Need a few quick reviews

B

Bolt

Joined
Aug 28, 2007
Messages
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I am looking at the following knives for purchase in the first part of 2008.
If I could get a few thoughts on them from those that own them, it may make my purchases a little easier. I hope to get them all eventually, but can only get one or two right now.

Benchmade: Skirmish; Mini-Skirmish; Rukus; Mini-Rukus
Kershaw: Offset; Speed-bump; Spec-bump
Emerson: CQC11BT
Spyderco: Caly 3; Para-Military

Pics will help with size issues, as I know the skirmish and rukus are large. The largest knife that I have is an Al-Mar Sere 2000 that I got a few years back.

Thanks for any help you can offer and Happy New Year!! May it bring many more knives into our collections.
 
The only one I can really speak about would be the full sized Ruckus. I ordered one thinking of using it as an EDC but once it arrived I find it to be too big to carry comfortably. It is massive and fairly heavy. I decided that the Mini Ruckus would be better for me (that is until I saw Brian Tighe's Breaker in Damascus). I have the Ruckus with custom Sheath & 2 extra sets of scales up for sale here now.
Here's a picture of the Ruckus (bottom Right compared to several other of my knives. As you can see it is large compared to some of the others.

fav5.jpg
 
One helpful person out of 95. Not what I had expected, but thank you Marksman for your input.
 
Not everyone has the knives you listed, but we still like to look. (I don't have any of them- but I have all but the Ruckus in the picture)
That full sized Ruckus is probably my next purchase, it looks good with those winewood scales!
 
I have the 11 and like it. Great ergo's and it is big over 9" when opened. Can't post pics but I like it about as well as any of my EKI's. I had the Rukus and didn't like it. I had both Skirmishes but didn't like them either. Just not good handle ergos for me. I have had many SPyderco's but never kept any save for my original Endura purchased well when they first came out. I say go for the 11 you won't disappointed. keepem sharp
 
Longbow, thank you, that is what I was hoping for. I will make the Emerson my first pick, but still need to settle on the second slot.
 
I own two of the knives you listed, the Speed-Bump and the Paramilitary.

The Para is as close to perfect as any folder will get, at least for my EDC needs. The blade size is enough for most jobs, the handle is comfortable and it carries well clipped to a pocket. The flat ground S30V blade cuts like there is no tomorrow. The compression lock is great, too. IMHO, it's one of Spyderco's best folders.

I bought the Speed-bump because of the "cool" factor mostly, but it's grown on me. I don't like the feel of the scales, they feel quite cheap. But the knife is comfortable, actually VERY comfortable to use and the blade shape is quite practical. Another thing I don't like about this knife is the bead blasted finish, it seems to rust quite easily. Over all I'd say it's a good knife for the money, with excellent fit and finish.
 
Franciscomv, thank you for your review. Would you feel that the spec bump would be a better choice than the speed bump?
 
I purchased a Mini Rukus just before Christmas and have carried it since then. I haven't held the Rukus but I can tell you the Mini is anything but mini. It is all the knife I need. It hasn't seen any hard use as yet but it did do some kitchen duty on Christmas cuttin up some sausage and chicken for a gumbo I made. It worked like a charm. Nice to have a sharp knife with you when the home your are cooking in doesn't know what a sharp knife looks like.

I swapped the clip to the left side and carry it in my left hand pocket because I often carry a pocket pistol in my right hand pocket so it is just easier to keep the knife always clipped in my off hand side. It rides nice in my jeans and even though it is a fairly large folder I forget it's there until I need it.

The Mini Rukus is built like a tank and should hold up well to any use a folder should be put through. The only objection or rather observation is the Mini is a bit boxie much like the Buck 110 feels. Other than that I can't find anthing wrong with this knife. I like the locking system which works great, the blade is well centered and it came shaving sharp.

I considered the Mini Skirmish but just fell in love with the looks of the Mini Rukus and am completely satisfied.

Don't own any of the others so can't help there.

