Benchmade or Spyderco poll

Taking all factors into account, which company is better?

  • Total voters
    204
It’s a push for me. Have too many good memories of the delica and the griptilian
 
Spyderco definitely. Benchmade's high prices and poor quality control made me strike me from their list many years ago.

Benchmade also doesn't keep up with the times either. The only model that has interested me in recent years was the Tengu. However, the one I handled was off center, has lock rock, and was a terrible flipper.

I will say that my dislike of thumbstuds has something to do with it as well.

First knife I bought after joining BF was a Spyderco GB1.

Spyderco is constantly offering new steels as well as that actually listen to the consumer and correct any common issues as part of their CQI protocol.

I own 6 Spyderco's.. However, I pretty much am done buying "production" knives at this point.

I also agree about BM's politics, but then again look at the state they are from.
 
I voted Benchmade..........
Just my opinion.
I don't own a Spyderco. Although never say never. Might find one in the future that I like.
 
elde66 said:
Over the years I’ve had occasion to utilize customer service for both brands. Benchmade was most helpful in resolving my issue(s) in a speedy, caring and satisfactory manner. On the other hand, Spyderco (once I was able to communicate with a human being) was quite the opposite and my quest for a part or two (screws) and the one year wait to replace the defective Siren were unacceptable. Now, if I feel the need for a Spyderco product, I’ll purchase it on the secondary market.

Benchmade.
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I’ve had the exact opposite experience with Spyderco Customer Service. I emailed them about my problem with stripped screws on my PM2. They requested that I send them photos of my PM2 so they can verify that they send me the correct screws for my knife. They said they send out screws every 10 business days. Mine should be here soon
 
I respect everything Spyderco has done and Sal has shown what it means to be a class act in business. I hope to see Spyderco around for many, many generations to come.

That said, they don't work well for me. I have several and every few years I try another and end up giving it to my brother.

Benchmade is not THE brand of choice for me, but I tend to carry one for work when I know I'll be cutting stuff on the job site. If I were to be pigeon-holed into being a production knife fan boi, it would probably be microtech. However, brand doesn't factor into my choice beyond it being a known and well regarded one.

The brand names aren't competing for my dollars, just the designs and intended uses.

So BM gets my vote from a practical point, but I would never feel cheated if my only choice was a Spyderco.
 
My only negative about most Benchmade knives is the blades are too thick. If you take the time to thin them out, they work great. Only one Spyderco left in small collection, and it is a cutting machine out of the box. Hard to beat full flat ground blade. Just my idea from an old dog.
 
Both. I grew up using the early Spyders with the molded clips and admiring the Mini Reflex my father bought when we went to Blade in Atlanta. I saw Spyderco as the working man's knife and Benchmade as the next level. Once I could afford them, I bought a D2 Adamas, then a Contego. Adamas in the left front, Contego in the right front. Then came the PM2, the Yojimbo 2, several Enduras, and the K390 Police. Took a fun detour getting each model Grip in 154cm. These days, I usually carry a Spyder in the front right and a Grip in the back right. While I acknowledge this is my opinion (and a little of my father talking), the Delica/Endura/Police and the Griptilian are two of the classic designs that led to where we are today.
All that having been said, I am done paying full retail for either brand.
 
I have both (especially love the Militaries) but my current EDC is a Benchmade Taggedout. I really like the Axis lock so I guess my vote goes to Benchmade.
 
Benchmade 100%. The Axis lock is by far my favorite lock.

Spyderco's ergonomics just don't work for me, and I find the compression lock annoying to manipulate. Ultimately Spydercos just feel like a mess in my hands.
 
Both are great brand with awesome models.
In my knifedrawer live more Spydies though... ;)
 
At last count, there are 386 knives in my collection. 168 of them are Spydercos but only 9 are Benchmades.

So, it's obvious which company I think is "better" (or at least, more interesting) to me.
 
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I have one Benchmade ($99.00 in years-ago money, an extravagant expense at the time) and two Spydercos (about thirty or forty bucks, apiece, as I recall). Although I like some of the Benchmade models, those $200+ price tags on those models (or near enough) aren't something I can justify. Spyderco, on the other hand, has a lot of knives I might actually own at prices I'm willing to pay. So in my case, "better" hinges on economic reach and which company makes more things that interest me. So, yeah, Spyderco.
 
norcalAF said:
To my knowledge, Spyderco doesn't lend out their facility for firearms destruction. I'm in the Spyderco camp for that.
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I respect all opinions, amd dont want to get terribly in the weeds about this, but im in agreement. They also have a VERY long history of donating politically to the parties that work to remove our 2nd amendment rights. That trumps the fact that they do make nice knives (and they assuredly do!). I think the guys from spiderco, from what i know, are super solid guys, but im not a fan of thier knives aesthetically (which doesnt effect the usability of the knife, of course!) Im not a big spender on knives, i really like kershaws, and have one zero tolerance.
 
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