Benchmade and Spyderco

The trademarked round opening hole, found on Spyderco knives and knives made with licensed permission from Spyderco, is circular. Any and every other type of hole is not covered by that trademark and, aside from Byrd's Comet hole, not intellectual property of Spyderco.
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I wonder why some, like David Boye, for example, pay a royalty to Spyderco for the use of their hole when the hole they use is not 'circular' then if that is the case.

Sal apparently differs in opinion on this statement you made ThomBrogan. It seems to me that if Sal would say that David Boye is an honorable man for paying Spyderco a royalty for the use of the opening hole, even though David's hole is anything but round or as you said 'circular', then that to me kind of insinuates that anyone that didn't pay a royalty to Spyderco for the hole opener is, well, less than honorable. I don't want to speak for Sal of course, but that is what I read there.

Here is his the link to where he said that Boye is an honorable man, one of the few to pay Spyderco a royalty when their 'hole opener patent' trademark was enforced etc etc.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=349734&page=3
 
I don't have a "Favorite Company" whether it's knives, guns or cars.. I want the best value for my money no matter what I buy! Call me a whore, or call me a consumer. I certainly have an understanding for preferences. Let your money speak, and value will follow. :D
 
STR said:
I wonder why some, like David Boye, for example, pay a royalty to Spyderco for the use of their hole when the hole they use is not 'circular' then if that is the case.

Sal apparently differs in opinion on this statement you made ThomBrogan. It seems to me that if Sal would say that David Boye is an honorable man for paying Spyderco a royalty for the use of the opening hole, even though David's hole is anything but round or as you said 'circular', then that to me kind of insinuates that anyone that didn't pay a royalty to Spyderco for the hole opener is, well, less than honorable. I don't want to speak for Sal of course, but that is what I read there.
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Sal Glesser said:
David Boye is an honorable man, one of the few factories to actually pay us
royalties when our hole opener patent was in force.
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"When [the] hole opener patent was in force", (presumably 1981-1986ish) knife companies were obligated to license the innovation covered by that patent (which may've included non-round holes). Now the _trademark_ (not the patent) covers only the round hole. Sal's statement refers to the past.

Unfortunately, I don't have a copy of the patent, or know how to get one; that might clear this up quickly.
 
Myamoto Musashi said:
Too bad the handle is so uncomfortable compared to my bm's.
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One of the things I like about the Paramilitary is that because of the way the liners are situated, and the depth that the edge and tip are beneath the level of the scales, you can significantly modify the handles without compromising the integrity of the knife.
I used a round file to reshape the curve where my little finger rests so I can comfortably grip the knife with all five fingers behind the "index finger cutout". I also filed a bevel at the outside edges of the handle to match the factory bevel, and sanded everything smooth. Visibly, it isn't a big difference, just less hump at that end of the handle-edit: added a pic. In the hand, the difference is huge.
The Paramilitary is a great knife, IMO, but that doesn't mean it's perfect as is.
It's your knife-don't hesitate to change it to suit YOU :)
 
I used to like spyderco over benchmade, but not anymore.

Spyderco has changed their warranty. They no longer fix things they used to. For example, intergral clips, failed clips on the Jot SingKhlasa.

They now charge for knife sharpening and tip reprofiles in cases that used to be covered by their warranty.

I've seen more spydrecos w/o tips than benchmade. Is it poor design or poor materials.

Spyderco started the integrity "game" with their old "fair and honest warranty." They don't use that language anymore and the last knife I got from their factory store had no warranty information.

My experience with fit and finish puts spyderco lower than Benchmade.

When it comes to warranty repairs, I've had about 4 out of 4 less than satisfactory expriences with spydreco, but more than complete satisfaction with my 3 Benchmade experiences.

Benchmade stocks parts and can repair knives that are out of stock. Spyderco cannot repair knives that are not current US production. Older stock and overseas produced knives you are out of luck.

Benchmade replaces springs in autos for free...spyderco would charge for this under the current warranty.

Right now, I like to see the spydercos before I buy, but I'd buy benchmade blind.
 
DaveH said:
...if not the law then it seems to me they violated the "spirit" of the law with the skirmish design.
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I thought that was a Blackwood collaboration?

