Benchmade Vex: Opinions?

tirod3 said:
The impressions that one is "cheap" compared to the other is exactly that - an impression based on visual examination and value judgement of certain fit and finish items. No one claims what those particular items are and why they are better, though. It's basically a proclamation that Spyderco just did it to suit them - which doesn't mean BM did worse.
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I have to agree with tirod. IMHO, there is no quality difference here. Similar, if not the same materials, same steel, etc. What we do have between these two knives is a difference in ergos and style. Which knife is better is up to the individual's preferences.
 
I've owned both (I've since given my Vex to a friend who was in need of a knife). To me the only negatives about the Vex are a tip down only clip configuration and the edge was'nt quite where I like it as it came from the box. I really like the Tenacious I like pretty much everything about it, it is an excellent knife for the price. That being said even though I couldn't switch the Vex to tip up I recommend it highly. They're both great you won't go wrong with either.
 
i like the vex. not the best knife out there for the price, but its really not that bad. i got the tanto version, i was pleased with it. makes a great self defense knife if you ask me.
 
And the plot thickens. It seems that there are pros and cons to each knife, and they vary depending on who you ask. This is normal, I know, and it all comes down to preference.

I may see if I can scrape up the funds to purchase both knives and see how they fare head to head. Any thoughts on specific tests that should be conducted?
 
Jake Bauer said:
well I have heard more than one people say they bought both, and sent the Vex back.
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This applies to me. I had a Tenacious first, and decided to give it a rest and EDC the Vex for a few weeks. I must say that although my cutting tasks didn't change, I noticed a difference in edge retention; I was resharpening the Vex more frequently. The Vex also didn't open as smoothly, and I didn't like the tip-down only option. It seemed heavier and not as comfortable as well. Most importanly, the Vex' lock failed. I was slicing thick cardboard and it got stuck, and the lock failed when I tried to pull backwards. This is a pretty normal occurance for me, one that my other knives (including the Tenacious) haven't had a problem with. On top of those things, it costed more than the Tenacious. I now have three Tenacious models; one fully serrated and two plain-edged. My Vex was returned in exchange for one of those.
 
I chose the tenacious verses the vex based on the opinions of people from this forum...and Im super glad that I did. Love the full flat grind, great ergos, liner lock is good and solid. I have no desire to even hold a vex any more.
 
On a Side note, I cut down a LOT of cardboard boxes at work today and the Tenacious glided through them all, and despite lot of gunk and tape on the blade, the edge is still like new.
 
SuzukiGS750EZ said:
I disliked the vex i bought and returned it. The handle was uncomfortable, after opening and closing it 10 times my thumb was throbbing (and i have tough skin) from the thick, jimped liner lock. The blade wasnt very smooth in opening and on the particular knife i got the hole had a bur on it that needed to be filed off. The blade is lower end steel to say the least. I would look at a spyderco tenacious, i hear good things.
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You say it has lower end steel, you recommended the tenacious which uses the same steel. hmmmm.


But yes I would also recommend the tenacious.
 
I had this exact same conundrum a few months ago and ended up getting both, then selling the tenacious. They're both good knives, and the materials are comparable, so I wouldn't worry too much about getting the "wrong" knife. I ended up keeping the Vex because it fit my hand better and took up a lot less pocket real estate. The crowning on the blade back is nice too.
 
Jake Bauer said:
On a Side note, I cut down a LOT of cardboard boxes at work today and the Tenacious glided through them all, and despite lot of gunk and tape on the blade, the edge is still like new.
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Exactly the results I get with the Vex. Double corrugated antifreeze boxes have to be X'd across the bottom to fold flat enough to slip into the cardboard dumpster. I seem to be the only guy who pays attention to that display (sigh.)

Tip up or down is preferential to some, others don't care. I have used both alternately for years and see no big difference. One doesn't necessarily deploy faster than another, but tip down is inherently safer. Again, how fast do you really need to whip it out? Granpa did fine for decades opening slip joints two handed in the day when pocket knives were given to kids in school and gifted from generation to generation.

According to the specs, both knives are made from identical materials, so a test would probably reveal minor variations in material treatments. We only assume they come from different factories. BOTH are listed as from China.
 
tirod3 said:
Again, how fast do you really need to whip it out? Granpa did fine for decades opening slip joints two handed in the day when pocket knives were given to kids in school and gifted from generation to generation.
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there are situations that warrant knife use other than slicing up apples or "tactical" where having the knife open quickly without any fooling around is desirable and/or necesarry.

a good example is if you are in a car accident, which is a sadly common occurance (especially in most of america where EVERYONE drives), and you need to cut yourself out of a jammed seatbelt. in this case, its not about how fast you can get the knife out, its can you get it out of your pocket, opened, and cutting, with either hand by itself, with the possibility of you being injured (which again is the sad reality of two 3000lb peices of metal hitting each other at 15-90mph).

another situation might be a person with arthritis or muscle degeneration in the hands.

anyway, my personal preference for tip down has to do with handling comfort but I just dont like the "it doesnt have to be that fast/sharp/size" argument. People have their own reasons that may differ from yours. And my grandfather did fine with a fan, but its 90 degrees outside and Im not going to give up my air conditioner.
 
I have a Vex it was handled and put back in the box. It is one of the few knives I regret buying (along with the Fecas Snipe) I did not care for the ergonomics at all (kind of like holding a small brick). The Buck Ghost Rider feels better. I have not tried a Tenascious, though I have considered getting one. How about a G10 Byrd Cara Cara? Much better value to my mind than the Vex and mine holds its edge quite well.
 
Well... I think the Vex is a great knife for its price. It´s tough like a tank and the steel is quite good. I cut branches (Birch tree) in my garden the other day. I used the Vex hard and cut at least 30 branches for about half an hour. When I was done I wiped the knife of with a towel and I noticed that the blade was sharp as new. Just some tiny scratches on the coating (baerly visible). This is a serious knife. Ok, it´s quite hard to open and close, so it´s not the funniest knife to play with in front of the tv or pc. But it´s a real workhorse when you really use it. Buy an Axis-lock for playing around with. I think Vex is built for use and not for play.
 
In an accident, if you are still conscious and capable, with adrenaline flowing and possibly other car occupants in distress, I would highly recommend a roof mounted seatbelt cutter, not a clipped, pointy pocketknife under a tightly jammed seatbelt. There are lots of alternatives much better at cutting seatbelts without slashing the occupants. The already deployed fixed blade style with internal hook can be used by older children safely.

As for those with arthritis, I remember one poster seriously afflicted gave up folders entirely and carried a fixed blade. Just solves all the problems.

Having carried for decades, civilian and military, I find the emergency use of a knife is limited to first responders and such - the average citizen rarely encounters the need.
 
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