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Decisions Decisions
- Thread starter frgtn340
- Start date
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2005
- Messages
- 4,271
I don't have a Rukus, but I have a 14205. The H&K carries well in a pocket or a pouch, it's very smooth, and it's a good size for me.
It's also 154CM compared to S30V for the Rukus and both the 14205 and the 14210s that I've had are finished a little more "basic" than many BMs. There's no problem with their F&F, everything's solid, works properly, and is where it's supposed to be. But things like the liners and scales show a little less attention to detailing than some other BM products. Also, my 14205 came NIB with a couple of small chips in the blade. I bought it for a user, so I just sharpened most of them out, but that was the first and only BM product I've ever gotten like that.
The Rukus that I saw looked like more time had been spent on handle and blade details than the 14205 that I have. I really like the blade shape and steel on the Rukus variants, I just can't get past the way the handle looks and the size of the knives, so I've never bought one.
It's also 154CM compared to S30V for the Rukus and both the 14205 and the 14210s that I've had are finished a little more "basic" than many BMs. There's no problem with their F&F, everything's solid, works properly, and is where it's supposed to be. But things like the liners and scales show a little less attention to detailing than some other BM products. Also, my 14205 came NIB with a couple of small chips in the blade. I bought it for a user, so I just sharpened most of them out, but that was the first and only BM product I've ever gotten like that.
The Rukus that I saw looked like more time had been spent on handle and blade details than the 14205 that I have. I really like the blade shape and steel on the Rukus variants, I just can't get past the way the handle looks and the size of the knives, so I've never bought one.
- Joined
- May 25, 2006
- Messages
- 3,982
On the fit and finish of the 14205 I've noticed the same thing. I received mine a week ago and noticed the liners had a large number of tiny-to-small flaws on the liners. One was an actual chip on the inside edge of the left liner that I sanded and buffed smooth. (I really like the ergos of the knife and didn't want to send it it back...BUT)
It bothers me that this is so, as I have a bunch of 'regular' Benchmades that are smooth and show perfect blades AND liners.
Mine is a first production, maybe those bugs have been worked out in the process.
It bothers me that this is so, as I have a bunch of 'regular' Benchmades that are smooth and show perfect blades AND liners.
Mine is a first production, maybe those bugs have been worked out in the process.
I have a new mini-Skirmish that I sent back to BM for repair. THat blade was closing slightly off-center and the edge was chipped from hitting one of the frame spacers. THis isn't BM's typical work so I know my knife was just a bad apple.
I like the mini-SKirmish because it's slim and carries tip-down....the way I like it for inside the waistband carry. It's a simple frame lock, but elegant in its simplicity. I don;t own a BM H&K so I couldn;t give a side-by-side comparison.
I like the mini-SKirmish because it's slim and carries tip-down....the way I like it for inside the waistband carry. It's a simple frame lock, but elegant in its simplicity. I don;t own a BM H&K so I couldn;t give a side-by-side comparison.
For my own collection, I would go for the Mini Rukus, because the ability to change the scales interests me, and my Resistor already fills the function that the 14205 would for me. Those silver G10 and rosewood scales make the Rukus/Mini Rukus a really tempting one to purchase...
With that said, my general recommendation would be in favor of the 14205. A main reason for this is that the 14205 has great ergos that allow for really any grip. So whether you like to hold the knife like the designer anticipates, or if you like to choke up on the blade more often, or scoot further down the handle, whatever, the 14205 is great, because it allows for all of that, and feels quite comfortable in any of those grips. The Mini Rukus, however, has felt to me like it locks your hand in a single grip. Granted, it's really comfortable in that grip, but when I handled it, my hand kept itching for other ways to grip the knife; maybe we could call that hand-claustrophobia?
Anyway, in addition to the ergos, the 14205 will be a lot easier to fit in your pocket unobtrusively, in my opinion. I also feel like the clip of the Mini Rukus is a bit more unstable than that of the 14205. This may not be a real, functional difference, but it can make the knife "feel" less stable.
As for the blades of the two knives, the profile is one of my favorites. I think the Mini Rukus might cut more efficiently, since it's a thinner blade, but for my purposes, I feel like the finger guard may hinder some cutting tasks, particularly in the kitchen. And between S30V and 154CM, they're both pretty nice stuff coming from BM. I suppose I've noticed 154CM to hold it's edge maybe slightly longer than 154CM, but really the difference isn't huge. In fact, the bigger difference between the two from my experience is that 154CM is noticeably easier to sharpen.
Ultimately, though, it's a win-win situation. You'll like the knife no matter which one you choose. But, you know, if you decide you don't like it for whatever reason, let me know, and I'd be happy to provide you with the shipping address of a place where it'll be well-appreciated...
With that said, my general recommendation would be in favor of the 14205. A main reason for this is that the 14205 has great ergos that allow for really any grip. So whether you like to hold the knife like the designer anticipates, or if you like to choke up on the blade more often, or scoot further down the handle, whatever, the 14205 is great, because it allows for all of that, and feels quite comfortable in any of those grips. The Mini Rukus, however, has felt to me like it locks your hand in a single grip. Granted, it's really comfortable in that grip, but when I handled it, my hand kept itching for other ways to grip the knife; maybe we could call that hand-claustrophobia?
Anyway, in addition to the ergos, the 14205 will be a lot easier to fit in your pocket unobtrusively, in my opinion. I also feel like the clip of the Mini Rukus is a bit more unstable than that of the 14205. This may not be a real, functional difference, but it can make the knife "feel" less stable.
As for the blades of the two knives, the profile is one of my favorites. I think the Mini Rukus might cut more efficiently, since it's a thinner blade, but for my purposes, I feel like the finger guard may hinder some cutting tasks, particularly in the kitchen. And between S30V and 154CM, they're both pretty nice stuff coming from BM. I suppose I've noticed 154CM to hold it's edge maybe slightly longer than 154CM, but really the difference isn't huge. In fact, the bigger difference between the two from my experience is that 154CM is noticeably easier to sharpen.
Ultimately, though, it's a win-win situation. You'll like the knife no matter which one you choose. But, you know, if you decide you don't like it for whatever reason, let me know, and I'd be happy to provide you with the shipping address of a place where it'll be well-appreciated...