610 Rukus question - need help
So in my hunt for my ultimate Grail knife, I'm having a discrepancy... I am only finding the 610 Rukus with black G10 & brown micarta inlays. I realize there were a few variations of the inlays available back in the day. Looks to me like the original came with green inlays, but everyone is saying I'm wrong - I'm being told brown micarta inlays were used originally.
My question:
Was the 610 Rukus ever available with green micarta inlays? (That would be my preference)
My question:
Was the 610 Rukus ever available with green micarta inlays? (That would be my preference)
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I think it's a blue/black dress vs white/gold dress situation. I'd say it looks like a tan, not the dark brown shown in your right photo, but no green tint as shown on the folded knife in your left photo.
(Someone might know of other releases.)0 -
The 2006 BM catalog describes the handle specs as: "Black G10 and Olive Drab Micarta Scales."
The "brown" as in your photo on the right is what happens over time as the micarta absorbs oils from your hand. It can probably be cleaned up to the original OD, however I have never done so.
By the way, your photo on the left is from the 2006 catalog.0 -
Right! Exactly what I thought. Thank you Trailboss for clearing that up. You're the first person to agree with me on that. Everyone else is saying otherwise, although it clearly says green micarta in the 2006 catalogue.
Cheers.0 -
We did make the 610 with some winewood handles that could be bought separately and assembled in place of the OD micarta... Might be what we're seeing in the pic on the right??
610A was the SKU for the scales only.
http://www.benchmade.com/products/6100 -
I had a 610 and have had several 615's. The Micarta has always looked like this picture: 
The knife on the right in your above picture looks like someone purposely put oil on it.
Regarding your knife on the left, I've never seen one that was green like that.
The after-market handle replacements for the Micarta came in black G-10, white paper Micarta, CF and winewood. there may have been another one too, but I don't remember it. These after-market handles were often hard to find even when they were being manufactured. To find any now would take some luck. Personally, I like the tan Micarta best anyway.
The clip on my 615 above is from a Benchmade 635.
Revised above to add "CF" as an after-market handle choice.0 -
Please somebody, sell me one! 0 -
The default scales for the 610 & 615 were the OD green micarta scales. The photo on the right was modified with something to stain the green to a brown looking color. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by fastjan:
I had a 610 and have had several 615's. The Micarta has always looked like this picture:
Yup, mine too including prototype (i.e. early) models.0 -
My 615 was green originally but then turned brown over time. I have another knife with OD micarta scales and the same thing happened to it. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Marty McFly:
Please somebody, sell me one!
A couple days ago I came across a satin PE 610 F.S. for (what I consider to be) a good price. It appears to be a decent light user for well under $300.
The sale site does require a paid membership, but feel free to PM me if you want further info...
edit I just checked, and it is still available...0 -
What TrailBoss said... Both times 
Fresh from the factory is lighter Olive Drab micarta scales. I too have heard that you can somehow clean up the brownish micarta to restore the Olive Drab color, but have never done so?
Also with use, the tiny ridges of the micarta smooth out and wear down making the handle slicker over time.0 -
The 610 is one knife I wish I,d never sold. 0 -
Had a 615 for a while, never took a shining to it as much as I thought I would. Ended up trading it off and don't miss it. 0 -
They are a big lump in your pocket, for sure. The 610 is worse.quote:Originally posted by Lightning:
Had a 615 for a while, never took a shining to it as much as I thought I would. Ended up trading it off and don't miss it.
I sold my 610 because it was just too big for me. If I need that big of a knife, I just grab a fixed blade.0 -
quote:I sold my 610
You should of sold it to me.0 -
quote:Originally posted by fastjan:
They are a big lump in your pocket, for sure. The 610 is worse.quote:Originally posted by Lightning:
Had a 615 for a while, never took a shining to it as much as I thought I would. Ended up trading it off and don't miss it.
I sold my 610 because it was just too big for me. If I need that big of a knife, I just grab a fixed blade.
I don't mind a big knife, the 615 was fine that way though I think a 610 would have maybe too much even for me.
Actually, I really can't point to any one aspect of the Rukus that 'ruined' it for me. Blade shape was good, handle was comfortable and looked really good, nice design. But, just, no. Not my kind of knife.0 -
Ya, for me, the blade shape of the 615 is awesome. The S30V Steel gives me E.D. and the clip is the worst that I ever saw out of Benchmade.quote:Originally posted by Lightning:quote:Originally posted by fastjan:
They are a big lump in your pocket, for sure. The 610 is worse.quote:Originally posted by Lightning:
Had a 615 for a while, never took a shining to it as much as I thought I would. Ended up trading it off and don't miss it.
I sold my 610 because it was just too big for me. If I need that big of a knife, I just grab a fixed blade.
I don't mind a big knife, the 615 was fine that way though I think a 610 would have maybe too much even for me.
Actually, I really can't point to any one aspect of the Rukus that 'ruined' it for me. Blade shape was good, handle was comfortable and looked really good, nice design. But, just, no. Not my kind of knife.
As far as the handle goes, if I didn't have to pack it and I only had to use it, its spectacular.0 -
Yeah, there is that too, the clip arrangement is definately uncool... 0 -
The 615 was my primary EDC for a long time. I never liked the blade to handle length ration, but it was ergonomic and awesome in terms of construction.
If I remember correctly - always a dicey situation since I turned 50 - I moved on from the 615 to the 14205, and then the Barrage. But like dj, I wish I had kept that 615...and that 1420X - the one with green, contoured G-10. Those are icons to me now. Would have been good to have them for historical perspective.
The Rukuses were amazing knives though, outstanding custom grade construction. Iconic models. They are too expensive on the secondary market now to go back only for collector value.0
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