I recently purchased my fourth Benchmade knife, the Contego in CPM M4 steel. It is a large knife but it has become my edc. I bought a red box BM several years ago, I'm not sure what kind of steel the blade was, but I think it was possibly a version of the Griptillian. My first Blue class BM was the Mini Barrage, second Griptillian with black blade and thumbhole, third mini Onslaught, and recently the Contego. I have experience with Spyderco products and they just didn't work out for me. I bought a new Native and the pocket clip fell off. Later on I bought an Endura 4 in VG10 steel. The knife just feels flimsy to me and it came dull. I wanted to like Spyderco but Benchmade has become my favorite manufacturer.
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Benchmade has become my favorite manufacturer
- Thread starter TheEdge01
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I can't argue with your choice, but I'm biased 
I've never been a Spyderco fan, but they do have a couple knives that I really like. The Sage 2 and CF Chaparral... They are great looking knives and made extremely well,
but the rest of the lineup doesn't do much for me.
They make a great knife, and many people swear by them, it's just personal preference. Any manufacturer can have a bad knife slip through, but I've owned a lot of BM knives and have yet to have a problem
I've never been a Spyderco fan, but they do have a couple knives that I really like. The Sage 2 and CF Chaparral... They are great looking knives and made extremely well,
but the rest of the lineup doesn't do much for me.
They make a great knife, and many people swear by them, it's just personal preference. Any manufacturer can have a bad knife slip through, but I've owned a lot of BM knives and have yet to have a problem
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They've been my favorite folder company since I got into the Axis lock. I can't go back. I'm not a collector, I just want knives that do the job I need, and Benchmade does it. To be perfectly honest, no one else really interests me. I respect Spyderco, ZT, CRK, Emerson, ESEE, Fallkniven, the list goes on.... They all offer fantastic knives, but they simply don't interest me for daily use.
My Adamas and Bone Collector Axis have been my go-to knives for years, and my 940-1 replaced both for daily carry, as of Tuesday. I'm just spoiled by the Axis lock, their customer service, their steel offerings, and their knives just generally appeal to me.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend any other brand, I have no delusions that Benchmade is the end-all, they're just what I've come to prefer.
My Adamas and Bone Collector Axis have been my go-to knives for years, and my 940-1 replaced both for daily carry, as of Tuesday. I'm just spoiled by the Axis lock, their customer service, their steel offerings, and their knives just generally appeal to me.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend any other brand, I have no delusions that Benchmade is the end-all, they're just what I've come to prefer.
INEBRIATED
I agree with you wholeheartedly, I would actually like to give the Spyderco Paramilitary a try myself. Benchmade has just earned my business with their products and customer service. Spyderco has done the opposite. As I mentioned earlier my Endura was dull when I bought it. I tried over and over to put an edge on it and I have barely made any progress at all. I contacted Spyderco because VG10 steel isn't supposed to be a bear to sharpen. They pretty much said it was me and not the steel. I have used hand held stones then I started using guides to make sure I was keeping the correct angle because I wanted to put a decent edge on the knife before carrying it. I contacted Spyderco again and they said to sharpen it at 15 degrees on each side, I tried that and it didn't work. I don't know if they heat treated the steel too much or if they mistakingly labelled a blade as VG10 when it was a harder steel and installed it in my knife. Or maybe I'm not as good at sharpening knives as I think I am.
I agree with you wholeheartedly, I would actually like to give the Spyderco Paramilitary a try myself. Benchmade has just earned my business with their products and customer service. Spyderco has done the opposite. As I mentioned earlier my Endura was dull when I bought it. I tried over and over to put an edge on it and I have barely made any progress at all. I contacted Spyderco because VG10 steel isn't supposed to be a bear to sharpen. They pretty much said it was me and not the steel. I have used hand held stones then I started using guides to make sure I was keeping the correct angle because I wanted to put a decent edge on the knife before carrying it. I contacted Spyderco again and they said to sharpen it at 15 degrees on each side, I tried that and it didn't work. I don't know if they heat treated the steel too much or if they mistakingly labelled a blade as VG10 when it was a harder steel and installed it in my knife. Or maybe I'm not as good at sharpening knives as I think I am.
uxo2
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Yes your right. It is your sharpening technique. Not the steels fault.
Buy a sharpmaker.
I actually like both but Benchmade is on top
for the following.
Have you ever used a knife so hard that you wore it out.
I did. A 740 dejavoo. It was abandoned junk till I heard they can
reblade. Luckily for me they still had some.
When it arrived. Looked new.
Spyderco.sorry. buy a new knife
You tweak a clip. Call BM. No charge. Spyderco. 5 bucks.
Now I'm sending in a 800 AFCK. And they will fix it.
Like I said. I like both. But BM comes on top.
Oh, I think everyone on this forum will agree with Benchmade being a favorite.
