Benchmade.... Spyderco Persistance?

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seniordep2010

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Oct 25, 2009
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Are these good knives? I hear nothing and I mean nothing but good about Benchmade, but a BM for only $20-40? Are they good quality even though they are on the low end of the BM scale?

And the Spyderco Persistance, the little brother to the Tenacious. The Tenacious is too big for me, but the Persistance seems great, and for an awesome price.

I wasn't sure if I would like the hole, so I bought this $11 knife to see if I liked it. I do like it, I have no preference over a thumb stud and the thumb hole.
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Anybody have personal experience? And if you have any pictures that would be nice.
 
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nothing really wrong with Benchmades. I personally have found lower end models between BM and Spyderco, that Spyderco will have a much better feel, and seem higher quality. I also absolutely love the ergos of most Spydies, compared to BMs, and I especially love the SpyderHole. It's simple and works great for me.

It's probably mostly personal preference at this stage, Spyderco works for me. I have the Tenacious, which is almost identical to the Persistence, just bigger, and think they are a great value. I have friends who swear by their BMs though, and I've used and owned quite a few that were good knives. No experience with the BM models you listed, though...
 
Thanks for the reply. I just found a few more Benchmades that I really like, the Nagara, 10350 Aphid, Pardue Mini-Ambush, and of course the Mini-Griptilian. I've heard alot of good about the Mini-Grip but not so much about the others, though the Nagara seems really cool, like a poor man's Sebenza :D.
 
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There is no rush - the mini Grip is offered in numerous blade shapes and the knife is pretty good overall. The Griptillian line is the introduction to the higher priced axis-lock knives.

I don't have much experience in the less expensive knives from either company, so let those who have used them for a few months chime in.

OOPS - Forgot to mention that at one time I didn't like the Griptilian knives due to a bad introduction to them, but since then I have changed my mind and now find the mini Griptilians to be a pretty decent knife for those times a smaller blade is desired. I carry a Ritter version regularly at work.
 
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seniordep2010 said:
I know there's a ton of people here who have a Mini-Grip, speak up and tell me what you think about it. :cool:
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I like my mini-grip. I went through a stage where I thought the handle was too short, but I've grown accustomed to the size now and find I don't need my pinkie on the handle. I was able to profile and can keep a good edge on the mini with my Sharpmaker. I have more expensive Benchmades and Spydercos, but I have bonded with the mini-grip and it gets more pocket time. I do like the axis lock too.

I have the Tenacious and, while I don't have one, I think the Persistance would be a great deal too.
 
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I don't have the mini Grip. One day, perhaps. But I have the Nagara which is a very elegant gentlemen kind of knife, not the toughest workhorse.
The Persistence is indeed really good considering the price, I prefer it over the Tenacious because of the smaller size.
 
Well now I'm really just looking for a Spyderco, I have a big list.

Persistance, Centofante 4, Tenacious, Delica 4, Centofante 3, Salt 1, and Native.

I don't know which one to choose, the most expenisve one is the Native at $62.95 at knife works. But I'm willing to pay that to get a quality knife that will last, that way I don't have to buy another knife. :D

Which one would you all suggest?
 
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I've kinda narrowed it down the the Persistance, Centofante III, Delica 4, and the Native. I really want all of 'em!
 
I didn't see any list of Benchmades you were considering?

I've got the BM full size Griptilian, 940 Osborne and 710 M & W. I love them and the axis locks are superb. I want to get the 930 Osborne Kulgera, it's a real beauty.

I have the Spyderco Police, Military, Endura 4, Tenacious, Persistance, Centofante 3 and I love them all.

They're all damn good folders - depends what you feel like carrying and of course what situation you feel you could find yourself in.

When I head into a large city, I'm packing a 9mm and the Spyderco Police. Around the house I'll pick up about any folder to use for a light chore.

I use fixed blades for hunting and heavy cutting. That's just me though.

Sorry didn't see your post. The Persistance is very chunky like a sawed off Tenacious, the Centofante 3 is slim, light and purdy!
 
cziv said:
I didn't see any list of Benchmades you were considering?
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That's a good observation. Maybe I edited them out by accident?:confused: I have no idea, but they were the Mini-Grip, Vex, Nagara, Aphid, and the Mini-Ambush. But I think now I want to get a Spyderco.
 
seniordep2010 said:
I've kinda narrowed it down the the Persistance, Centofante III, Delica 4, and the Native. I really want all of 'em!
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It kinda depends on what you like or need. I have the Tenacious (practically the persistence), centofante 4, and the Native 1. out of that list

I can never pin down my favorite Spydie, but I think it comes down to my first spydie, that started it all. The Native 1!! A good size for me, for EDC. Great s30v steel and heat treat, tremendous ergonomics for a smallish knife, for me. Very smooth and easy to operate.

The Persistence is a bit shorter than the Tenacious, but it's just as "chunky" feeling, as someone else mentioned already. I absolutely love my Tenacious, and would welcome the addition of a Persistence in a heart beat. But the chunkiness doesn't sit as well in the pocket/waistband for me. Feels great in the hand, though. And was my EDC for a few months straight. :D

The Centofante absolutely blew me away, I have the 4, which has the Wharnie blade, but this is very slim, very lightweight, and sits well in any position on my person. I actually am more impressed with the Wharncliffe blade design than I thought I would be. But the 3 is supposed to be great, and has a more traditional blade shape. While the ergonomics, weight, and how it rides should all be the same as the 4. I absolutely LOVE the thin blade. Wish the Native came with a similar thickness of blade. Slices like a champ...

So, out of those I have experience with, I'd vote for the Native 1. But you really can't go wrong with any of them. The Centofante sometimes *feels* a bit fragile, but I think that's just because I'm used to chunkier blades. No performance drawbacks in reality so far. :thumbup:
 
Now every time I look at knife works I change my mind on what Spidies I want. Not only does the Centofante III, Native, and Delica 4 look good but the Salt 1 with H1 steel sounds very appealing. I think I was bitten by the spider :eek:
 
haha, I know what you mean. Snapped a few quick pics of the 3 I was just talking about, to maybe help get your mind going on the choice. Excuse the crappy lighting, just moved and have only a small desk lamp to provide light.
Edit: Both the Native and Centofante were carried and used today, so a little dirty. That Tenacious is my beater and still has some sap or something from a camping trip on the blade. :D

side by side
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The Centofante is very deceptive in pictures, I can't explain it well, but it looks much larger in pictures than its presence in reality is...

Blade thickness left to right: Tenacious, Native 1, Centofante 4. (Notice, Centofante has overall shortest blade at 3", however it has more cutting edge than the Native, which has the 50/50 choil)
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Centofante handle is also quite thinner, not a great comparison pic, but you can see the difference.
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Deceiving picture, with the smallest knife, the Native, in the foreground looking large. Showing off their "good side" though.
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Thanks alot for the pictures :thumbup:. I do like the Native, but the Centofante has a very unique look to it that is very appealing.
 
Does anybody have any experience with the Spyderco Salt with the H1 steel? How well does it hold an edge, and is it hard to re-sharpen?
 
I've found the H1 on the salt 1 takes a bit to break in, but after a few sharpenings, it seems to hold the edge better. I've found it easy to sharpen up though.
I have the centofante 3 too, its great, the thin blade makes for a really nice slicer, but the scales are a bit slicker than my other spydercos
 
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