Benchmade h2o grip vs spyderco pacific salt...

Surfingringo

Surfingringo

Joined
May 25, 2013
Messages
3,700
Just trying to decide between these knives. Knife will see hard use and a lot of ocean time. Spyderco seems to have the edge in rust proof and benchmade in edge retention. My question is whether either of these two is more "rugged" than the other. Just thought I would ask here as maybe some of you have used/owned both. Thanks in advance.

Lance
 
When I went to Hawaii two years ago, I lived in the water for about a week in a half with a 110H2O lashed underneath my swim shirts, and the N680 did not rust whatsoever.. I don't have the Grip version with N680, but if I know Grips & N680 - you shouldn't have any issues, and it's still "rugged" IMO.. Plus the orange will be nice, if it slips out of your shorts in the water.. Very easy choice :)
 
Generally speaking, comparisons between 2 manufacturers in one manufactuers section is not good. It's more of a General Knife Discussion topic.
 
RevDevil said:
Generally speaking, comparisons between 2 manufacturers in one manufactuers section is not good. It's more of a General Knife Discussion topic.
Click to expand...

You are correct and off to General we go... :D
 
Personally, I love both companies. And I really can't see you going wrong either way. But I'm willing to bet that most will tell you the Axis lock is going to be a bit tougher than the lock back (it is a lock back, right?... damn you, memory) of the Salt in terms of "ruggedness." Unfortunately, I have no experience with either so take this with a grain of SALT (pun intended).
 
Oops, sorry if that was some kind of breach of etiquette. Didnt realize that was a problem. I had already posted a similar question in the general knife forum, but I figured since one of the knives I was considering was a benchmade, I might get some good knowledge in the benchmade forum. Certainly wasn't trying to create any controversy.

What if my post had been "just bought an h2o and I like it way better than my pacific salt!" That could have stayed in the benchmade forum? Stating opinions ok, but asking for them is not??

Honestly, I'm not quite sure I'm in agreement with this call, but I don't make the rules.

I'm going to shut up now before I get moved again to whine and cheese! ;-)
 
I like having a rustproof knife for the one or two times a year when I go kayaking on the river and a Spyderco Pacific Salt has filled that role for quite a few years. I am a much bigger Benchmade fan however, so i've been thinking about switching to an H20 Grip. My only concern is that, while I know the steel is extremely rust resistant, has Benchmade done anything to improve the rust resistance of the omega springs or other hardware?
 
Surfingringo said:
Oops, sorry if that was some kind of breach of etiquette. Didnt realize that was a problem. I had already posted a similar question in the general knife forum, but I figured since one of the knives I was considering was a benchmade, I might get some good knowledge in the benchmade forum. Certainly wasn't trying to create any controversy.

What if my post had been "just bought an h2o and I like it way better than my pacific salt!" That could have stayed in the benchmade forum? Stating opinions ok, but asking for them is not??

Honestly, I'm not quite sure I'm in agreement with this call, but I don't make the rules.

I'm going to shut up now before I get moved again to whine and cheese! ;-)
Click to expand...

Not so much a breach of etiquette, it's just you will get a broader range of feedback here. In a Benchmade forum everyone will vote for the benchmade, in a spydie forum everyone is going to vote for the spydie.

One thing to consider is whether the axis lock is also made to be impervious to corrosion. I know that Spyderco has stated all steel material on their salt series is impervious to salt water, and in my experience so far it is true.
 
Yeah, I think the spyderco definitely wins on rust resistance. The benchmade seems to win on edge retention. Spidie wins again on price and benchmade on blade shape. Its a pretty close race. The kicker for me is durability since I use my water/fishing knives pretty hard. If the benchmade is a far tougher (harder use) knife I might justify spending the extra $$. If its close, I'll probably go with the spyderco.
 
My only fear would be that if they didn't come up with something for the omega spring then the salt water will eat through that tiny bit of metal pretty fast. If the locking mechanism can't hold up to corrosion then the Spydie would end up being tougher in the long run.
 
Surfingringo said:
Just trying to decide between these knives. Knife will see hard use and a lot of ocean time. Spyderco seems to have the edge in rust proof and benchmade in edge retention. My question is whether either of these two is more "rugged" than the other. Just thought I would ask here as maybe some of you have used/owned both. Thanks in advance.

Lance
Click to expand...

They are both lightweight folding knives, so I figure they will both be "rugged" up to a certain point. IMO I would buy the spyderco as it is of simpler construction without the omega springs and nested liners. Lots of extra parts and spaces to get gunk. Also, I don't think it has been mentioned, but the yellow color of the spyderco is supposed to be more visible under water than any other color (spyderco field tested this previous to the release of the salt series). Also, you have several sizes to choose from with the salt series.

BTW, I carry a "pointy tip" modded black handled salt 1 often for EDC and it works great.
 
