Doug Ritter sent me the following by email, and I offered to post it as a comment here (as he doesn't have an account well suited to commenting), and I think it's worth sharing... -------------------- Thanks very much for your compliments and I am humbled by your “gem 100%” conclusion. For the most part, you liked the parts we worked the most on, so that makes me happy. Few comments on your dislikes. WRT the omega springs: First, they upgraded to Wolfe springs. Wolfe has a well-earned reputation for quality and reliability. Second, putting one in the box with a knife would be like saying they are an expendable or you risk them breaking, when they are not and it is unlikely, by design and in reality. Finally, IMHO 98% of owners wouldn’t know where to start. We are enthusiasts who wouldn’t hesitate to take a knife apart to fix or clean it or whatever. The vast majority of folks buying knives are not us. We are a very tiny minority of knife buyers. Thankfully, else there wouldn’t be enough volume to make them affordable. WRT the clip: Most people seem to either love it or hate it with a fair number who don’t care either way. I wanted a deep carry clip, especially as we moved the lanyard hole to the end of the handle which lengthened the handle a few tenths, so that’s what you get. I don’t get a hot spot. Lot depends on hand size and grip. Some hate the clip and I knew that’s always an issue (clips and sheaths are always that way, no way to give everyone what they prefer) and it has a standard hole pattern because I wanted folks to have the choice of easily substituting any of the very common clips with that pattern or any of the many custom clips with that pattern. WRT the rough spot on the blade tang: It is a moderately priced production knife and that doesn't affect function at all, but I will look into that bearing in mind that we also have to keep our eye on production costs. Keeping it a good value is a number one priority for me. WRT the width and weight, you are 100% correct. If you are looking for a thin knife, neither this or the original would be a good choice. OTOH, the great ergos come partly from that thickness. So, I’m good with that. As for weight, G10 adds a "ton" of weight, proportionally, over hollow plastic. We could mill some weight out on the backside I suppose, but the weight difference would be minimal, really, and the decrease in strength and toughness might be not so good. Wouldn't know that for sure until we tried it. It also might adjust the balance, as you note, but OTOH, I am happy with it balancing neutrally on my index finger. That what I prefer for a folder. All knife design is a compromise, as you well know. If someone wants a really lightweight one, I suppose they look for a used RSK Mk1 original off eBay, at least for now. Again, I appreciate the in-depth and honest review and thought your viewers might like some insight into the issues you raised. Thanks for the opportunity.
When you have breakdown video from this fine youtuber and a youtube search feature , yet you still think basic knife maintenence is beyond the average knife user. who buys a expensive knife from a known knife maker . .... yeah ,,, just yeah, I think the non knife people are starting out with Hunter zs and Gerber paraframes , not your knife . No points for the attempted spin on your bad policies
Who is the non knife enthusiast that is even buying this knife? Fairly hard to find and in the past (still possibly) have wait times.. no average person is going to search out this knife blindly
I've had my Hogue Ritter RSK MK1-G2 for a little less than a year, mine is from the earlier runs with M390. In my opinion this is the best knife hands down under $200. Like you said everything was perfect from the beginning and has been since the beginning. I have a lot of knives fighting for pocket time and this wins more than most especially if I am going to be working harder than usual for the day. As far as the spring goes I'm a benchmade fan as well so I've dealt with my fair share of omega springs, the springs hogue uses are better. It's the difference of a spring being produced in Pennsylvania versus China. If you're at all even close to considering buying this knife do it. Actually if you enjoy using knives and care about being able to do so legally morally you probably should buy one. Doug Ritter runs knife rights and by purchasing this knife you are supporting knife rights and helping fight stupid knife laws nation wide like the laws Doug has helped repeal these last few years particularly the "gravity" knife laws he got rid of in my home state of NY. Support knife rights, do your part for the knife community.
I like mine very much... but a really ugly thing Nick missed is the clip sits right on the roughest part of the scales and can really tear into your pockets. Also, mine had a very uneven grind (not that I care, I re-sharpen all my knives anyway).
Great review Nick! I didn’t even know this knife existed till a week ago. I was looking at another Hogue when I saw this the I started watching reviews. I ordered mine last week and got it in two days and I am very impressed with the quality. Blade centering is perfect. Action is butter. Also thanks for posting the reply you received from Doug Ritter. Great info.
I just ordered mine from knife works, I cannot wait for 3 days! Thanks Nick, this will be the 4th knife I have purchased on your reviews..all have been great. Thanks for honest reviews.
I am officially writing your name into every ballot for every office I ever vote for after this video. I would cheer for your points here more than any sports event I’ve ever attended. I enjoyed your reasonableness and rationality here as much as the knife displayed. Thank you sir!
I got the mini with the purple gmascus scales a few months back and it hasn't left my pocket since. This is an awesome knife. About to get the full size.
New favorite knife. I've had mine for about a month and no complaints other than the pocket clip but that was an easy enough fix as the screw pattern happens to be identical to a brand with a butterfly without the tax. :P Keep up the good work.
I have two Hogue-Ritter (black M390 and Orange 20CV) and I confirm it's a wonderful knife. I like the thick and contoured handle. It's much more confortable than the usual flat G10 scales used in other knives. And it's more solid than the Griptilian plastic handle.
Just got mine today. Nick’s review convinced me. Thanks Nick! This is a great knife. Out of the box worked just like Nick said in his review. I have Cold Steel, Spyderco, WE, Benchmade (including the Super Freek, Grip and 940-1) and I really like this one, even though Spyderco (in general) is my favorite brand.
I carry the Ritter grip with with G10 replacement scales as my hiking folder and it has served me rather well. I'm really glad to see the design carried on through Hogue. Even as a Benchmade fan, I must admit that it left a bad taste in my mouth when they discontinued it around the same time they released the Freek as sort of a "Griptilian II", with an eerily similar blade design to the Ritter.
@@davidmarshall7752 On the other hand the heat treat of Benchmade knives can be problematic (see the 3V Bailout scandal). With the Hogue-Ritter they announce a 61-62 HRC hardness and that is a very good value for 20CV.
