Benchmade Rukus vs. Spyderco Military

S

Shabada

Joined
Jan 16, 2009
Messages
51
I'm sure this has been posted before, if so, I apologize. I'm new to these forums and could not find a search button. Onto the topic though, I've researched both of the knives mentioned in the title a good bit but could not find anything comparing the two. I know that the Military has a very large following and I'm sure it's for good reason, but what about the Rukus? I've talked to a few people who own the Rukus and others who own the Military and have gotten good reviews about both knives. What I'm wondering is if either has any distinct advantages over the other. I would be getting the S90V CF Military if I go with Spyderco. I'd like to hear from people who own both knives or have hands on experience with both. From the look of it I prefer the Military, it's lighter too; but the Rukus has tip-up carry which I much prefer. I'm sure either knife would be very comfortable in my hands. It seems that the Rukus is more "heavy duty" with the liners and what not. I've owned both Spyderco and BM and have thoroughly enjoyed both companies products. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Shab
 
Don't worrie about the tip down on the millie, its a very natural motion and sits nice in the pocket for proper draw. The S90V CF is the way to go, awsome steel and a lock that I have more faith in than the rukus. The handle of the rukus is ergonomic but feels sharp and hard compared to the millie. I would go for the millie but the S90V CF millie is my favorite so my opinion is a little biased. ;)
 
Having used the Military for years and handled a Rukus on pass-around, I'd firmly go with the Military.

Lighter, thinner, better blade steel and scale options, superior ergonomics, my preferred blade opener and it has a finger choil for controlled work. It also has an angle to the blade which makes cutting feel more natural than a straighter design like the Rukus.

The Rukus is a nice knife that has many things going for it, like a deep carry clip, very smooth pivot and good edge geometry for it's size. However, it's much heavier and bulkier than the Military, and doesn't do anything better than the Military besides chop. Not looking to chop frequently with either knife myself.

Military makes a much better EDC overall. I don't like tip down carry either but the Millie is one of those knives that's so good I can deal with it. Or you can mail it off to STR for a tip up clip like I just did yesterday. :D
 
The Military is very light for its size. The Rukus weighs exactly how it looks like - it's heavy duty and awesome. I'd also say the Rukus has the better lock, but I myself prefer the Military because of the full flat grind, the light weight, and I really like the blade shape.
 
Though both are in the league of big knives, they have a totally different character. The Military is really lightweight, sturdy knife. The Rukus imo is the knife equivalent to a M1A1 Abrams: It's a tank and its huge!! The 4.2 oz of the Mili are nothing against the 7.7 oz of the Rukus. I have relatively large hands which are perfect for the Mili, but the Rukus is a tad too big.
 
Just to reiterate, the Military is much easier to carry because it is substantially thinner. I prefer the lock on the Rukus, and it feels like a sword when deployed because it is so big. Its a solid knife. But if picking just one, it would be the Military. I have both (2 Militaries and both sizes of Rukus), and only the Military gets carried. JMO.

:thumbup:
 
I had a Military and got rid of it. The blade is way to fragile for a knife called a "Military" IMHO and the knife sticks out of your pocket quite a bit. I didn't like the way you couldn't switch it to tip up carry either. It might make a good kitchen folder but it's no utility knife. It is light though for it's size. Just a diisenting opinion as it seems very popular on this board. The Ruckus
I've never owned, although I try to stay clear of Benchmade because
of their "no disassembly" warranty policy....
 
FWIW, I normally can't stand tip-down-only carry either. Tip up is (to me), clearly more natural, because the thumb lands right on the thumb hole or lug when deploying the knife.

But I carry a pistol in my strong side pocket, and won't carry anything else in that pocket. So the Military goes in the weak side pocket, which happens to work just fine (again, for me) with tip down.
 
Yerscattergun, what particular uses do you have in mind for a utility knife that you feel the Military would fail to perform?
 
Rukus all the way. Military has "thinish" blade for hard use, tip down only, and I personally do not like the thumb hole design.

The rukus feels great in the hand, tip-up deep carry, and has the better lock IMO. You can open, cut, and close the knife very quickly.

