Benchmade or Spyderco

mwhich50 said:
I like their OpFocus program.
I prefer to pay $100 or less, and there are a lot of Spydies in that price range.
I pretty much stopped buying Benchmade when they went to MAP pricing.
I have an adequate selection of Grips, and a handful of other Benchmades. I'm good.

Are you familiar with the Spyderco OpFocus program?

There are no Benchmade offerings under $100 anymore, except maybe the models I already have.
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I think you are right, no Benchmade products under 100 bucks.

And, no, I am not familiar with
Spyderco’s OpFocus program.
What is it?
 
I'm less than a month into the hobby so I have no bias based on history, politics, QC, warranty, etc. I really like the BM Axis lock and my BM 698 Foray is really beautiful to look at and hold-high degree of finely detailed finishing.

In the last week I acquired a BM Bugout CF Elite black blade and a Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight w/black blade. Super cool pair! Different designs for exact same purpose. I think the P3LW looks super cool but the BM works much better to my inexperienced fingers. Both are easy drop close but I still need more practice to get the P3LW to stay closed w/o popping back out a bit. QC on the BM appears perfect to me, P3LW blade centering not quite perfect and the shop had two more that were more off-center than the one I bought. It's fun to have one in each hand!
 
sabre cat said:
I think you are right, no Benchmade products under 100 bucks.

And, no, I am not familiar with
Spyderco’s OpFocus program.
What is it?
Click to expand...

It's a Spyderco (online site only) discount program for
  • Active Duty Military
  • Reservist / National Guard
  • Military Veteran / Retiree
  • Law Enforcement Officer
  • Paramedic / Fire Rescue
  • EMT
  • Medical Professionals
 
Should have worded my post differently. I can’t choose between which maker I prefer. My only real wishlist for 2021 is two of their most tried and true. Already got an order in for a BM 940-2 thru my buddies shop, apparently they won’t be shipping out their next batch until around February 1st. And sooner rather than later, I’m going to pick up a PM2. It’s a “working around the wife” kinda thing.
 
My collection currently includes 6 Benchmade/10 Spyderco, but weight of numbers aside I like them equally for different reasons.

I like their EDC stalwarts, like the Grip and PM2, which both handle everyday knife tasks but get there in completely different ways. I like that both companies push the envelope sometimes (although I'd say Spyderco does this more often); the SOCP folder and Matriarch 2 stand out there, for example.

The Axis lock is probably my favorite locking mechanism, but I also love the round hole for its practicality and myriad flicking options. (And yet the Grip with the Spyderhole left me cold; makes no sense!) I have yet to find a lightweight all-rounder in its size range that I like more than the Bugout; Spyderco covers my hiking and foul-weather needs with the Salt series. And so on.

Love 'em both. :)
 
I like and own both, and buy each based upon designs that interest me. What set Benchmade apart for me was the AXIS lock. What sets Spyderco apart for me (other than sliceyness and being great tools of course) is Sal and Eric Glesser. I just get the sense that they get joy out of providing knife enthusiasts with knives that bring us enjoyment, and I think it shows in their product lineup as well as in how they conduct their business.
 
Lodd said:
If you like to tinker, go with Benchmade. All of my Benchmades got perfect with sufficient love and attention. On the downside, all of my Benchmades needed love and attention to flourish.

Not so with my Spyderco knives. I have 2. I really really like the Spydiechef. Everything was perfect out of the box. I was really really disappointed with the Native 5 (in fluted titanium). Such a bad action for such an expensive knife, and there was nothing I could do, since it was loctited shut so bad, not even the hairdryer could help. Spyderco can be really hit or miss, love it or hate it. It also makes sense, because while they are quite good in terms of ergonomics, they do make different designs for different hands and different use types, and it's mostly up to the customer to figure out what suits them best. Since they're pretty expensive, that's a bit of a gamble. Handle one IRL before making up your mind.
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that's the first time I've heard that opinion voiced
 
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Was always a Spyderco guy up until this year when I purchased my first Benchmade(s). I enjoy both manufacturers now.

Billy The Hungry said:
I've had issues with all of my Spyderco knives. I haven't owned a Benchmade, yet. I want a Bugout.

I do love my Spyderco PM2, even with her flaws.

Edit to add: I love Spyderco, and want more Spyderco knives. I don't mean to sound like I'm bashing the brand, because I'm not.
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Grab one. It’s an excellent knife!
 
I have had both but sold off most of my Benchmade knives - mainly because of their politics and Axis locks with their Omega springs - which I have had to get replaced. In fairness, I must mention that I was very satisfied with BM customer service; I did not know that Spyderco does not offer after sale support; that's very disheartening even though I've never needed it.

I am satisfied with my Spyderco knives; they are slicey, cut well, have decent ergos and are lightweight to carry. H1 rocks. They do seem fairly proudly priced on some of their models, especially if they do not provide after sale support.

I really like the Spyderco knives that I have and appreciate the passion and participation here of Sal Glesser.

I'm still a Spyderco fan but will try to baby the knives a little more now and save the tougher jobs, as I do now, for Cold Steel.
 
Just want to add, Spyderco's customer service seems awesome. I know it was only clip screws, but I had to call about them. I got an answer after only a few rings. I was off the phone in a minute. A couple days later, boom, my clip screws arived. Free.

Maybe it sounds silly, but I really really appreciate that. I have a feeling if I had a real problem with my PM2, they would be very helpful.
 
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