John
 
I have the para the mini rukus and have owned the mini skirmish and the caly 3.
I hated the mini skirmish because it was uncomfortable in my hand and it had chipping issues.
I got rid of the Caly 3 because it just wasnt big enough for my EDC.
I felt like I had to carry another knife with it. It cut very well just wasnt what I was looking for hard use wise.
I love the para mille it is an excellent urban EDC I still feel like it was a little small but the handle allows a very secure grip.
The 615 is incredible. This is my favorite of all l the knives you mentioned. The mini designation is misleading as this is a full size knife.
I must say I really do not care for the grinds on the emersons. So I have only owned one and will not own another as I do not care for 154CM either. I love there design but just will not carry them.
 
FWIW, I'm the one who traded my Mini Rukus away to jlfletcher83 for his Caly 3. I love both knives. I have to agree with his assessment though on them, I wanted the Caly 3 for the same reason he traded it. I had enough hard use larger knives and wanted a gents knife.

I don't have time to go through each knife in detail, but:
I absolutely love the Mini Rukus, CF ZDP Caly 3 & the Paramilitary.
 
Bolt said:
Franciscomv, thank you for your review. Would you feel that the spec bump would be a better choice than the speed bump?
Click to expand...

The Spec Bump is a beautifully made knife with fantastic steel.
It is also wide-handled and quite heavy.
The grooving on the G10 is aggressive and, because of that, it's not always an easy thing to pull this knife from your pocket.

The Speed Bump comes in 2 versions; one with Santoprene scales and the other with aluminum scales.

Though I recognize that the Spec Bump is a "better" knife, my favorite of the 3 is the aluminum handled Speed Bump. It is a slim carry with great action and very good steel - Sandvik 13C26. Of course not in the same league with the S30V of the Spec Bump, but very good nonetheless.

Hope this info is helpful to you.
 
I have the Skirmish and Mini Skirmish, Rukus and Spec bump.

1). The Skirmish is BIG, I have large hands so I actually like it better than the mini which feels just a tad too small for me. They are both great knives made from top notch materials. I would not hesitate to buy either one again, if I could only have one I would go with the full size.

2). Rukus, another big one the blade does not seem as beefy as the Skirmish, it is still large. Top notch materials and another that I would not hesitate to buy again. The axis lock is silky smooth and it is also fun to play with.

3). The spec bump is also a nice knife, I cut myself playing with it a little while after I got it and I have not carried it since. I am not sure why I dont, I think I am still mad at it for cutting me :D, it couldnt have been my fault. :D

Overall I seem to carry the Rukus the most.
 
Bolt said:
One helpful person out of 95. Not what I had expected, but thank you Marksman for your input.
Click to expand...

No offense, but you don't list the knives in the subject.
I looked to see if I had anything to contribute but then after looking at your list, found I do not. Then I moved on to see what people's comments are. But since you want replies, here is mine.

Happy Holidays.
Enjoy.
 
I've only had the Caly3 in ZDP. It was pretty awesome, but I worried about the ZDP for everyday use. It fit my hand very well(medium) and I loved the low riding clip. I wish it had a lanyard hole and the tip was a bit more stout, but it had much more going for it than against it.
 
Flipe8, thanks for the input on the caly3. I am up in the air with spyderco. I want to add a couple to my collection and can not decide if it will be the caly3, para-military, manix, or an h-1 steel of sort. I have a D'allara as of now, but want to have spyderco better represented in my collection. I think I just need to figure out how to come up with a couple thousand dollars to put my collection where I would like it, with out my wife getting mad at me.
This picking one or two knives stuff is for the birds. There are too many wonderful choices out there.

Man I have it bad!!!!!
 
Why do people ask what knives they should buy and then not tell us what the intended purpose is? You listed a bunch of nice knives and without knowing what you want to use it for, how can we help you decide? I mean, there is a lot of difference between a Calypso 3 and a BM Rukus!:eek:

Is it for self defense, hunting, office carry, slicing apples, prying open manhole covers or what? You see what I am getting at?
 
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