Buck Mayo or Mini Rukus

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Sep 4, 2006
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I was looking for a new higher end folding blade and I was looking specifically at the Mini Rukus or the one of the Buck Mayo's (TNT or Waimea). Any thoughts?
 
I suggest you handle both. The mini Rukus is a much larger knife than the Mayo TNT which is larger than the Waiema (sp?). The mini Rukus has a much larger and thicker handle due to the axis lock mechanism. If you want a heavy duty folder, go with the mini Rukus. The TNT is a great EDC, but still felt a little small to me and I'm not a fan of tip down carry. The mini Rukus is a tip up carry, but I passed on it also. Also, you want to consider if you prefer a frame lock or an axis lock. Both the TNT & mini Ruckus are about the same price. You might also want to consider the mini Skirmish in this price range. It is a step up size wise from the TNT, and is a frame lock with a tip down pocket clip, like the TNT. Let us know what you decide and how you like it.

GregB
 
The mini Rukus would make a better hard use knife. The Mayo TNT is much better for everyday carry - it is light and thin. I really like mine. The Waimea is a lot smaller.

The mini-Skirmish is also nice. The handle is close to the same size as the Mayo, but the blade is larger. It is recurved, too. I find the mini-Skirmish to be more difficult to open because of the chamfered opening hole.

The Buck Mayo TNT and Waimea are hollow ground, while the Benchmade mini-Rukus and mini-Skirmish are flat ground.
 
I nearly always have my Buck Mayo 172 with me, it is a great EDC imo.
 
like lambertiana said it all depends on what you are gonna use it for. If you want a knife for edc and will use it for light to medium cutting tasks the buck mayo is your knife. If you want a tougher knife or camping and outdoor activities that you can beat the crap out of then get the rukus. Handle both if you can. You may not like the feel of either. If you are fortunate enough to have a store near you that has both they will probably have a good selection of other knives and you may find one you like better then either of your choices. However i have heard almost only good things about both of these knives so i dont think you will go wrong with either, you just need to see which fits your needs most.
 
Very different knives!
Big Rukus is a beast and mini isn't mini at all - its just shorter.
Buck Mayo is slim, almost filmsy (but no, its all Titanium).
Exellent f/f on both.
 
I recomend the Ruckus, or if you wanted a 'prettier' knife, go for the skirmish, but i recommend BM 100%
 
I really like my Mini Rukus, it's my only Benchmade. I like the TNT as well, but as someone already said, they're 2 different types of knives. If you're ok with the size, the Rukus is fine for EDC. I personally like the TNT more than the Mini Skirmish. The handle on the Skirmish seemed short for me compared to the blade length and it was difficult to open because of the modified Spyder-hole.
 
I have the Buck Mayo w/440hc(I think) and I really like it. It has performed in everything I have put it to doing.
 
Isn't the Mayo S30V?

I've been looking at the Mayo, and it would seem to be the better for EDC in public/office situations, just on style. The BM's obviously lean toward the hard use tool look.

That alone makes them different, much less the ergos, blade grind, etc. You might try the Ben Franklin list: write down all the features, then check off each one that is better suited for your use. The column with the most checks is your choice. Doesn't always come out the way you expect, but you find you understand your usage better vs. the eye candy appeal factor or price you set.

We get a lot of "which $xxx knife is better," and it's really about how you plan to use it, not the price. A Mitsubishi dozer or a Lexus can both run $35,000.

So, what are you going to use it for?
 
I have both of them....

And as previously said, for EDC I carry the BUck/Mayo almost all the time, its thinner, ligther but strong (because Ti) and sharp as a razon (its high hollow grinded).

The mini Rukus is not mini at all, is strong and very comftable on hand (without its clip) and feels like a fixed blade; also very sharp for being flat.

But I found out the Rukus too big and heavy for EDC in office or ligth clothes...

Rukus is OK if your are always in jeans and work alot in the outdoors.


Hope it helps.
 
The Buck Mayo 172 is titanium with S30V blade. The Northshore version is stainless handle with 420HC blade. From a distance they look very similar. Then you have the Hilo and Cutback models, which have stainless handles and 440C (or similar) blades.
 
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