@@patrick_g350 Bollocks-- the "heat treat", assuming anyone not in the industry has a firm grasp on what a "heat treat" really means, is only a single factor. If you want to jump on the HRC bandwagon be my guest, but Benchmade still makes the toughest, most reliable mid-range pocketknife around. I love all knives, but I *carry* a Benchmade axis-lock because I can trust them to get the job done without compromising the knife *or* my fingers.
@@davidmarshall7752 Houge's Able lock knives are really good value to compare to Benchmade's knives. But Houge does not have any where near breadth of designs and most of Houge's knives have an aesthetic of trenchcoat kid, the Houge Ritter being very welcome exception to that rule.
I was really surprised when you said that was g10! Also when you said the price! What a knife man (I’ll buy one when they change their warranty policy)
I bought four Hogue knives in January of this year, 2019. All four were new, not used. An ex-01, an ex-03, and two x1’s. The ex-03 and one of the x1’s were perfect. However, the lock was sticking severely on the ex-01; and one of the x1’s had an extremely stiff detent, with the tip of the blade impacting the back spacer. Warranty repairs needed to be authorized though customer service, this took about a week; and they were going to charge for return shipping, which was waived after I objected. They did basically nothing. When I got the two knives back, I had to disassemble and repair both of them myself. I will never recommend or purchase another knife from Hogue. For the cost of their products, the warranty service needs to be congruent to competitors, all of which have a short form on their respective websites to print and send in with the knife, to an actual warranty department.
I know this post is a little late, but I’ve had mine for the last 8 or 9 months now, and I’ve had it in my carry rotation. I love it. The blade shape is a gorgeous. I just love that polished stone wash. Mines in m390. I think I got mine from the last batch in that steel, because after they were sold out, they started using 20cv. Not a big deal, because 20cv/m390 are my favorites. The blade came wicked sharp, like scary sharp. It’s the sharpest in my collection. I’ve used it a fair amount, and it still slices phone book paper clean. The ergos are great, although the clip can be a bit of a hot spot. Its not like I’m using it to cut down trees or process miles of carb board, so it’s not a big deal. For my uses, it’s comfortable. I did try a bench made split arrow clip for a while, and that made a significant difference. Ultimately, I wanted the deep carry clip back, because it spends more time in my pocket than being used, and out in public, especially in shorts, there’s a big knife handle visible. People sometimes scare easy. The thumb studs are a tad too aggressive. When I first got it, I was monkeying with it, trying to break it in, and my thumb was so sore, I had to put it away for a day or so. I understand why it was made that way, so you can use it with gloves on. Over all, a beautiful design, great ergos, and a perfect blade. I love it.
Really like the improvements DR made with Hogue on this knife! I carry both too, the original and the new designed one! If parts were easily available or extra pocket clip options in the box that would be awesome from many knife makers! Very cool to have DR email you and reflect on your thoughts! Thanks for the review!
Have both the coated and stonewashed finish in the M390, zero issues with either and have probably been my most often carried over the last year. Just ordered the Mini today once I saw it was available at Knifeworks.
OMG I got mine today and it came super sharp and stropped. It had super loose action but a very small amount of blade play . I tightened the pivot and no blade play. It still flicks out but feels glassy and drops shut with a little shake.
I have a pretty good knife collection and have carried one since I was quite young. I carry most of them, but this one will be my main one for a long time to come. It's a great knife and I like that it supports a great cause.
I was gifted one of these following a mission that I was on. My version has the coyote grips and the black blade. Hands down my favorite knife. I’ve got a couple that cost 2-3 times as much and this is still my favorite for EDC.
Being a buyer in late 2020, I'm late to the party....but like the party very much. Part of my desire to get one IS Nick's review. In my limited experience, he doesn't dole out praise without praise being deserved. This is a very well made, comfortable, and useable knife. It does occur to me, particularly after reading Doug Ritter's response, that those things that were nominated as "Bad" were mainly personal preferences, and I took that into account when watching the review. The handle thickness is GOOD as far as I'm concerned. There is a point where "thin" is not a good thing. And the clip hot-spot obviously depends on the size of ones hand. (No issue for me). The overall size of the knife may be the very definition of personal preference. People do buy those behemoth knives being made! Already having a Mini-Griptilian, I was more than happy to try the "full sized" knife, and found it quite satisfying. Too big for EDC? Probably, for me. The Mini-Grip is more my EDC size. But not EVERYTHING I own needs to be that size. As for quality, yeah. I've had some rather "icky" experiences with Benchmade out of the box. Sure, they broke in after a few days, but there really is no excuse for that. Here we have (essentially) the same design, and it was absolutely a dream on the first flip, and close. I'm sure I was smiling. :) Anyway, thanks to Nick for the continued thoughtful reviews, and Hogue/Doug Ritter for a really satisfying knife.
Anyone catch that loogie fly across the middle of the screen at 4:08? I had to rewind, and giggle! Might buy this knife right now! Been waiting for that Micarta Shaman FOREVER!
Have this knife from the original run with M390, Great blade. Did you ever get the Cruwear Shaman? Got mine recently along with the St Nick's 4V version.
Excellent review and an outstanding response from the maker. I will be purchasing one of these now. I will take the good with the "may be bad" for some ergos as it seems most say good ergos.i already have a grip and love it, except the scales. Add 20cv and g10 and you have my full attention.
Hogue/Ritter are using Wolf springs NOT Omega springs in their ABLE locks. Apparently, The Wolf Springs are a lot more durable than The Omega Springs and their engagements(opening and closing) of their ABLE Locks are a lot easier and smoother to engage and disengage. This knife to me is certainly a winner and I agree with Nick on the overly thick liners. They should decrease the width size slighter.I would also like to see a 3.8-inch version too.
Got this knife about a week ago. Wasn't sure I'd like it, as I'm not a huge fan of the Griptilian. Have a Grip, the model with a big round hole, and don't necessarily love it. Also not a big fan of the Axis lock. More of a PM2/Para 3 kind of guy. The Ritter is nothing short of fantastic! The only thing I can pick on is its weight, yet it doesn't _feel_ much heavier than a PM2. Everything regarding the RSK is almost perfect: the blade geometry, the milling of the G10, the fit and finish, and their improved lock. Agree, it's a gem.
