I have had my eye on the Mk1 for some time. I was cruising my sites and came across this review . I trust DR's drop point blade design and all n normaly it wouldnt bother me on something Doug beefed up, and while all the handle specs look the same, (infact the benchmade looks like "Now comes in Don't loose me Orange"). The reviewer was pretty harsh on the handle feel and runner marks. I still want to believe in the Mk1 but this handle part concerned me. Any opinions would be great before I wait 6-8 weeks to find out. Thanks all!

That's good info,. I have followed this review site for a while though and it seems much like when Doug is reviewing something and gets a bad model, that a replacement is usually sent out.. did you read the Handle review and agree in the opposite dircection hollow cheapp feel, bad runers)?

We have a current thread on "Taking Local Advice: A Good Idea?," pertaining to blindly accepting a local's evaluation of roads and conditions. In the same vein, how much credence do you place in any one individual's opinion expressed on the internet? Does this person have an axe (or rather a knife) to grind? Who knows? What expertise do they bring to the evaluation?

This particular reviewer seems to be highly concerned with aesthetics, an area of generally less significance to me. I certainly would not base my decision on this one review.

What to do? Buy from a firm with a reasonable return policy, or find a store so you can see and handle one personally. Frankly, I don't think I will ever spend $120 on a knife unless it can field dress a moose by remote control and do my income taxes the same day.

hiker, I was just hoping for some input from people who I trust. $125+ is alot for something you cant FEEL before you buy like you said. I was already bent on getting it, but this article just made me want more info.

And no I'm not trying to take on every owner of this knife on this site in a personal fight of right or wrong, I'm just curious in their comparison to the review

I'm with hikermor. The reviewer seems to have more trouble getting past the two small marks on the scales and the general feel of the "plastic" than he does getting past the fact that the knife opened in his pocket repeatedly.

There are two other reviews on that site. One mentions the scales feeling cheap but is careful to point out that "this perception is deceptive". Neither of the other two reviews mentions any issues with the blade opening unexpectedly.

ETA: I don't own a Grip or a DR1. I have handled both and IMO they are very robust, well engineered folders. I would have no reservations about owning either one.

T_Co, I just got my Mk1 a week ago so I have not had time to use it extensively but here are a few of my impressions so far.

The handle thickness feels good to me. A thinner handle would fit into a pocket better I suppose but for me, I like the thickness for a better grip.

The mark-offs at the injection points at the back are not very prominent on the black grips that I have. They also look a bit smaller than shown in the photos of the orange Griptilian in the review. For me, this is a serious tool (not a show piece of jewelry) and a slight blemish is not of much concern to me. If it were I would think they could be carefully buffed off.

As far as the comments about feeling "cheap", I did notice that. One of the design intents, I believe, was to make it light. Any tool that is light will tend to feel "cheap" compared to the same exact tool that is heavier, especially when you are used to that tool being heavier. Only time will tell if this is as rugged as I believe it is.

In the end you need to hold one and try it out and decide for yourself.

I'm with you all the way on this. What is interesting, as you scan internet chatter abut knives and other tools, is how many people seem to regard these ostensible tools as jewelry - expressing concerns about sharpening blemishes on the blade, dings due to pocket wear, and other trivialities.

Thank you Finally someone other than me believes that Knives are tools not eye candy or bling. And that it is okay to use them hard enough that they get dirty.
I no longer feel so alone HE HE HE
adventureboy
PS on a side note what is it that drives one to collect knives.

I've seen the same comments on the Griptilian handle on other sites. Some guys want G-10 or Micarta or some exotic wood. The Griptilian and especially the Ritter Grip (RSK Mk 1) are about performance. The reviewer notes the cheap "feel", but did the handle actually fail?

"Feel" is very subjective; I have many knives that "feel" more solid and I don't carry them because they weigh a lot more.

In my opinion the light weight handle is very ergonomic and functional. There are perhaps many other materials would feel better, but how much would these other materials add to the price of the knife and how much more would the resultant knife weigh?

In the end it's your call. I like them. Excellent steel in a good blade profile and a solid lock -- all in a lightweight package that carries well. It's a survival knife, not a piece of art.

Love my Ritter MK1 (orange) and mini (pink). Nothing about them feels cheap to me -- the MK1 looks and feels to me like a very substantial knife without being a heavy chunk to lug around.

You would not regret the purchase.

The injection points are on all the Griptilian handles (which is the basis of the RSK Mk1 line). The difference is that on the dark colors, especially the black, they aren't really noticeable. On the light colors, they are much more obvious, especially after use. It's an injection molded handle, nature of the beast, get over it.

Picked up an Orange Griptillian 3 days ago. I am surprised the reviewer did not appreciate how light it was compared to how strong it is with the axis lock system. That to me is the beauty of this knife. Have to agree, this reviewer was very thorough but too focused on aestetics. Best orange folder out there in my opinion.

I was over the injection dimples after about the 4th reply, more concerned about the feel, which luckily craig was nice enough to respond about, thanks.

