What is so special about the Doug Ritter Griptillian?

Z

Zartoon

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Aug 15, 2014
Messages
158
I just started on this forum a few months ago. I will admit, I have historically been more of a knife user than an enthusiast. I bought my first benchmade in 1996, and carried it exclusively for about 10 years.

I have recently acquired a few more knives, including a "custom" configured Griptillian with S30V from the benchmade website. I looked at the various blade designs, and for me, the sheepsfoot with the hole was the most practical due to:
1. Ease of sharpening
2. No thumb stud to get in the way of slicing things
3. Stainless so the coating won't scratch when it is well used.

Then, I joined this forum and noticed that there are lots of folks who LOVE the Doug Ritter Griptillian.
Can someone please educate me as to the benefits of the DR over the standard grip?
If it's just blade aesthetics and the m390 blade, I get that. But is there something magical about the DR grip that I'm missing?

Thanks

Z
 
I can't answer your question about the Ritter, I gotta ask what model BM you bought back in 1996 & carried for 10 years.
 
New to the game as well, but my coworker has been raving about the Ritter Mini grip and Ive established it as my first purchase. From what I know the only difference is the blade style and steel, with the newest model "upgraded" to M390.
 
It's all about the blade. The handle and frame are standard issue Griptilian. With the high flat grind the thing's a slicing monster. And so it's worth the extra $$ just for that reason.
 
High flat grind. In terms of cutting performance it blows the standard Grip options out of the water. Only Benchmade I've tried that can cut as well as my Spydercos. And in terms of aesthetics, the stonewash is pretty nice.
 
At work I carry and older 440c sheep's foot blade oval hole. Off work it is a ritter grip in S30v. The problem with the standard grip is the overly thick blade which ends up like a log splitter. Not real great for etc in the city. The ritter is a much better profile.

Tim
 
The Ritters are the same, but different :D

As others have said, the flat grind makes a huge difference. Personally I really like the shape of the blade. The Drop Point is my favorite shape for hunting knives, and they also do well for general purpose.
The Ritters also have a more pronounced thumb ramp than the standard MDP blades. It is slightly longer and gives a better feel IMHO...

The current Ritters are M390, but the previous versions were done in S30V, and the are also some CPM-M4 versions floating around.
 
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Blade shape and stonewash are superb. Slightly different and better ergos than the regular mini grip. Don't care about M390, will hang onto my S30V till I lose it or need a new blade.
 
uofaengr said:
Blade shape and stonewash are superb. Slightly different and better ergos than the regular mini grip. Don't care about M390, will hang onto my S30V till I lose it or need a new blade.
Click to expand...

How's that? The Ritter and regular Griptilian have the exact, same handles, both large and small versions...
 
338375 said:
The current Ritters are M390, but the previous versions were done in S30V, and the are also some CPM-M4 versions floating around.
Click to expand...
.......and lets not forget, my favorite, the original LE version the M2's.
I just cut myself on one of those yesterday! ;)
 
uofaengr said:
Blade shape and stonewash are superb. Slightly different and better ergos than the regular mini grip. Don't care about M390, will hang onto my S30V till I lose it or need a new blade.
Click to expand...

This^
I have a large Grip in S30V and a M390 both mounted in Wilkins Grips. I never cared for the blade shape of the original and had a hard time getting them to take a super sharp edge. The Ritter Grips take and hold an amazing edge. When they are put in Wilkens Grips they turn into a whole other level of knife.

 
I like them both plenty.

I love the stonewash on the Ritter and it's one of the only blades I sharpen on my kitchen steel. The other Grip is in M4 and it just a fantastic knife. Love those scales! Saw some DOAT greenish scales that may go on the Ritter at some point...

 
I have a mini Ritter in s30v that I bought and haven't used. I've csrried it a few times and there are a few minor scratches on the parkerized clip, but other than that it looks brand new. Let me know if you're interestes.
 
@ Gurdygurds

I moved your post offline. Please take some time to read over the FAQ and the rules both of which are linked in my signature space. You're not allowed to sell here without a paid membership (Gold or above) and you must sell in the Exchange forum.
 
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Keyman said:
.......and lets not forget, my favorite, the original LE version the M2's.
I just cut myself on one of those yesterday! ;)
Click to expand...

I knew there was one I was forgetting when I was typing that, but couldn't remember which one it was :o
 
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