Benchmade or Spyderco

I really liked directly supporting knife rights with my money too with Ritter. At the same time, I am uninformed about political moves of Benchmade, people mentioned in this thread.. But I don't want to go OT!! :oops:

All in all, there are two BM models that I like, the Super Freek in M4 and the Mini Freek in S90V/CF. But I already have the GB2 which is hollow ground and shopping/waiting for the Native in S90V/CF, so...
 
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Jdeck2215 said:
Benchmade and Spyderco seem to be very popular right know, I am torn on which I like more. They both seem to have there ups and downs, let me know which brand you guys like more and why!!
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I like both, if you want specifics on what I think about pros and cons, I think spyderco offer better blade geometry for slicing, good distil taper of blades and full flat grinds, Benchmade have a nice smooth opening and closing action on the Axis lock. I like them both for differewnt reasons, Benchmades are more fun to deploy and close, very nice action, Spydercos perform better as slicing tools, but the Ball bearing locks give Benchmades a run for their money on action as well.
I like specific models from both brands. I love the Manix and PM2, I also love the Presidio and mini presidio from Benchmade.
Both great really.
 
I have had many of each and still have 5 Benchmades and 6 Spydercos, so I guess that means I love both, about equally. Spyderco usually has sharper factory edge and lighter weight. Benchmade Axis lock is fun to operate and very reliable; Benchmade folders also look better than Spyderco (personal opinion). Most Benchmades are not as slicey as Spydercos but I take the Super Freek as an exception - it is actually slicier than Spyderco PM2 and Manix 2 in my experience. I do like more the Benchmade warranty although I have never had to use it, yet. I also have two Hogue Ritters, which are similar to Benchmade Ritter Griptilian.
 
sabre cat said:
Yeah, it seems that way.

I would love one of their Ritter models but, with four Griptilians all ready, I can’t justify the purchase.
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Honestly, it's not. Between my 20cv grip and my custom grip, and my Hogue Ritter, the Grips have better action, no lock stick, and centered blades. My Hogue, while a fine knife that I enjoy very much, has to be run tighter in the pivot or it will have blade play (still very smooth action, but tighter than I prefer), has lock stick, and no matter what I do the blade will not center.

To each their own, I love both the Grips and the Ritter, but I don't feel the Hogue is "better". They are both very capable knives. The plus with the Ritter is supporting Knife Rights!

Between spyderco and benchmade...I usually carry one of each on a normal day. Haven't had any negative reactions to my Benchmades but if I do, bring it on. It's good to know who I need to ignore in the future.
 
My experience with Benchmade, both what I own and ones owned by friends and acquaintances, has been uniformly positive. When I bought my 20CV/G-10 Mini Grip, I assumed that I'd have to sort through several at the retailer to get one that was evenly ground and locked up and was centered (based on what I read here), but the first one I picked up was perfect. (I looked at a couple more just for the fun of it, and they were all fine - I would have been happy to buy any of them.)

I've known hard users of knives for a lot longer than I've been on this forum - not "knife guys" but people who, by nature of their jobs and/or hobbies, go hard on knives. There are a few Kershaws, a few slipjoints of various vintages, and a lot of Benchmade Grips and Mini-Grips. (Lots of local gun shops carry both sizes of Benchmade Grips, big box stores often have Kershaw, and the local hardware stores usually have Case, so this mix isn't too surprising to me.) There will be a small number of other things - CRKT, Gerber, Cold Steel, etc. Spyderco and GEC only seem to show up in the hands of people who care about knives themselves, instead of just having a cutting tool.

Until I started spending time on BladeForums, I'd never heard of or seen omega springs failing in either size Griptilian. And this is watching them in the hands of people who do not baby their knives at all - I'm not talking about safe queens here.

But I come here, and I see people say, "every Benchmade knife I've ever owned has failed". It's weird - people I know who have one knife and use it hard a lot, no failures. People who have large collections of knives that they rotate through, and know enough to not abuse them, they all fail.

I don't want to discount anyone's experience, but there really is an interesting disconnect between what I've observed for decades and things I read here.

All that aside, Spydercos are great knives, too. Buy what you like. Either brand will serve you well.

-Tyson
 
I regard both brands of equal quality.

If anything, Benchmade designs tend to stay along the lines of conventional blade and handle shapes, and a limited line of quality blade steels. On the other hand, Spyderco's can get a bit strange looking, but offer a wider variety of steels to try.
 
kobold said:
...At the same time, I am uninformed about political moves of Benchmade...
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Benchmade assisted their local PD by cutting up some firearms that had been confiscated. Yet, there was a program in place that possibly would have allowed them to be sold to citizens.

BM has stated that they were surprised by the public outcry and they won’t do it again. They felt that they were just supporting the police when the decision was originally made.

Benchmade also supported some politicians that support local training programs that help Benchmade as a business.
Unfortunately, those same two politicians are anti 2nd Amendment.

Benchmade has caught a lot of flak over all of this.

Just so you know. Now back to the discussion of merits of Spyderco and Benchmade products. I have no desire to derail this thread.
 
Tyson A Wright said:
My experience with Benchmade, both what I own and ones owned by friends and acquaintances, has been uniformly positive. When I bought my 20CV/G-10 Mini Grip, I assumed that I'd have to sort through several at the retailer to get one that was evenly ground and locked up and was centered (based on what I read here), but the first one I picked up was perfect. (I looked at a couple more just for the fun of it, and they were all fine - I would have been happy to buy any of them.)

