Advice: Benchmade 630 vs. Spyderco ATR ti

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Kn00b

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Title pretty much says it in a nutshell. Hoping for some informed opinions or input on picking up a Spyderco ATR in titanium or a Benchmade 630. Both seem similair in size, materials, and integral locks.

Anyone handled both or have postitive/negative opinions of either?

I seem to remember reading in the past that the ATR in Ti feels like a completely different knife than in stainless. But other than that...

Either of these at all sheeple friendly for EDC? I've taken to carrying only a multi-tool these days largely due to perception of public knife use in this area but miss having a 'proper' blade for cutting chores.

Thanks for any input.
 
Ti ATR's are no longer produced so they made be tough to find. I have not had good luck with Spyderco compression lock. If you don't mind the recurve blade I'd get the 630.
 
I had the SS ATR. It might be an entirely different feeling knife in Ti, I don't know, but I'd hope so. Did care for it. It worked fine, but I found myself pinching pieces of my handle.

As to the Skirmish, I'd go with that. Closesd, smooth handles, Ti frame lock. Of course, the Ti ATR does too, but like the above poster said, they're getting hard to come by. The skirmish is relatively easy to get.
 
2 great companies with 2 models that have a cult following and 2 models that I don't particularly care for. I would personally look at something else.
 
ignoramus said:
2 great companies with 2 models that have a cult following and 2 models that I don't particularly care for. I would personally look at something else.
Click to expand...

Negative input still helps so I'm curious. What don't you like about them? And what would you suggest looking at instead?

It's always tough for me looking at a knife 'on paper' as it doesn't always translate into happiness 'in hand' or fit and finish-wise so I value the input of those that have experience with them.
 
I just got a Benchmade 635- mini Skirmish. I used to have the old titaium Benchmade Pinnacle. The 635 seems really nice. Super smooth action, solid lockup, thinly ground blade. It's also plenty big. The blade is probably just as long as with the ATR- check it out. Benchmade stuffed a lot of blade into the handle.
 
Kn00b said:
Negative input still helps so I'm curious. What don't you like about them? And what would you suggest looking at instead?

It's always tough for me looking at a knife 'on paper' as it doesn't always translate into happiness 'in hand' or fit and finish-wise so I value the input of those that have experience with them.
Click to expand...

630: I've only handled and owned the 635, but it's turned me off from the 630 as well. The opening hole is more difficult to open (for me) because they modified it to make it different from the Spyderco opening hole. I didn't like the blade to handle length ratio. Quality, fit & finish was great.

ATR: I've only handled the the SS version. Ergos was fine, cobra hood thingy was good, it does make it more comfortable to open, though I find the opening hole by itself to be just fine. I like compression locks and I like the idea of a frame version. There's really nothing wrong about it that I can think of. It just doesn't really appeal to me. But there are days when I wonder if I should reconsider it. I've read of a greater chance of vertical blade play in compression locks, particularly the Ti version of the ATR. I don't know whether or not it's true. I don't like the look of the clip, but that doesn't matter to me very much.

What I would buy in the price ranges:
Buck Mayo TNT
Kershaw Mini Cyclone ZDP, maybe a blue/green Bump
Spydero Caly 3 ZDP, Paramilitary, Mini Manix
Benchmade 615, 14200/14205, 960
Bradley Alias II
 
Ignoramus has some good suggestions...

I've handled both the 630 and Spyderco ATR Ti, and I prefer the BM 630 hands-down. Both are quality blades with great steel and materials, as well as top-notch construction, but I still prefer the frame lock style of the 630. The Compression lock was a little awkward for me to operate, and the handle just felt a little more cumbersome. I believe the blade-to-handle ratio is better in the 630.

The 630 opened much easier than the 635, for me, for those of you who didn't like the Mini Skirmish. Of course that Cobra hood makes it fool-proof to open the ATR, so it's not an issue either way.

Ergos decided it for me. YMMV.

DD
 
I just bought this knife from an online dealer for $144.50 shipped using Paypal. I did a TON of research before settling on the Skirmish. I prefer larger folders, even though I'm a smaller guy. I mostly carry IWB so size is not really a problem. I've carried a Spyderco Military with a Spyder edge for years and absolutly love it! I sent it off to the factory for a tune up however and it got me thinking about a new EDC.

The Skirmish DOES pack alot of blade into the handle. The blade is about .03" longer, but overall length opened remains the same. The whole knife is also very thin since they use titanium handles and the frame lock, about 0.5". Fit and finish of the knife are outstanding. I have the 630BK which has the black blade which is a nice change from the shiny military I carry. It just looks damn cool too overall!!!

Using the weight of the blade, I can VERY easily wrist flick the blade out to open it. It pops open and locks up with a solid "thwack". It locks up very solid. I can also open it like I do my Military by drawing it out of my pants by the hole/choil at the top of the blade and flicking the handle into the palm of my hand. It also comes scary sharp!

Overall I would order this knife again and highley recc it to anyone who likes larger folders. It is built very solid and has a great look and finish to it. It may not be as utilitarian as my Native that I also have, but it is a great EDC SD knife. I ordered mine from Dan at rigaman021@comcast.net. He was very helpful and sent me lots of pics before I commited. He shipped it priority mail in 2 days NIB. I'll order from him again I'm sure in the future.
 
I've got the Skirmish in my pocket right now. djans has it right. It carries amazingly well for a big knife, because its so flat and has such an amazing handle to blade ratio. Its absolutely not sheeple friendly though. It has great fit and finish and the lock up is the best of any knife I own - no blade movement, side to side or up and down, at all, when open. Just locked up solid. Its a blade you can really trust. And opens really easy. Its a bit on the big side, though. :)
 
i've had both and very much prefer the Ti ATR, actually would prefer the SS ATR to the 630, dont really care for that one, it being tip down is one, the crummy pocket clip 2, while the ATR is my fav spyderco (maybe my fav production knife) i was very disappointed with the 630.
 
I have both a Benchmade 630 and a SS ATR.
I actually love them both. I don't know how the Tia ATR differs other than weight but the SS version is great. I got the fully serated ATR and it is awesome at work cutting open boxes, plastic strapping and little baggies and such. The compression lock on mine is flawless as is fit and finish. I hate the pocket clip though and would love to replace it with something lower sitting and easier to get out of my pocket. My only complaint though.
I also like the 630 and carry it, although since I got a Rukus, that is the Benchmade that goes into my pocket most often. I prefer the shape of the Rukus blade for general chores. The 630 is a nice knife and I love recurve blades, although the deep recurve on the 630 precludes cleaning under your nails with ease.;)
 
I own a Skirmish.

It's a big knife that carries very nicely for it's size.

I usually carry an Al Mar hawk for diggin' slivers and such when I'm packing the 630.

Over all, I really like the 630. I would recommend it without hesitation.
 
I have the 630 and the SS ATR.Can't go wrong with either IMHO.Go ahead and get both.
 
Just pulled the trigger on the 635 'mini' skirmish. Hope the 'thick' edge I read about on here doesn't bother me. Looking at how big the 630 was in hand pushed me to the 635 over the 630.
 
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