Doug Ritter RSK® Mk3-G2 – Knifeworks Exclusive – Orange & Black G-Mascus® / Stonewashed CPM-S45VN

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The RSK® Mk3-G2 (Generation 2) is an upgraded version of the original RSK® Mk3 that Ritter introduced in 2006. It features G-Mascus® 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.

Ground shipping! Doug says, “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™”

NOTE: “Mk” is pronounced “Mark,” so “RSK Mark Three G2”.

Income from the sale of the RSK® Mk3-G2 and Ritter’s 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. As of 2024, this has resulted in 49 bills enacted repealing knife bans in 31 states and over 200 cities and towns, eleven anti-knife bills defeated and numerous litigation victories since 2010.

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 Doug’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 a “good value” in a fixed blade knife that you could bet your life on™.

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

From Doug’s perspective, fixed blade knives designed for survival, utility and hunting use can be broadly divided into three categories, small, medium and large. “Small” fixed blades tend to be replacements for folders with blades from 2 – 3.5 inches for those that don’t mind the carry impositions of the required sheath and size compromises they entail, but who prefer a fixed blade for the added strength and other attributes it brings to the table. “Medium” fixed blades run from 3.5 – 6 inches, on his scale, and he considers fixed blades over six inches to be “large.”

The RSK® Mk3-G2 falls into the middle of the medium range with a 4.5-inches (11.43 cm) blade. Doug finds this length ideal for most purposes, big enough to get the job done, providing more utility on larger jobs than a typical pocketable folder like my RSK® Mk1-G2, but not so big as to be bulky or heavy.

The RSK® Mk3-G2 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, a perfect compromise in size and weight between a typical EDC folder and a larger and much heavier fixed blade.

Conceptually, this knife falls between the lightweight Mora style fixed blade with its traditional Scandinavian narrow, thin, Scandi ground blade and the beefier and larger survival knife or “sharpened prybar” with a 3/16-inch (4.75 mm) to 1/4-inch (6.34 mm) blade, such as KA-BAR’s full-size Becker series and Doug’s out-of-production RSK® Mk2.

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 folder, 0.140 inch (3.56 mm) vs. 0.115 in. (2.92 mm), the high grind allows for keeping 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 half guard also has an ancillary purpose or feature. You will find that you can set the knife down upright and parallel to the ground/table and the blade will be held off the surface. Handy sometimes.

Doug’s trademark radial and checkered pattern lightly machined into the surface of the G-Mascus® G10 composite 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 full 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.

NOTE: The Orange/Black G-Mascus® pattern will vary slightly from knife to knife. The intensity of the Orange color may not be perfectly represented on your monitor or phone.

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. On this size knife Doug sees no reason to give up any useful edge length to a full-sized finger choil with little appreciable gain. 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 comfortabley 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 Boltaron® from Ox Creek Tactical, made in the USA, with a DCL Combat Loop belt/gear mounting providing multiple carry options. It allows the knife to be carried either vertically or horizontally. The eyelets have standard 0.75-inch centers to suit alternative mounting components. A drain hole is located at the bottom of the sheath.

NOTE: The Boltaron® sheath may leave marks on the blade with use. Care has been taken to provide clearance from the blade surface, but dirt and such that gets in the sheath can scratch the surface. This is cosmetic only. Retention is set at a moderate level. If you prefer it tighter or looser, more difficult to easier to remove from the sheath, heat with a blow dryer or heat gun (carefully) and adjust to suit.

The Combat Loop attachment works like a door, swinging closed and snapping into place. It can be unlocked and intalled or removed via a one-handed spring closure release with a built-in slide lock safety to secure the mounting. It has a pair of removable belt size adjustment bars that fit 0.25-inch cords to 2-inch belts and webbing.

The front of the blade is laser-etched with his Doug Ritter 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.

RSK® is a registered trademark of Douglas S. Ritter
G-Mascus® is a registered trademark of Hogue, Inc.
Boltaron® is a registered trademark of SIMONA AG

Specifications

Product Type	Fixed Blade
Brand	Doug Ritter
Product Name	Doug Ritter
Model #	DR55184-EXLRSK
Overall Length (in)	9.25
Blade Length (in)	4.50
Handle Length (in)	4.75
Blade Thickness (in)	0.14
Handle Thickness (in)	0.66
Blade Material	CPM-S45VN
Blade Hardness (HRC)	60-62
Blade Style	Drop Point
Blade Edge	Plain
Blade Grind	High Flat
Blade Finish	Stonewash
Handle Material	G-Mascus® G10 Composite
Handle Finish	Milled Orange/Black
Sheath Material	Boltaron® w/ DCL Combat Loop
Sheath Color	Black
Weight (oz)	5.7
Origin	USA
Blade Range	4-4.99