If it's possible, hold both in your hand first. Then you can make your own decision.
 
Vivi said:
Yerscattergun, what particular uses do you have in mind for a utility knife that you feel the Military would fail to perform?
Click to expand...

Good question. I believe that a knife that's marketed as a military
type folder should be able to be pushed hard if need be. If it's your
only tool(or weapon) and you are in a desperate situation your knife might become useless if your tip is broken. Cutting anything in a dire situation,
you might not be able to be as careful as you should be with that tip.
To answer your question specifically, there a number of uses that
could break the fragile tip. I will say, it is a heck of a slicer though...
 
knivesandguns said:
Rukus all the way. Military has "thinish" blade for hard use, tip down only, and I personally do not like the thumb hole design.

The rukus feels great in the hand, tip-up deep carry, and has the better lock IMO. You can open, cut, and close the knife very quickly.

If it's possible, hold both in your hand first. Then you can make your own decision.
Click to expand...

I actually like the Spyder hole and the design of the Mili except for
the thin blade and tip down only carry. The light weight, great liner lock, nice length blade and handle design has alot going for it. If they made it tip up and with a thicker blade I would probably have at least two...
 
yerscattergun said:
Good question. I believe that a knife that's marketed as a military
type folder should be able to be pushed hard if need be. If it's your
only tool(or weapon) and you are in a desperate situation your knife might become useless if your tip is broken. Cutting anything in a dire situation,
you might not be able to be as careful as you should be with that tip.
To answer your question specifically, there a number of uses that
could break the fragile tip. I will say, it is a heck of a slicer though...
Click to expand...

I think the design is intended more as a "Cut what needs cut right away as efficiently as possible" kind of knife than a "Pry open the ammo crate and dig a foxhole" type. Enlarged hole to make opening easier and more consistent, large handle and lock release make the knife work well with gloved hands etc.

I asked the question because there hasn't ever been a time I needed to cut something and the Military was not up to it. Was curious if you had specific cutting tasks you do with your knives that you would hesitate to do with this model.
 
If you abuse a Rukus doing anything you need to do it's going to damage it anyway.
I've always found you need to chop, get an axe or hatchet. You need to pry get a pry bar. Dig get a shovel.
Want to cut use a knife and the thinner the blade the better it does that.
 
I slip a small Army pry bar into my back pocket, behind my wallet. It's the same size as a comb, maybe smaller, so I don't even know it's there unless I need it. With that option always with me, there is no need or inclination to use my Military as a pry bar.

I like both the Rukus and Military. The Military is better as an EDC, but if you can carry the weight and bulk, the Rukus is a thing of joy.
 
Thanks all for the quick responses. I have to say that you've swayed me toward the Military. I'm gonna order tonight and hopefully it'll be here by Wednesday.

Thanks again
 
I own both and if you want a slicer then go with the Military. If you want a great big tank of a utility knife go with the Rukus. Personally I think big foldersshould be hefty and while I love the Millie blade design and it's incredible thin needle point and it's light weight I don't trust "using" it like I do the Rukus. If I had to pick one I'd go Rukus because IMO I can use it for a broader range of apps. It may not do well at slicing veggies like the Millie but that's what kitchen knives are for. I am hard on my users and the Rukus feels safe to be hard with and it still functions smoother at the end of the day than my Millie without use.
 
You are going to get good reviews on both knives. I've never had a Military, due to reasons of my own, but with so many people singing it's virtues I am smart enough to figure it is an awesome knife!:thumbup: I do have the Rukus and I love this big honkin' knife. Flat ground S30V blade that is one of the sharpest knives out the box I have EVER received. The Axis Lock is about as strong as you can get in the lock business, and mine works flawlessly. The knife also lets you know that it is there with it's 7.7 ounce weight, and I count that as a plus as I love the solid feel it gives me.

Honestly, I don't think you would go wrong with either knife. It does boil down to purpose, as has been mentioned here already. Good luck on your choice!:thumbup::D
 
I have one concern about the CF S90V Military. I'm looking on Knifeworks.com now and it doesn't say that the Military has a clip. It only states that the carry system is a lanyard hole. It does have a tip down carry clip, right?
 
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