• The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
    Price is $300 $250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
    Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.

  • Today marks the 24th anniversary of 9/11. I pray that this nation does not forget the loss of lives from this horrible event. Yesterday conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was murdered, and I worry about what is to come. Please love one another and your family in these trying times - Spark

Big folder: BM Rukus or Lone Wolf Harsey T2?

T

Trout Tamer

Joined
Jan 20, 2004
Messages
1,526
Other than the different locks and 1" difference in handle lengths, what do y'all think of these 2 knives? If given the choice, which would you pick for a large knife? I have an inherent distrust of liner locks, but the Harsey look so cool I may make an exception...

Or, would you get the Lone Wolf Harsey full size? I'm wanting a blade that's 3.9" at least and a price range around $150. Is there anything else I oughta look at? I don't like the BM 710's handle, so that's out. Thanks in advance for any and all input!
 
I have the Rukus, but not the Harsey, so I can't compare the two.

The Rukus is very well made, and very ergonomic, especially for such a large folder. I carry it in the back pocket of my jeans with no problems. I also admit to being a fan of the Axis lock: very smooth, solid, reliable.

I bought the Rukus over the net, and hadn't handled one before buying it, so I was surprized by the fact that the back of the handle is open - there is no spacer in the back-middle of the handle. The scales and liner is held separate by pins. This lightens the knife overall, but what I've really come to appreciate is how easily it cleans up when you have to work with something goopy. I don't know if you ever tame any of your trout all the way to the frying pan, but if you do and use the Rukus to do the cleaning, you'll be delighted with how easy cleaning the knife of the blood and slime is.


Cheers!
Steve
 
Well, I haven't handled the Harsey T2, but I've gotten a couple chances to play with the Rukus.
First of all, it's freakin' enormous. The blade is a huge, heavy chunk of steel. When you open this thing, it feels like the tip of the blade has been sent into orbit around the earth. Then, when it locks, you wonder if someone's just slammed a bank vault door right behind you.
The handle is very ergonomically sound. It felt comfortable enough to use for long periods of time, and I didn't feel anything that would suggest "hot spots" developing with extended use.
I also think it looks a heck of a lot nicer than the T2.

All that being said, it's a little large for my taste (that's why I didn't buy one, despite affording myself several opportunities to be tempted in front of a cash register, credit card within reach). If I need a blade that's as heavy-duty as the Rukus, I'll reach for a fixed blade.

If you're looking for a 4" blade that's got a nicer handle than the 710, check out a Spyderco Military (if you haven't yet). I just got one, and it's great. [drool]S30V, too....[/drool] It can handle everything that the 710 or Rukus can tackle, but is lighter weight and just doesn't seem as massive.
 
I have the ruckus and the full size Harsey with micarta scales.....the rukus actually looks small next to it. I have handled the T2, and plan on getting one soon. Here is how I would compare the Rukus and my full size Ranger:

NIB sharpness- Not even close, the Lone Wolf is the sharpest NIB knife I have ever bought. The Rukus was about par for the course for my other BM's. It was plenty sharp, just not ridiculously sharp like the LW.

Steel- Both have s30v

Handle- The Rukus is very ergonomic, but it takes some getting used to the way it tapers off near the butt. I have no gripes against the LW other than the massive clip.

Lock- The axis speaks fo itself, but the liner on the LW is as solid as I will ever need. Both are built like tanks.

Clip- No contest. The low ride clip on the Rukus wins hands-down. My LW is tip down only.

All in all, these knives are very close in fit,finish,and intended use. I guess if I had to pick one, I would go with the LW, probably because they are not quite as common.
 
I own the LW large Ranger. This is one hell of a large knife. I have not handled the Ruckus, so no opinion there. The LW has Ti liners vs. SS liners on the Ruckus. For a knife as large as the LW is, it is amazingly light in weight but feels as stout and rugged as any folder I have ever held.

I have been very impressed with the LW and absolutely love it.

Stuart
 
Not alot can beat the benchmades axis lock, but the T2 carries very well in the pocket, its slim and very light weight.
 
I would get the t-2, I own one and I find it to be the perfect EDC

easy to clean, easy to sharpen, and the handle is ergonomic
 
Thanks for the input thus far, guys (and gals, if any of y'all happen to be :D ) I actually like the looks of the LW knives better; that may be partly due to their similarity with my BM Griptilian, with which I've had lots of good experiences. The T2 has a 1" shorter handle than the Rukus, but the blade is only .4" shorter, so I think it'd ride better in the pocket. I do love the axis lock, though... Sadly, there's no LW dealer near me and the BM dealers have yet to get a Rukus in stock. Keep on postin', I'm all ears!
 
