Fight of the 3 benchmades vs emerson, your thoughts?

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sksiazki

Joined
Jul 17, 2007
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Alright yall I have narrowed my choices down to a select few, if you could give me your input on which you recommend and why, ignoring price, I would appreciate it.
Just as background, Im looking for a nice edc, which, as I am in the Marine Corps, is going to get somewhat beat up, but still taken care of. I prefer assisted opening like my old Kershaw or the wave but I hear the axis flick can be just as fast, with a blade approx 3 - 3.75 and probably partially serrated.

Choices
1. Benchmade mini ruckus
2. Benchmade griptillian
3. Benchmade 710
4. Emerson cqc wave
Specifically, why is the ruckus so much more expensive than the grip but I rarely see it recommended on here and the grip is all the time.
If you think youve got an even better recommendation let it fly, but I think I am down to these 3. I know a ton of you are going to say the 710, but why exactly? Have you ever used these others or just like your own 710.

Also what do you think about the Kershaw blur or spec bump, as a cheaper back up, specifically your experiences with the bumps recurve blade, sharpening etc, and why the blur is so much cheaper.

Thanks a lot
 
If you prefer assisted opener then you may want to look at the new BM Strykers. The 913 is an AO with a spear point shape blade, and the 912 is an AO with a tanto blade.

Of the 3 BMs on there it depends on if you will be able to sharpen your knife. The 710 and the 615 (the mini rukus) are both made out of different steels that are harder to sharpen then the 154cm that the Grip is made out of. The 710 is D2 tool steel. Unless you have diamond hones it is VERY VERY hard to sharpen because it is a very hard steel, but it holds an incredible edge. The 615 is s30v. It is not as hard to sharpen as the D2 and holds about as good of an edge. But is harder to sharpen then the 154cm, and also from all that I have done and heard the s30v must be stropped because it gets a rely stubborn wire edge. The 154cm one the Grip is a great all around steel. It's easy to sharpen and holds a pretty good edge. It this is going to be a pretty hard use knife then I would go with the 710. If you’re going to be doing allot of strap cutting, or just cutting in general I would go with the 710, as long as you have the diamond sharpening stuff. If you don't have diamond hones and don’t want to get them I would go with the Grip. Grips are great knives and not that bad of a price. The blades are pretty easy to maintain. I don't like the Grips because I hate their handles. The 615 would be a good choice for all around. The only down fall of the 615 is that s30v has some minor chipping problems.
Which one fits your hand the best, consider that also.
 
Tiny86 said alot of good stuff.........

I personally have had a grip and a 710 and other knives with s30v steel including benchmades.

The 710 (mine was 154cm) is a heck of a knife and you will be hard pressed to find a better production knife period. You want to know why huh..... the simple answer is to buy one and carry it and you will find out..... my reasons are that i love the axis lock. i love that its a big knife that carries nice.... i love that it locks like a tank every time.... i love the blade shape and grind..... i love how it feels in my hand..... im even good with my 154cm steel and ive heard (but not experienced) that d2 is even better

The Griptilians are great knives too especially for the money they cost. The reason these are so highly recommended is because many people asking for knife suggestions are asking for knives in this price range (50-75 dollars)

The ruckus is also a heck of knife. The mini isnt really mini at all. These are highly recommended often on these boards but not as much as the grips (again this is probably due to price) There are many reasons why the rukus is more expensive then the grip. The first is that s30v is a more expensive steel. second is G10 handles are far more expensive then the plastic grip handles. Thirdly inner materials such as the washers are more expensive. fourthly its a bigger knife which adds to the expense. and last of all but not least..... it is a custom collaboration with an outside source (neil blackwood) and these usually up the price

So for the benchmades you have listed its a coin toss betweent he 615 and the 710... you should not be dissapointed with either. The grips are good but not as good. I cant speak for the emerson. I know ive handled some emersons but its my opinion that the benchmades are just as good and usually less expensive.
 
Some very good points already mentioned. I do love D2 for a blade steel, but it is a beast to work with IF you let it get dull. S30V is a great stainless, probably my overall favorite stainless. I've had no chipping issues with any of my S30V blades (Benchmade & Spyderco).

One additional thing to consider is replacement cost, especially in your line of work. Most of us are not going to be as hard on our knives as you possibly will be, at least from time to time. The Grips are often recommended because you get a really great knife value in a package that could be replaced if necessary w/o breaking the bank.

As far as sharpening a recurve blade, I only have one, an HK 14210, and it's barely a recurve blade. I use the corners of my Sharpmaker for this knife and then use the flats on the belly. It's 154 CM and it passes all the sharpness tests that any of my other blades have to pass. I also use my Sharpmaker for my D2 blades (Cabelas Grips). If you want to try D2, you might look at getting a Cabelas version of the Grip. It'll come in coated D2 and still cost under $100.00. If you don't have one, I'd also suggest getting a Sharpmaker to travel around with you and your knives, whichever blade you choose.

