Alternative to Benchmade?

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ourgon said:
I had strong Spyderco episode, I sold almost all of them because their customer service, I will stick with Benchmade. There is no alternative for axis lock, maybe if you don't have problem with that buy Ganzo knives.
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They recently got rid of that jerk that was running their cust. service btw.

Hopefully it will improve over there.
 
I was a BM guy, started collecting last summer so I'm new to the game. Giving up on them based on the recent revelations. Maybe 6 weeks ago sprung for a blurple PM2 and have acquired maybe 5 more different Spyderco since. S110v PM2 is a super slicer and good for EDC tasks. If I need more power into a task it's a fixed blade I'll be reaching for. PM2 has wonderful action, compression lock is fun to actuate - thin enough to be a super slicer. I wouldn't go for the S30v version, too mundane with other steels this knife is available in.

I was not a fan of the leaf shapes at all until I finally relented and tried one after a zillion Nick Shabazz videos. If you are at all able to go to a store, pick one up and check it out!
 
Mo2 said:
What you haven't seen the handful of knives already using the axis lock now? Hogue, Millet are just two as of recently. Will moon copied it and tried to patent it lol.
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Lol, that's really funny Will Moon tried to patient it. My first good laugh of the day:eek:.:thumbsup: I've seen the Hogue but wondering more about the bigger American ones?
 
It’s a hard choice. I really like the axis lock, and the price for performance/quality in the griptilian is definitely good.

I reckon I’ll stand ready to buy all those griptilians with M4 when people start having Benchmade fire sales.
 
Richard S. said:
It’s a hard choice. I really like the axis lock, and the price for performance/quality in the griptilian is definitely good.

I reckon I’ll stand ready to buy all those griptilians with M4 when people start having Benchmade fire sales.
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Why not buy the Houge version?
 
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You might consider shifting gears entirely and pick up a traditional pocket knife or two. That may not be your thing, but they offer a different appeal.
 
Spyderco is my main knife brand, with Benchmade a close second.

Knocking those 2 out I guess leaves Kershaw/ZT. I have one ZT(an 0808) and a few Kershaws. On the current ZT models none interest me. Seem pricey for what you get. I miss the older ZTs like the MUDD, 0350, and the 0550. I got my ZT 0808 as a gift to myself, but hardly carry it as the pocket clip is a hot spot for my hand. I like my older Kershaws, the newer Chinese made ones not as much. Some interesting designs, but I don't like the 8Cr steel compared to my older Kershaws in Sandvik steels. Personally my favorite Kershaw in the last few years has been the Dividend in M390. I find it to be better than a lot of their ZT line even.`

The new Hogue Ritter Grip is getting good reviews, though I've not had a chance to handle one myself.

Outside of that maybe try a Sebenza. Not much more over your price range, or buy one second hand on the forum here.
 
Do you not know what the brands are? Not sure how anyone can recommend you anything specific when you write off two of the best brands in their market for...reasons. Go to a knife seller and look at brands by price point. It’s like you’re saying you want a cola but don’t want Coke or Pepsi. I don’t know man, RC or store brand I guess.:rolleyes:
 
skyhorse said:
Lol, that's really funny Will Moon tried to patient it. My first good laugh of the day:eek:.:thumbsup: I've seen the Hogue but wondering more about the bigger American ones?
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SOG has some and, in a somewhat startling twist, I'm actually pretty interested in them. They're calling it the XR Lock and they have the Terminus XR, one version is already on the market, and they've announced the SEAL XR. The SEAL appeals to my inner mall ninja and the Terminus XR is, by all reports, a handy little EDC. I'm waiting for the red G10 scales, though.
 
I assume you actually use your knives. If so, aesthetics aside, many Spydercos are stellar. Their full flat grinds, on models like the Delica, Endura, Dragnofly, PM2, etc., make them really awesome slicers. Also, the looks will grow on you once you use them. Because the ergonomics and functionality are amazing. Since you were a BM user, I assume you had the 940. Try the Spyderco PM2, and you will see.
 
If you have concerns about how supportive Benchmade is of your American political party, there are a lot of popular alternatives. Just be careful to look beyond the fact that most of them do substantial business in communist countries which either disallow guns at all or are actively engaged in military, trade, and/or corporate espionage wars at odds with American interests. KAI, Spyderco, CRKT, and every Chinese national company are solid examples. Enjoy your search.
 
Just like the OP, in the beginning I thought spyderco folders are ugly and did not touch them for quite a while. My interesting was primarily in Cold Steel and then ZT and Benchmade. Once I finally pulled trigger on a Spyderco Delica 4 and a Mianix 2 lightweight, I could not stop. To this day, I have six Millies and I am not counting others like PM 2 and Manix 2.

My interest in Cold Steel has basically gone and my interest in ZT and Benchmade has reduced significantly. I still keep five or six each (ZT and BM) and I will be very selectively if I buy any more of these brands.

As others suggested, OP - do yourself a favor and try a couple of Spydercos.
 
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Spyderco has some great knives, the Shaman being, to my eyes, the quintessential modern heavy duty folder.

If you're not too OCD'd and don't mind paying a bit more, you can try an Emerson.

Cold Steel is definitely the best bang for the bucks on the market these days.
 
Depends on what you looking for in a knife and what your intended uses are. Though I may get flamed for saying this here, many knives, and varied price points are capable of performing tasks in a very similar fashion - think cutting food, rope, cardboard, opening shipping boxes containing new knives ... you know, the regular EDC stuff we use knives for.

Some steels hold and edge longer and require less frequent touching up. Some are more corrosion resistant than others (H1 versus 1095) while some are more forgiving of abuse and less prone to chipping. Some are tough to sharpen with normal stones or ceramics.

Then, there is the whole fit, finish and pride of ownership thing. My FRN handle Cold Steel Voyagers provide great function based value but pocket jewelry they are not. The more knives I have used, owned and evaluated - the more I realize that after a certain point, additional cost is not linear with additional performance, reliability, function or durability.

I'm sorry if I failed to make specific recommendations to you but my (folder) users have settled on Cold Steel, Emerson, Spyderco, ZT and Benchmade - the latter being crossed off my list ... not because of anything wrong with the knives, but because of the company. In that vein, there are other knives that are seemingly fine as a product, but, being a personal item as they are (especially to us here at BF) I just cannot support certain companies. Benchmade just got added to that thankfully short list.
 
Mo2 said:
What you haven't seen the handful of knives already using the axis lock now? Hogue, Millet are just two as of recently. Will moon copied it and tried to patent it lol.
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Yikes I wouldnt buy one of his knives with YOUR money Heard all kinds of bad feedback
 
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