Benchmade vs. Other Name Brands

Millie Maniac said:
WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!!!!

Seriously Emerson is the best knife money can buy imo!!
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The chisel grind makes it hard to cut a straight line in the direction you intend. A couple of shots of Bulleit Rye, though, and everything's copacetic! It compensates for the odd grind.
 
Millie Maniac said:
WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!!!!

Seriously Emerson is the best knife money can buy imo!!
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Well, I don't know about being the absolute best that money can buy, but I'm kinda surprised that in all these posts you and I were the only ones to mention Emerson. In my opinion and in my experience, Emerson offers a better product than Benchmade. In my line of work I am constantly using my knife to cut almost everything under the sun and keeping it clean and well lubed at all times is simply not an option. Neither is having to take the knife completely apart once a week to get rid of the grittyness in the action, simply don't have time for that. I need a knife that is tough as nails and won't fail if its used and abused. I just don't feel like the Benchmades that I own can stack up to my Emersons in that regard. I've never heard of an omega spring breaking on an Emerson (for the obvious reason that they don't have omega springs).

I realize that maybe a lot of people here (perhaps most?) only have a need for their folding knives to open envelopes or boxes or for little odds and ends. And in that case, a Benchmade or Kershaw or whatever is more than adequate. However, outside in harsh elements and hard use, I need a big, solid, built-like-a-tank knife like my Super Commander. Again, I'm just trying to answer the OP's question honestly and of course, this is just one man's opinion. Hope I didn't ruffle any feathers.
 
Hey there, I guess I'll throw in my two cents. I own a couple of bm's and they are very nice knives, but I am more of a spyderco fan at heart. As someone mentioned (Kwon I think) spyderco focuses on function over form. I was reticent to try their knives because I was never much into their aesthetics. But when you give them a shot something magical happens. The more you use them, the prettier they become. Their beauty lies in their functional design. They just feel like they were made to be used and not fondled...though mine tend to get plenty of fondling. :).

Take all that with a grain of salt cuz it's just my opinion. Benchmade makes some great knives. I even like a few things about them better than my spydercos, but as a total package, spyderco is getting my hard earned money for now.
 
emersons attention to detail is garbage. But that just fits more into the style of their knives. So i dont think thats necessarily a bad thing. But its a lot different than what you would get from any other high priced knives.
 
CleMs said:
the compression lock from spyderco is not ambidextrous and weaker so in my opinion it sucks.
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The big question... have you ever actually held/tried a knife with the compression lock? I'm talking about in real life, not looking at internet pictures. It's absolutely ambidextrous. It's on the top of the knife and you pinch it. I'm a lefty with several compression lock knives. Your opinion sucks :p
 
Catalyst Edge said:
I've already got myself 2 Benchmades, I mean they seem like great knives. What other brands do you guys feel stack up to Benchmade and can offer something truly BETTER? The axis lock on Benchmades are truly the best locking mechanisms i've ever used.
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I have several Benchmade knives, and I think they are high quality and well made.

I also have Spyderco, Kershaw/ZT, Emerson, AG Russell, CRK, and HTM knives.

Benchmade hangs in this company, although I think they seem to me to be limited in the variety of knives in the styles I like.

Variety is truly the spice of life; try some other brands and see which spice is right for you.

best

mqqn
 
mqqn said:
I have several Benchmade knives, and I think they are high quality and well made.

I also have Spyderco, Kershaw/ZT, Emerson, AG Russell, CRK, and HTM knives.

Benchmade hangs in this company, although I think they seem to me to be limited in the variety of knives in the styles I like.

Variety is truly the spice of life; try some other brands and see which spice is right for you.

best

mqqn
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+1 on this. If knife brands can be compared to ice cream, Benchmade is kinda like vanilla ice cream, very good vanilla ice cream. =D
 
jonnyt16 said:
Well, I don't know about being the absolute best that money can buy, but I'm kinda surprised that in all these posts you and I were the only ones to mention Emerson. In my opinion and in my experience, Emerson offers a better product than Benchmade. In my line of work I am constantly using my knife to cut almost everything under the sun and keeping it clean and well lubed at all times is simply not an option. Neither is having to take the knife completely apart once a week to get rid of the grittyness in the action, simply don't have time for that. I need a knife that is tough as nails and won't fail if its used and abused. I just don't feel like the Benchmades that I own can stack up to my Emersons in that regard. I've never heard of an omega spring breaking on an Emerson (for the obvious reason that they don't have omega springs).

I realize that maybe a lot of people here (perhaps most?) only have a need for their folding knives to open envelopes or boxes or for little odds and ends. And in that case, a Benchmade or Kershaw or whatever is more than adequate. However, outside in harsh elements and hard use, I need a big, solid, built-like-a-tank knife like my Super Commander. Again, I'm just trying to answer the OP's question honestly and of course, this is just one man's opinion. Hope I didn't ruffle any feathers.
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You nailed it man! They are tough as nails I know they are I have used my Commander daily for the past 14 years and it went through two tours in Iraq with me. If anyone says that its a garbage knife they have not ever had one or even used one. I have over 20 Emersons now and every singke one is built the same as the next. They are built to work and be a reliable tool to take on any task the owner may have. I am a huge fan of Ernie and what he stands for. I am like you I need a tool that's gonna work and not have to be pampered and taken care of. I want to make a good clean cut and put my knife away until needed again.
 
