Three large S30V folders, opinions?

B

bcornelis

Joined
Jan 4, 2007
Messages
995
I am looking for a larger (over 3.5 inch) S30V folder to carry for an EDC and in the bush for camping and hunting (backup). I already own a few Spydercos and am pleased with their performance. The three knives I am considering are:

1) Benchmade Rukus. I just read an excellent review of the knife in a recent knife magazine publication (A+). Unfortunately there are very few Benchmade dealers in Canada and little opportunity to handle them.

2) Lonewolf Harsey T2 ranger. I like the looks of this knife and am leaning towards it. Are the quality control issues with this company that I read about in earlier threads resolved ?

3) Spyderco Manix. If I don't hear enough good about the other 2 knives this would likely be my default.

I would be interested in hearing from people that have experience with more than one of these models.
 
I looked at the Rukus -- heck of a knife, maybe too much -- and got the Mini-Rukus instead. The Rukus is a sword, built like a tank; however, the Mini-Rukus fits better in my pocket and doesn't send sheeple into a panic. It's my first Axis lock and I am highly impressed with the design, fit, finish, steel quality of these Benchmades.
 
I handled a mini Ruckus at a gun show and was impressed, axis lock is really cool. I imagine the full size is even more impressive. However nothing I have ever handled in that price range can beat a Manix. Just last night I sold my mini Manix on ebay to buy a full size for the exact uses that you described.
 
The Rukus is huge, but if you have large hands it feels like an extension of your hand, should be great for backpacking and camping, but although the rust factor does come up check out the 710 it's a great knife and much lighter and more compact than the Rukus, with a marginally smaller blade. If you do buy a S30V knife you may want to sharpen it really well to get to the fresh steel, after HT the edge tends to get brittle and you need to take that off, at least recent threads would have me believing that.
 
It would be between the Manix and the Rukus for me. I personally carry both the Mini Manix and the Mini Rukus. I'd probably go with the Manix, but it would be very close.
 
The Rukus is an absolute brick; big, boxy and square. I didn't like it at all, contrary to what I thought from the pictures. This is just opinion, of course, but I suggest handling one first. Check to see if any gun shows are coming to your area. Those usually have a few good knife dealers that have a good selection.

Haven't handled the Ranger, but I won't buy a liner lock unless I've checked it out personally or it's a model known for it's excellent lock up.

The Manix is a super solid choice and will almost certainly out-cut the other two by a significant margin out of box. I'd play it safe and get the Manix. It won't let you down.
 
I,ve got a full size manix and rukus, and use both fairly regular. imo the rukus is of slightly stronger build but that may reflect the price but saying that i would be happy to carry either.
 
I have all of these knives and they are all top knotch. The Manix is not as large as the other two, of course. I carry them in custom made "friction" leather sheaths. Below is the Ruckus w/sheath. You will be happy with any (or all) of them.

Click image to enlarge:
Ruckus sheath.jpg

Regards
 
I say the Rukus. It carrys very well. It rides deep in the pocket. The action is smooth and the build is very strong.
 
Just to play Devils Advocate here, I'm going to sugest the T2. I've had one with the cocbolo scales for about 8 months now and to be honest I've never carried a more comfortable and effective "user" lock-knife. I've handled a friends Manix and didn't like the way it felt in the hand. Never touched a Rukus to the best of my knowledge though so cannot comment on that.

My T2 is now my automatic choice for carry whether I'm fishing, shooting, camping or going to work, despite having about 50 "lockers" in my knife box to choose between.
Not only is it a comfortable knife to use the steel (S30V) and the way it's obviously been properly h/t'd has impressed me. I like my knives to be Sharp. (Note the capital "S") Not arm-shaving sharp, but arm-hair "topping" sharp and my T2 is not only as sharp as anything in the box, it STAYS that way despite vigorous and heavy use. In a 2 day perod last month I built a shooting hide from brushwood cut near-by, skinned and jointed 30 rabbits, made trap triggers (figure "4"'s) from oak, and dressed out 2 deer with the T2. When I came to check the edge it would still shave. 2 minutes on the fine strop and it was topping hairs again.
I've just ordered a T3 at well over $200 on the strength of my feelings for the T2, just to have something a little bigger in my shooting bag.
 
This knife sounds great, I have long overlooked Lonewolf but am now considering the French Walnut T2:cool: after looking at them. How solid is the lockup? My only experience with linerlocks was a bad one, a Kershaw Vapor, which I could close almost as easily as a slipjoint. I do realize these 2 knives are nowhere near the same class, but I honestly have only handled a couple of linerlocks.
Longstrider said:
Just to play Devils Advocate here, I'm going to sugest the T2. I've had one with the cocbolo scales for about 8 months now and to be honest I've never carried a more comfortable and effective "user" lock-knife. I've handled a friends Manix and didn't like the way it felt in the hand. Never touched a Rukus to the best of my knowledge though so cannot comment on that.

