The ripsaws and 2.0's both have very good reputations...
I own the Bearclaw HTR's and am very happy with them.
1. Hunting Rig. - Great - smoother ride than other tires, even though they are 8 ply
2. Utility rig in the following terrain: Mountains <(Appalachian), snow, mud, clay loam, some loose stone. - I've had very good luck in these conditions. Surprisingly, the HTR's clean out much better than I expected in the mud. Used them in some challenging rock trails as well. Knocked one off the bead and had to ride it flat all the way back to camp (about 1/2 mile). The tire was not damaged at all. Very durable!
3. Bang for the buck.. This is where they really shine. The HTR's are one of the cheapest options, and they are 8 ply. You will save probably $100 going with the HTR's instead of 2.0's. The ripsaws are more expensive too.
4. Wear and tear. - I have over 1,000 miles on my set of HTR's and the tread shows only slight wear. I will easily get another 1,000 miles on them before I'd even consider changing them out. Most of my miles are roads (paved and gravel).
Also, I've been using them plowing snow and I am very impressed with their performance on both deep and packed snow.
I'm sure you will be satisfied if you choose one of the three tires mentioned. They all get shining reviews. Just thought I'd share my experience with the HTR's. Good luck!