Benchmade 915 Triage vs. Spyderco Lionspy vs. something else?

S

ShooterMcgavin

Joined
Jan 20, 2008
Messages
609
I am wanting to buy a tough-use knife, hopefully with a glass breaker. Both of the options in the title look good. The Lionspy looks more classy, but it is more than twice the price. I love the AXIS lock. I am not crazy about the Roto-block. I don't have a favorable opinion of the HEST 2.0; it seems too thick and I don't like all the gadgets added onto it.

I want:
~3.5" blade length or less (the Lionspy is pushing that limit, the Contego is too long)
0.13" thickness blade or thicker, prefer a steel with greater toughness than corrosion resistence
semi-deep pocket clip
glass breaker
<6 oz.

I'd prefer to be under $200 for this, unless something really fits me perfectly.
 
spyderco rescue? Cold steel ak47 has a glass breaker and can be had on the cheap, as well, I have an ak47 I've been trying to destroy and I can't break it.I'm just thinking of knives with glass breakers, you could get a resQme tool and attach it to your keychain to have a glass breaker and seatbelt cutter for 10 bucks, then buy whatever knife you want.
 
The resQme looks good, but I dislike adding more things to my keychain. I might still get one on your recommendation, just to keep in the car. If the breaker is on my knife, I will have it with me regularly though.

I will take a closer look at the AK47. Previously, I was a bit turned off by the hollow ground blade, the black blade coating, and the very chunky feel of the grip.
 
The Lionsteel SR-1 in aluminum is cheaper than the Lionspy and has the same features. Also check out a Hogue EXO-1 you can get it with a 3.5 inch blade.
 
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shaving sharp said:
The Lionsteel SR-1 in aluminum is cheaper than the Lionspy and has the same features. Also check out a Hogue EXO-1 you can get it with a 3.5 inch blade.
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One issue I have with the SR-1A is the Aluminum lock bar. Aluminum is not a metal that should be constantly flexed back and forth. It eventually develops fractures. Any thoughts on that?

I have looked a the Hogue blades. I like them. Do they have glass breakers? One issue with that design is the relative lack of protection from sliding forward from the grip onto the blade. There is no raised part, like Benchmades and Cold Steels have.
 
I have a benchmade triage 915, love it, I got black g10, the pocket clip is pretty deep only, a small bit sticks out. Have had it for a few months now and it works great. The modified sheepsfoot blade and rescue cutter both came razor sharp out of the box. I wouldnt hesitate to get the triage. One of the best knives I have owned!
 
I'm still considering the Triage, but the Lionsteel SR-1A has caught my attention now. I didn't realize that it was cheaper and even lighter than the Lionspy. Still not sure about having the lockbar (flexing part) made from aluminum.
 
I'd go with the triage too! Not tryna hijack your thread or anything but i know where you can get one like new for a GREAT price
 
ShooterMcgavin said:
One issue I have with the SR-1A is the Aluminum lock bar. Aluminum is not a metal that should be constantly flexed back and forth. It eventually develops fractures. Any thoughts on that?

I have looked a the Hogue blades. I like them. Do they have glass breakers? One issue with that design is the relative lack of protection from sliding forward from the grip onto the blade. There is no raised part, like Benchmades and Cold Steels have.
Click to expand...

The Lionspy is made from the same material. There are many different grades of aluminum such as 6061 which is as tough as nails and designed to be able to flex without failing. Look at all the aluminum frame firearms that are made and the punishment they can take. I do not think you could flex the lock on a lionsteel SR-1A enough in two lifetimes to make it fail. The Hogue has a cutout for your index finger so you can grip the knife without your hand slipping. I you want another suggestion look at a ZT0350 or 0300. Just an FYI I own two SR-1A knives and the Lionspy and an all titanium model along with the ZT knives. They would all do what you want for their intended purpose. If you need anything tougher you would need to go with a fixed blade.
 
I actually held the SR-1A in one hand the other day and the Lionspy in the other. Both were very solid knives. If you told me I had to take one into the field and use to hack, chop, pry and abuse I'd probably take the lionspy because it felt a bit more overbuilt, but anything short of that I'd tend to lean towards the SR-1A. I'm no expert on either by any means, but its a very nice feeling, aesthetically pleasing knife that I can't imagine having any use issues ever.
 
shaving sharp said:
The Lionspy is made from the same material...
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Isn't the locking-bar side of the Lionspy made from Titanium?

Thanks for all the input.

NjHart said:
I actually held the SR-1A in one hand the other day and the Lionspy in the other. Both were very solid knives. If you told me I had to take one into the field and use to hack, chop, pry and abuse I'd probably take the lionspy because it felt a bit more overbuilt, but anything short of that I'd tend to lean towards the SR-1A. I'm no expert on either by any means, but its a very nice feeling, aesthetically pleasing knife that I can't imagine having any use issues ever.
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Do you think the Lionspy felt more overbuilt because it was the heavier of the two knives?
 
Probably. I didn't give them a thorough workout- I just had some interest in getting my hands on both and thought it would be more interesting to compare them side by side. I think the lockup on the lionspy I held may have been a little stiffer too. That doesn't actually mean much in terms of overbuilt really, but in terms of my perception it may matter. I wouldn't hesitate to put the SR-1A through any outdoor ranch work.
 
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I know they are both great so I can't decide. This may be one of those times when I'm indecisive, and I end up buying nothing. I like the grip texture, blade profile, blade length, and lock of the Triage. I like the thick blade, blade steel, and the one piece grip of the SR-1A. I think the Lionsteel uses Teflon washers, which I don't like :( If the SR-1A used phosphor bronze bushings, I might be sold.
 
No glass breaker on the 527 & 522 Presido Ultra....it's class black Tactical...I have both & love it.
 
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