I have to say that I really like steels like 154 CM and VG-10 for hard use knives. They seem to be more forgiving if they're abused some than harder steels like ZDP-189 or S30V. D2 is a little different... it's pretty tough for a "hard" steel.

If you can, try to handle each of the knives that you're considering, especially the Rukus. It's a great blade, but the handle doesn't work for everybody. The 710? I don't have one, but I have handled one. It's a fine knife... just bigger than I have any use for in a folder. I stay with about 3.5" max blade length in a folder. I have a couple of FBs that I carry when I want a bigger knife. Never had any interest in Emersons, so I can't speak about them one way or the other.
 
IMO, from your list take 1)710;
2)grip with coated blade.
I have CQC-11, but it is not a knife that can serve you in stress situations, or just doing hard work.
I would NOT take rukus, because Im sure s30v is not for challenge.
D2 is that you have to be able to sharpen.

Anyway I think AXIS is that you can rely on much more compared with liner,backlock, frame etc.
If smaller blade size is not critical,look for BM520.
 
I think the 710 is the one for you. It will carry nice yet you will have a nice size blade. GOOD LUCK! Kevin:)
 
I dont care for emersons. I dont like how the edge is ground. The 710 is an incredible knife I own several in ats-34, 154cm and D2. The D2 is a definite improvement but it can be a pain to sharpen if neglected and I have to oil mine regularly. The 615 is an amazing knife the blade shape I slightly prefer over the 710. That being said the 710 is one of the easiest knives to carry that I own. The S30V is pretty easy to sharpen on the sharpmaker, easier than the D2. The griptilian will someday be a classic. I have the standard in 440 c and 154cm and the D2 from cabelas. On payday I am ordering the ritter in S30V. The weak points I dont like the recurve on the 710 and D2 can be tought to sharpen. The 615's pocket clip sucks and it is wide. The grip is wide and feels too light to some people. I personally dont think there is such thing a too light. These are simply my opinions.
 
Again, a LOT of good stuff has already been said here.

I'd also recommend the 710.
It's not only really strong, it's also an amazingly easy carry for what it is.
 
I have a spec bump and like it alot but it is very hard to sharpen if your going for a fine,fine edge. I find the edge of the spec bump to be very useful in many different cutting tasks though. the emerson feels great in the hand and is a must for the collection IMO.
 
If you will be wearing gloves alot I'd recommend the Emerson 10. Thumbhole and wave, and easily serviceable if it gets wet, or accumulates alot of dirt and sand. Can't say enough good things about the axis lock and the Grips though ( I have a large Ritter M2 and the Cabela's D2 Grips large and mini) but not sure how the mechanism's will hold up in sandy/ wet conditions nor how easily they can be serviced if you are out and about. The Emerson can be serviced with a good screwdriver. I'd also take a look at the new version Cold Steel AK-47, Emerson like waveable, G-10 scales, AUS8 blade steel and with a axis (ultra) style lock, or the CS Recon 1. Good luck with your choice and thank you for your service to our country!

Best Regards,
Matador
 
For me I have handled all those benchmade's and the 710 was the best for me, the large recurved blade out of D2, the G-10 handle, and the axis lock, I think you will love it for the marine corp. I would also recommend buying some TC-11 lubricant/anti rust I doubt you will keep it 100% dry all the time so the TC-11 will protect it for months before you recoat plus it's a lubricant.

Never handled the emerson, but the grip has a thicker handle than the 710 and the mini rukus was a little on the small side, I have fairly large hands. The normal rukus though was very comfy.

And once you get used the the axis lock you can open it and close it faster than any auto.
 
I own the 710 and the mini-rukus. I bought my son in law (a Marine) a 710 in D2. Get the 710 it is a classic.:thumbup: :thumbup:
 
The Rukus is way overbuilt from a strength perspective. The handles are some of the thickest and toughest ever. The axis lock is superb. If I didn't sit in an office so damn much, I'd carry a ruckus or mini-rukus. I have a mini and think it's the cats' ass. I don't carry it though. Too big. There's no moss on the 710 either. Damn good knife.
 
Haha, you guys are great, thanks a lot. Your input has really helped me, Im going to try to get to some stores to handle them asap, if not I might just buy both online and return the one that doesnt fit me.
Thanks for being so helpful!
 
I have, or have had all three BMs, and as others have said the 710 is an awesome knife, but personally I would go for the 615, although some won't give it a chance because of "chipping Problems" I have to say that I have yet to have a chipping problem, and that it is not too hard to sharpen if you have time, or a sharpmaker.
 
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