Are you a Benchmade or a Spyderco type of person?

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After seeing the lack of quality and deplorable design of BM's "top of the line" knife, cough...760 LFTi...cough....I probably wont ever buy another BM. Those sorts of blunders are inexcusable, especially on such expensive hardware. On the other hand, I'm expecting a Ti Milie in the mail tomorrow, cant wait :)
 
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I am a fan of Benchmade, in particular the Axis lock, but overall I am much more of a Spyderco guy. I didn't own a Spyderco until a few years ago not understanding the genius behind their innovative designs until experiencing it firsthand. Since then I've been like a kid in a candy shop wanting to try out all the different flavors. I'm a 50 year old Texan that works in the insurance field and plays around cooking, fishing, hunting and ranching.
 
Slowstarter said:
He he... great answers, but I´d hoped you´d give us more info on your age and life situation. Work? married? hobbies? children etc.
I think if you´re married with children you´ll need sturdy tools that works (BM), and if you´re young with a girfriend and no kids, you´ll prefer cool design over functionallity (Spyderco... opps...).
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Ignorant statement. :rolleyes:

I myself?
Spyderco Guy.
Why?
Same reasons as RevDevil.

Mainly functionality, materials, and price to quality ratio.

My history?
I am young with a girlfriend and no kids.
Do I prefer design over functionality?
No.

Do I own any Benchmades?
Yes, 710, 940, and 10700
 
Slowstarter said:
I think if you´re married with children you´ll need sturdy tools that works (BM), and if you´re young with a girfriend and no kids, you´ll prefer cool design over functionallity (Spyderco... opps...).
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:foot:

Your thoughts on this matter appear to be less than robust. Reading your first post it appears you have little in-hand experience with Spyderco knives. How can you make a judgment of an item that you haven't held in your hand?
 
I'm a fan of both.

Yes, at lower end price points Spyderco's do have a slight edge over Benchmade. Overseas labor is cheaper, and that is reflected in the prices on their knives. However, at the higher price points these differences largely disappear--regardless of where the knife is made. For example, the Sage 2 is just as expensive, if not more so, than many of the Benchmade blue class knives. I really love my 943, as well as my Sage 2, but the Sage 2 is about $20-30 more expensive. Likewise, the 710 is about $10-15 cheaper than a Military.

Some of the Spyderco knives are, to me, ugly as sin. But, then, so too is entirety of the new 2010 Benchmade lineup. But, I'm loving the 2010 Spydercos.

It all comes down to preference. I honestly doubt that a quality knife from either company would fail under any reasonable - and even some unreasonable - use.

But hey, I'm just a 22 year old grad student.
 
I like benchmade's designs more than spyderco. I have a particular affection for the axis lock, and prefer thumbstuds over thumbholes.

However, after trying a para-military, I might just have to get one of those.
 
Definately Benchmade. For me, it's all about deployment. Spyderco
doesn't have anything to compete with the Axis for speed of opening,
and I can't abide pocket clips. My full-size Ritter in a belt sheath
has been my EDC for some time.
 
CARRERA50 said:
Definately Benchmade. For me, it's all about deployment. Spyderco
doesn't have anything to compete with the Axis for speed of opening,
and I can't abide pocket clips. My full-size Ritter in a belt sheath
has been my EDC for some time.
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Have you even seen a Manix 2?
 
Slowstarter said:
I AM A BENCHMADE TYPE OF PERSON BECAUSE...
  • I am 44 years old (old fart soon).
  • Married with two teenaged children (they think I´m an old fart now).
  • Work as a magazine designer (office and computers all day long).
  • Live in a house with a garden in the suburbs (friendly enviroment).
  • Have a summer house in the outback (where I use most of my knives)
  • Drive a Volvo (sad but true).
  • Plays the guitarr.
  • Don´t use drugs except beer and wine.
  • Like hiking, fishing, boating and to spend time outdoor (not as much time as I would like it to be)
  • Never ever camping (to comfortable I guess).

So that´s my situation. I am a very normal, mid-aged man.
Is it because of this that I am an Benchmade fan?
Is my theory right, or have I got it all wrong? What´s yours situation?
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None of the above has anything to do with why you like one brand of knife more than any other.(IMO anyway)

I'm 49, and give a slight edge to Spyderco on this one. I like Benchmade, and many other brands/makers.
15 to 20 years ago I bought more Benchmades, but Spyderco has really stepped up there game with a huge choice of fine steels and designs in the past 10 years.

