mini-skirmish vs mini-rukus

Skirmish. It has the Axis lock and G10 for better grip. IMO it has better ergos too.
 
INFI Kid said:
Skirmish. It has the Axis lock and G10 for better grip. IMO it has better ergos too.
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Backwards; the Ruckus is the one with AXIS. The Skirmish is a framelock. I like both; the Skirmish is thin and simple, the Ruckus is beefy, smooth and sweet.
 
I prefer the Mini Rukus. I've owned both and it comes down to personal preferences as both are fine knives.

Rukus:
Better ergos, I prefer the axis lock (it's not "better" though)
Prefer the blade grind (not a fan of recurves)
Feels more secure in hand
I like the blade-to-handle length ratio
Changeable handle material is a nice option, but the cost of the handle material makes it not worth it IMO. I could just buy another knife (optional scale cost $100+, bringing your cost to $220-$250 in which case I'd get a different knife).

Skirmish:
Didn't like the opening hole, it was "slippery" for me.
Don't like recurves
Don't like the handle-to-blade length ratio (it should be noted that some people have said that that's exactly why they like this model)
I like the all titanium handle
Steels are equivalent
Don't like how the pocket clip doesn't "block" the lock bar from extending out too far, but it's not that big of a deal

Hope this helps.
 
wow great info kaizen. I prefer the axis as well. I do like the all titanium and the shape and look of the skirmish however i have no experience sharpening recurves so i can't speak on that. anyone else?
 
I don't have the mini-skirmish but I do have the mini-rukus. The rukus is a very nice knife that has a good feel, smooth action, and a blade shape that works very nice for everyday cutting and utility. I like the look of the skirmish but I think that is because I own a EKI commander and to me they look very similar so IMO the eurgo's might be better. I own a few re-curve blades and they are NOT easy to sharpen, they require special sharpening equipment and lots of practice to do it right.
 
rhodeskeys said:
Backwards; the Ruckus is the one with AXIS. The Skirmish is a framelock. I like both; the Skirmish is thin and simple, the Ruckus is beefy, smooth and sweet.
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You're right. I've owned both, but I guess I had a brain fart. I meant to say I prefer the Rukus.
 
:thumbup:Mini-Skirmish for me.The Ti handles are very light & durable.Great frame-lock.It cuts like a champ & feels great in my hand.



"Don't like the handle-to-blade length ratio (it should be noted that some people have said that that's exactly why they like this model)"

that's me:)
 
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Probably the rukus is stronger.

The frame-lock will probably slip off the blade before the Axis bar does (assuming a proper Axis bar fitment, anyway).

I wonder if Sal (Spyderco's main man) will ever tell what his test results were on these types of locks.
 
I only have the mini Skirmish -- two things I like about it:

It locks up like a vault. I have no qualms about the lock strength whatsoever

It is a LOT of knife in a small package. You can't believe how much blade folds out of that small thin handle.

Also, the recurve is a breeze to sharpen if you use a sharpmaker. You only use the edges of the stones, not the flats. Round stones like Croc Stix would work too.
 
That's a tough one & it really depends on your needs. The MS is a frame-lock, lighter, smaller, thinner, & carries a little better. However, it's tip-down carry. The MR is an axis-lock (Not necessarily better, but I think quicker to open/cloes), beefier, & tip-up carry.

One main thing that I noticed that I didn't like (& Kaizen1 mentioned this) is that the thumb-hole on the MS is slippery & can be difficult to open if you're in a hurry to do so. Part of the reason that is so, is a good thing (But it works against you), in that the knife is so well finished, that everything is "smoothed" out. However, if you notice on Spyderco & other B/M's with a thumb-hole, they're not as smooth, so your thumb catches on it & allows you to open it easier.

Unless you need a big, strong folder, the MS would probably be a better knife for day to day carry (However, I didn't end up keeping mine because of the too smooth thumb-hole).

Of course, all this is so subjective & your observations could vary. Hope this helps.
 
I have both sizes in the Skirmish and the Ruckus.

I like the Skirmish for daily carry. It's slim, light, and comfortable to carry. I have had my thumb slip on the hole of the uncoated blade, but I don't that problem with the black finished blade. I also got to check out a Euro version at the Blade Show. It had thumb studs. I'm buying one the first the chance I get. If the Skirmish had a flipper, It would be my favorite folder of all time.

The Ruckus is comfortable in the hand, but not as comfortable to carry in a pocket. I do carry one in my emergency bag. I love the axis lock. It locks up like a vault. For hard use, I like the Ruckus.

Overall, I favor the Skirmish, but it's a real close race.
 
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I think the Rukus has a stronger built handle and the axis might do better in terms of lock security for twisting motions (only my guess, I have no actual experience). I think the frame lock in general would have overall more strength for vertical pressure. BIG however though, both seem sufficiently strong enough where I don't think it matters which one is actually stronger.

I forgot to mention, I think the Skirmish carries better as it is lighter and thinner. The clip on the Rukus is nice because it rides very low and makes it harder to notice in the pocket, but people have (mildly) complained that it feels too flimsy. I'd say it's strong enough but it does feel week relative to the Rukus, but the Rukus feels extra strong compared to other Benchmades, so the contrast might be a bigger factor for that observation. The Rukus might feel a little blocky in the hand, but overall, I'd feel more secure with it under slippery or wet conditions.

I eventually got rid of my Rukus because it never made it's way into my rotation because of the heft. But now I EDC a Hinderer XM-18,(noticeably heavier than the Rukus) so I don't think I'd complain about that nowadays.
 
orthogonal1 said:
Probably the rukus is stronger.

The frame-lock will probably slip off the blade before the Axis bar does (assuming a proper Axis bar fitment, anyway).

I wonder if Sal (Spyderco's main man) will ever tell what his test results were on these types of locks.
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If I remember correctly, Sal once said that the frame-lock's weak spot is usually at the thin cut-out. Sal also stated that the Axis lock they tested did very well, into the MBC/very heavy use category, though he wouldn't give exact numbers.

Sal once said that the Manix and Chinook mid-locks (lock-backs), and the ATR's integral compression-lock were much stronger than any frame-lock.

Regards,
3G
 
3Guardsmen said:
If I remember correctly, Sal once said that the frame-lock's weak spot is usually at the thin cut-out. Sal also stated that the Axis lock they tested did very well, into the MBC/very heavy use category, though he wouldn't give exact numbers.

Sal once said that the Manix and Chinook mid-locks (lock-backs), and the ATR's integral compression-lock were much stronger than any frame-lock.

Regards,
3G
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I recall something along those lines, now that you brought it up (I really admire those with an encyclopedic memory).
 
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