INFO
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, 60-62 HRC
- 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
- Plain Edge
Aeromedix is accepting pre-orders on a first come, first served basis. Collectors of earlier limited editions and first production runs may specify their serial number - simply enter your request in the comment section while placing your order and Aeromedix will attempt to satisfy your request. If both size M4 knives are purchased, Aeromedix will attempt to match numbers while supplies last (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). Orders will be limited to no more than 3 of each size to any one email and shipping address.
All order payments are PRE-AUTHORIZATIONS. All orders will be charged upon shipment of inventory.
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.
OTHER INFO and FEEDBACK
"I got mine. It is as perfect as imaginable. REALLY sharp, great QC!!"
"This knife has a synergy of attributes: light, strong, reliable/easy to use lock, great ergos, useful blade shape, well executed craftsmanship, easy carry. Still just stropping the blade on paper and it is hair shaving sharp still. I think it competes favorably with knives costing 2x or more."
"Geoff in Philly" (name withheld by request)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
"I finally got to use (the RSK Mk1) for some of what it was designed for this weekend. Harvested the materials to make a hand drill and base board. Did all the carving and drilled several holes with the tip. Cut lots of yucca leaves to make cord. Did lots of general whittling just for fun. Cut up some fruit, and meat. The blade is still shaving sharp. I found the blade geometry to be just about perfect. The thin edge and high, flat grind slide into most materials with ease. The handle is hand filling, without being too bulky, and the whole thing is light and unobtrusive in my pocket. Using this knife is a joy, and I can't really find anything I dislike about it. It's a tough choice now on whether to carry this, or much more expensive custom folders. This will always be part of my wilderness travel gear though, that's for sure."
(From another post on www.BladeForums.com) "I get more pleasure out of this knife than many others, and the more I use it, the more I like it! My Axis is like butter, it slides so smooth, but locks up like a vault. I've showed it to many friends who lust after the Sebenza but can't make the leap, and a few of them plan on ordering one. After all the use of it, I just do a light strop every once in a while, and it still shaves hair."
Thayne Young
Simi Valley, California
"I own over 100 very nice knives. The large Doug Ritter Benchmade Griptilian (RSK Mk1) with the S30V, "stonewashed" blade is definitely in my top 5. I love this knife for many, many reasons. You will not be disappointed if you buy a Ritter Griptilian. "
"Bladeprince" (posted on BladeForums.com)
Colorado Springs, Colorado
"Okay, I bought (an RSK Mk1) and used it over the weekend on chores around the house. Excellent little knife. It came flawless out of the box with an extremely sharp edge. The action was actually smoother than some of my other Axis Lock knives. The blade geometry works well for almost all knife chores that I'd use a folder for. I normally carry nothing but Sebenzas, but this Ritter Grip is now a part of my EDC rotation. Good job!"
"I have always liked the Griptilian, but this is a step up. This just might be the best folder for the money going right now."
Mike
Soldotna, Alaska
"Just got my RSK Mk1 #72/100! It's better than I expected. It looks and feels soo incredibly solid, and the action is as smooth as if it has been opened a million times. Love that blade shape/finish! This is the way the Griptilian should have been originally made!"
Alex LaJeunesse
Lake Mary, Florida
"I'm a family practice doc with the Indian Health Service and a former U.S. Army Ranger and Special Forces SERE instructor. I have really enjoyed the RSK Mk1 knife and Pocket Survival Pak you designed. Both are superb! I carry the knife in the cell phone pocket of my 5.11 pants (my "duty uniform" in clinic) and have the kit in my pocket when traveling."
Jay Kennedy
Lawrence, Kansas
"I own 10 - 15 knives like this, but within a couple of days of receiving the RSK Mk1 it took over as the one knife I carry everywhere, all the time. [Being a number first-production unit, at first I hesitated to carry it around, but what the heck, I figured it's meant to be used, not collected, right?] It's light enough that I don't notice it in my pocket, but it has the grip and feel of a knife built to do real work. The mechanism is so light and smooth that even with my injured right hand and wrist I can easily open it one-handed. The blade is just the right size and shape to do just about anything, light work to heavy. With my wrist injury, it's difficult for me to tear open packages, etc., so your knife is in my hand at least a dozen times a day, everything from opening envelopes and dicing fruit to showing my son a bit of hardwood carving. It has got to be the most versatile knife I've ever owned, and that includes a couple of customs that I've had made.
Another reason it became my everyday carry knife is that with the unusual grip surface it remains clipped to my pocket better than any other knife I own. Not sure if that's what was intended with that grip surface, but it's the best I've seen for retaining the knife when clipped to a pocket. All in all a great piece. Obviously a great deal of thought went into every detail of this knife, and it shows -- thanks."
Wil Milan
Phoenix, Arizona
For more information visit DougRitter.com
