Aeromedix is excited to announce a limited edition of Doug Ritter’s RSK® Mk1 and Mini-RSK® Mk1 folders in Crucible's CPM M4 high speed tool steel. CPM M4 represents the next generation high speed tool steel from the conventional M2 high speed tool steel used in Doug's highly coveted previous limited edition run. The CPM M4 alloy has roughly 50% more Vanadium and a complimentary increase in Carbon compared to conventional M2, producing more hard vanadium carbides in the microstructure. This higher Vanadium content is made possible by use of the patented Crucible Particle Metallurgy (CPM) powder metal production process. CPM produces a finer grain and more homogenous structure than conventional steels, the bottom line for CPM M4 being a combination of an edge that will stay sharp longer and higher blade toughness.

Please note that CPM M4 is not a stainless steel and while the blade is coated for protection, the ground edge and laser markings must be properly cared for to prevent rust. The coating is black Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) with a semi-matte Tumbled Finish. DLC is a very thin (1.5 – 2 microns) but highly abrasion resistant coating that is bonded to the metal by physical vapor deposition (PVD) under vacuum. DLC is a much more abrasion resistant coating than the BK1 black coating used on the CPM S30V stainless steel blade of the standard RSK® Mk1.

Note: To protect your CPM M4 blade, Doug recommends Sentry Solutions TUF-CLOTH which applies non-toxic dry film corrosion inhibitors as a water-displacing micro-bonding crystal barrier against rust. You can add a TUF-CLOTH to your Aeromedix.com M4 RSK® Mk1 order.

This limited run will be 240 pieces of each. As always, serial number 001 is reserved for the Equipped To Survive Foundation for future fundraising purposes. Benchmade has told us that we can expect deliveries in February 2010, but that is subject to the vagaries of production and out of our control. They will be delivered when they are done.

The general specifications are identical to the highly acclaimed standard Doug Ritter RSK® Mk1 and Mini-RSK® Mk1 with the following particulars:

* CPM M4 blade steel, 60-62HRC
* Plain Edge
* Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) Tumbled Finish (semi-matte) blade coating
* Laser Marked "CPM M4" on front behind thumb lug, Doug Ritter logo on blade as normal
* Laser Marked with three-digit Serial Number on reverse behind thumb lug, Benchmade logo and model number on blade as normal
* Black Noryl GTX Handles
* All Black Hardware
* Parkerized Clip (now standard on all RSK Mk1 and Mini-RSK Mk1 except Pink)
* Made in the USA by Benchmade Knife Company in Oregon City, Oregon
* Limited Lifetime Benchmade Warranty
* 240 each, RSK® Mk1 and Mini-RSK® Mk1

RSK® Mk1 model 552DLCM4-500: $155
Mini-RSK® Mk1 model 558DLCM4-500: $145

Aeromedix is accepting pre-orders on a first come, first served basis, except that collectors of earlier limited editions and first production runs may specify their serial number and Aeromedix will attempt to satisfy your request (make sure you order under the same name previously used as that is how we keep track and please don't bother requesting a specific number if you haven’t been a collector before). Anyone pre-ordering both a full-size and a Mini at the same time will get matching serial numbers. Orders will be limited to no more than 3 of each size to any one email and shipping address.

Click here to place pre-orders on the Aeromedix Website.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each Doug Ritter RSK® knife goes to support the non-profit Equipped To Survive Foundation.

Doug Ritter and RSK are trademarks of Douglas S. Ritter.

drool ... drool
*looking at the couch and doghouse, wondering if DW will tolerate another knife purchase*

Merry Christmas and I thought I was done

Nice!

Wish the MK3 was M4 too.

Just a note in response to a number of PMs and emails:

Anyone pre-ordering both a full-size and a Mini at the same time will get matching serial numbers.

If you pre-order on separate orders, say you ordered a full size and then decided afterward to order a Mini, you need to add a request in the comment box with the second order, preferably with the original order number for reference.

Hope this helps.

I've searched and I haven't found any advice on how to survive my wife's wrath if I buy another knife.

Tell her it's RSK Jewelry?

>I've searched and I haven't found any advice on how to survive my >wife's wrath if I buy another knife.

Buy yourself a full size and her a matching serial number mini 'as a token of your love; cos heck you are just that romantic a man! :-)
The Sock

>Wish the MK3 was M4 too.

There are drop point fixed blades on the benchmade site that look a lot like the MK3.
The Sock

The Benchmade fix blade M-4 knives are Gold Class Model 210 Activator™ and aren't cheap if you can actually find one at a dealer.

