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sharpmaker

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Apr 5, 2005
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Many people think that the competition now is between Spyderco , Chris Reeve Knives and Benchmade. I think so too.

How come all the competition is in the folder section?
No one asks much about the fixed blades that these companies make.
We all want the ultimate accessory. The top folder.

Two different schools I am afraid. One is Chris Reeve's and one is Spyderco and Benchmade. Both schools are ambitious. Both perfectionist.

The question of what is the best knife (best folder) has been discussed and is generally frowned upon by members of BF, but people still want to know what is the best. New members resort to paraphrasing and disguising the question through threads like:

What knife cant you put down?
What knife would last the next atomic explosion?
What is your fav. knife?
What is your every day Cary?


All are questions attempting spontaneous answers from experienced members.

There are some honest answers but there is a lot of blind fanatics and spam.

Guys, just answer to the best of your knoledge.
 
I think trying to ask "what is the best" of anything is a bit naive and shortsighted. Selecting a knife is just like selecting a handgun, or a car, or hell even a woman...it isn't always what is "best" but what works best for you. Gathering information is one thing, but endless discussion for the sake of discussion and arguement is mental masturbation.
 
sharpmaker said:
Many people think that the competition now is between Spyderco , Chris Reeve Knives and Benchmade. I think so too.
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I don't think those makers are the only competition, but they sell a lot of good knives, and have a lot of satisfied fans, certainly.

sharpmaker said:
How come all the competition is in the folder section?
No one asks much about the fixed blades that these companies make.
Click to expand...
I much of the US, carrying a fixed blade isn't really an option for EDC. A folder can be carried and used by all of use, pretty much everywhere. More utility to a folder.

I live in the People's Republic of New Jersey, where anything more dangerous than a pair of pinking shears can be considered a deadly weapon if a cop and prosecutor don't like the look of you. If I left the house for work with a bowie knife on my belt, I'd be looking at the business end of a Taser before I got to the end of my street.

sharpmaker said:
The question of what is the best knife (best folder) has been discussed and is generally frowned upon by members of BF, but people still want to know what is the best. New members resort to paraphrasing and disguising the question
Click to expand...
Well, as I just posted in another thread, the need to find the One True (knife/fiirearm/vehicle/shoes/whathaveyou) is pretty much endemic. I can understand it from true newbies, looking to get the most utility in their fiirst knife; but when those of us who own dozens or even hundreds of knives feel fall prey to that sort of thinking, madness ensues. ;)

sharpmaker said:
Guys, just answer to the best of your knoledge.
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Answer what? I don't see a question. :confused:
 
Chris Reeve only makes two folders: Sebenza and Mnandi.
Chriss reeves put their all into two folders. Still these two make up 90% of their market. Of course, they will be exceptional.

Spyderco and benchmade make almost 90% folders. They have more ranger and more designs to suit everyone.

That is why people think Sebenza is the best knife.
 
That is why people think Sebenza is the best knife.
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I'm sorry but that doesn't make sense to me. Can you rephrase?

Are you saying CRK puts 90% effort into 2 styles of knives. While spyderco spreads this same effort amongst a large number of knives?
 
And lets assume Spyderco makes a knife with titanium handles to last for ever, would it be the ATR?

Is the ATR like the sebenza?
 
No the ATR is not like the Sebenza. It is a good knife but isn't made by hand like the Sebenza so the price is lower, and the fit will not be as consistant. I buy Sebenzas because of the consistancy in quality, fit, finish, handle options and user maintainability. Plus all Sebenza blades are hand ground. There are many reasons why some of us jump on newbies for asking some of the questions they ask. Firstly, they never seem to use the search feature before starting a thread that was already discussed in great length. If it is a question that really makes sense it is answered. If it seems that it is just a troll starting an argument we jump all over the thread starter. I can understand asking an unexperienced question. That is what we are here for, and we love to share information, but if you are just digging for trouble I have no problem taring them apart. You will see plenty of that here.
 
