Benchmade & Spyderco: Characteristic Examples

M

Mister Coffee

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I'm starting this thread for two reasons: 1) I don't know as much as I would like to know about these two great companies, and I'm sure your responses with be enlightening, and 2) I can't buy all the knives that I want to buy, so this might lead me to select just the key examples.

Here's the question: What one knife is the best example of Benchmade? What one knife is the best example of Spyderco?

Example: The best example of Buck Knives might be the Buck 110. It defined the locking folder, and its success in the market place came to define the company.

Example: The best example of Bark River might be the Bravo 1. It is by far their best seller, and its quality, fit and finish are representative of the brand. The Bravo 1 also set a standard, in many minds, for what a small survival/utility knife should be.

Example: Like it or not, Ka-Bar has come to be associated first and foremost with the USMC Mk II — so much so that it is common to refer to the Mk II as a "Ka-Bar" knife. Facial tissue is Kleenex, photocopy is Xerox, Marine combat knife is Ka-Bar. Your product name doesn't become the name for the type unless you've done something of historic impact.

Tell me your thoughts about Benchmade and Spyderco. Let's talk about size, shapes, steels, handles, locking mechanisms — whatever you think is a defining feature. With Spyderco, we'd have to start with the thumb hole, right? :)
 
Not one of these threads.. 😆

Fine I'll bite
Spyderco: para 3, best hits of spyderco in 1 package and still remain price cool.
Benchmade: super freek. But before the super freek I wouldve picked the 42.

Sorry guys I'll provide more context:
Para 3 = small light tactical slicey (enough) pointy dependable grippy fast smooth....almost everything you need in a pocketknife and hasn't been priced to hell.

Super Freek: because I think currently it is the best iteration with the axis lock, I know alot of people disagree but my opinion.
 
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Right now, if I had to pick one Spyderco, it would be the Native Chief. It's a fairly new model, but it checks all the boxes for me. The Delica is IMO, the iconic Spyderco and everyone should own one. It's a great knife.
Love the Military and Police for bigger blades. The PM2 and Shaman are very sought after and are excellent knives. Everyone's opinion will be different based on what knife has all the boxes checked. I feel it's a matter of what works for you and brings a smile to your face.
Can't comment about BenchMade, I own exactly two and am not up to date on current offerings.
 
Dergyll said:
Not one of these threads.. 😆
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Damn, I thought I was being clever and original. :)

Remember, I'm not asking "What's your favorite?" I'm asking "What defines the brand?" or "What makes Spyderco/Benchmade knives Spyderco/Benchmade knives?" Hope that makes sense.
 
Ajack60 said:
Right now, if I had to pick one Spyderco, it would be the Native Chief. It's a fairly new model, but it checks all the boxes for me. The Delica is IMO, the iconic Spyderco and everyone should own one. It's a great knife.
Love the Military and Police for bigger blades. The PM2 and Shaman are very sought after and are excellent knives. Everyone's opinion will be different based on what knife has all the boxes checked. I feel it's a matter of what works for you and brings a smile to your face.
Can't comment about BenchMade, I own exactly two and am not up to date on current offerings.
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Great post. Especially what you say about the Delica. Thank you. :)
 
I would say that the Para Military 2 defines Spyderco, and the Griptilian defines Benchmade.

They both feature their respective manufacturer's most iconic locking mechanism, they're both EDC-oriented mid-sized knives at a reasonable price point, and they've both been staples of their respective product lines for a long time.
 
These are in no way my favorite examples from both companies but I feel these are probably the longest running models, they have the most iterations and more people have them than any other model from those companies.

Benchmade Griptilian. You can customize it any way you want. Many retailers have had dealer exclusive models (Cabelas/Bass Pro for example). Available with several blade shapes and steels. It is the cornerstone really of Benchmade IMHO.

Spyderco Delica/Endura. For all the same reasons as the Griptilian. These have been long standing models with several Sprint runs. Available with or without liners. With different blade steels and in different colors. Even available with a wave opener. These are iconic Spyderco
 
When I think of Spyderco I think of PM2, but I think the knife that represents Spyderco best is the Delica.
I think the knife the represents Benchmade best is the AFCK. My favorite Benchmade is the 913 Stryker but I don't think most people would think of it as the most representative of Benchmade.
 
Mister Coffee said:
Boattale Boattale : Duly noted. :). Care to comment on what's Benchmade-y about the 940?
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Well, it's long been one of their best sellers for one. And so far as I see as nice of a knife as they have ever made. A real groundbreaker. They've made a lot of other styles and sizes of knives, griptilian being a prime example. But still, for me when I think Benchmade that everyone should at least try out, it's the 940.
 
Spyderco and Benchmade both offer products over a sufficiently wide price range that my answer kind of splits into two tiers, but I'll echo what others have said -

Delica/Endura and Mini Grip/Grip on the more budget conscious side of things

Paramilitary 2 and 940 if you want to put a little more $ into it

Weirdly the Delica/Endura and PM2 actually probably are my most carried Spydercos, but I don't even own a Grip or 940 anymore... 710 or 730 all the way for me. Sometimes 581/586. But BM doesn't make any of those anymore. 🙃

The Para3 and Bugout are both certainly popular but I don't think they've been around long enough to be considered archetypical for their respective brands. Give it a few more years.

Also, to your question, there are both liner lock (800) and axis lock (806) versions of the AFCK. But, if you're looking at old BMs like that, also compare with the Spyderco Police that inspired it.
 
Does place of manufacture matter on these knives? I'm not sure, but I am under the impression that they are not all made in the U.S.A.
 
Spyderco PM2
Honorable mentions: para3, manix LW, saman, Delica and Native
The one I would pick: PM2 basic model in s45vn or the upcoming cruwear/micarta version

Benchmade Griptilian
Honorable mentions: 940, freek, Crockett river, Bugout, praesidio, adamas
The one I would pick: Super feek in M4
 
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