knife for dirt time -- Al Mar SERE 2000 or BM mini Rukus

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plowboy

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Apr 7, 2006
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I'm wanting another knife to haul around and use in the woods. The knife will be subject to use around creeks and situations that may introduce dust or mud to the knife.

I'm finding myself attracted to both the BM mini Rukus and the Al Marr SERE 2000 (full-size).

I know about the differences in steels VG-10 v. S30V. My real question(s) to all of you is:

(1) what you think about blade geometry?
(2) which lock is more robust in this type of use?

Thanks,
:)
 
I would pick the axis lock over the liner lock. The rukus probably has a more stout blade as well.
 
Thanks, INFI kid and Work 3.

Work3, do you have the MUDD? If so, what's it like?

INFI, would that axis lock and the omega springs hold up well in dirt?

If other's of you have experience with the Al Mar or Rukus, please let me know your opinion.

Thanks,
:)
 
The ZT MUDD is a good suggestion.Also Spyderco's Salt series is a good alterative.It's rust proof.
I have an Al Mar SERE2K,but never exposed it to a lot of dirt & dust.I can't speak for the Rukus,but the Skirmish would probably be better IMO.It's open design would make it easier to clean.
 
I have a both full size skirmish and rukus. Both are open back designs; I think the skirmish has the edge on easy to clean though, as a frame lock it has a lot less parts and small spaces than the rukus with it's axis lock. If there's any mammal skinning that needs to be done, I give the edge to the skirmish. If there's fish to clean, the straight edge of the rukus. If you have a lot of sticks to sharpen (like for pegs) I'd give it to the rukus. For general food prep it's probably a toss up but I'll give a slight edge to the skirmish for doing stuff on a cutting board, that big curve lets you use it like a little chef's knife.

Both are great knives, though.
 
im dont have the sere but i have the shrike by al mar. these knives have different blade and handle shapes but are constructed using the same materials and the same liner lock. al mar's liner lock is the best out there for production knives that ive seen. they are open back and very easy to clean. the g-10 isnt as grippy as say spyderco is, but still is not slick by any means. i love the al mar shrike but wish i had bought a sere for the blade/handle style in retrospect.

sum of it: al mar sere.
 
I have had both of these knives, and now I have the ZT0500MUDD. For what you are proposing, the MUDD would be ideal. The pivot and the lock are sealed and will not allow dirt, dust, sand, or etc. into the works. These seals are NOT a gimmick as they really do function as advertised. There is a video over at the Kershaw Forum that shows Gavin Hawk, aka Blademaker here at BF, burying the MUDD under sand several times with none of it getting to the pivot or lock. About the lock, it is a linear lock, and is very strong with all hardened stainless steel pieces. This knife will fall in the range, maybe a bit higher, that you are already considering. Look over at the Kershaw forum for pics and reviews. There is also a picture of the MUDD broken completely down into all it's parts.
 
Thanks, everyone. Seems I'm being pointed towards the MUDD. I'll check out the website on it.

Many thanks.

:)
 
I work as a cable tech and surprisingly enough I must cut my fair share of tree limbs and over-grown brush. I use a mini-rukus and it seems to be the best knife for the job, the blade geometry is perfect IMO it cuts like a thin flat ground blade (like most spyercos) but is fairly thick all the way to the tip. The lock when engaged makes it feel like a fixed blade, I have never had any problems and I have batoned with this knife.

Most of my work is done outside all year round and in michigan the weather can vary a lot, the only two knives that have been able to handle the job requirments are the EKI commander (5 years and still kicking a$$) and the mini-rukus with the m-rukus in favor because of blade steel/geometry and lock strength.

P.S. I have had no problems with dirt affecting the axis-lock, but I do keep my knives well maintained.
 
I checked out the MUDD -- neat knife.

Knifenut1013, sounds like you're using those knives on a regular basis. Glad to hear the axis lock is not affected by the work environment. Is the Commander a liner lock or framelock?
 
Are you able to go with a fixed blade? Seems like a much better solution if you can.
 
The commander is the regular liner lock, it works very well because of its recurve blade and tuff steel but it has been for lock service once and needs to go again. The lock has never failed or even come close it just wears and travels to the far side of the blade, I think it is because of the lock face grind and not the liner but that is just my guess to the matter. In really harsh condishions like jungle enviroment I think the EKI knives would fair better because they have less parts and nylon washers, where the benchmade has copper washers that if not re-oiled after becoming wet the blade will become increasingly stiffer to open (this takes a day or 2).

Vivi,
I have carried a RAT-3, mora2000, and a mule team a few times but a folder usually has more weight working better for choping and is more sheeple frendly. I had a customer ask me is my RAT-3 was my detroit knife.:eek:
 
ViVi, I like folders alot (and FBs), but are folders just suit me better most of the time. I do understand where you are coming from in recommending FBs.

Knifenut1013 thanks for getting back -- I do have the Emerson CQC 14 snubby. It's a great knife with a small blade.

Since the thread started, I'm now considering the orginal two I asked about plus the ZT MUDD. Unfortunately, I'm no closer to deciding which one to get.

Thanks everyone.
:)
 
They are both great knives. I have a buddy that swears by his SERE. The liner lock is really top quality and it's a nice package. You really can't go wrong with either. VG-10 steel is an excellent steel as well. I think I may like its edge properties more than S30V
 
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