Doug Ritter RSK® Mk3-G2 – Knifeworks Exclusive – Black / Stonewashed CPM-S45VN

Doug Ritter RSK® Mk3-G2, Black G10 & Stonewashed Crucible CPM-S45VN

MSRP: $239.95 FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES ONLY – KnifeWorks EVERYDAY LOW PRICE: $192.95 with FREE Continental U.S. Ground Shipping

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The next generation of survival authority and Knife Rights Chairman Doug Ritter’s popular RSK® Mk3 fixed blade, now manufactured by Hogue, is once again available EXCLUSIVELY from Knifeworks. The RSK® Mk3-G2 (Generation 2) is an upgraded version of the original RSK® Mk3 that Ritter introduced in 2006. It features G10 scales with Ritter’s trademark sunburst pattern (derived from that on his RSK Mk1-G2 folders), Ritter’s highly regarded wide-chord, high flat-ground drop point full-tang blade in CPM S45VN and other refinements.

KnifeWorks’ everyday price is only $192.95** with FREE continental U.S. Ground shipping!  Ritter said, “I don’t believe that you will find a better overall value in a USA-made fixed blade with premium stainless steel blade for everyday utility or survival. And, like the original, it’s a knife you can bet your life on™.”

Income from the sale of the RSK® Mk3-G2 and Ritter’ other RSK® knives and gear allow him to spend the majority of his time on Knife Rights’ efforts to free knife owners from irrational knife restrictions. This has resulted in 32 bills enacted repealing knife bans in 22 states and over 100 cities and towns, eight anti-knife bills defeated and numerous litigation victories since 2010.

Ritter explained, “when Benchmade advised me in the summer of 2016 that as part of a restructuring that they were no longer going to produce my RSK knives, it was quite a shock. These highly regarded knives have been my primary source of income for the last decade. Walking away from Knife Rights and ETS due to the loss of knife income simply wasn’t an option I would consider.”

Ritter continued, “a number of knife companies approached me after I announced that Benchmade discontinued production, eager to take on this successful line of knives.” In the end, Ritter has teamed with Hogue, Inc. to produce the next generation RSK® knives. Ritter said, “in Hogue I believe I have found a partner who understands my goals, is dedicated to producing world-class knives in the U.S. with customer service second to none. They are also committed to helping Knife Rights continue to forge a Sharper Future for all Americans.”

Jim Bruhns, Hogue Managing Partner, said, “We couldn’t be prouder to partner with Doug to manufacture his highly regarded knives. That this will allow Doug to continue to fight for our rights is just icing on the cake for all of us at Hogue who one hundred percent support Knife Rights.”

In developing the RSK® Mk3-G2, Ritter’s aim was to upgrade his practical utility, survival and hunting fixed blade and still sell it at a price that would be, if not cheap, at least affordable. “Good value” is what we strove for, in a fixed blade knife that you could bet your life on™.

He first sketched the original version of this knife in April of 2005. A few details have changed since then, but the basics have remained essentially the same through to this Generation Two version for the simple reason that IT WORKS!

The RSK® Mk3-G2 with it’s 4.5-inch blade has proven adept at typical survival, camp and hunting chores, such as making shelters, splitting wood for fires, skinning game and the like. It is just the right size, in my experience; a perfect compromise in size and weight between a typical EDC folder and a larger and much heavier fixed blade.

The blade profile is a somewhat unconventional variation of a traditional drop point, carrying adequate thickness to the tip for strength, but with a somewhat pointier tip than a traditional drop point. It has a taller spine towards the base of the blade to allow for the enhanced thumb ramp. Despite using thicker steel than the RSK® Mk1-G2, 0.140 inch (3.56 mm) vs. 0.115 in. (2.92 mm), the high grind allows for virtually the same edge geometry that so many have found to make for such a great slicer. The thicker steel provides added strength and rigidity, but it isn’t so thick that it favors brute strength or weight over everyday functionality. It is designed to cut well, not as a chopper.

There is enough belly to the blade so that it works for dressing game, but not so much that it interferes with overall utility. Both the RSK® folders and fixed blade have proven popular with hunters and guides where they have dressed out lots of large game such as deer, moose, elk, caribou and the like.