I just ordered a lightly used Mk1 in FDE. I've needed to change out my Barrage for an every day carry knife that's legal in my state. I owned a Griptillion, which I lost years ago, but I wanted to try a non-Benchmade knife. ( Ha! ) I carried a Benchmade Griptillion for about 8 years or so before losing it but I always though the Griptillion felt a bit like a cheap knife because of the scales so I went with this knife.
Absolutely great review! Thank you. I own two RSK Mk1 G2 and they are great. If they ever decided to make a mini version, I'd be ready to purchase. Hogue warranty....hmmmm....not something I like and yes, it would be great if they would change it but it would also be nice if the retailer (Knifeworks) would offer support to those of us who like to maintain and properly clean our "boring" tools. Please keep up the great work. Happy 2020.
Orange isn't "boring". Orange is a good color for a user knife. Because it is good for folks who live in deep dark far northern regions, (et. al.), when said citizens drop it and are looking to find it again.
Just got a new RSK MK1-G2 G-Mascus Purple G-10. This Knife is my first higher end type of knife, and I am very please with this knife. FYI, the Warranty Statement has been changed to the following: “Houge Knives are precision instruments manufactured and assembled to exacting tolerances by Houge technicians. Aftermarket disassembly and reassembly is at your own risk. Problems found to be caused by improper disassembly, assembly or modofications are not covered under warranty and may be assessed with additional fees for service or repair."
I have the M390 version as well and even though I have a long list of knives I would like to purchase I am extremely tempted to buy another one in 20cv as well. If anything I think I can justify it as helping support Doug Ritter and knife rights, I try to contribute to them as much as possible anyways and this is definitely a nice way to do it.
I love that they had AXIS to 20cv for the blade. I wish i had your AXIS to the man himself in obtaining the knife, though. At this price point, though, it really does give many people AXIS to a really great knife. What did you say the lock mechanism was called again ?
Another great review, thanks Nick! I have one of the early productions in M390 and think it’s a gem. Don’t care for appearance of scales, but it’s designed as a working knife - as such, 5 stars. Now rhetorical questions: how many other manufacturers void their warranty if knife is disassembled (several big names)? How many provide spare springs? Width & weight - sure, a little large but again it’s a working knife. I don’t disagree with you at all but it comes down to why you’re buying this knife. For me it’s a gem but hate the hot spot from pocket clip as mentioned. Para 2 for $150 with M390 or equivalent- haven’t seen them... Thanks again Nick!
I have the early version in M390 steel and agree with most of your points. In summary, this is not a knife for edc use IMHO, it is a great tool to bring to any construction site or any place where hard worker knife is needed. However it remains a beautiful knife so I hope myself the release of a mini version which could easily become my best edc knife.
Do you have issue with ABLE lock bar gouging where it in contact of the tang? I thought it was because of the unpolished surfaces. Upon closer inspection, it appears to be flat spots developed in very short time frame. It's like rubbing aluminum against steel. Never be an issue with Benchmade's axis lock.
Joshua Adams I would be heckin' suprised if it wasn't. Hogue has mini versions of other knives. I have the large one and I'm for sure getting a mini as well the second it comes out.
New to knives. Would you consider comparing the mini-rsk and the Spyderco Native 5 LW? Their stats seem very similar and I haven’t seen any real comparisons. Thanks
Knifeworks is out of stock (on the black one) or I would order this RIGHT NOW. I want this knife! That said, as far as the hoopla about "omega" springs (not from Nick, just everyone in general) - I have the first BM ever offered with the Axis lock (710 McHenry and Williams). It was a gift in '99 (iirc) and has about 16 total years of pocket time. Never had an issue with the springs.
Isn't the Benchmade built Ritter just a modified Griptillian/Mini Grip? I am gonna grab one of both large and small. Sold my grips due to my issues with Benchmade. Love the 20cv and the price.
Every knife I've ever handled with an AXIS or AXIS-style lock (four Benchmades and an M390 Hogue Ritter which I have sold) has had wild blade play with a stiff action. Am I doing something wrong or have I just had a string of very bad luck? I like Benchmade's designs a lot but I really can't enjoy them based on my experiences. I've been using 10w nano-oil inside and blue loctite on the pivot screws. All my Spydercos get the same TLC and they have awesome actions. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Yea I think u been jus havin the worst luck wit QC or something. I got unlucky and the first Spyderco Pm2 I bought in S30v (off Bladehq) came with a stiff action, lock stick, the blade wasn’t completely centered, and I could hear the detent scraping tf against the “blade tang” area. Like the compression lock seems like it locks way too much to the middle of the blade tang or something. The actions has gotten a lil smoother, but it still has lock stick and a rough action from time to time.
I just received my Hogue ritter and the knife definitely lives up to its reputation. With that being said, the edge definitely doesn't look factory. It's a pretty shallow angle and doesn't have the grind lines you typically see on factory blades. It looks as though someone reprofiled and resharpened it, then returned it. Have any other Hogue knife owners (especially the ritter) noticed an edge that didn't look factory when you first received the knife? Its sharp as hell, if someone did sharpen and return the knife they did a good job. I'm just wondering if I paid full price for a "new" knife and recieved one that had been sharpened by another person than the factory. Thanks!
That blade shape in 20CV is very compelling but I’ll have to import it in to the U.K. so it won’t be cheap. Hopefully U.K & European sellers can get them in eventually?
Hey Nick, awesome review as always 👌 Just a question, what exactly was the knife you showed at 17:10? Sounded like you said Musket.. I like the look of it and I’m just curious about it. Thanks mate, stay safe and keep them coming.
I can’t begin to say how much nicer this is then the Benchmade version of old . I hate thier plastic handles and that loud clack sound where the whole house hears it . Lastly I hated the old clip also the steel wasn’t nearly as good . This is beautiful looking , it’s g10, the steel is top of the line it doesn’t clack loud and I absolutely love the deep pocket clip . This to me is a hall of fame piece . Thanks for the review Nick .
As usual a fantastic review that caused me to order one of these Gems! THANKS!! Does anybody know if a Benchmade clip (classic arrow style) would fit into this hogues pocket clip pattern? It sure looks the same.
