Nakamura vs Mini Ritter Griptilian
Anyone have both Nakamura and the new Ritter in M390? Just torn between the two since they're both the same steel, just different handles and blade shape. The 484 is more expensive, but has the G10. Is the thinner blade and higher grind on the Ritter Grip worth it despite the cheap handles? Basically I want to know if the Ritter blade geometry is significantly better. If I bought G10 grips for the Griptilian I think the price would be significantly higher so I'd only do it if the blade geometry of the Ritter Grip is worth it.
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Get both, you're probably going to do it anyway at some point, it's just a question of which one first.
Yishay is an interesting name, Judeo/Hebraic if I'm not mistaken.1 -
Actually I'm not sure I will get both. I'm not much of a collector (mostly for financial reasons), I'm just trying to get knives for different purposes. I only have a Triage that I EDC for work and an Adamas fixed for hard use. I just want an awesome small blade to use. I was sold on the Spyderco Dragonfly2 (ZDP 189) but the axis lock and M390 keep calling! Honestly if I could fit the full sized Ritter blade in my 916 I'd be happy.
And yes, good catch, Yishay is Hebrew for Jesse (my real name). I spent a good amount of time in my undergrad in Israel, Egypt and Jordan so I guess it's nostalgia.0 -
I've had both a mini-Ritter (S30V) and a Nakamura. I currently have the Nakamura and it's nice. I prefer the mini-R, though. I like the blade profile of the Ritters better than just about any other folder blade regardless of the blade steel. If the Nakamura fits your hand, you're golden with it. If your hand happens not to fit the finger cutouts so good, then it's not real comfortable to use. A mini-R with Putman G10 scales would be the best of both worlds, IMAO. 0 -
Thanks for the advice. My hands are skinny but long so I think they would fit the finger grooves of the 484. I'm pretty cheap so I don't think I could justify $80 on 2 pieces of G10. If I really want G10 I'd rather spend a bit extra on the 484 since it comes with it. However I'm not so sure that it would matter with the small handle, so maybe I'll just go for the better blade of the Ritter. When it comes down to it Blade>Handle right? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by yishay8:
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Blade>Handle right?
Not in my opinion. If the knife is not comfortable to hold and use, then it is of little use because chances are good that you won't carry it (at least I wouldn't), and an uncarried knife is a useless one - no matter the quality of the blade.0 -
Absolutely. However the traditional mini-grip handles will work fine for me, I was just wondering if the 484 was worth getting for the better ergos at the expense of the different blade grind. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by yishay8:
Absolutely. However the traditional mini-grip handles will work fine for me, I was just wondering if the 484 was worth getting for the better ergos at the expense of the different blade grind.
I like them very much ....... I bought two of them.0 -
DJ...You buy two of everything 
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quote:Originally posted by w30hammer:
DJ...You buy two of everything
If there good enough
I have two 761,s .......I think there top notch too0 -
I love the Ritter Mini Grip. I have 5 of them and they are my #1 EDC knife. The blade geometry is great. All of mine of Kevin Wilkins AL scales. I carry them in pocket without a clip. The Benchmade scales are very comfortable in the hand and very grippy. They are a little bulky for me to carry in pocket. That is why I like the Wilkins scale, that and they look good.
The biggest difference I think is blade length. For me 3 vs. 4 inches is a huge difference for pocket carry. All of my EDC knives are 3". I have 2 full size Grips (1 Ritter, 1 regular) that I carry hiking or for weekend EDC when I want a longer blade. The exception to the above is the 940 which is 3.4" and I carry it both in pocket and clipped.
I agree 100% that if you don't like how a knife feels in hand you won't use it, and if you don't like how it carries you won't carry it either. I have sold brand new knives for this very reason.
If you like a 3" blade, I think the mini Ritter is the perfect knife for light to medium duty cutting tasks, it carries well with or without clip.
For functionality the Ritter has it. If you want cool factor then the Nakamura may have better looks.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Geocyclist:
I love the Ritter Mini Grip. I have 5 of them and they are my #1 EDC knife. The blade geometry is great. All of mine of Kevin Wilkins AL scales. I carry them in pocket without a clip. The Benchmade scales are very comfortable in the hand and very grippy. They are a little bulky for me to carry in pocket. That is why I like the Wilkins scale, that and they look good.
The biggest difference I think is blade length. For me 3 vs. 4 inches is a huge difference for pocket carry. All of my EDC knives are 3". I have 2 full size Grips (1 Ritter, 1 regular) that I carry hiking or for weekend EDC when I want a longer blade. The exception to the above is the 940 which is 3.4" and I carry it both in pocket and clipped.
I agree 100% that if you don't like how a knife feels in hand you won't use it, and if you don't like how it carries you won't carry it either. I have sold brand new knives for this very reason.
If you like a 3" blade, I think the mini Ritter is the perfect knife for light to medium duty cutting tasks, it carries well with or without clip.
For functionality the Ritter has it. If you want cool factor then the Nakamura may have better looks.
For the blade length, it is 3.08", right?
For over all, I don't mind the grooved handle. (YMMV) I just think handle length of 3.95" on 484 is a tad bit short for my hand. I prefer Full size Grip (4.62") / Rift (4.60")for EDC. Minimum would be that of 940 (4.47")0 -
Well I ended up getting the full sized Grip. The mini just seemed too small for my long fingers. Compared to the 915 I EDC, it disappears much better! I also got some micarta scales and a titanium deep carry pocket clip from Igor. So yeah, ended up spending more, but totally worth it!
Now I'm wondering, if I want to use the lifesharp warranty, does the disassembly required to replace the scales invalidate it if I want to get it resharpened?0 -
I've done some cutting comparison between the three Grip blade grinds, MSF, MDP, and Ritter, and I cannot quantify any difference in the cutting efficiency. So I would say no, the Ritter Grind alone does not justify the choice between the two. That's really a subjective choice.
Personally, the Mini Grip handle doesn't work for me. I don't like the way it fits my hand at all. And the Nakamura is a much more sophisticated knife...well...I know which one I'd buy between the two. Your mileage may vary, and Geo rides a bike, so there you go...0 -
I'm glad you have done some testing. Doug Ritter seems to make a bigger deal on his website about the "wide chord drop point", but the main thing for me was the M390. However when I compared it to my 915's MSF, the Ritter's grind seemed to help with slicing things larger than the blade itself like certain foods. Regarding the size, I actually appendix carry all the time so 3.5" blades easily disappear (especially in scrubs), and my pockets are clear. If I pocket carried then I would consider the mini more seriously. 1 -
Now that I recall on some benefit with mini-Grip.
I think Lightning has posted in the past about his mini-grip. The benefit of smaller size allows to be inside of pocket rather than clip. With paracord fob, it augment smaller sized handle.
As long as your need / requirements of sub 3" blade, that seems to be a workable solution.0
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