Spyderco ATR(Ti) vs Buck/Mayo TNT vs BM 630

Slim to None

Slim to None

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Nov 11, 2004
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Whats the going preference between the 3, I understand the spyderco and buck mayo to be in about the same price range and the benchmade in a lower one, but who's leading in quality, ergos, value, etc? Oh and finally how do they all compare to sebenza?
 
You were doing pretty well until you threw in the SEBENZA !!! :D

None of them compare to a Sebenza. But that's OK, they're in different categories from each other, too. The ATR is a heavy duty working knife. So is the Skirmish, but it is BIG, and the most garish design of all. The Buck/Mayo is more of a gentleman's knife, and the most like a small Sebenza of the three.

All of them, from my handling, are formidably well made, the designs are excellent, the materials, too. My suggestion is, go by price. Buy the most expensive first. Then buying the other two will be easier to accept. :p If you really need to buy just one, get the Skirmish is you want a big knife or get the Buck/Mayo if you want a more elegant knife.
 
I've played with them all but don't own any of them. I like the Buck Mayo the best. Just feels better and looks better. The ATR is nice, just a little too weird for my taste. The Benchmade is too derivative, personally I think its three stolen designs combined into one and their use of the hole w/o permission is uncouth...I'm obviosly biased against that one. All of them are a better buy than the sebenza.
 
I have never handled the ATR. It is interesting looking, I just have not been drawn to it.
I have handled a Buck Mayo, very nice little blade. As mentioned before me, is a great smaller gents knife. Smaller than I carry usually, so I have not bought one.
BenchMade 630 Skirimsh, I bought one of those a few weeks ago. It is a great beast of a knife. I love it! :cool: The action is one of the smoothest I have owned next to the Axis locked BM's. I love its large and solid construction. It carries well because it is slim for all its size. The recurve blade is a super slicer, although the design has its limits. The tip is broad and is no good for cleaning under your nails or other things where you would need a thin tip. Many people dislike the long pocket clip. Personally, I like it. I wish it carried the knife a little deeper in the pocket though.
All of the knives you mention have great reps. If I were you I would get the 630. It is great.
As far as comparing them to a Sebenza. The Seb is a great and useful knife. I got one a few months back, finally! It is my ultimate pocket slicer. The deep hollow ground blade makes it a powerful cutter. I would not use it as a heavy beater for fear of harming that incredabley thin slicing edge. It would most likely handle it, I just don't like taking chances. Plus if I want to cut a radiator hose, there is my Leatherman. :o Their is an understated elegance to the Sebenza. The only thing to push it out of my pocket recently is the Skirimsh. I was amazed to find that the Skirmish is almost as perfectly executed in fit and finish as my Sebenza! :eek:
Darn it, Get them all!! Too hard to get just one. HeeHee :rolleyes:
 
Here's what I would buy:

Yes - Doug Ritter Mini Grip - very nicely executed, a great knife. Not for plastic phobes.

No - Buck / Mayo - Horns are a deal killer, or buy one and file them off.

No - ATR - skip, kinda big and awkward, compression lock on the one model I tried very picky.

No - Benchmade Skirmish, too big for me and I hate recurves.

Maybe - Sebenza, I'd get the Ritter first, if you like it then get a sebenza.
 
What Esav said.

The decision would be determined by the intended use (normal day to day cutting chores, or hard core abuse), and by the size desired (medium or large). The Buck would be the one for the former, the Skirmish for the latter, and the ATR in between. As for looks, the Buck is the best looker IMHO.

I'd also give another go to the Doug Ritter mini grip suggested by DaveH, although it is smaller than any of the three you listed. The DR mini and the Buck trade time in my pocket, the Buck getting the nod more often.
 
I've handled all 3, and own the Buck/Mayo. I will own the Skirmish, but I will not own the ATR.

Buck Mayo: It is a great "gent's" knife, with a nice thin blade profile. It's pretty slim overall, and lightest of the group. I used to think the edges were too sharp (handle, not blade:eek: ) and I don't care for the plain looking clip, and the fact that it is tip down is a mark against. Still a great little knife. Rating: 8/10

Skirmish: Huge! Looks awesome, and feels great in the hand. If you like big, this is it. there is a lot of material behind the edge, so it's not going to slice your tomatoes as thin as the Buck/Mayo. Still, a pretty good slicer. Only thing I don't care for is the tip-down configuration of the clip. My favorite of the three. 9/10

ATR: Awkward. Ugly. Well designed, and great execution, I just don't care for the asthetics. The lock is weird, although dependable. Now, it is tip-up, which I like, and the clip is a very cool design, (I'd put it on the Skirmish, and be very happy) but there is just too much handle, for the blade length. 7/10

CUDA Dominator: Okay, I know you didn't mention this one, but I thought you should consider it, as it is very similar in atributes as the others. Great blade shape, perfect ergos in the handle, Way cool ROBO mechanism. Again, this one is tip-down, the only negative. I love mine, and would have a hard time choosing between it and a Skirmish for EDC. 9/10

Sebenza: If I could afford this, I wouldn't need any of the others. 10/10

DD
 
Here is a detailed review of the Rat Trap: Rat Trap & Swamp Rat - first impression. It is a new knife on the market, so not many people have tried it out yet.

Great company, design copied from a fixed blade in their senior division. An instant contender! Now ask about the Spyderco Manix. And the Benchmade 710. Those are the knives to the right and the left of the Rat Trap in Stockman's review. :)
 
GarageBoy said:
Am I the only one who loves the ATR? Nice beefy handle, nice blade grind and nice egros.
Click to expand...


no, i like it too. it's cool, i just ordered one. it's beautiful because its so ugly. and i bet it handles like a dream :)
 
i just got a 630, really like it, well made/finished, a great knife, i have a seb, and its ok but have never been all enamored of them, my son loves mine though he gets it next year for birthday, the ATR is also a good one, looks kinda funky but really fits the hand well, wish the blade was 4" or so though, a really well made/finished knife, i want one, be sure and get the ti, imho a serrated ATR would be an excellent edc knife,of the 3 the seb is #1, should be it costs 2X the others lol, 630 is second, the ATR is a close third. followed by the buck mayo, a good knife but really too small for me.

imho we live in a great time for knife enthusiasts, 2 of the top makers offering 2 knives like the skirmish and the ATR, both made with ti handles, blades of S30V probably the best steel around, excellent ergos,both reall good looking usefull knives, imho top notch stuff, available for less than $200, we should all be happy imho.
 
well thanks everyone, my order for a cuda dominator just went in to new graham, 2 day ups, so i'll post back soon.
 
Got my Cuda dominator today, what an awesome knife! Fit and finish are excellent, sharpest factory edge ive seen yet, and the robo assisted opening puts kershaw's speedsafe to shame. thanks to everyone for the advice.
 
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