I don’t have a ton of knowledge on sharpening and steels as most of you guys do, but I thought my Spyderco Delica was super sharp out of the box, like to the point where I couldn’t imagine it being any sharper. In the knife world comparatively are edges put on manually afterward a lot sharper than out of the box Spyderco’s? Because like I said I cant see it being any sharper.
Yes, a lot of us can make them sharper. I am not very impressed with Spyderco's factory edges in terms of sharpness. They're even though, which makes resharpening easier.
Yes, individuals can certainly do better than a spyderco factory edge. Something like a KME makes doing that relatively easy tbh. My Ritter was indeed sharper out of the box than my delicas. I've also gotten consistently sharper factory edges from cold steel than what I've got on my delicas.
I got this knife for Christmas this year and the reason I wanted this knife was coz my grandpa has a gen 2 from benchmade with m390 steel and I loved it😂 it’s just like my griptilian but feels better quality
Eeeyyyy it's my favorite knife! Frekkin' love this thing. Wonderfully ergonomic and grippy. The clip doesn't bother my hand at all, not sure if I'm just lucky or it has to do with Shabazz's relatively smaller hands or what. I really like balance where it is and prefer the full thick g10 rather than milling it out. I agree with the warranty being a bit o.O but if anything goes wrong I'll just send it in and have them tune it up (it'll probably need it at that point anyways).
I've had the knife for almost a year and the thumb studs have never gotten in the way of anything I was cutting. That said I also almost never use them to deploy the knife so if you did want to remove them I dont think it would hurt the functionality of the knife at all.
Hi Nick, I am really interested in purchasing one of these Houge Ritter knives in M390. I live in the UK and unfortunately I cannot find it anywhere. I was wondering if you knew anyone who would have a Ritter in M390 new or want to part with there Ritter second hand. Many thanks Phil
My hunch is that Hogue wanted to stay with USA-only parts and thus decided to go with the CPM-20CV steel. The M390.may possibly be found on the secondary market.
I’ve read the story but I’m still confused. The original Ritter knife was basically a Griptillian with a better blade. Hogue is now making a knife that looks exactly like the Grip other than the forward finger choil contour and G10. I’m surprised BM is cool with Hogue making a handle that looks so similar given that the Griptillan is still a current model, not to mention a flagship model for the brand. I’m not complaining by any means and all I hear is that the Hogue version is better than the BM.
I mean a lot of the language that's used around them in the community involves "sliding" at the very least (this liner slides over to X% etc.) to where calling it a sliding lock wouldn't be the best imo.
I have the Benchmade version. It’s the perfect knife. Yeah it’s no pocket jewelry, not even a little bit. But as a working knife I never fancied another after that one.
I find the Hogue Ritter is slightly better in a lot of ways, don't know if I would sell one to get the other though. It's basically like a stainless superfreek with a blade length that's friendly to 3.5" carry laws.
Once i found out Hogue picked up the design from Doug Ritter i had to have one. I've knew it would be better built and higher tolerances then Benchmade garbage grips. For the money you get away from the Benchmade plastic scales, better spring (wolfe springs) and better blade steel (mine has the M390). So if you're a Grip style fan and you want to stop over paying for the Benchmade name go with the Hogue Ritter, you won't regret it!
Doug Ritter sent me the following by email, and I offered to post it as a comment here (as he doesn't have an account well suited to commenting), and I think it's worth sharing...
--------------------
Thanks very much for your compliments and I am humbled by your “gem 100%” conclusion. For the most part, you liked the parts we worked the most on, so that makes me happy.
Few comments on your dislikes.
WRT the omega springs: First, they upgraded to Wolfe springs. Wolfe has a well-earned reputation for quality and reliability. Second, putting one in the box with a knife would be like saying they are an expendable or you risk them breaking, when they are not and it is unlikely, by design and in reality. Finally, IMHO 98% of owners wouldn’t know where to start. We are enthusiasts who wouldn’t hesitate to take a knife apart to fix or clean it or whatever. The vast majority of folks buying knives are not us. We are a very tiny minority of knife buyers. Thankfully, else there wouldn’t be enough volume to make them affordable.
WRT the clip: Most people seem to either love it or hate it with a fair number who don’t care either way. I wanted a deep carry clip, especially as we moved the lanyard hole to the end of the handle which lengthened the handle a few tenths, so that’s what you get. I don’t get a hot spot. Lot depends on hand size and grip. Some hate the clip and I knew that’s always an issue (clips and sheaths are always that way, no way to give everyone what they prefer) and it has a standard hole pattern because I wanted folks to have the choice of easily substituting any of the very common clips with that pattern or any of the many custom clips with that pattern.
WRT the rough spot on the blade tang: It is a moderately priced production knife and that doesn't affect function at all, but I will look into that bearing in mind that we also have to keep our eye on production costs. Keeping it a good value is a number one priority for me.
WRT the width and weight, you are 100% correct. If you are looking for a thin knife, neither this or the original would be a good choice. OTOH, the great ergos come partly from that thickness. So, I’m good with that. As for weight, G10 adds a "ton" of weight, proportionally, over hollow plastic. We could mill some weight out on the backside I suppose, but the weight difference would be minimal, really, and the decrease in strength and toughness might be not so good. Wouldn't know that for sure until we tried it. It also might adjust the balance, as you note, but OTOH, I am happy with it balancing neutrally on my index finger. That what I prefer for a folder. All knife design is a compromise, as you well know. If someone wants a really lightweight one, I suppose they look for a used RSK Mk1 original off eBay, at least for now.
Again, I appreciate the in-depth and honest review and thought your viewers might like some insight into the issues you raised. Thanks for the opportunity.
Wow
Thanks for sharing. We have a gem of a knife and a gem of a human being.
When you have breakdown video from this fine youtuber and a youtube search feature , yet you still think basic knife maintenence is beyond the average knife user. who buys a expensive knife from a known knife maker . .... yeah ,,, just yeah, I think the non knife people are starting out with Hunter zs and Gerber paraframes , not your knife . No points for the attempted spin on your bad policies
Amen
Who is the non knife enthusiast that is even buying this knife? Fairly hard to find and in the past (still possibly) have wait times.. no average person is going to search out this knife blindly
The upgraded steel of the omega spring alone is worth the $20 price increase imo.