Blade steel is Crucible Industries CPM S45VN powder metallurgy high carbon stainless steel produced in the USA. An evolution of CPM S35VN (itself an advance over the original RSK® Mk3’s CPM S30V), this steel offers an outstanding balance of edge retention, wear resistance, corrosion resistance and toughness (Click for more about CPM S45VN at Knife Steel Nerds). The blade is given a stonewashed finish to provide added corrosion resistance and which also helps hide scratches. The blade is cryogenically processed to achieve a hardness of HRC 60-62 to provide that optimum balance of edge-holding and toughness.

This knife will stand up to typical outdoors and survival use, including batoning to split wood (done properly and avoiding knots), but it as previously noted, is not a “sharpened prybar” style knife. In exchange, this knife is quite a bit lighter for its length, only 5.7 ounces (161.6 g). Lighter weight means it is more likely to be carried, which in turn means is more likely to be there when you need it. If you want a brute of a knife, if you want to pry on things, this is not the knife for you.

The ergonomic handle shape is evolved from the RSK® Mk1-G2 handle. Without the restrictions dictated by a folder’s mechanical requirements, there is a true half guard. A thumb ramp with jimping (ridges) is integrated into the tang at the forward part of the handle and the jimping is carried forward on the spine for added control.

The radial and checkered pattern lightly machined into the surface of the Black G10 combines effective grip with stunning esthetics. It’s enough to help secure the knife in the hand when wet, but not so aggressive that it will create blisters in heavy use. The handle scales are secured with a pair of Torx-head screws into threaded stainless steel inserts. The tang extension is 0.156 inches (0.093 inches longer than the original) in case you need to use it as an improvised hammer, providing added protection for the scales over the original.

With a slim half guard, your hand is much closer to the blade edge than it is with the RSK® Mk1-G2 folder, improving control for fine blade work. Checkering is also provided at the forward end of the scales to enable a more slip-resistant pinch grip.

With no quillon or abrupt drop at the aft end of the handle, someone with very large hands will still be able to use this knife with a full grip. There is enough downward curve and swell to the handle, combined with the light checkering, to ensure a secure grip when pulling on the knife, even in slippery conditions.

Balance is neutral, which is exactly what you want with this size knife. It will never be a chopper, it’s not large enough or heavy enough, so no need to carry extra weight forward.

The sheath is black ballistic nylon with an ambidextrous utility grade Kydex liner and multiple carry options. The Doug Ritter trademark is embroidered on the face. The retention strap has a snap closure. (If you prefer a different style or material sheath, or one with more features or different type of attachment, click for a list of custom sheathmakers for a sheath in Kydex (or Concealex, Boltaron, etc.) or leather.)

The front of the blade is laser-etched with Doug Ritter’s trademark and S45VN. The reverse is laser etched with the Hogue logo and USA.

Like every Hogue-built knife, the RSK® Mk3-G2 is manufactured in the USA and is backed by three generations of manufacturing expertise and a limited lifetime warranty.

Tang Style: Full, extends past handle scales at butt, lanyard hole
Sheath Ballistic: Nylon w/ Kydex Liner

Specifications subject to change without notice.

Doug Ritter is an award-winning journalist and founder of Equipped To Survive with over 30 years of experience reviewing outdoor and survival gear. He is the sole consumer advocate serving on SAE and RTCM committees that develop U.S. and international minimum performance standards and guidance for distress beacons, other emergency signaling devices and all the passenger safety, survival and evacuation equipment used on commercial aircraft. Ritter designs and consults on survival gear, survival kits and outdoor equipment including knives.

Ritter is also the founder and Chairman of Knife Rights (www.KnifeRights.org), America’s effective knife owner advocacy organization responsible for the enactment of 32 bills repealing knife bans in 22 states and over 100 cities and towns since 2010.

Hogue, Inc. (www.Hogueinc.com) is home to a proud family tradition of American quality and innovation since 1968. Every Hogue product – from handgun grips to long gun stocks to AR components to specialty knives to gear and accessories – is built in the spirit of fine craftsmanship, attention to detail and complete dedication to the legacy of founder Guy Hogue, carried into the next generation by his sons Aaron and Patrick, by Managing Partner Jim Bruhns, by his grandson Neil, and by each and every employee at Hogue, Inc.

RSK® is a registered trademark of Douglas S. Ritter