Blop said:
My request for broken tips found Spydercos, no BMs (that doen´s mean BMs wont break the tips, but in real life it doesn´t seem to happen).
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Some of their models like the Police have very thin tips, combine this with full flat grinds and yes they don't pry well. They are more efficient in regards to penetration however - this isn't a negative, simply a compromize.

Maybe some of the lighter models are the better cutters. But looking on the actual high priced models without the cheap hollow ground, the edges ae as thick as BMs.

I sometimes see it as a prejudge about BMs edge thickness based on the ATS34 time.
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There has been no change from what I can see, the Skirmish I recently handled had the same thick Benchmade edge which was described in the past. Can you even get spec's on Benchmades? I have used more than a dozen Spyderco folders, even the heaviest ground one is more efficient than the better Benchmades I have used, even Benchmade fans often comment they need to be reprofiled NIB.

STR said:
In my own 'retired' Spyderco and Cold Steel knives in FRN handles the main reason for retiring them was due to undue vertical blade play in the knife directly related to the pivot pin hole in the FRN body becoming oval or oblong in shape instead of staying in the original circular shape it was when new.
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How long does this take? The comments I have seen are generally in regards to gross handle flexing, in which case the liners are not a significant issue.

-Cliff
 
What ever the reasons may be, lately I am a lot more attracted to Spyderco knives than I am to BM knives......I used to be attracted to women...but no more its knives all the way now :o :D :D.
 
Grover_Cephas said:
To me, it's a lot like choosing a woman, actually. The flash-bang of a gorgeous one is really impressive to everybody who sees her on your arm, but an intelligent, deep woman'll still turn you on after the New Relationship Energy's worn off. ;) :D
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I guess that explains why I own benchmades like the 806 & 707 and prefer to date gorgeous models with whom I never have a real relationship. :cool: All is right in the world...
 
I don't really care.

I like Benchmade because I think they make a better knife. Saying more than that will cause a flame war here.
 
Spyderco all the way!! Excellent, excellent products, great prices, and amazing customer service!! Spyderco REALLY cares about their customer's opnions!
 
I am an avid collector and user of several models of Spyderco's finest. I carry a Spyderco C-44 Dyad for an EDC. I also carry a Burgundy Calypso Jr with ZDP-189 as a sidekick. There are days I carry a Benchmade to accompany it. My favorite Benchmade is the one I do carry with it occasionally. It is the model 640s Phil Boguszewski Spike. I truly wish Benchmade would resurrect it with a better, more modern blade steel.

I have close the 150 Spydercos in my collection and contentment is no where near. I also have a small collection of Benchmades of probably 24. But both knife makers are signatures of quality and make me proud to be an American. :thumbup:
 
I have tons of both kinds and I always get the feeling that Spyderco makes "cheap" knives. Good knife but cheap feeling like some of the junk knives out there feel. They used to make them with a heavier stainless handle but now all the Spydercos seem to have light-weight plastic handles, no liners, pinned locks, thin blades (I always worry about breaking off a tip). I do like their serrated edges.

Benchmades just seem to me to be more solid, not cutting corners like the Spydercos. This is just my $.02. Like I said, I use both. I just got a Calypso Jr with ZDP and a blood red light-weight plastic handle (which is the downside).

I like the Benchmade PIKA as a "beater" around the house. It has 440-C steel at 60 RC which is a great blade, IMHO. Spyderco uses gobs of VG-10 steel and is about the only maker who does use it that I have found. VG-10 has a bunch of "cobalt" in it which probably makes for easier machining. Anyone know about why they are stuck on VG-10 (big contract with the Japanese steel makers maybe?)?

http://spyderco.com/edge-u-cation/index.php?item=3

http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=10400

Lastly, does anyone really believe that the guy who is the CEO of a major knife company in Colorado has the time or inclination to sit around on his PC posting information to Knife Knuts on forums? I'm sure Spyderco has a Public Relations department that does this (or they subcontracted out to a user who continually surfs the websites and makes posts as "SAL").