My Benchmade 210TK is still my favorite factory neck knife, but the only Benchmade I've carried lately.
On most days I have a small BG42 sebenza in one pocket, and a slipjoint in the other. That may be because I'm 49....hey wait, you may be on to something afterall:p
 
I'm a benchmade fan for sure. I own a CRK umnumzaan, Bradley Mayhem (which is really a BM), and a custom or two. I used to buy nothing but spyderco(15 plus years ago) but have not seen anything I have liked in a few years. I don't like a lock back anymore so some of the spyderco knives are out for me. I am not a spyderco hater by any means. I would like to try a manix with the ball lock. As for me I just perfer the designs of the Benchmades.
 
by the way, I love the outdoors and am married with 3 young girls (11,7,4yrs old) and am 31yrs old myself. Hope that helps. lol
 
I'm 147 years old and I like Traditionals:D

Seriously, I think it's impossible to profile an owner despite what the marketing gurus would like us to believe. Both BM and Spyderco turnout a very decent product .I can't really see that age,job,race,class,hobbies etc has much influence in the buying of knives given a similar price bracket. People buy what they like the look of and find useful. They may then begin to attach some sense of 'identity' or loyalty to the product.

And, Traditionals attract people of all ages and walks of life, just like any other knife:D:thumbup:
 
Slowstarter said:
...if you´re young with a girfriend and no kids, you´ll prefer cool design over functionallity (Spyderco... opps...).
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personally, i think Benchmades have more "frills" so to speak. spydies are more simplistic IMO at least. but i also think so many spyderco's look so damn similar (mainly blade shape). i haven't owned a BM yet but have used a friend's 940 and loved it....now i have a 710 in D2 on the way;). i'll be picking up a 940 and a Kulgera next if i like my 710...i doubt won't. we'll see if i wind up liking BM's over Spydies.
 
I like spydercos so far mostly b/c i have yet to purchase a benchmade. Every time i think of buying a benchmade i look for one i want and think to myself "why spend this much for a benchmade". I think there are many models from spyderco or even kershaw that stack up really well to benchamdes that are more expensive.

I would love to try the axis lock some time though.
 
I am 30 and like to do outdoors stuff. I can't mtn bike anymore but I hunt, ride 4 wheelers, go fishing, and have a pretty high performance airboat. I am engaged with no kids and I am growing a garden again this year and have a welding shop with 2 mills and a lathe in the back yard.

I am a knife guy and like both companies with the edge going to Benchmade. I love the AXIS lock and wish it was a law that all folders had to use it. I don't like probably half the designs of both companies and it comes down to the design of each individual knife and not the name of the company that makes it.

Yes Spyderco has more lower priced knives but once you get over a 100 bucks you are getting the same materials and craftsmanship for your money from both companies. A $150 Spyderco is going to get you the same quality as a $150 Benchmade so I don't see the argument that Spyderco are better priced. And a $60 Griptilian is a heck of a lot of knife with an AXIS lock and I like 154CM better than VG10. VG10 is pretty average steel and doesn't blow my socks off from my experiences with it. Also if you are a knife person sharpness shouldn't matter as you will be able to get any knife screaming sharp in a couple minutes. The sharpness argument always amuses me because what do you do when you actually use the knife and it gets dull? Breaking down a couple boxes is going to dull just about any knife at least if you keep a hair splitting edge on your knife.
 
If I had to choose one, I'd choose Spyderco. Overall, I just like their stuff better.
 
An interesting thread and thanks to all for keeping it civil. :thumbup:

I can't (and won't) say a single bad thing about Spyderco knives. They are well designed, well made and offer a great selection. I have many 'Spydies' and am pleased with them all. That said, my focus is on Benchmade.

Benchmade produce some very attractive knives, IMO. I am very fond of my 950 Rift with it's CNC milled, layered G-10 scales and an Axis lock. I believe that Benchmade is a conservative company, with conservative designs that just plain work and look great doing it. Even their forays into the 'wild side' are well thought out, such as the Limited Edition 710 with M390 steel and a DLC finish if desired.

As a 56 yo Grandfather of 4, arthritis is becoming a factor in knife choice and I find a knife with an Axis lock and thumb studs to be less painful to use.
 
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