T_Co, I understand completely about the "feel" issue. That is one of the first things I noticed and initially was not happy about. The more I use it and get to know it, the more I realize that it is simply because it is so light, a valuable quality in EDC as well as emergency situations.

I have quickly come to appreciate all the detailed design features of this knife and am really happy that someone showed it me. A tip of the hat to Doug!

Not inexpensive for sure but worth the money in my opinion. No hesitation to say that.

I own two RSKs, a Mk 1 and a mini. For me, the handles are outstanding, light but with a natural shape and excellent grip. These are the two best folding knives I own. I've owned more expensive knives that didn't feel as good in my hand, cut as well, or hold an edge as well.

A couple of comments regarding that article:

First I own, at last count, five folding Benchmade's and three fixed bladed. One of whom, the 721 (Axis Lock) was my work knife for several years. It was used every working day. Sometimes several times per day. They are excellent duty knives.

Second: To my knowledge there is no salt water resistant steel that will take and retain an ultra sharp edge. That's a consequence of the steel's composition. In other words it's a trade off. Superior corrosion resistance at the expense of a small reduction in edge keenness.

Third, the only reason why the knife is opening in his pocket is because he has allowed the pivot to loosen. With any knife of this construction opening and closing the knife causes a small amount of rotation in the pivot. Because the pivot is essentially a bolt, friction between the bolt heads and the handle causes the pivot to loosen up over time. It not really a manufacturing or design issue. Just poor maintenance. You have to clean and maintain your other tools. Why should this one be any different?

Well, not technically steel, but you CAN get a talonite/Stellite based knife for "ultra sharp" and salt water resistance. No, it's NOT going to be quite as sharp as say a good high carbon steel, but it'll be shaving sharp, and will tend to hold that edge a LONG time. (BTW Talonite is Mostly Cobalt and Chrome, with only a small percentage of iron in it (<3%) - It's also known as Stellite 6BH)

The BIG issue? PRICE. I think the only non custom maker that ever used it was Camillus

Not used as much anymore, as a lot of the uses, people have shifted to H1 steel, but IMHO it doesn't give as good an edge, but does maintain the salt water resistance

I EDC an orange MK1, and I do not have the same complaints as that reviewer. I never noticed the dirty dimples before and just shrugged my shoulders. I too was initially surprised at the knife's light weight, but now consider this to be a benefit. I have never had this knife open inadvertently in my pocket as the reviewer describes. I carry it clipped in my right front pocket. It feels good in my hand during use and opening it is very smooth and easy.

I read the same reviews before I ordered my MK1, yes it is light, but it is very functional. Don’t confuse weight with quality. I am very happy with mine, so happy I also ordered a mini and plan to order one for my son as well. I liked the axis lock so much I ordered an H2O griptillian, it’s a nice knife but the Ritter is still my favorite.

This thread reminds me of a few conversations I overheard back when Glocks were first coming to market. "Plastic" just isn't what it used to be.

Thanks for all the help and the unbiased but maybe more importantly also the BIASED input. I'm going to go for it. (just returned a Cabelas jerky slicer from xmas that blew chunks, so fresh funds). All that's left is to check on my local knife laws for lengths because it would suck to buy a knife that's already about to put me in the dog house and not be able to carry it daily. So it will be either the Mk1 Orange or Mini in Yellow (personally hoping the Orange is within limits though).

Just ordered the Orange Ritter tonight. Going to be some very LONG days anticipating its arrival.

T_Co, I am certain that you will not be disappointed. Mine came in two days if I recall correctly.

Enjoy!

I just went with priority mail so I doubt it will be that fast. Plus ordering after hours on a Friday prolly hit me with a wait until Monday for even leaving. I figure I waited this long, whats a few more days.

I can understand why he expects a knife that costs that much to be pretty.

A knife that is lighter than expected may well feel "cheap" to some people, but that is a subjective thing, and not really relevant IMO.

The issues with dirt, lint, and wear are things that will happen if you actually use the thing. The only way to avoid them is to lock it up in a display case where it will not be much good to you. Every pocket knife I ever had, and I think that is a total of three in my whole life, got linty, dirty, and worn from being in my pocket and getting use.

The only serious issue I see with his knife is it opening up in his pocket. And if that is simply a matter of him not maintaining the knife properly as an earlier poster claimed, I would not be real concerned. No doubt it came with instructions and somewhere in the instructions it mentioned that little tidbit. from reading the article, I wonder if he loosened it up a little to make the blade easier to open, leading to the problem of it opening in his pocket.

Priority Mail is SUPPOSED to get anywhere in the country in 3 days for what it's worth (so is 1st class mail..)

Just arrived. As of right now I am very satisfied with my selection/purchase. Cant wait to get to using it.

Oh, and the feel of the handle is just fine. Thanks again to all for the input.

Now I just have to find Doug's setup for the wrist leash setup on ETS quick like.