I'm amused by all these posts people make to "SAL" like he is waiting around for our little comments. This personality cult is a great marketing tool though, gives a warm fuzzy feeling like you are really communicating with a true famous knife personality! I guess it is sort of like talk radio where folks call in to talk to "RUSH"!
 
I vote spyderco. I like frn lockbacks because they are light, strong, and cheap. They offer most of the preformance of a bechmade g10 axis knife at a much lower price.
 
Both are great companies and we're lucky to have them around.

I think that Benchmade has a slightly better fit-and-finish than Spyderco.

But when it comes down to performance, I think Spyderco wins over Benchmade.
All of my Spyderco knives just seem to cut better than my Benchmade knives.

And Spyderco is not afraid to experiment and take risks--much more so than Benchmade.
And I admire that risk taking attitude.

Allen.
 
WadeF said:
............ It's hard to go back to a FRN knife with a lock back after handing a BM with dual steel liners, g-10 handles, and the AXIS lock................
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I totally agree. I had a delica before I bought my Griptilian. After using the Griptilian there is no way I could go back to Spyderco. I've handled many knives in our local knife store too and there's just nothing like a nice G10 handled Axis lock model. Nothing.
 
Very interesting thread.

I own many knives of both brands. They are excellent knives. From my perspective Benchmade is a giant faceless CNC machine popping out knives while Spyderco is Sal who spends a GREAT deal of time in here learning from ELUs what they want and need. A CEO who goes to that kind of trouble to please his customers has my vote.
 
For me,
I like maybe 2 spydies enough to maybe purchase, mainly because of thier steel they are built with, but just that.

The designs, leave me wanting nothing.

The owner, makes me wish BM had one just like him.(Very decent fella)

However, i am benchmade fan over a spydie every day, 2 of 3 of my EDC's are benchmades that replaced some that were packed for 20 years(Schrades), took a damn good knife to do that.

The whole overall feeling of bm's is of a complete package, from cutting edge to finish of the handles, i don't ever get the feeling i bought a BM because it was made with the latest greatest steel and just that, i feel i got it all when i am using a BM, not just the cutting edge, and of course the AXIS is icing.

Plus the shapes of BM's to me, are damn pleasing to the eye, now the spydies, are ona different field altogether here, not forbidden ugly, just ugly enough to keep it outa sight and use it for the work at hand.

There, i buy BM because i want a knife that looks as good as it cuts and lasts over a lifetime.(Cutting edges can be manipulated either good or in a bad way, after initial sharpening it is up to you to put it on.)

Now if Spydie used some traditional looks in thier knives...:D

Peace out

WR
 
DGG said:
Lastly, does anyone really believe that the guy who is the CEO of a major knife company in Colorado has the time or inclination to sit around on his PC posting information to Knife Knuts on forums? I'm sure Spyderco has a Public Relations department that does this (or they subcontracted out to a user who continually surfs the websites and makes posts as "SAL").

I'm amused by all these posts people make to "SAL" like he is waiting around for our little comments. This personality cult is a great marketing tool though, gives a warm fuzzy feeling like you are really communicating with a true famous knife personality! I guess it is sort of like talk radio where folks call in to talk to "RUSH"!
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Hi DGG,

you don't really think that I would have someone write for me and sign my name, do you?

Sorry to contradict you, but this CEO does take the time to communicate with his customers....and listen to them.

sal
 
I dont have any expierence with benchmade. My kid owns one and its a favorite of his. He carries it as a edc along with a spydie native as his edc. He cuts a lot of boxes etc and almost always uses his native for it.
I dont own a Benchmade.
I have known about spyderco knives since about 1978 or so. In fact Sal and I were talking about it when he had his factory sale. I remember his first "factory" in golden
I am a diehard spydie fan The knives are well made for a decent price. When I buy I look for "quality for my money" I have never felt cheated by spyderco.

well gotta go
 
I think I like Spyderco a little more. They make more knives that appeal to me, and in more price classes (BM makes some cheaper knives, but they don't appeal to me at all while Spyderco's do). Their overall product line is more my style. There are *MANY* Spyderco knives I want to buy, but only a few Benchmades.

That said, nothing Spyderco makes turns me on the way the Skirmish does.
 
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