Sell me on a Ritter/Wilkins mini grip

Just got two pairs of cuscadi scales. Perfect finish. The best part is that they are made to order. You can choose finish, backspacers, where the clip goes, etc.
Luke does a great job.

Just a note - for the 556/mini grip - the scales end up a bit wider and squared off. Personally - I think it feels much better and gives me a better grip. Just be aware that they are not exactly the same shape as the original plastic.
 
I've been carrying Minis for a few years now and found I prefer the standard blade to the Ritter for EDC. For me, I worried too much about the thinner edge and tip on the Ritter. I think the standard profile opens and closes easier, too.

I was also going to say I've been perfectly happy with the stock scales (on the mini- not so much with the "clack" on the full-size), but then Retired Guns comes along and has me lusting for some scales - I like those better than the Wilkins I've seen - like the price better, too.

Voodoosix - where do I get a Mini blade in M390, please?

Back to the OP - if you like the Mini (whatever version) and the scales (whichever) will make you happy, and you have the money, why not? You'll still have less invested than a full custom and you'll have a knife that you know you like, customized to your specification. I got a set of scales for a RAM from Phillip Dobson a while back. I don't even carry that knife and I'm still glad I did it. It makes me happy every time I look at it or use it. Life's too short not to have something you will enjoy (as long as you can afford it!)
 
Cuscadi really does make some nice scales. I have no wilkins so far, but I love my 558DLCM4 with cuscadi carbon scales. Also... I like to post pictures of it wherever possible.

20120205_123029.jpg
 
Choosing a custom back spacer is really nice. I had a matching carbon fiber "Cog" spacer done and the grip in hand is phenomenal.

cfminic.jpg
 
I'm not sure if I can sell you "on" my grips ... hopefully the many happy cutomers and my website will do that. I can sure sell you a pair of grips to find out for yourself! ;-)

I asked Benchmade in the past to do an OEM edition of the Griptilians for me with my blade design – like they do for Doug Ritter – but so far they have declined. I hope they may reconsider.

I have always respected Benchmade's right to their design by not duplicating their grips in another material. I know they and Mel Pardue spent a lot of time designing the knives and it was important for me to to do my own thing.

I realize many people think my grips are "too expensive" and indeed, they are not cheap. However there are many hours of work and many hand operations going into making them and the overwhelming opinion of buyers is that the grips are worth the price. I'm also not making them for jollies; I have to pay the bills just like everybody else. I can't afford a hobby.

I'm always looking for new colors of glass fiber plastics like G10 / G11 as well as other materials. Recently I obtained a really nice, semi-translucent pale yellow G11 I'm calling Lemon. I have used Micarta and Corian in the past, but neither were really up to hard use, so I discontinued these materials.

I don't work with carbon fiber because I like the necessary safety equipement to work with it in a responsible way.

I am working on a new Steampunk Edition of WilkinsGRIP BMGx2 grips for the full-ized knives. These are machined from brass and have interesting windows reveaing the interior of the knife. As soon as I have these finished, I will be posting them on my site and blog.

I will be making more titanium grips in the coming weeks as well.

Please note, I cannot run a mailing list or accept "first dibs" pre-orders. I treat everybody fairly and appreciate everyone's business and support.

Thank you!

PS to Mods: I finally nenewed my Knifemaker subscription, it hasn't shown up yet, but the money is there, so please note that I'm not plugging my product without paying my dues.
 
I personally had (sold both) 2 sets of Cuscadi grips and 4-5 Wilkins. I prefer the Wilkins feel in my hand much more. :)
 
Kevin Wilkins said:
I'm not sure if I can sell you "on" my grips ... hopefully the many happy cutomers and my website will do that. I can sure sell you a pair of grips to find out for yourself! ;-)

I asked Benchmade in the past to do an OEM edition of the Griptilians for me with my blade design – like they do for Doug Ritter – but so far they have declined. I hope they may reconsider.

I have always respected Benchmade's right to their design by not duplicating their grips in another material. I know they and Mel Pardue spent a lot of time designing the knives and it was important for me to to do my own thing.

I realize many people think my grips are "too expensive" and indeed, they are not cheap. However there are many hours of work and many hand operations going into making them and the overwhelming opinion of buyers is that the grips are worth the price. I'm also not making them for jollies; I have to pay the bills just like everybody else. I can't afford a hobby.

I'm always looking for new colors of glass fiber plastics like G10 / G11 as well as other materials. Recently I obtained a really nice, semi-translucent pale yellow G11 I'm calling Lemon. I have used Micarta and Corian in the past, but neither were really up to hard use, so I discontinued these materials.

I don't work with carbon fiber because I like the necessary safety equipement to work with it in a responsible way.

I am working on a new Steampunk Edition of WilkinsGRIP BMGx2 grips for the full-ized knives. These are machined from brass and have interesting windows reveaing the interior of the knife. As soon as I have these finished, I will be posting them on my site and blog.

I will be making more titanium grips in the coming weeks as well.

Please note, I cannot run a mailing list or accept "first dibs" pre-orders. I treat everybody fairly and appreciate everyone's business and support.

Thank you!

PS to Mods: I finally nenewed my Knifemaker subscription, it hasn't shown up yet, but the money is there, so please note that I'm not plugging my product without paying my dues.
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Wow, nothing like the maker himself showing up to the party. Kevin, I will most likely be contacting you sometime in the coming weeks. I'm really excited to get this this going, I think this combo might just be one of my grail knives...
 
Hey guys, just checking back in, my Ritter mini came today and so far I like it a lot. It wasn't overly sharp out of the box and the edge angle was quite obtuse but I have come to expect this from benchmade. It wasn't terribly dull but definitely not up to the standards of some other manufacturers. First thing I did was thin out the edge and put a mirror polish on it. Now its screaming sharp and slices wonderfully.

Just as thought the last time I owned a mini grip, I'm not a fan of the plastic handles but that will hopefully change soon enough. Unfortunately though, I waited too long to order the swimming pool green wilkins scales and they are now sold out so I have been considering a set from cuscadi. I really like the orange color of the stock scales on my ritter so I am thinking of having a set made in orange g10 with either a glow in the dark or neon green "reptilian" back spacer. Either that or reverse the color and go with neon green with an orange back spacer. That is of course unless Kevin makes a few more sets of swimming pool green minis sometime soon...
 
BITEME said:
Hello Mantzao,
what is the weight of your mini and regular grip with the wilkins grips on? thanks ahead of time
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i can't tell you because i really don't know!
the large and black are gone now actually and flying to the US as we speak!
i'm also thinking of selling the mini in Ti so i can pay for other things in the "real world":(
these grips are really amazing, not cheap, but they trully make all the difference in the world!
 
I will certainly be making more grips – both regular and small – in the coming weeks. I only make the grips in very small batches and they usually sell quickly. (Thank God!) I can't say exactly what I will make or when as my plans change weekly if not daily. Thanks to everyone for all your support!
 
So, Kevin has your situation changed? Have you found a new location for your shop? I certainly hope so. Last thing I knew, your landlord sold the propperty and the new owners wanted all renters out. Are you still in a pickle? Have you solved your housing issues? I wish you the best and keep up the awesome work. :D
 
I have not been able to locate anything yet. Hopefully something will turn up. All the spaces I have looked at were way too expensive.
 
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