ZT 0300 vs. BM 610 Rukus

S

Sword of Morning

Joined
Dec 6, 2008
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So I am looking at these two knives and can't seem to decide which one to get next. Zero Tolerance 0300 or Benchmade 610 Rukus.
I am not sure I will ever get both so I need your opinions so that I might reach a general idea. :D
Obviously these two knives are quite different. Their main similarities being blade steel and large size.
Which of these two knives would you prefer overall in a head to head comparison and why? And does anyone have a pic of the two together? Thanks!
 
ZT300
The framelock is thick and strong, most likely stronger than the axis lock. Hinderer stop makes it even better.
I don't like the recurve on the blade, and it's also pretty short and stocky for the weight
Don't like assisted openers
It has some very aggressive texturing on the g10 and titanium and is a little unpleasant on the hands with extended use.

Rukus
This is one of Benchmades finest knives, superb fit/finish and just oozes quality
I like the traditional blade shape on this one
Pocket clip seriously blows, it's flimsy and weak. The good thing is that it's deep pocket so it conceals easily

Overall both are heavy duty knives, but while the ZT300 is probably stronger, I think the rukus is more practical with the blade shape. I want to reiterate that the pocket clip really sucks on the rukus so consider sheath carry or something.
 
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I’ve had a number of 615’s and while the clip wasn’t strong, the combination of deep carry and the weight of the knife keeps it in pocket pretty well.
 
I very highly doubt the ZT framelock is stronger than the axis lock on the Rukus. All framelocks have a thin spot in them cut out to facilitate opening and closing the lock, and this thin piece of titanium is the weak link in the lock strength chain in that system. Compared to the very thick steel linered axis lock on the Rukus I see it almost impossible for a titanium framelock to avoid crumbling before the axis lock would fail by having the lock bar or stop pin break out of the knife. The pivot looks stronger on the ZT, and it's blade also looks stronger at the expense of cutting ability, as the Rukus I used had a nice, thin .020" edge with a high flat grind to a thick spine. Both will be stronger than you need, with the Benchmade being a better cutter. Ergonomics will be personal preference. Both are quality knives, and I would go with the knife that feels better in your hand.

Mike

Edit to add: I just got a second hand Rukus yesterday. The edge is great for cutting at .017" and 12 degrees per side. It is super smooth and strong, but quite heavy of course. The blade is an excellent cutter, as the edge is actually slightly thinner than the edge on my Stretch 2. The clip is flimsy, but I sent Benchmade an e mail about the clip being scratched up (everything else looks pristine) and they are sending me a new one for no charge. I will probably end up giving this knife away, but it is certainly an excellent cutting, beast of a knife.
 
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the clip on the rukus is really bad.

to borrow a line from mike watson "you just dont know". seriously that applies so bad to that clip. like I knew it had little in the way of downward pressure but when you close the axis lock your pinky presses against it naturally and it flexes sideways which makes actuating the lock harder for me.

to me it makes the rukus a nice knife but one destined to go unused, at least for me personally. the thing that kills the zt0300 for me is the sheer size in all directions. actually the rukus is really, really wide too in the handle department but the 300 is huge in every department.

I think the lock, blade shape and ergos go the rukus.
I think the pivot, overall "ruggedness" (whatever that means) and by far the pocket clip on the 300 are superior.

Personally I like the way the rukus feels in hand so Im going to recommend that (and that you take the pocket clip off and find some other way to carry it like a clip from str).
 
Sword of Morning said:
What lead you to keep the ZT's?

Thanks for the replies guys.
Click to expand...

I don't really care for the Axis lock. The location of the lock is a pain in the posterior for me. Just give me a good ole framelock any day. The framelock is simple with room for adjustment and wear. Basically it is just a preference. I also prefer the way the ZT feels in the hand.
 
I like both knives a lot but personal needs and tastes make the ZT 300 series the easy choice for me. Right now I have a babied 300 and a 301 I purchased used that I don't hesitate to use for any non-abusive tasks that call for a knife.

It would probably make more sense for me to have a user Rukus as well as the 301 but I guess that shows how much I like the ZT. I carry a smaller knife as well that is both back up and is used for tasks that involve abusing it but I have never needed it because the ZT was too big.
 
As a ZT300 owner, I can say you won't be disappointed in its quality or usefulness. You should stick one in your pocket first and see if it's too big for you. I prefer to carry something thinner and lighter.
 
In my case the ZT came much, much sharper from the factory. The Rukus probably has greater potential due to it's FFG. Fortunately for me the Rukus was so dull as during a not so smart moment of mine I, while holding the open knife out, opened the axis lock, causing the large blade to drop like a guillotine on my finger. If it was as sharp as the ZT i'd have been in trouble, possibly missing a finger. It didn't even break the skin though.

I like the size of the Rukus better. The grip fits me very well. The blade has more potential due to it's grind, but like so many new benchmades I've bought in the last year or two needs work.

The clip does suck, but I couldn't see using it with the clip anyway.

out of the box, ZT is better.
with work thinning out the blade, and putting a new edge on it, the Rukus gets the call for me due to the longer blade, and design of the blade. Other than that they are both pretty even IMO. Joe
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I ended up going with the BM 610. What a monstrous beast! I found that many of the positive points you mentioned are true. It's big, but still stays within practical boundaries.
The ZT was a very nice knife, but it just wasn't for me for a number of reasons.
The funny thing is, I actually don't mind the clip on the Rukus. It could be stiffer, but it does allow you to get the handle deeper in your pocket.
 
I got both of them and if I had to keep only one of them it would be the Rukus. The ZT is a beast but it's bulky and the blade shape is far inferior to the Rukus'.

The clip on the Rukus has its pros and cons. It does feel weak, although my Rukus has never fallen out. But it is placed very well and gives the knife a nice deep carry. It is also one of the those clips that "hides" very well. Most people will never even noticed it clipped to the outside of your pocket.
 
I'm carrying my 610 right now and have never had a problem with the clip, rides low, easy to pull out in a flash and bad the bone........man, mine was hair splittin sharp outta the box, and stays that way.
 
I got a 615 Mini Rukus last week. I love it, except the clip. I don't like its flimsyness and its length because it just doesn't sit right in my palm. I may make my own. I had looked at the ZT0300 and while I loved it, I found it too big for EDC... blade and overall size wise. The Rukus blade is the winner because of its shape. I don't batton, pry, nor stab steel drums with my folders so I don't need the thickness of the ZT. The Rukus has better ergos for me. While I do love a good framelock the Axis lock precludes putting your fingers in harm's way when closing the blade. Hey, you can always roll your own scales for the Rukus anyway. :)
 
Ive handled the 300 series, and I own the Rukus. The Rukus is a fine knife.

I am going to also have to say the clip sucks - but thats primarily because they screwed the clip into the handle between the pivot pin and the stop pin - there is precious little material there, so the clip, which is a total of 3.5" long, is painfully thin at the connection point in order to fit.

The knife is big and I have had no problems at all with the clip.

There are way too many good things about this knife to let the clip be a factor.:D
 
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