Surfingringo said:
Oops, sorry if that was some kind of breach of etiquette. Didnt realize that was a problem. I had already posted a similar question in the general knife forum, but I figured since one of the knives I was considering was a benchmade, I might get some good knowledge in the benchmade forum. Certainly wasn't trying to create any controversy.

What if my post had been "just bought an h2o and I like it way better than my pacific salt!" That could have stayed in the benchmade forum? Stating opinions ok, but asking for them is not??

Honestly, I'm not quite sure I'm in agreement with this call, but I don't make the rules.

I'm going to shut up now before I get moved again to whine and cheese! ;-)
Click to expand...

A manufacturer that starts and has a forum here, doesn't want to hear about other manufaturers. They are here to discuss their own knives. In this case, Benchmade might not give 2 cents about your opinion or any one else's brand, and they surely don't want to read about it in their "house". It's a matter of respect, those threads in some areas get out of hand real quick. You may not agree, but it is what it is, and experience is a great teacher; ignoring that would be foolish.
 
"In this case, Benchmade might not give 2 cents about your opinion or any one else's brand, and they surely don't want to read about it in their "house""

I wasn't giving any opinions, but asking for them. I know a lot more about the salt than the h2o. I would have liked to have learned more about the griptillian from the people who make and use it. I think you did benchmade a disservice by removing my question from their forum. I've been wrong before though. Ok, I'm done. Back on topic.

Thanks suedeface, I guess I am kind of leaning in that (the spyderco) direction. I usually go for simplicity...especially in a work tool, and i havent had anyone express to me that the benchmade is any tougher...I was halfway hoping to hear that. And yeah, what you mention about the omega springs on the benchmade could be true. Hmm, not sure where I could find THAT information...
 
I can't comment on the Benchmade (I'd like to try it out someday) but I can say that my Pacific Salt has been completely rust proof and durable. I've posted before on getting small bits of sand in the mechanism from swimming in the ocean and it becomes gritty for a while but then a week or so later (and after a good rinsing) it seems to be fine. Now, I'd avoid getting sand in the mechanism, but I was surprised at how durable it's been. There were at least a couple times I thought I had ruined the knife but years later it soldiers on. As rider said, it's slim and very light also. It's my Ocean EDC.
 
Surfingringo said:
"In this case, Benchmade might not give 2 cents about your opinion or any one else's brand, and they surely don't want to read about it in their "house""

I wasn't giving any opinions, but asking for them. I know a lot more about the salt than the h2o. I would have liked to have learned more about the griptillian from the people who make and use it. I think you did benchmade a disservice by removing my question from their forum. I've been wrong before though. Ok, I'm done. Back on topic.

Thanks suedeface, I guess I am kind of leaning in that (the spyderco) direction. I usually go for simplicity...especially in a work tool, and i havent had anyone express to me that the benchmade is any tougher...I was halfway hoping to hear that. And yeah, what you mention about the omega springs on the benchmade could be true. Hmm, not sure where I could find THAT information...
Click to expand...

That is exactly why, yet you still fail to understand, but maybe in time when you've been around and had a chance to read more you might yet understand the way things work around here. A disservice would have been leaving a "versus" thread in the manufacturers forum. We don't need to monitor and then clean up a thread where potential fans and detractors go head to head. This forum is 15 years old, you don't think things are done by accident here do you? It's been that way for years, long before you and I came along. Sorry if you disapprove, but thems the rubs. Back on topic please.
 
Im a pretty quick study. I think I'm already understanding how things work around here. Thank you for your help. You may close the thread if you like. I've gotten the information from it that I need.
 
Benchmade made it for water use. You have a Spyderco. And yes the AXIS lock is stronger than a back lock. I would try something else personally, to have an informed choice in the future. Even if you need to rinse the Benchmade off at the end of the day. And if something happens, Benchmade will take care of you. Just might have to send the knife in. But since you are out of the country, they might even send you the parts. But I doubt it comes to that and that it holds up fine.

They make a few other h20 knives besides the grip, FYI.

If the omega springs did rust out, I would take some stainless fishing leader and make a new set of springs. I've done it and it isn't that hard with a pair of needle nose pliers. But again, I doubt it comes to that since it was made to use in the water.
 
I like how BM is providing competition to Spyderco's H1 series (or vice versa), as we consumers will be the benefactor. However, I do worry that the omega springs or any non-N680 part will start corroding. I mean, if we're gonna sacrifice some edge retention to go maintenance free.. why not go all the way?
 
TEFL0N_D0N_81 said:
I like how BM is providing competition to Spyderco's H1 series (or vice versa), as we consumers will be the benefactor. However, I do worry that the omega springs or any non-N680 part will start corroding. I mean, if we're gonna sacrifice some edge retention to go maintenance free.. why not go all the way?
Click to expand...

Hey Don, I sent benchmade an email back then and got a response. They told me the only thing in the bm made of non corrosive metal is the blade. I don't think it would have worked out for me as well as the salt has. I think spydercos version of a saltwater knife is a bit more "serious" than benchmades.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top