Hogue & Doug did a great job with these.
I've had my Hogue Ritter RSK MK1-G2 for a little less than a year, mine is from the earlier runs with M390. In my opinion this is the best knife hands down under $200. Like you said everything was perfect from the beginning and has been since the beginning. I have a lot of knives fighting for pocket time and this wins more than most especially if I am going to be working harder than usual for the day. As far as the spring goes I'm a benchmade fan as well so I've dealt with my fair share of omega springs, the springs hogue uses are better. It's the difference of a spring being produced in Pennsylvania versus China. If you're at all even close to considering buying this knife do it. Actually if you enjoy using knives and care about being able to do so legally morally you probably should buy one. Doug Ritter runs knife rights and by purchasing this knife you are supporting knife rights and helping fight stupid knife laws nation wide like the laws Doug has helped repeal these last few years particularly the "gravity" knife laws he got rid of in my home state of NY. Support knife rights, do your part for the knife community.
I just got mine last Friday and have to say I love it.
The very best looking version of the Griptilian ever👊
I like mine very much... but a really ugly thing Nick missed is the clip sits right on the roughest part of the scales and can really tear into your pockets.
Also, mine had a very uneven grind (not that I care, I re-sharpen all my knives anyway).
Great review Nick! I didn’t even know this knife existed till a week ago. I was looking at another Hogue when I saw this the I started watching reviews.
I ordered mine last week and got it in two days and I am very impressed with the quality. Blade centering is perfect. Action is butter.
Also thanks for posting the reply you received from Doug Ritter. Great info.
I just ordered mine from knife works, I cannot wait for 3 days! Thanks Nick, this will be the 4th knife I have purchased on your reviews..all have been great. Thanks for honest reviews.
I am officially writing your name into every ballot for every office I ever vote for after this video. I would cheer for your points here more than any sports event I’ve ever attended. I enjoyed your reasonableness and rationality here as much as the knife displayed. Thank you sir!
I have the M390 version which sold for $153 and was a KnifeWorks exclusive. An outstanding gem that out performs the much praised Benchmade Freek.
I got the mini with the purple gmascus scales a few months back and it hasn't left my pocket since. This is an awesome knife. About to get the full size.
New favorite knife. I've had mine for about a month and no complaints other than the pocket clip but that was an easy enough fix as the screw pattern happens to be identical to a brand with a butterfly without the tax. :P Keep up the good work.
I have two Hogue-Ritter (black M390 and Orange 20CV) and I confirm it's a wonderful knife. I like the thick and contoured handle. It's much more confortable than the usual flat G10 scales used in other knives. And it's more solid than the Griptilian plastic handle.
In your experience, how do the two steels compare?
@@IndianaJoe0321I heard that those two steels are practically the same. But don’t take my word for it. Did u end up getting one?
Just got mine today. Nick’s review convinced me. Thanks Nick! This is a great knife. Out of the box worked just like Nick said in his review. I have Cold Steel, Spyderco, WE, Benchmade (including the Super Freek, Grip and 940-1) and I really like this one, even though Spyderco (in general) is my favorite brand.
I carry the Ritter grip with with G10 replacement scales as my hiking folder and it has served me rather well. I'm really glad to see the design carried on through Hogue. Even as a Benchmade fan, I must admit that it left a bad taste in my mouth when they discontinued it around the same time they released the Freek as sort of a "Griptilian II", with an eerily similar blade design to the Ritter.
On the other hand the Freek is kick ass, the most comfortable folder I've ever handled, and a design that can take anything that's thrown at it.
@@davidmarshall7752 On the other hand the heat treat of Benchmade knives can be problematic (see the 3V Bailout scandal). With the Hogue-Ritter they announce a 61-62 HRC hardness and that is a very good value for 20CV.
@@patrick_g350 Bollocks-- the "heat treat", assuming anyone not in the industry has a firm grasp on what a "heat treat" really means, is only a single factor. If you want to jump on the HRC bandwagon be my guest, but Benchmade still makes the toughest, most reliable mid-range pocketknife around. I love all knives, but I *carry* a Benchmade axis-lock because I can trust them to get the job done without compromising the knife *or* my fingers.
@@davidmarshall7752 Houge's Able lock knives are really good value to compare to Benchmade's knives. But Houge does not have any where near breadth of designs and most of Houge's knives have an aesthetic of trenchcoat kid, the Houge Ritter being very welcome exception to that rule.
I was really surprised when you said that was g10! Also when you said the price! What a knife man (I’ll buy one when they change their warranty policy)
I bought four Hogue knives in January of this year, 2019. All four were new, not used. An ex-01, an ex-03, and two x1’s. The ex-03 and one of the x1’s were perfect. However, the lock was sticking severely on the ex-01; and one of the x1’s had an extremely stiff detent, with the tip of the blade impacting the back spacer. Warranty repairs needed to be authorized though customer service, this took about a week; and they were going to charge for return shipping, which was waived after I objected. They did basically nothing. When I got the two knives back, I had to disassemble and repair both of them myself. I will never recommend or purchase another knife from Hogue. For the cost of their products, the warranty service needs to be congruent to competitors, all of which have a short form on their respective websites to print and send in with the knife, to an actual warranty department.
hey nick everybody here
Because of your review Nick, I got an orange one.
Received it today.
This critter is wicked sweet.
I know this post is a little late, but I’ve had mine for the last 8 or 9 months now, and I’ve had it in my carry rotation. I love it. The blade shape is a gorgeous. I just love that polished stone wash. Mines in m390. I think I got mine from the last batch in that steel, because after they were sold out, they started using 20cv. Not a big deal, because 20cv/m390 are my favorites. The blade came wicked sharp, like scary sharp. It’s the sharpest in my collection. I’ve used it a fair amount, and it still slices phone book paper clean. The ergos are great, although the clip can be a bit of a hot spot. Its not like I’m using it to cut down trees or process miles of carb board, so it’s not a big deal. For my uses, it’s comfortable. I did try a bench made split arrow clip for a while, and that made a significant difference. Ultimately, I wanted the deep carry clip back, because it spends more time in my pocket than being used, and out in public, especially in shorts, there’s a big knife handle visible. People sometimes scare easy. The thumb studs are a tad too aggressive. When I first got it, I was monkeying with it, trying to break it in, and my thumb was so sore, I had to put it away for a day or so. I understand why it was made that way, so you can use it with gloves on. Over all, a beautiful design, great ergos, and a perfect blade. I love it.