I've known hard users of knives for a lot longer than I've been on this forum - not "knife guys" but people who, by nature of their jobs and/or hobbies, go hard on knives. There are a few Kershaws, a few slipjoints of various vintages, and a lot of Benchmade Grips and Mini-Grips. (Lots of local gun shops carry both sizes of Benchmade Grips, big box stores often have Kershaw, and the local hardware stores usually have Case, so this mix isn't too surprising to me.) There will be a small number of other things - CRKT, Gerber, Cold Steel, etc. Spyderco and GEC only seem to show up in the hands of people who care about knives themselves, instead of just having a cutting tool.

Until I started spending time on BladeForums, I'd never heard of or seen omega springs failing in either size Griptilian. And this is watching them in the hands of people who do not baby their knives at all - I'm not talking about safe queens here.

But I come here, and I see people say, "every Benchmade knife I've ever owned has failed". It's weird - people I know who have one knife and use it hard a lot, no failures. People who have large collections of knives that they rotate through, and know enough to not abuse them, they all fail.

I don't want to discount anyone's experience, but there really is an interesting disconnect between what I've observed for decades and things I read here.

All that aside, Spydercos are great knives, too. Buy what you like. Either brand will serve you well.

-Tyson
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I have used numerous Benchmade’s products for years with little to no problems.

As for Omega springs, I purchased a used knife that had one spring break on me shortly after purchase. I then carried and used that knife for a year, maybe a year and a half before the other spring broke.

I swapped the broken springs with aftermarket replacements for about the same cost as shipping my knife to Benchmade.

Not a big deal, really.

Yet, there are members here that have nothing but problems with Omega springs. I don’t understand why. Maybe operator error?
 
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jmgruber said:
Benchmade has a similar program.
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They do?
I checked into it earlier this year and it seemed so watered down as to be essentially useless.

Maybe I was doing something wrong on my end, so any guidance/specifics would be appreciated.
 
used to really like my benchmade knives.....then I got a spyderco knife....now I own 4 benchmades and 12 spydercos...for me I think its the variety of steels and how my spydercos are all workers
 
sabre cat said:
Yeah, right. Your funny. To non knife people Spyderco is a very radical looking blade. Benchmade is much more conservative in public.
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more than likely the OP was referring to Spyderco's partnership with charities...the Alzhiemers association; Parkinsons foundation and Breast Cancer, among others...public image rather than how the blades look to the public.
 
sabre cat said:
Benchmade assisted their local PD by cutting up some firearms that had been confiscated. Yet, there was a program in place that possibly would have allowed them to be sold to citizens.

BM has stated that they were surprised by the public outcry and they won’t do it again. They felt that they were just supporting the police when the decision was originally made.

Benchmade also supported some politicians that support local training programs that help Benchmade as a business.
Unfortunately, those same two politicians are anti 2nd Amendment.

Benchmade has caught a lot of flak over all of this.

Just so you know. Now back to the discussion of merits of Spyderco and Benchmade products. I have no desire to derail this thread.
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My understanding was that under no circumstances were those firearms going to be available for sale to the public.

bad optics perhaps
 
I started out a long time ago with Benchmades: 830 Ascent, AFCK, McHenry Williams and liked the brand. Over time I came to appreciate Spyderco's blade material choices and their collaborations and sprint runs. Sal and Eric do a lot for the community and are respectful.

I have always been impressed with Chris Reeve Knives and their willingness to want the customer to work on their own knives to disassemble and lube them. They even give you the grease with the knife and provide videos on disassemble. CRK has some amazing tolerances they keep on their knives, but to me their blade steel leaves a little to be desired. I think that Spyderco would really flourish if they took the same customer self maintenance approach as CRK does on this subject rather than say it voids your warranty. I understand that Spyderco makes many more models and changes models more frequently than CRK and maybe that is part of why they take their approach. It just might not be feasible for them.

I was not aware of BMs recent political issues or QC challenges and I am glad you guys brought that up as I will steer clear of them going forward.
 
jjg6319 said:
I started out a long time ago with Benchmades: 830 Ascent, AFCK, McHenry Williams and liked the brand. Over time I came to appreciate Spyderco's blade material choices and their collaborations and sprint runs. Sal and Eric do a lot for the community and are respectful.

I have always been impressed with Chris Reeve Knives and their willingness to want the customer to work on their own knives to disassemble and lube them. They even give you the grease with the knife and provide videos on disassemble. CRK has some amazing tolerances they keep on their knives, but to me their blade steel leaves a little to be desired. I think that Spyderco would really flourish if they took the same customer self maintenance approach as CRK does on this subject rather than say it voids your warranty. I understand that Spyderco makes many more models and changes models more frequently than CRK and maybe that is part of why they take their approach. It just might not be feasible for them.

I was not aware of BMs recent political issues or QC challenges and I am glad you guys brought that up as I will steer clear of them going forward.
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I agree with you on CRK leaving much to be desired. I still am a fan of their build quality but their steel and lock choices are very much behind the times. Spyderco no longer voids the warranty if you disassemble. Your warranty will only be void if you screw something up because of the disassembly.
 
jjg6319 said:
...I was not aware of BMs recent political issues or QC challenges and I am glad you guys brought that up as I will steer clear of them going forward.
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Benchmade’s political issue is now old news. They admitted that they were surprised at customers backlash over what they did. They also stated that they never would have done any of it if they had figured it would have upset their customer base.

As for their QC, I would not worry about it. Most of their QC problems are behind them.

They still have the best customer service around. Buy what you like and don’t worry about past history.
 
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