Benchmade Mini-RSK Mk1 vs Spyderco Native
(Edited 2005-11-24, changes marked in red.)
I'm relatively new to knife nuttery: I've EDC'ed a knife for just over a year and a half. For the past 9 months, my EDC has been a Benchmade Mini-RSK Mk1 (aka Mini Ritter Grip), with which I've been very satisfied. Last week I bought a Spyderco Native (Walmart special), expecting to gain an inexpensive, high-quality backup knife. I was surprised to find that that the Native significantly outperforms the Mini-RSK Mk1 in some ways, and it has now joined my EDC rotation.
Superficially, these two knives are quite similar: an S30V drop-point blade just under 3", a handle just under 4", and a weight just over 2.5 oz. Both feature an ambidextrous lock.
(Native on top, Mini-RSK Mk1 on the bottom)
The two most significant differences are the lock and the ergonomic features.
Lock:
Ergonomics:
Misc minor stuff:
Conclusion:
(Edited 2005-11-24, changes marked in red.)
I'm relatively new to knife nuttery: I've EDC'ed a knife for just over a year and a half. For the past 9 months, my EDC has been a Benchmade Mini-RSK Mk1 (aka Mini Ritter Grip), with which I've been very satisfied. Last week I bought a Spyderco Native (Walmart special), expecting to gain an inexpensive, high-quality backup knife. I was surprised to find that that the Native significantly outperforms the Mini-RSK Mk1 in some ways, and it has now joined my EDC rotation.
Superficially, these two knives are quite similar: an S30V drop-point blade just under 3", a handle just under 4", and a weight just over 2.5 oz. Both feature an ambidextrous lock.
(Native on top, Mini-RSK Mk1 on the bottom)
The two most significant differences are the lock and the ergonomic features.
Lock:
I like the RSK's Axis lock much better than the Native's back lock.
The Axis lock is super quick and easy to open and close one-handed, by simply flicking the wrist. You never have to put your fingers in the path of the closing blade.
The Native's back lock is almost as easy to open one-handed (by levering the blade out using the hole), but it's much slower to close one-handed. I shift my grip back so that my index finger is in the front indentation in the handle. The thumb depresses the locking lever, and the blade is flicked half closed, stopping when the blade choil hits my index finger. Then I shift my grip again, to get my fingers out of the way, and close the blade the rest of the way by pushing on the spine with my index finger.
Not nearly as quick or satisfying as the Axis thwack. The RSK wins this comparison with one hand tied behind its back. <snort>
The Axis lock is super quick and easy to open and close one-handed, by simply flicking the wrist. You never have to put your fingers in the path of the closing blade.
The Native's back lock is almost as easy to open one-handed (by levering the blade out using the hole), but it's much slower to close one-handed. I shift my grip back so that my index finger is in the front indentation in the handle. The thumb depresses the locking lever, and the blade is flicked half closed, stopping when the blade choil hits my index finger. Then I shift my grip again, to get my fingers out of the way, and close the blade the rest of the way by pushing on the spine with my index finger.
Not nearly as quick or satisfying as the Axis thwack. The RSK wins this comparison with one hand tied behind its back. <snort>
Ergonomics:
This was the big surprise for me. The RSK has a nice enough grip, but the ergonomics of the Native puts it way ahead of the Mini-RSK Mk1 in actual use.
The handles on both the RSK and the Native fit about three fingers, but the Native's choil provides room for the fourth finger. A four-finger grip on a 4" (closed) folder is fantastic.
On the RSK there is about a 5/8 inch "dead space" between the front of the index finger and the beginning of the cutting edge. On the Native there is only about 3/16 inch when using the choil. This makes a noticable difference in usability and control.
The Native sacrifices 1/2 inch of blade to the choil, leaving 2.6 inches of cutting edge. The RSK has 2.9 inches cutting edge. For what I use a pocket knife for, both are plenty.
Added 2005-11-24! The Native uses an opening-hole, the RSK has a thumb stud. I liked the stud well enough until I tried the hole - now I'm a hole guy. (I re-wrote and re-wrote that trying to get rid of the sexual connotations, but gave up...) The hole never, ever catches on your pocket when putting the knife in or taking it out. The stud doesnt catch often, but it does happen. I haven't gotten cut that way yet, but it always makes me nervous. Getting the Native out of my pocket is slightly but noticably easier, since I dont have to angle it to keep the stud from catching the fabric.
The handles on both the RSK and the Native fit about three fingers, but the Native's choil provides room for the fourth finger. A four-finger grip on a 4" (closed) folder is fantastic.
On the RSK there is about a 5/8 inch "dead space" between the front of the index finger and the beginning of the cutting edge. On the Native there is only about 3/16 inch when using the choil. This makes a noticable difference in usability and control.
The Native sacrifices 1/2 inch of blade to the choil, leaving 2.6 inches of cutting edge. The RSK has 2.9 inches cutting edge. For what I use a pocket knife for, both are plenty.
Added 2005-11-24! The Native uses an opening-hole, the RSK has a thumb stud. I liked the stud well enough until I tried the hole - now I'm a hole guy. (I re-wrote and re-wrote that trying to get rid of the sexual connotations, but gave up...) The hole never, ever catches on your pocket when putting the knife in or taking it out. The stud doesnt catch often, but it does happen. I haven't gotten cut that way yet, but it always makes me nervous. Getting the Native out of my pocket is slightly but noticably easier, since I dont have to angle it to keep the stud from catching the fabric.
Misc minor stuff:
The RSK cost me $100 plus shipping & waiting, the Native cost $40 at the Walmart down the street...
When closed, the tip of the RSK rests well inside the handles whereas the tip of the Native rests just a little bit below the level of the handles. This felt a bit exposed and disturbing at first, but it has never been a problem. I'm pretty much over it now. ;-)
Both knives came scary sharp, and the blades lock up tight with no play, vertical or horizontal.
Both knives have a textured area for the pad of the thumb, which is very nice.
The Native rides a little higher in the pocket than the RSK does. Not a big deal to me.
The Native is a tiny little bit bigger than the RSK, again not a big deal.
Added 2005-11-24! The fit and finish of the RSK is flawless. The fit and finish of the Native is good (totally acceptable), but not up to the level of the RSK. My Native has some roughly finished spots: around the opening-hole, the front guard of the choil, and the lock. Nothing that compromises performance, but it's not the shiny smoothness of the RSK.
When closed, the tip of the RSK rests well inside the handles whereas the tip of the Native rests just a little bit below the level of the handles. This felt a bit exposed and disturbing at first, but it has never been a problem. I'm pretty much over it now. ;-)
Both knives came scary sharp, and the blades lock up tight with no play, vertical or horizontal.
Both knives have a textured area for the pad of the thumb, which is very nice.
The Native rides a little higher in the pocket than the RSK does. Not a big deal to me.
The Native is a tiny little bit bigger than the RSK, again not a big deal.
Added 2005-11-24! The fit and finish of the RSK is flawless. The fit and finish of the Native is good (totally acceptable), but not up to the level of the RSK. My Native has some roughly finished spots: around the opening-hole, the front guard of the choil, and the lock. Nothing that compromises performance, but it's not the shiny smoothness of the RSK.
Conclusion:
Please, Spyderco, license the Axis lock and make an Axis Native!
Or, Benchmade & Mr Ritter, put a finger choil on the RSK Mk2 folder!
Or, Benchmade & Mr Ritter, put a finger choil on the RSK Mk2 folder!
