Best Small EDC: Ritter RSK, Mini-Grip D2, DM707, or other?

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Sprout

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Best Small EDC: Ritter RSK, Mini-Grip D2, BM707, or other?

About 6 months ago I lost my Benchmade Mini Griptilian. I really liked the knife, and I'm looking for a replacement, although maybe something a little fancier. I work in a high security building, and I'd like a small, relatively people-friendly folder with an AXIS lock. I'd like to keep it in the $100 range, if possible. So far I'm thinking:

Ritter MkI Mini RSK Griptilian -- Aeromedix.com -- $99.99 + S&H

Benchmade D2 Steel Mini Griptilian -- Cabelas.com -- $69.99 + $8.75 S&H

Benchmade 707 Sequel Folder -- Knifeoutlet.com -- $109.95 + S&H

Benchmade Mini 813 Mini TSEK -- Newgraham.com -- $53.12 + $5.95 S&H -- Sold Out

Benchmade Mini 814 Mini AFCK -- Newgraham.com -- $62.50 + $5.95 S&H -- Sold Out

Are the special Grips worth the extra cost? Is there a better place to get any of these knives? Does G10 feel less cheesey than the plastic grips on the griptilians? Any help/experiences would be appreciated. Thanks everybody.
 
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Thanks. My only real complaint with the Griptilian was that the scales felt a little, well, cheap. That and the pocket clip that was a little loose and probably contributed to me loosing the knife.

I was going to get a new one, or a similar knife with a different grip material, but then I heard about the D2 version, and then the Ritter version. Now I don't know which would be the biggest bang for the buck. :confused:

Which is a better blade material, the D2 or the S30V? How much better is either than 440C?

Thanks again.
 
it depends on who you talk to, both s30v and d2 are good. both contain vanadium carbides which are harder than chromium carbides but s30v contains more. both have very good wear resistance. i dont have much experience with s30v but from the reviews ive read by other makers it is a very good steel. d2 has been used for industrial blades for many years in machines such as planers, so has a proven track record. in todays market s30v will have more "wow" factor and better resale value due to it being a trendy steel. either outperforms 440c
here is a comparision of s30v to 440c
http://www.crucibleservice.com/datash/S30Vvs440C3.pdf#search='S30V'

and g10 is a pretty dense material and will feel a lot less cheesy :p if you have ever handled carbon fibre or micarta thats what g10 feels like (even though each performs differently)
 
Thanks ecos. It sounds like the better steel is probably worth the extra money. It's a shame they don't make the D2 Griptialin with the G10 scales. That would seem to be a pretty nice knife.
 
Thanks Chris. It's impressive that I've yet to hear one bad thing about the Ritter knife. In fact, I'm not sure I've heard anything less than "best knife ever."

I also found this comparison of CPM S30V to other metals, in case anybody is interested.

Edge Retention (CATRA Testing Relative to 440C)
Grade %
CPM S30V 145
440C 100
154CM 120

The CATRA (Cutlery & Allied Trades Research Association) test machine performs a standard cutting operation and measures the number of silica impregnated cards which are cut (TCC = total cards cut). It is considered a measure of relative wear resistance.

Toughness (Transverse Charpy C-notch Testing)
Grade Impact Energy
CPM S30V 10.0 ft. lbs.
440C 2.5 ft. lbs.
154CM 2.5 ft. lbs.
 

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I met Doug Ritter at the Blade Show and got to handle the "Ritter". I was impressed with the feel and cutting ability. Of course it should feel good and cut well since it's very much like a composite Sebenza. The Ritter essentially puts 75% of the capabilities of the Sebenza in your hand for 1/3 the price.

I do think that the 707 and D2 would do just as well.

I wouldn't sweat zytel's feel. I've used Spyderdos in the field and never had a problem with them.
 
I've had Sebenzas, Striders, a couple of customs, Benchmades, Spydercos, etc...and my favorite is my large Ritter Grip
 
Sprout, I recently played with some new 707's at a gun show, anticipating a purchase to replace/retire my venerable 705. I found the 707 to be pretty slick. It's about 25% thinner, but it also lacks a lanyard hole (which I value; some think that's a design flaw, too).

Instead, I bought 2 Mini-Griptilians (for about the cost of a 707) to rotate. The 440C steel works just fine, and losing a Mini-Grip won't sting like a Sequel... which strikes me as a knife that might easily grow (*ahem*) "legs" around an office. BT/DT.

While both knives seem Sheeple-friendly, I guess I just don't like to spend knife $$ for "show."
 
On hso, Billman and Chris's recommendations, I purchased the large Ritter. FWIW, I'm very impressed and pleased. I still want a PSARK by Emerson, but the Ritter retired several other knives. :)
 
Let me know when you want to spring for the PSARK, but first you might want to look at SOGs Flash II Rescue assist.
 
Glad you like it!

Keep an eye out for these this fall.


312548.jpg



I've got my eye on the top one.
 
Have been using the Ritter daily for the last three months. I've decarpeted my house with it (cutting lagre chunks), whittled a pair of green hickory staffs, sliced paper, just the normal things. A few strokes on the strop and back to shaving hair.

Impressed then, more impressed now. :)
 
G-10 is nicer but also heavier, I haven't found a G-10 handle yet that sits well in my pocket. Ive got a mini-RSK in my EDC backpack and a full size RSK in my truck console. My daily pocket carry is a BM 941.

zahc,
I didn't realize the Spyderco Delica came with an axis lock :rolleyes: They're nice, but I'd take an RSK in a heartbeat.
 
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