benchmade alternative?

Spyderco's Manix 2 might work for you. I've got a pair of them (regular, and lightweight), and they really work well.
 

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Among the production folder lock mechanisms I’m aware of, the CS Triad is the most likely to keep the blade from closing on your fingers in a stab. Since you’ve experienced firsthand how a lock failure feels, I’m surprised this isn’t at the top of your list.

Oh and you should know that generalizing any broad class of lock mechanism as garbage is going to be somewhat insulting to those people that prefer them…
 
scdub said:
Among the production folder lock mechanisms I’m aware of, the CS Triad is the most likely to keep the blade from closing on your fingers in a stab. Since you’ve experienced firsthand how a lock failure feels, I’m surprised this isn’t at the top of your list.

Oh and you should know that generalizing any broad class of lock mechanism as garbage is going to be somewhat insulting to those people that prefer them…
Click to expand...

AXIS has been at the top of the list. I don't see how the Triad is any better than the AXIS. Putting 500lbs of force isn't my concern (which I'm certain AXIS can achieve without failure). The probability of the lock unlocking during use is my concern.

Furthermore, like I posted earlier, I find the lockback type of lock undesirable. Need to change hand placement on the knife to fold. AXIS style with the lock at the top is quicker and much more controlled... for me... in my opinion and experience.
 
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nevertakeadayoff said:
I do not trust them when making a stabbing motion, especially when I have a death grip on the handle. It failed on me a few times and the last time it happened I had a deep laceration. If there is new technology that prevents this, please inform me.
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There is but it's not new. It's called xbox..playstation...pc....whichever you prefer. You can stab and kill until your hearts content and not risk personal injury at all. Unless you're like me and tend to smash controllers when the game doesn't go your way 😉
 
nevertakeadayoff said:
Damn... I was afraid someone would confirm this...


As for the people who are going to hate on me for the liner/frame lock comment...

I do not trust them when making a stabbing motion, especially when I have a death grip on the handle. It failed on me a few times and the last time it happened I had a deep laceration. If there is new technology that prevents this, please inform me.
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Out of curiosity, and for the purposes of full disclosure, just what this knife that failed, and under what circumstances?
 
There is but it's not new. It's called xbox..playstation...pc....whichever you prefer. You can stab and kill until your hearts content and not risk personal injury at all. Unless you're like me and tend to smash controllers when the game doesn't go your way
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No sir, that does not suit my lifestyle. However, I will share with you the last game I played seriously was Red Orchestra.

I see I need to put the stabbing into context...

Picking up one end of a log by stabbing the it with a knife blade side down and carrying it. That has to be something everyone can relate to here.

Out of curiosity, and for the purposes of full disclosure, just what this knife that failed, and under what circumstances?
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This happened over 10 years ago when I was a teenager... Likely was the Kershaw Blur (liner) or the Leek (frame) that got me good enough to influence me to never use a knife like that again.
 
nevertakeadayoff said:
Damn... I was afraid someone would confirm this...


As for the people who are going to hate on me for the liner/frame lock comment...

I do not trust them when making a stabbing motion, especially when I have a death grip on the handle. It failed on me a few times and the last time it happened I had a deep laceration. If there is new technology that prevents this, please inform me.
Click to expand...

Stahp stabbing things, what the hek man.
 
Are frame or liner locks really "garbage" or "unsafe"? Sure, there can be a legitimate concern about having your finger in the path of the blade when closing. I generally avoid this by using flipper-actuated knives wherein the flipper tab acts as a guard. That way, I'm always closing tab-to-finger before dropping the rest of the way. That also creates a hedge against lock failure but in the three decades or so that I've been primarily carrying liner or frame lock knives, I've never had it happen. Part of that is probably because I treat all folding knives as if they can fold. Any activity that would test lock strength is not an appropriate activity for a folding knife.

Lifted from my response in another thread: why assisted? Assisted actions used to serve a purpose that is now unnecessary. Back in the day, great manual actions were much rarer and much more expensive. Ball bearings of any kind used to be exceptionally rare. So assisted actions filled the gap. Now, great manual actions are extremely common and very affordable. Caged bearings are widely available in budget knives. Even the bearings have gotten better. For instance, my Sencut Snap uses ceramic bearings and a ceramic detent ball. It cost less than $50.
 
nevertakeadayoff said:
As for the people who are going to hate on me for the liner/frame lock comment...I do not trust them when making a stabbing motion, especially when I have a death grip on the handle. It failed on me a few times and the last time it happened I had a deep laceration. If there is new technology that prevents this, please inform me.
Click to expand...

I actually agree with this sentiment. I had a mid-market known-and-respected brand linerlock close on my hand and put the slicey on all four fingers. Not emergency room bad, but, there was blood, and it shouldn't have happened. I wasn't stabbing anything. I was applying pressure to the tip of the blade--I believe I was trying to dig something out that was embedded. Linerlock failed, it popped out and across, blade folded, and...ouch. So like the OP, I avoid linerlocks, unless they're in a very high quality, reasonably short knife. I think I only own one, a Spyderco Air. It's short enough that I doubt the liner would pop out and fail. Framelocks seem much less likely to fail, but I still don't enjoy putting my fingers under the blade to fold it.

Back to the question: Spyderco's Golden Colorado models feature a number of backlock & ball bearing locks & compression locks. If you're willing to go international, they also offer stoplocks. There may be others I'm forgetting...? Their Sage knife is a showcase for all different kinds of locks.
 
I have a small zip tie on a Spyderco Manix 2. Like an Emerson Wave, the blade is deployed as the knife is pulled from the pocket. No need for assisted opening, axis lock, and made in America. The FFG leaf shaped blade is a great performer.
 
Hogue is going to be the closest to what it sounds like you’re looking for. They have several offerings you might like, that include axis locks, autos, and flippers. and they produce a quality American made knife that surpasses Benchmade IMO. I’m not even gonna touch your comment on liner locks and frame locks 🤦🏼‍♂️
 
nevertakeadayoff said:
Damn... I was afraid someone would confirm this...


As for the people who are going to hate on me for the liner/frame lock comment...

I do not trust them when making a stabbing motion, especially when I have a death grip on the handle. It failed on me a few times and the last time it happened I had a deep laceration. If there is new technology that prevents this, please inform me.
Click to expand...

Well for one thing don't stab things like a meth-addled monkey, and for another don't think that every linerlock or framelock is going to be functionally identical to a gas station special that you managed to cut yourself with.
 
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