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- Jun 29, 1999
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Having been really, really good this year, I decided that my wife would want to give me something extra-special for Christmas
. Since we rarely shop at the same places, I picked out a Benchmade Model 615 Mini Rukus at Carroll’s Gun Shop on Hwy. 59 near Wharton, Texas (well worth the visit, if you happen to be in the area). It wasn’t a quick decision. I spent a fair amount of time there, drooling over their displays of guy stuff: guns, ammo, reloading components, knives… all the good things that give Canadian Liberals heart attacks.
Carroll’s had a nice array of Benchmades, Remingtons, and various others in the display case, including an Emerson Commander. I wasn’t particularly interested in the Commander, although I might have considered a mini-Commander or mini-CQB; you rarely see them in Canada. And at $179 I figured it was overpriced. Anyway, I already have a titanium framed liner lock with G10 scales and an ATS-34 blade: a Buck-Strider 880 SP. It flicks open with just a twist of the wrist with a substantial clunk, kind of like racking a shotgun, as fast as a waved Emerson in all practical terms. Only it’s too big to comfortably carry in a jeans pocket or on a belt. Great tool for working around the yard, though. I looked at the full size Rukus (Model 610), with a 4.25” blade, but I have knives in that size category and I wanted something that wouldn’t make the Sheeple faint.
I have wanted to try a knife in S30V, which according to Buck is “The absolute best blade steel available, and made in America.” I had thought to pick up a Buck 110 in S30V at Cabella’s when we went through Fort Worth last October, but we couldn’t find the store.
I’ve also read a fair bit here about Benchmade’s Axis lock, which has had high reviews. And since the Mini Rukus has both a S30V blade and the Axis lock, I bought it, same price as the Commander. Not cheap, but darn near as good as any internet price I’ve seen (and also available, maybe the only one in south Texas).
The Mini Rukus was just introduced in November, so this is a First Production run, 0160/1000. It’s one of the ‘Blue Class’ category. Benchmade states, “Staying true to blue, the Blue Class represents the heart of everything that is Benchmade. For years it’s been where people have come to expect greatness. Whether it’s folders or fixed blades, the Blue Class knife is designed and built for the individual who appreciates the difference a high-quality cutting tool can make.” I am not sure what that means, exactly, but I do appreciate the difference a high-quality cutting tool can make. (If Benchmade needs a good copy writer not addicted to unfortunate rhyming or bafflegab, contact me.)
Specs:
The Axis lock is just … brilliant, one of those designs that makes you wonder why no one thought of it sooner. It is simple, strong, convenient and quiet. You can open the Mini Rukus absolutely silently by sliding the locking bar back and letting the blade swing out, or if you just thumb the blade open there is a barely audible click as it locks into place. It rides on 420J liners.
The grip at first looks awkward, with deep cutouts for the index and second finger, but it feels very comfortable and secure in the hand. It has two swirly handle scales on each side, black G10 and olive drab Micarta, attached by tiny six-headed screws. As on the full-size Rukus, grip panels are interchangeable, although they’re not listed in the Benchmade catalogue yet. This is a good idea; I’m in favor of being able to swap handle scales if you want better grip (of, say, Kraton), or of some exotic wood if you want to dress up a knife. (This could also be an option for fixed blades.) You can buy the appropriate bit drivers from Benchmade if you want to adjust any of the screws, but I don’t think I’ll be messing with these unless I want to relocate the clip to the other side or remove it entirely. The clip is unobtrusive and doesn’t get in the way of the grip. It doesn’t clamp down as firmly as my 880, but seems secure enough. And it is situated high on the grip for very low (read: unobtrusive) pocket carry.
My Buck 110 will be carried a bit less now, but I'll always have that for a loaner. The Mini Rukus will be my EDC for some time to come.
. Since we rarely shop at the same places, I picked out a Benchmade Model 615 Mini Rukus at Carroll’s Gun Shop on Hwy. 59 near Wharton, Texas (well worth the visit, if you happen to be in the area). It wasn’t a quick decision. I spent a fair amount of time there, drooling over their displays of guy stuff: guns, ammo, reloading components, knives… all the good things that give Canadian Liberals heart attacks.Carroll’s had a nice array of Benchmades, Remingtons, and various others in the display case, including an Emerson Commander. I wasn’t particularly interested in the Commander, although I might have considered a mini-Commander or mini-CQB; you rarely see them in Canada. And at $179 I figured it was overpriced. Anyway, I already have a titanium framed liner lock with G10 scales and an ATS-34 blade: a Buck-Strider 880 SP. It flicks open with just a twist of the wrist with a substantial clunk, kind of like racking a shotgun, as fast as a waved Emerson in all practical terms. Only it’s too big to comfortably carry in a jeans pocket or on a belt. Great tool for working around the yard, though. I looked at the full size Rukus (Model 610), with a 4.25” blade, but I have knives in that size category and I wanted something that wouldn’t make the Sheeple faint.