I the M390, it is a great working knife for EDC on the farm.
Finally got mine and it has turned into my top pick very quickly, thanks for your review, and they have a mini now too
Really like the improvements DR made with Hogue on this knife! I carry both too, the original and the new designed one! If parts were easily available or extra pocket clip options in the box that would be awesome from many knife makers! Very cool to have DR email you and reflect on your thoughts! Thanks for the review!
Have both the coated and stonewashed finish in the M390, zero issues with either and have probably been my most often carried over the last year. Just ordered the Mini today once I saw it was available at Knifeworks.
OMG I got mine today and it came super sharp and stropped. It had super loose action but a very small amount of blade play . I tightened the pivot and no blade play. It still flicks out but feels glassy and drops shut with a little shake.
I have a pretty good knife collection and have carried one since I was quite young. I carry most of them, but this one will be my main one for a long time to come. It's a great knife and I like that it supports a great cause.
I was gifted one of these following a mission that I was on. My version has the coyote grips and the black blade. Hands down my favorite knife. I’ve got a couple that cost 2-3 times as much and this is still my favorite for EDC.
They just came out with the mini version. Looking forward to your review on that!
Been through of lot of Benchmades and never once seen a spring break.
Hogue does an impressive job on their blades for sure though.
Just bought my first bugout. Spring broke on week 3. 😒
@@jeremysuggs8345 great warranty service or not, that's a shame something that simple at that cost broke.
Being a buyer in late 2020, I'm late to the party....but like the party very much.
Part of my desire to get one IS Nick's review. In my limited experience, he doesn't dole out praise without praise being deserved. This is a very well made, comfortable, and useable knife.
It does occur to me, particularly after reading Doug Ritter's response, that those things that were nominated as "Bad" were mainly personal preferences, and I took that into account when watching the review. The handle thickness is GOOD as far as I'm concerned. There is a point where "thin" is not a good thing. And the clip hot-spot obviously depends on the size of ones hand. (No issue for me). The overall size of the knife may be the very definition of personal preference. People do buy those behemoth knives being made! Already having a Mini-Griptilian, I was more than happy to try the "full sized" knife, and found it quite satisfying. Too big for EDC? Probably, for me. The Mini-Grip is more my EDC size. But not EVERYTHING I own needs to be that size.
As for quality, yeah. I've had some rather "icky" experiences with Benchmade out of the box. Sure, they broke in after a few days, but there really is no excuse for that. Here we have (essentially) the same design, and it was absolutely a dream on the first flip, and close. I'm sure I was smiling. :)
Anyway, thanks to Nick for the continued thoughtful reviews, and Hogue/Doug Ritter for a really satisfying knife.
I’ll be picking up one of these soon. I can’t wait to use it as my daily driver. Great review Nick!
Anyone catch that loogie fly across the middle of the screen at 4:08? I had to rewind, and giggle! Might buy this knife right now! Been waiting for that Micarta Shaman FOREVER!
Have this knife from the original run with M390, Great blade. Did you ever get the Cruwear Shaman? Got mine recently along with the St Nick's 4V version.
Got a magnacut one on the way. Thinking it might kick the manix 2 lw out of my pocket.
Can we now expect a review on the BM super freek now? I own both and they're remarkably similar.
Conspiracy theory: Nick works for the Vaseline corporation
Shhhhhh
That’s not a conspiracy theory...it’s more a full disclosure thing.
That explains why he’s so slick in his video productions! 🤣
Clearly, Nick’s just a pawn of Big Lubricant.
Excellent review and an outstanding response from the maker. I will be purchasing one of these now. I will take the good with the "may be bad" for some ergos as it seems most say good ergos.i already have a grip and love it, except the scales. Add 20cv and g10 and you have my full attention.
Reminds me of the Wilson Combat starburst pattern
Hogue/Ritter are using Wolf springs NOT Omega springs in their ABLE locks. Apparently, The Wolf Springs are a lot more durable than The Omega Springs and their engagements(opening and closing) of their ABLE Locks are a lot easier and smoother to engage and disengage. This knife to me is certainly a winner and I agree with Nick on the overly thick liners. They should decrease the width size slighter.I would also like to see a 3.8-inch version too.
Got this knife about a week ago. Wasn't sure I'd like it, as I'm not a huge fan of the Griptilian. Have a Grip, the model with a big round hole, and don't necessarily love it. Also not a big fan of the Axis lock. More of a PM2/Para 3 kind of guy. The Ritter is nothing short of fantastic! The only thing I can pick on is its weight, yet it doesn't _feel_ much heavier than a PM2. Everything regarding the RSK is almost perfect: the blade geometry, the milling of the G10, the fit and finish, and their improved lock. Agree, it's a gem.
I just ordered a lightly used Mk1 in FDE. I've needed to change out my Barrage for an every day carry knife that's legal in my state. I owned a Griptillion, which I lost years ago, but I wanted to try a non-Benchmade knife. ( Ha! ) I carried a Benchmade Griptillion for about 8 years or so before losing it but I always though the Griptillion felt a bit like a cheap knife because of the scales so I went with this knife.
I just bought a Kershaw heist In d2 , grn, and similar specs for 50 bucks . Excited to have a beater with bar lock
About 27 years ago i got the Benchmade black154 version, $69.00. Still sits in my emergency pack. Yup............
A benchmade for 69$? A boy can dream [ picture of cinderella at the windowsill]
Absolutely great review! Thank you. I own two RSK Mk1 G2 and they are great. If they ever decided to make a mini version, I'd be ready to purchase. Hogue warranty....hmmmm....not something I like and yes, it would be great if they would change it but it would also be nice if the retailer (Knifeworks) would offer support to those of us who like to maintain and properly clean our "boring" tools. Please keep up the great work. Happy 2020.