My T2 is now my automatic choice for carry whether I'm fishing, shooting, camping or going to work, despite having about 50 "lockers" in my knife box to choose between.
Not only is it a comfortable knife to use the steel (S30V) and the way it's obviously been properly h/t'd has impressed me. I like my knives to be Sharp. (Note the capital "S") Not arm-shaving sharp, but arm-hair "topping" sharp and my T2 is not only as sharp as anything in the box, it STAYS that way despite vigorous and heavy use. In a 2 day perod last month I built a shooting hide from brushwood cut near-by, skinned and jointed 30 rabbits, made trap triggers (figure "4"'s) from oak, and dressed out 2 deer with the T2. When I came to check the edge it would still shave. 2 minutes on the fine strop and it was topping hairs again.
I've just ordered a T3 at well over $200 on the strength of my feelings for the T2, just to have something a little bigger in my shooting bag.
Click to expand...
 
other alternative for outdoors in SV30 might be the Doug Ritter modified Griptilian.
it's a quite good knife, light compared to Rukus / manix, may-be slightly smaller also.
Anyway, it woudl probably be my choice !:)
 
You might also consider the Spyderco Military. It's a liner lock, but every Millie user I've ever heard from says that they have no concerns about it's strength and security. Compression locks (Para-Military) and liner locks (Military) are going to be easier to clean up using whatever is at hand because they're open construction and the lock system is very simple.

The thing with liner locks is to make sure you get one from a company that does them well. Speaking just for myself and my own experience, the only production companies that I would trust would be Spyderco and Al Mar. I have never used a Benchmade liner lock. They may be as good as anyone, I just haven't used anything from them except AXIS locks. And one of their 14210's is now my EDC (with a backup in the knife drawer).
 
dalefuller said:
You might also consider the Spyderco Military. It's a liner lock, but every Millie user I've ever heard from says that they have no concerns about it's strength and security. Compression locks (Para-Military) and liner locks (Military) are going to be easier to clean up using whatever is at hand because they're open construction and the lock system is very simple.

I am planning a trip to Vancouver in September and plan to check out the larger Spyderco folders (Manix and Military). The problem I have is that there are few dealers in Canada that carry Lone Wolf and Benchmade, which amounts to a mail order situation for me. Thanks for the advice.
Click to expand...
 
I have the Mini-Rukus and the Spyderco Chinook III. The Chinook is very similar to the Manix. They are both good knives but I much prefer the Mini-Rukus. It has the axis lock and a much nicer fit and finish. It also carries smaller and lower in the pocket. They are both tanks and you won't be disappointed by either. I have handled the Manix and the full sized Rukus so my comparisons are tempered by that experiance as well. Enjoy!:D
 
Vinnie, I've had no problems whatsoever with the lock-up on the T2 (or any other problems ) OK, so it's not quite as solid as my Strider, and there is a tiny amount of play in the blade, but I do mean "tiny". (many folks would say "none" but I'm fussy ;) )
I don't use a lock-knife as if it were a fixed blade. Whatever the locking mechanism is, I always keep that the thought in mind that I'm using a knife that could, possibly, potentially, in extreme circumstances, fold up and remove a digit or two ;) I've not had it happen with any of my lockers, but having come real close with a slip-joint once (8 stitches in the right index finger and a LOT of blood and swearing) it's not a thought that goes away easily.
The fact that the T2 is a liner lock makes it a safer option than a framelock in my opinion as the extra layer of handle tends to keep your hand clear of the lock whilst the knife is in use and so prevents accidental release.

Forgot to say earlier that the first thing I did with the T2 when it arrived was to put my own edge on it, as I do with any knife I buy. The factory edge was good, but I like a convexed secondary bevel that gleams. 15 minutes with my DMT hones and a stropping soon put what I call a good edge on the blade and it's been doing Sterling service ever since.

French walnut eh ? Show off ! ;):thumbup:
 
You can't go wrong with any of those three choices. I currently have a Mini-Rukus and a Manix. I once had a T2 but traded it away and it's one of the few that I regretted getting rid of. I'll have to give the T2 another look. Its' big flat grind S30V blade is an insanely sharp slicer.
 
Out of the ones mentioned here, I would choose the Rukus and Manix for large folders. Both are on top of the pile IMO.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top