CRK makes a different kind of knife, consistently winning manufacturing quality awards. CRK folders are part heavy-duty knife and part luxury item -- working jewelry.

Spyderco makes different models of knife because many of their offerings are meant to fill a specialized niche, rather than be a do-it-all design. In this, Benchmade is more like Spyderco. They both offer a wide variety of knife styles, steels, and locks for this reason.

Don't forget Cold Steel and Emerson, as well. Both feature extensive lines of highly rated folders, like Spyderco and Benchmade, many designed for specific tasks.

Best is what works for you, within your budget, at the work you need a knife for. My Sebenzas are my best knives, but they aren't appropriate for everything I do. I don't wear my best clothes when I go hiking, either.
 
I have to agree the best folder ( or anything as said) is the one that works best for you. For me that happens to be a Spyderco UK penknife. The design suits me as I cannot carry a locking knife here in the UK legally ( I don't have a good reason to under the law) and so I needed a slipjoint. The design on the UK PK is just right for me. It feels very secure when open and I have little fear of it closing on my fingers when using it (mainly thanks to the choil). It is also comfortable to use for me.

It isn't the prettiest of knives it is purely functional but then I was not looking for an expensive piece of pocket jewelery I would worry about using or losing. Even if l could carry a sebanza legally ( and afford one) I wouldn't. It doesn't make the UK PK a better knife than a sebanza it is just not the right knife for me.

When talking about the "best" knife people never state what they mean by best. DO they mean for themselves? Then include your requirements and what you can afford. Do they mean the most expensive materials? hardest? toughest? sharpest? or any other factor you can think of pertaining to a knife.
 
People have to mean best for themselves. There is no Best folder. I am a Sebenza guy. There are Strider guys, and Spyderco guys, and Bechmade guys and so on. Eveyone will make a good argument for the knife they love, and that is about it. In the grand scheme of things is a 3-400 dollar Sebenza better than a 100-200 dollar Benchmade, or a 100-200 dollar Spyderco? Who the hell knows. I carry what is the best for me. And I am sure all of you do too. That is what makes this hobby so fun.
 
DaveH said:
Are you saying CRK puts 90% effort into 2 styles of knives. While spyderco spreads this same effort amongst a large number of knives?
Click to expand...

Reeve has significantly more than two knives, there is also the one piece line, but yes Spyderco has more models. However it isn't valid to thus conclude Reeves designs get more R&D effort, this is obviously influenced by the resources available. How many people work for Spyderco compared to Reeve.

In terms of R&D it is hard to argue against Spyderco when you consider the innovations they have added to the industry and continue to add with new locks, new steels and new designs. Plus the testing they do, q-fog, catra, and the lock ratings.

-Cliff
 
If raw sales mean anything then the Buck 110 is the best knife ever made.

these threads are too subjective.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Don't forget Cold Steel and Emerson, as well. Both feature extensive lines of highly rated folders, like Spyderco and Benchmade, many designed for specific tasks.
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Just saw Cold Steel's lineup with a couple of knives that look veeerrry similar to some custom makers' designs (Brian Tighe) Does Cold steel get a pass for these business practices from most knife knuts? Has this been discussed before?
These questionable designs, and the laughable way they promote their knives (proof videos) prevents me from recommending any of their knives to anyone. Just wondering, because I see their knives recommended alot on here..... I wonder if Brian Tighe would recommend them?
 
The Brian Tighe clone has been discussed here at length. The videos you find laughable are a successful amarketing tool. They don't need you to recommend their knives. They are doing fine recommending them on their own.

We can pick at many companies and their owners/personnel for real or perceived ethical or personal lapses. There are frequent threads for this, and they are VERY popular. This thread is more along the lines of the characteristics of knives themselves and their usability.

A little topic drift is inevitable in a community with such diverse interests and viewpoints, but lets take a deep breath and focus before we start screaming. :D
 
Tim, I think what he means is what he said in his original post:

There are some honest answers but there is a lot of blind fanatics and spam.

Guys, just answer to the best of your knowledge.
 
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