If you're into traditionals try a GEC. I like good traditionals and I tend to use and carry Spyderco and Kershaw/ZT. Still don't own any Benchmade knives yet. I like my Spyderco Sage 2 for office carry and on the weekends I tend to carry a Military or ZT 0350. Of course I almost always have a Queen mini trapper, GEC #85 or a Victorinox Tourist in a pocket too. Traditionals are very handy and you get a lot of blade length for their weight.
 
dzlvs8 said:
My obvious suggestion would be the Spyderco Paramilitary 2 with the compression lock. Its very similar to the axis lock.
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If you would, please elaborate on how the compression lock is very similar to the Axis lock. Thanks!

dzlvs8 said:
emersons attention to detail is garbage. But that just fits more into the style of their knives. So i dont think thats necessarily a bad thing. But its a lot different than what you would get from any other high priced knives.
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Curious what Emersons you have owned. Thanks!
 
Fanglekai, I've been around the knife scene for a while. I'm well aware of things that have occurred.
Of the seven Emersons I have owned over the years, only one of them had an issue.
I would like to know if some of his opinions are based on experiences, or just regurgitated internets.

I've read dzlvs8 make multiple claims that I'm just now starting to be vocal about questioning-- to get a better understanding of where he's coming from.
 
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there are great models or best sellers in every brand.
so to be fair,
i figure all brands compliment each other.
depending on need and fancy.
imo, the guy who starts with the cheapest brand
will learn, grow and admire quality from the ground up.
on the other hand,
those who start with premier and costlier brands
can never appreciate the simpler things.
which at times could equal or surpass the higher end brands
in so far as delivering the basic abilities of a knife per say.

if one feels it's great being able to own the best,
then it must be a great feeling having the power to do just that.

the perception of best
imo, should be the best one can afford
at a given point in time.
and be contented with one's choice.
until such time, lady luck smiles.
or have we all forgotten that a treasure trove of "once" best knife
is proof of having fallen to Sirens?
 
All the first tier knife manufacturers turn out some fine products. I'll toss in a BM, M390 710-1 as an example, or a Rift or a Ritter Grip, all of which are worth the price of admission, imo. (And yes, I own them all.)

A few broken Omega springs out of the 10's of thousands sold, does not a failure make, neither is the Axis Lock stronger than the Compression lock or vice versa. The CS Tri-Ad lock is probably stronger than both, but it is a lock-back, which doesn't appeal to everyone. Frankly, given the variations in personal taste, it is absurd to call a particular brand or knife 'better' than another.

@ The OP - Read the forums and the knife reviews. You should get a good idea what is best for you.
 
I love my Benchmades... except for the first one I chose to start my BM-relationship with - a 551 Grip in 440C, which arrived so dull it would need to be heated to cut butter. My second BM, a 201 in D2, arrived in similar sharpness, which left a time gap for my third BM. It - and a bucketful of more BMs - have all been perfect razors right out of the box. I've used their CS several times for screws - even a lost sheath. I've met, with others, and had lunch with their founder & CEO & son at each of the last two BLADE shows, giving them a personal feeling I haven't had with any other production knife company. While they aren't perfect, and despite the hype, neither are CR knives, they are consistently VG++ to Excellent in fit & finish - and now, thankfully, quite sharp. Of course CR knives are a slight step above, if my trio are indicative, but at a premium price.

My Spyderco's, Kershaw's, ZT's, Buck's, Bokers, etc, all run the range from Ho Hum to Wow - and are worthy collections in their own right. I honestly can't think of a real 'turkey' in my collection. Some were overpriced - a Lion Steel SR-1 and ZT-0777 come to mind. One was under-priced, if you include it's utility - a simple Buck 110 - previously suggested - and now seconded - as a great bargain. You can pick your wood scales, nickel-silver or brass bolsters, S30V blasé, sheath, etc from Buck's Custom Shop - have it made to order and delivered in weeks for a C-note, too. Everyone needs a 110. My main thought here is pick a knife from a prominent maker that you like - you'll likely be well pleased.

Stainz

PS Years of AXIS lock BM ownership & carry - probably a dozen of them now - and no problems. My Omega springs must all be Alpha springs...
 
Kwon Kwang said:
"Better"? For what?

I'll try not to be so abrasive with my strongly-held opinions in here, as though I know this thread is going to turn into a feces-flinging fest, I'd rather not contribute to that.

Different knives do different things better, and different companies specialize in different kinds of knives. You want survival? ESEE. Tactical/martial arts? Cold Steel. Innovation? Spyderco or CRKT. History? Buck or Case. I think Benchmade specializes in making attractive pocket knives that happens to function well, although there are a lot of their designs I don't dig because my preferences are function over fashion. I know that one of the big attractions to Benchmade is that everything is made in America, and as a non-American, that's not really something that matters to me, because the patriotism isn't there. I'm sure that I would feel differently if I were an American.

That said, if I were to buy one Benchmade, it would be the Adamas folder. I would prefer a tougher steel on it, but overall I do like the design, and I respect the strength of the Axis lock.

Has anyone here had their Omega spring wear out/fail on them ever?
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My spring actually broke and Benchmade replaced it for free and sharpened my knife.
 
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