A few important announcements regarding my RSK MkI knives.

Cost of the RSK Mk1 and Mini are going up effective today. We've worked hard to keep this price increase to the minimum necessary in a time of significantly increased costs: $115 for the full-size, $107 for the Mini. I still feel this is an extraordinarily good value for this knife in S30V.

Aeromedix still has a very small stock of knives brought in at the old price that they are being considerate enough to sell at the original prices ($104.95 and $99.95, respectively), available while they last; first come, first serve. Use coupon code: RSK0106. It will reject the order if there is no stock. Order at:

http://www.aeromedix.com/?_siteid=aeromedix&_&action=mfr&mfrid=dougritter

Now for some really exciting news. A few months ago I was visiting Benchmade to work on some ongoing and future projects and was brought up to date on various matters. Among them was their decision to discontinue M2 steel in their current production lineup. While I happen to love M2, since I use stainless S30V in the RSK MkI knives my reaction was sort of, "okay, interesting, next?" <g>

While we were on the factory floor I noticed a small pile of M2 steel plates remaining in the cutting room. That got me to thinking, always dangerous, and l figured, what the heck?

For those of you who love M2, here's a chance to get a really awesome M2 blade. The RSK MkI HS is identical to the standard RSK Mk1 except for the M2 blade steel, BK1 coating and an M2 marking instead of S30V. Black handles only (no yellow Mini). If you thought the RSK Mk1 was a slicing demon in S30V, wait until you use the M2 version.

As most of you know, M2 takes a wicked edge and keeps it. You just have to respect the steel as it will rust if not cared for properly. I don?t expect that?s an issue for the knife enthusiasts who are likely to be buyers of these knives.

This is truly a limited edition. Once that steel is used up, that's it. There will be no more than 340 blades total. We're planning about 170 each full size and 200 Minis. Full-size are being produced first.

Each blade will be serial numbered (full-sized and Mini separately). These will be collectors' items for some purchasers and probably a not half bad investment, as these things go (but don't plan on financing your retirement with one. <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />). A few of those privy to this project have already indicated they plan to buy more than one to save one as a safe queen and use one and have one for the future. Hey, I'm not going to complain. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

However, I figure most of these will be users. M2 is a real user's steel. So I didn't want a large blade marking like most limited editions or our normal serialized first production blades. The serial number is still on the "back" side of the blade, but up behind the thumb stud where it's out of the way.

Until January 20, any previous purchaser of both a serialized RSK Mk1 and matching serialized Mini-RSK Mk1 can reserve their same serial number for these knives (use the remarks field on the order form to enter your serial number). Meanwhile, the rest will be reserved on a first come, first serve basis. These M2 knives will be delivered as they become available and Aeromedix.com is now accepting reservations for planned February-March delivery. Your credit card will not be charged until the knife ships. Price is $130 for the full sized, $125 for the Mini ? while they last.

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

More information and a photo at http://www.dougritter.com/dr_rsk_mk1hs.htm

To order:

http://www.aeromedix.com/?_siteid=aeromedix&_&action=mfr&mfrid=dougritter