots to tighten/loosen shackle keys, and a wire cutter/stripper, for instance. If the Ritter MK3 had those handle features, no scales, and a sheath to match those features, I'd be on it like white on rice!

See:
http://gadgets.boingboing.net/gimages/atax.jpg
http://www.geekologie.com/2008/01/11/atax-survival-tool.jpg
http://www.iamanangelchaser.com/files/knife_designs/powder_coated_gut_hook.jpg
http://davesknifeworld.com/productimages/b/BK11.jpg
http://www.iamanangelchaser.com/files/knife_designs/colt_commander.jpg
http://www.iamanangelchaser.com/files/knife_designs/skeleton_hunter.jpg

TT2Toes
 
I had one, great knife.
The handle is based on the Griptilian form, so it's very good.
The blade shape is superb.
I did replace the sheath right away with a kydex unit. The stock one, like most, sucked. But hey, at least they give you one!

As Doug says, "this knife is not a sharpened prybar". He's right, it's not. It is a great slicer however. It comes with a very thin and small edge. However, I never felt under-knifed with this blade.

The folding version is very good also, but it's no replacement for the fixed model.
 
Buffalohump said:
Here ya go, Doc.
RSKMk3_withsheath_20d.jpg

Wet_BeautyRSK3_rightA-20degree-36.jpg
Click to expand...

Buffalohump, your 2 shots are showing up on my computer as "This image has been moved or deleted - Photobucket". Is there something on my computer I need to change or add? This has never happened anytime before this. Thanks.
Be safe.
 
JUST1MOR said:
Buffalohump, your 2 shots are showing up on my computer as "This image has been moved or deleted - Photobucket". Is there something on my computer I need to change or add? This has never happened anytime before this. Thanks.
Be safe.
Click to expand...

This thread is 26 months old, it looks like the pics no longer there.
 
mistwalker said:
This thread is 26 months old, it looks like the pics no longer there.
Click to expand...

Thanks Mist. One of the I/T guys @ work just rebuilt our computer & I thought maybe he had something going from B to A instead of B to B . . :)
Be safe.
 
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