I'm getting this in orange to match my orange Griptlian and orange Ritter Griptilian I bought before the RSK designation.
Orange isn't "boring".
Orange is a good color for a user knife.
Because it is good for folks who live in deep dark far northern regions, (et. al.), when said citizens drop it and are looking to find it again.
Just got a new RSK MK1-G2 G-Mascus Purple G-10. This Knife is my first higher end type of knife, and I am very please with this knife.
FYI, the Warranty Statement has been changed to the following:
“Houge Knives are precision instruments manufactured and assembled to exacting tolerances by Houge technicians. Aftermarket disassembly and reassembly is at your own risk. Problems found to be caused by improper disassembly, assembly or modofications are not covered under warranty and may be assessed with additional fees for service or repair."
Just ordered mine. Yes, a mini version of this would great!
I have the M390 version. IDK why but I want a 20CV version now!!
I have the M390 version as well and even though I have a long list of knives I would like to purchase I am extremely tempted to buy another one in 20cv as well. If anything I think I can justify it as helping support Doug Ritter and knife rights, I try to contribute to them as much as possible anyways and this is definitely a nice way to do it.
Ryan Hewitt 100% agree!
That 3D machining on that G10 is freaking gorgeous! That and it has that super slicer Ritter blade which is always awesome.
I love that they had AXIS to 20cv for the blade. I wish i had your AXIS to the man himself in obtaining the knife, though. At this price point, though, it really does give many people AXIS to a really great knife. What did you say the lock mechanism was called again ?
I'm unABLE to remember what that lock was officially named but I suppose we could AXIS opinion on the matter.
Nick thank you for the info I was thinking about buying one but now that you told me about the warrantee issue I will wait
I have the all black limited and I LOVE IT!!!!! prefer this one over the Benchmade run.
PockeTanK hey man are you making a video on it too?
Carlos EDC oh yea for sure
How is the coating on the black blade? I don't keep my knives on the shelf and hate when there are visible scratches on a black blade.
👍
Another great review, thanks Nick! I have one of the early productions in M390 and think it’s a gem. Don’t care for appearance of scales, but it’s designed as a working knife - as such, 5 stars. Now rhetorical questions: how many other manufacturers void their warranty if knife is disassembled (several big names)? How many provide spare springs? Width & weight - sure, a little large but again it’s a working knife. I don’t disagree with you at all but it comes down to why you’re buying this knife. For me it’s a gem but hate the hot spot from pocket clip as mentioned. Para 2 for $150 with M390 or equivalent- haven’t seen them... Thanks again Nick!
I have the early version in M390 steel and agree with most of your points. In summary, this is not a knife for edc use IMHO, it is a great tool to bring to any construction site or any place where hard worker knife is needed. However it remains a beautiful knife so I hope myself the release of a mini version which could easily become my best edc knife.
Do you have issue with ABLE lock bar gouging where it in contact of the tang? I thought it was because of the unpolished surfaces. Upon closer inspection, it appears to be flat spots developed in very short time frame. It's like rubbing aluminum against steel. Never be an issue with Benchmade's axis lock.
Left handed thumbs up. On my wish list.
I'm really looking forward to the Mini Version, then I'll open my Wallet... !!
Tony Hutton is that in the works ?
I’ll open it when they change their warranty 🙌🏽
Joshua Adams I would be heckin' suprised if it wasn't. Hogue has mini versions of other knives. I have the large one and I'm for sure getting a mini as well the second it comes out.
I'd be up for a mini too. I'm sure they are considering it.
I don't think there was a mini version of the original so I wouldn't hold my breath if I was you.
New to knives. Would you consider comparing the mini-rsk and the Spyderco Native 5 LW? Their stats seem very similar and I haven’t seen any real comparisons. Thanks
Knifeworks is out of stock (on the black one) or I would order this RIGHT NOW. I want this knife! That said, as far as the hoopla about "omega" springs (not from Nick, just everyone in general) - I have the first BM ever offered with the Axis lock (710 McHenry and Williams). It was a gift in '99 (iirc) and has about 16 total years of pocket time. Never had an issue with the springs.
Isn't the Benchmade built Ritter just a modified Griptillian/Mini Grip?
I am gonna grab one of both large and small. Sold my grips due to my issues with Benchmade.
Love the 20cv and the price.
How often do the knife springs fail? I'm not wild about springs in knives due to them needing maintenance.
Swap in the AWT scales and that is a complete rockstar. Thanks Nick
Would those even work with this knife?
@@quewerty8401 I doubt they are production ready, but I'm fairly confident Justin would drill out a set.
Every knife I've ever handled with an AXIS or AXIS-style lock (four Benchmades and an M390 Hogue Ritter which I have sold) has had wild blade play with a stiff action. Am I doing something wrong or have I just had a string of very bad luck? I like Benchmade's designs a lot but I really can't enjoy them based on my experiences. I've been using 10w nano-oil inside and blue loctite on the pivot screws. All my Spydercos get the same TLC and they have awesome actions. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Yea I think u been jus havin the worst luck wit QC or something. I got unlucky and the first Spyderco Pm2 I bought in S30v (off Bladehq) came with a stiff action, lock stick, the blade wasn’t completely centered, and I could hear the detent scraping tf against the “blade tang” area. Like the compression lock seems like it locks way too much to the middle of the blade tang or something. The actions has gotten a lil smoother, but it still has lock stick and a rough action from time to time.
I'd say bad luck-Ive had around six benchmades,and zero blade play in any
I just received my Hogue ritter and the knife definitely lives up to its reputation. With that being said, the edge definitely doesn't look factory. It's a pretty shallow angle and doesn't have the grind lines you typically see on factory blades. It looks as though someone reprofiled and resharpened it, then returned it. Have any other Hogue knife owners (especially the ritter) noticed an edge that didn't look factory when you first received the knife? Its sharp as hell, if someone did sharpen and return the knife they did a good job. I'm just wondering if I paid full price for a "new" knife and recieved one that had been sharpened by another person than the factory.
Thanks!
Sounds factory to me. Hogue takes the extra step of polishing their edges.
That blade shape in 20CV is very compelling but I’ll have to import it in to the U.K. so it won’t be cheap. Hopefully U.K & European sellers can get them in eventually?