Oh yeah, thanks for the Spydie Military suggestion, puukkoman; however, I checked one out a year ago and found that the handle was too thin for a comfortable grip in my hand. Thanks, though :)
 
I own both. As has been said the Rukus is a large folder but the axis lock makes it all worth while. The Lone Wolf T2 is a great knife especially in cocabolo, as mine is. Great looker and great cutter. :thumbup:

If you can afford it, I would recommend buying both. If you continue to peruse these forums you will find your bank account slowly dwindling buying some great knives. If married the hardest part is justifying these continous purchases. Most wives just don't see the point of why a person needs so many knives. :D
 
If you can afford it, I would recommend buying both. If you continue to peruse these forums you will find your bank account slowly dwindling buying some great knives.
Click to expand...
I'd love to be able to, but my bank account won't allow for it right now. That's partly due to investing in tools and learning to make knives... :thumbup:

If married the hardest part is justifying these continous purchases. Most wives just don't see the point of why a person needs so many knives.
Click to expand...
I'm not married, so I have some freedom in that regard :) Of course, we men don't see why a person would need so many shoes, either :cool:

Eventually, I'd love to get all 3 - the Huge Harsey, the Rukus, and the T2!
 
The handle of a Military too thin to be comfortable?? That's the first time I have heard this. On the contrary, I find the Military handle extremely comfortable. So much so that I don't feel I even have to exert pressure to grip it. It just lays in the hand perfectly synergetic with the palm profile. And lightly closing my palm, the knife is ready for work.

I like the LW too. A lot.
 
The T2 is a great knife. I love mine and it maybe my favorite knife. My problem is I think it looks so nice I'm afraid to use it. :) I did slice some card board with it once or twice and it slices like a laser. It's incredibly light for the size thanks to the materials used (cocobolo wood and lots of titanium).

There were some quality issues with Lone Wolf knives, so if you order one online try and see if the dealer can inspect it for you.
 
Off topic:

Could a Lone Wolf T2 owner tell me how thick is the blade? Thanks in advance.
 
too bad the harsey has zytel handles,they should have stayed with the original linen micarta.cant see zytel on a knife thats 150+.........
 
I have the T2, the Rukus, and had the full size Lone Wolf - and returned it.

Rukus is OUSTANDING. The only thing wrong with it is its a little thick, so if your jeans are a bit tight... you can look kind of... happy.

:D

Rukus has a great blade, great edge, great lock, great ergos, and cuz its thick... feels great during actual use. Did I say it was great? Big damn knife but a very well thought out handle for choking up or holding it at length. But if you have small hands, it might be a bit of a problem. I have medium hands, but I like large knives. Very comfortable for me.

T2 - also a really great knife. Some quality control problems, so you might get a lemon if you mail order. Probably one of the best all around folders for camp/home/utlity use. Not too big, but big enough, really excellent full flat grind, and the wood handles (mine are cocobolo) are wonderful.

Only significant problem - not good protection against sliding up on the blade if you have thrust the knife into a hard or resistant surface. Its a cutter - never a stabber.

Full size Harshey - the only knife I ever sent back. Nice blade - but the handle is chunky, fat, awkward. Unpocketable. Unweildy. You have to be about 6'5" to really like this knife. It was just not usable for me.

So for big knife - Rukus can't fail. Utility, defense, whatever. I've carried it in a pocket sheath at work, in dress clothes and slightly loose jeans both, plenty of times. You can definitely do this if you want to. For smaller, utility only (be a great woods knife), T2 is great too. Much easier on the pocket as well, size wise.

I know there's some T2 and Rukus threads in the review section, with photos.
 
The Lone Wolf T2 is a great knife especially in cocabolo, as mine is. Great looker and great cutter.

Agree with the above!
 
DRider said:
Full size Harshey - the only knife I ever sent back. Nice blade - but the handle is chunky, fat, awkward. Unpocketable. Unweildy. You have to be about 6'5" to really like this knife. It was just not usable for me.
Click to expand...

Thats why it comes with a sheath, only a madmad would consider putting it in their pocket.

I asked LW about the handle material. Their answer was that "We have found Micarta to fade and generally look like crap after being in direct sunlight for a while, this is why we went with the Nylon scales'

NGK reported issues with LW QC I havent seen any on the Harsey stuff, only on the Paul folders of which I sent them all back.

Its a shame they dont get more air time here. The T2 has to be one of the best looking folders out there, very little waste and the Cocobolo really sets it apart. They also have the best grind lines I have ever seen on a production knife, they have all been absolutely spot on.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top