I have wanted to try a knife in S30V, which according to Buck is “The absolute best blade steel available, and made in America.” I had thought to pick up a Buck 110 in S30V at Cabella’s when we went through Fort Worth last October, but we couldn’t find the store.
I’ve also read a fair bit here about Benchmade’s Axis lock, which has had high reviews. And since the Mini Rukus has both a S30V blade and the Axis lock, I bought it, same price as the Commander. Not cheap, but darn near as good as any internet price I’ve seen (and also available, maybe the only one in south Texas).
The Mini Rukus was just introduced in November, so this is a First Production run, 0160/1000. It’s one of the ‘Blue Class’ category. Benchmade states, “Staying true to blue, the Blue Class represents the heart of everything that is Benchmade. For years it’s been where people have come to expect greatness. Whether it’s folders or fixed blades, the Blue Class knife is designed and built for the individual who appreciates the difference a high-quality cutting tool can make.” I am not sure what that means, exactly, but I do appreciate the difference a high-quality cutting tool can make. (If Benchmade needs a good copy writer not addicted to unfortunate rhyming or bafflegab, contact me.)
Specs:
Blade Hardness: 58-60HRC
Blade Style: Utility Drop-Point with a high bevel, 2/3 length swedge, thumb control grooves on the back; ambidextrous thumb-stud
Blade Length: 3.4"
Weight: 5.90oz.
Clip: Black, Deep Pocket, Tip-Up
Lock Mechanism: AXIS
Overall Length: 8.50"
Closed Length: 5.10"
The blade is long enough to be useful, while not overly alarming the Sheeple. The blade is smooth (no bead blast), with a handsome grey patina; I don’t think it has any titanium/aluminum/nitride coating but it’s hard to tell. The blade is elegantly machined, with no abrupt angles anywhere. The bearing surfaces are highly polished, and there are two slim bronze washers on either side. The mechanism is sufficiently open that it will be easy to keep clean. It came sharp but not scary sharp. Five minutes with a DMT (red) bench stone followed by a DMT ultra fine (green) hone fixed that. It sharpens easily, with little problem eliminating the burr, unlike VG-10, for instance It feels like a very fine-grained steel. Edge holding so far is very good, having cut fruit, paper, a couple of cardboard boxes, some dirty Brazos berry vines out back, whittled a bit on some dense hardwood, with no noticeable decrease in sharpness. It still shaves clean. After carrying it a month or two in the humid Texas climate I’ll see how the corrosion resistance stands up, but S30V is supposed to be pretty good in that regard. I haven’t tried cutting wire or steel strapping, and probably won’t; as Benchmade notes, its knives are cutting tools. (I might make an exception if a crated Harley shows up beneath the Christmas tree.)Blade Style: Utility Drop-Point with a high bevel, 2/3 length swedge, thumb control grooves on the back; ambidextrous thumb-stud
Blade Length: 3.4"
Weight: 5.90oz.
Clip: Black, Deep Pocket, Tip-Up
Lock Mechanism: AXIS
Overall Length: 8.50"
Closed Length: 5.10"
The Axis lock is just … brilliant, one of those designs that makes you wonder why no one thought of it sooner. It is simple, strong, convenient and quiet. You can open the Mini Rukus absolutely silently by sliding the locking bar back and letting the blade swing out, or if you just thumb the blade open there is a barely audible click as it locks into place. It rides on 420J liners.
The grip at first looks awkward, with deep cutouts for the index and second finger, but it feels very comfortable and secure in the hand. It has two swirly handle scales on each side, black G10 and olive drab Micarta, attached by tiny six-headed screws. As on the full-size Rukus, grip panels are interchangeable, although they’re not listed in the Benchmade catalogue yet. This is a good idea; I’m in favor of being able to swap handle scales if you want better grip (of, say, Kraton), or of some exotic wood if you want to dress up a knife. (This could also be an option for fixed blades.) You can buy the appropriate bit drivers from Benchmade if you want to adjust any of the screws, but I don’t think I’ll be messing with these unless I want to relocate the clip to the other side or remove it entirely. The clip is unobtrusive and doesn’t get in the way of the grip. It doesn’t clamp down as firmly as my 880, but seems secure enough. And it is situated high on the grip for very low (read: unobtrusive) pocket carry.
My Buck 110 will be carried a bit less now, but I'll always have that for a loaner. The Mini Rukus will be my EDC for some time to come.