Great video. I hope they release a mini model of it, it would be an automatic buy for me.
Hey Nick, awesome review as always 👌
Just a question, what exactly was the knife you showed at 17:10? Sounded like you said Musket.. I like the look of it and I’m just curious about it. Thanks mate, stay safe and keep them coming.
Olamic Cutlery Busker :)
This one is on my short list for sure. Thanks Nick
I wish they made this in the mini grip size like they did with the previous version
“Down With The Thiccness” nearly killed me!
Thicker than a bowl of oatmeal 😂
Is he a "Disturbed" fan? I wouldn't figure...
Please never spell thick improperly.
@@The4cp thicqkcnesss
I can’t begin to say how much nicer this is then the Benchmade version of old . I hate thier plastic handles and that loud clack sound where the whole house hears it . Lastly I hated the old clip also the steel wasn’t nearly as good . This is beautiful looking , it’s g10, the steel is top of the line it doesn’t clack loud and I absolutely love the deep pocket clip . This to me is a hall of fame piece . Thanks for the review Nick .
As usual a fantastic review that caused me to order one of these Gems! THANKS!! Does anybody know if a Benchmade clip (classic arrow style) would fit into this hogues pocket clip pattern? It sure looks the same.
I don’t have a ton of knowledge on sharpening and steels as most of you guys do, but I thought my Spyderco Delica was super sharp out of the box, like to the point where I couldn’t imagine it being any sharper. In the knife world comparatively are edges put on manually afterward a lot sharper than out of the box Spyderco’s? Because like I said I cant see it being any sharper.
Yes, a lot of us can make them sharper. I am not very impressed with Spyderco's factory edges in terms of sharpness. They're even though, which makes resharpening easier.
Yes, individuals can certainly do better than a spyderco factory edge. Something like a KME makes doing that relatively easy tbh. My Ritter was indeed sharper out of the box than my delicas. I've also gotten consistently sharper factory edges from cold steel than what I've got on my delicas.
I got this knife for Christmas this year and the reason I wanted this knife was coz my grandpa has a gen 2 from benchmade with m390 steel and I loved it😂 it’s just like my griptilian but feels better quality
Getting tired of waiting for the Spyderco GB 2 to come back into stock and thinking of picking this up instead. Seems well suited for working.
That name is a mouthful
You should do a benchmade turret review. Its peaked my interest and I wonder what you would think of it.
i am a bit surprised that nick has not reviewed the fox knives suru
Really like the handle machining, wish it was aluminum.
Amazing knife glad i grabbed one when they first came out ans it's a lazer out the box...
Eeeyyyy it's my favorite knife! Frekkin' love this thing. Wonderfully ergonomic and grippy. The clip doesn't bother my hand at all, not sure if I'm just lucky or it has to do with Shabazz's relatively smaller hands or what. I really like balance where it is and prefer the full thick g10 rather than milling it out. I agree with the warranty being a bit o.O but if anything goes wrong I'll just send it in and have them tune it up (it'll probably need it at that point anyways).
I've always been interested in Hogues, but the spaceman-knife aesthetic really isn't my deal. If they make a small version, I'm sold.
Just got one today based on this video love this knife
Down with the thickness...I love it!
Do you think titanium griptilian scales will fit this
There's another ☔ at 16:07!
Is this knife spring assisted?
Can this version fit the BM Grip aftermarket scales?
Just when I thought I had purchased my last griptilian... I gotta buy another one!
Thanks for the review!
This has thumb studs that look like they're in the cutting path. I wonder how it would be without them, just using the lock and a wrist flick to open.
I've had the knife for almost a year and the thumb studs have never gotten in the way of anything I was cutting. That said I also almost never use them to deploy the knife so if you did want to remove them I dont think it would hurt the functionality of the knife at all.
Hi Nick, I am really interested in purchasing one of these Houge Ritter knives in M390. I live in the UK and unfortunately I cannot find it anywhere. I was wondering if you knew anyone who would have a Ritter in M390 new or want to part with there Ritter second hand. Many thanks Phil
My hunch is that Hogue wanted to stay with USA-only parts and thus decided to go with the CPM-20CV steel. The M390.may possibly be found on the secondary market.
I’ve read the story but I’m still confused. The original Ritter knife was basically a Griptillian with a better blade. Hogue is now making a knife that looks exactly like the Grip other than the forward finger choil contour and G10. I’m surprised BM is cool with Hogue making a handle that looks so similar given that the Griptillan is still a current model, not to mention a flagship model for the brand. I’m not complaining by any means and all I hear is that the Hogue version is better than the BM.
There has to be a generic term for the access lock. Maybe sliding lock?
Frame and liner locks slide as well. I've heard bar lock used.
Bar lock could work. Frame locks and liner locks, however, flex. They're springs that hold the blade open until they're flexed out of the way.
I mean a lot of the language that's used around them in the community involves "sliding" at the very least (this liner slides over to X% etc.) to where calling it a sliding lock wouldn't be the best imo.
Keep hoping for a mini
I have the Benchmade version. It’s the perfect knife. Yeah it’s no pocket jewelry, not even a little bit. But as a working knife I never fancied another after that one.
Nick the problem is if they do give you the springs if you change one out your warranty will be void
Should I send my griptilian g10, 20cv packing and get this instead? Tbh, the superfreek knocked the griptilian out of my pocket.
I find the Hogue Ritter is slightly better in a lot of ways, don't know if I would sell one to get the other though. It's basically like a stainless superfreek with a blade length that's friendly to 3.5" carry laws.
Great knife , great review !
Do you sharpen your knives yourself? If so can you make a video about what you use to do so.
Once i found out Hogue picked up the design from Doug Ritter i had to have one. I've knew it would be better built and higher tolerances then Benchmade garbage grips. For the money you get away from the Benchmade plastic scales, better spring (wolfe springs) and better blade steel (mine has the M390). So if you're a Grip style fan and you want to stop over paying for the Benchmade name go with the Hogue Ritter, you won't regret it!
Warranty makes it a no-go.
Houge changed the warranty. www.hogueinc.com/warranty/
Great review. Sign me up for a mini version!