Russ
I checked the prices and you aren't kidding! so this is a deliberate short production run to make them expensive? Is that how these for collectors work and the reason Doug does a limited run too?
The Sock

Not sure. The idea for Benchmade is to maximize profit in context with the rest of their production schedule. If M4 proves to be very popular it may come out in more production blades, but not yet. I'd've picked up the Benchmade 760BK-LFTi™ but I'm not interested in a tanto. Bring out that knife in a drop point and I'd be all over it.

Benchmade's Gold Class are very limited production, essentially handmade, with exotic materials and finishes and a higher standard of finish overall, all of which add to the cost. What you are getting is the equivalent of a custom or benchmade knife. Few of the Gold class actually get used, most are purchased by collectors who appreciate the artistic nature of these knives. The premium you pay is a reflection of all that.

The RSK Mk1 in CPM M4 is an entirely different animal. They are meant to be users, though some will certainly collect them. The limited run helps with that, for sure, however primarily it's designed to match up with the anticipated market. Most folks don't want a knife they have to care for, nor may they appreciate the advantages that CPM M4 provides. The premium over the same knife in CPM S30V is directly proportional to the added cost of producing the knife with CPM M4 and the premium DLC coating, itself a not inexpensive addition. The number produced is a reflection of the economic sweet spot for a limited run using these materials and finish at this point in time. Thus we are able to offer these at a reasonable price, keeping with my goal of good value. Finally, this is a knife I wanted to do, because of my own desires, so we worked to make it a reality and share it with those who appreciate it.

Hope this answers your question.

"What made you think that I would buy that?"

"Doug Ritter told me it would work! He said that line would really save my life!"



Sadly I'm about as romantic as boots for Christmas.

In defense of my wife, she gave me a full-size RSK Mk1 for Christmas this year and it is absolutely my favorite knife.
Truly excellent.

When I can put together a few more bucks I'm going to get a mini as well. The full-size is, um, illegal for me to carry where I live.

In defense of myself, she liked the boots.

>In defense of my wife, she gave me a full-size RSK Mk1 for >Christmas this year.

Can you leave me her in your will?
The Sock

Images of prototype Mini-RSK Mk1 M4 here: http://www.dougritter.com/pp/pic2082.htm

I was privileged enough to see the prototype today. The photo's Doug posted don't do it justice, the black DLC finish on the blade is absolutely beautiful. The finish looks deep and not painted on like so many other black finishes you see on knives today.

I had a second thought and ordered the mini-RSK Mk1 in CPM M4 as well as the full size RSK M4. My first thought was to pass, but I had my yellow mini in hand today and realized I was being myopic -- it happens.

Wouldn't this technically be an RSK Mk2?

Regardless, I love my RSK Mk1 and it is my EDC folder. No higher honor can be given.

I think its technically an RSK Mk1.2

Here's my thinking:

Mini S30V steel Mk1 = Mk0.8 (based on blade length -- 2.88"/3.44" = 0.837)
S30V steel Mk1 = Mk1.0
M2 steel Mk1 = Mk1.1
M4 steel Mk1 = Mk1.2

So using that format, would the mini in M4 be an RSK Mk0.8.2??

I think that's right.

By the way ...

The orange-handled Mk1 is the Mk1O - pronounced Mk1 Oh!!!

Man that handle looks nice!!!

Just spoke with Eric at AeroMedix; no update on shipping, still in production at Benchmade.

Just received an email from Aeromedix:
Doug Ritter RSK MK1 Folding Knife w/ CPM M4 blade has shipped.

Folks,

I just spoke with Eric at Aeromedix. They are shipping as quickly as they can, starting with the oldest orders. Because of the time elapsed, they have to go into every order before we send it to update the information and make sure the charge is authorized - it's a slow process. Their shopping cart software doesn't cope with payment by check or MO on a backordered product, so it will not show as paid, even though it is, but be assured they have all that recorded internally.

Those who had numbered knives reserved and which they don't yet have in stock have been notified by email. Otherwise, you can expect your order to to be shipped as quickly as possible. Phone calls to check on the status of your order at this point only slow down the process. This will take a few days to get them all out.

Thanks very much for your patience. I can assure you we will never do a pre-order again if I have any say in the matter.

Both the M4 RSK Mk1 and M4 RSK Mini w/ matching numbers arrived (along with a Fast Find 210 PLB which picked up the shipping tab )