I'm not into the either/or, Benchmade vs Spyderco thing. I own numerous models of each brand and I can't find much bad to say about either one. I love the Spyderco hole for opening more so than the Benchmade thumb studs but Spydercos tend to be too wide in profile compared to Benchmades of the same general size. I like the Axis lock but I can't really find fault with well done back locks, liner locks, compression locks, etc. Benchmade's USA products are excellent but so are Spyderco's USA, Japan and Taichung Taiwan made knives. Both companies use excellent traditional steels and both companies adopt the newest trend in super steels. Both companies have great customer service. I probably own a couple dozen Spydercos (bought my first one about 25 years ago) and, counting HK models, about a dozen Benchmades. All great knives. Makes for a happy time trying to decide which one to carry each day.
(And, yes, TheEdge01, it is you. VG-10 is one of my favorite steels in part because of it's so easy to get a screamin' sharp edge. It may not hold that edge as long as some of the more "super" steels but it's one of the easiest to resharpen I've ever used. Work on your technique and be persistent. It takes time to make a dull knife sharp.)
I'm not into the either/or, Benchmade vs Spyderco thing. I own numerous models of each brand and I can't find much bad to say about either one. I love the Spyderco hole for opening more so than the Benchmade thumb studs but Spydercos tend to be too wide in profile compared to Benchmades of the same general size. I like the Axis lock but I can't really find fault with well done back locks, liner locks, compression locks, etc. Benchmade's USA products are excellent but so are Spyderco's USA, Japan and Taichung Taiwan made knives. Both companies use excellent traditional steels and both companies adopt the newest trend in super steels. Both companies have great customer service. I probably own a couple dozen Spydercos (bought my first one about 25 years ago) and, counting HK models, about a dozen Benchmades. All great knives. Makes for a happy time trying to decide which one to carry each day.
(And, yes, TheEdge01, it is you. VG-10 is one of my favorite steels in part because of it's so easy to get a screamin' sharp edge. It may not hold that edge as long as some of the more "super" steels but it's one of the easiest to resharpen I've ever used. Work on your technique and be persistent. It takes time to make a dull knife sharp.)
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Benchmade are the only folders I will buy until Busse releases the Infi Folder.
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I borrowed a Paramilitary 2 for a couple weeks. Interesting knife, love the locking system, but.... it's just not interesting enough to throw $150 at, and I know I wouldn't carry it when I have Benchmades I enjoy using more.
And on Benchmade's CS, the 940-1 I mentioned, has an off-center blade. When I asked about a deep carry clip, I also asked their policy on blade centering... they said they would cover it under warranty, which I think is well above and beyond. I know a lot of people think a $267 knife should have a centered blade.... I just don't care, it's a user, and I don't expect them to cover that under warranty, since it doesn't impede function. But, they will, and I appreciate that.
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I like both but have more Spydercos than BM, they both work for me but I've leaned a bit more toward Spyderco over the past couple of years.
However I will also say the 940-1 and 484-1 are 2 of my very favourite EDC folders.
OP, consider a 950 Rift, I think you will like it. I sure do
However I will also say the 940-1 and 484-1 are 2 of my very favourite EDC folders.
OP, consider a 950 Rift, I think you will like it. I sure do
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Me either, they actually run about $110 or so. At the price you saw it sounds like you were looking at a higher retail price than can be found just about anywhere. Interestingly enough, given the correct sharpening media, just about any steel can get sharp. Can't really blame the steel unfortunately. A bad mechanic always blames his tools as they say.
Many people don't care about a blade centering, in my opinion it's a component of the "craftsmanship" aspect of the product. Most manufacturers will center a blade under warranty if the knife is sent in, there is no exclusivity in that area from a company. One final thing to consider is the company size, many smaller companies will sell pocket clips such as Emerson, Spyderco, and others. But, they have also been known to send them and free of charge in some circumstances. Too many things to account for to make such sweeping statements.
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Even at $110, I'm not interested in it. Even $20, I wouldn't buy it, because I simply wouldn't use it.
I didn't say anything about sharpening, or blaming steel... but I agree.
What "sweeping statement" did I make?
And centering/craftsmanship is perspective... I don't expect any production item to be perfect, as long as it's functional, and the knife is functional... If you expect that, and other companies do it, great for the both of you. My post was from my perspective.
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Great. It was hard to tell from your post since you said you used the word "interesting" and used the phrase "loved the locking system". Mea culpa.
I did not say you did, did I?
My comment about "sweeping statements" was not directed at you per se. Just a general commentary to those that typically blame a manufacturer for less than stellar sharpening experience; it happens much more often than people may think.
No need to get so defensive. It's a discussion, other people share their perspectives too, that is how we all learn. I shared my thoughts on centering, hope that's alright
.