Benchmade vs. Spyderco

FlaMtnBkr said:
Your assessment of S30V is wrong. There is only one kind of S30V and that is CPM S30V. It is what both Spyderco and Benchmade, and everyone else use. Funny how dropping the CPM can completely change someone's view of the steel.
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This. 154cm on the other hand.
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
Your assessment of S30V is wrong. There is only one kind of S30V and that is CPM S30V. It is what both Spyderco and Benchmade, and everyone else use. Funny how dropping the CPM can completely change someone's view of the steel.
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Gotta love marketing!

Let's just stay away from how CPM154CM is the best steel ever and is SO much better than CPM154 (LOL)
 
Benchmade all the way

I’ve loved the Axis lock from its inception and haven’t strayed since. I’ve NEVER had any axis lock and/or any part fail on me EVER, and that’s the honest truth.. I could care less if people buy them or not, I prefer quality.

Side note, most spydies look the same to me which turns me off to them.
 
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I like them both but I own more Spydercos.

I'd like to see BM come out with more knives that interest me. They've been stagnant lately IMO.
 
I don't own any Benchmades, I own Spydercos. Looking at my wishlist, there's a lot more Spydercos on it than Benchmades, too. A lot of Benchmade's stuff just doesn't personally appeal to me...and the few the do don't appeal to me enough to pay the prices they charge.
 
Poez said:
Benchmade has models with a back lock and with a liner lock (and even with a compression lock like Nagara): which of course does not mean that any of these systems are better than Axis. So what about them: will that change your statement that Spyderco is better than BM? After all, BM can have any of the locks that Spyderco uses, while the opposite is not true!
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BM could use whatever locks in whatever designs they want, but they no longer make many models that I loved like the 910 Stryker and the liner lock AFCK.

I like the knives currently offered by Spyderco more than those currently offered by Benchmade. Para2 vs 710, it's an easy decision for me. Para2 vs 910 and it becomes difficult.

If Benchmade still made the non-assisted Stryker and liner lock AFCK, my opinion would be very different. Benchmade has sacrificed, in my opinion, reliable designs in favor of pretty ones that open smoothly.

Poez said:
And if you believe that Endura or Delica are better suited for hard use than Griptillian: you probably should take a closer look at how small the pivot/lock area on Endura blade is... So in theory they are actually weaker
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I'm way more worried about a tiny wire spring breaking than a pivot.

Poez said:
So what I am saying: why wouldn't just say that it is your personal preference, and that you like some Spyderco models you have more than a few BM knives that you have heard of and probably even used
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...Because I saw this as more of an engineering discussion than an emotional one.

My preferences were earned by using both companies' knives for years, specifically a Benchmade 720 that I absolutely abused as a teenager for years before retiring, a 710 that I carried for a few years in the office, and a Spyderco Military that I used for 3 years before foolishly selling.

I don't like the "weak link" in the Axis lock system - the tiny wire spring that can only be replaced at the factory. I really like the simplicity of liner locks, and compression locks take the same simplicity and make it stronger (because a short piece of flat steel is less likely to bend than a longer one). You could have an Axis lock knife work fine for years, then the spring finally gives out and the knife must be sent away for weeks whereas a liner lock might give you trouble right away, but once properly adjusted should work properly for years without any unexpected issues.

Because of this, I like Spyderco's knives more. That said, if Benchmade releases something with an appealing design and a liner lock I'll be all over it.
 
Sal Glesser and his merry-men in Golden are always trying to respond to customer wishes, for new designs, new bladesteels. I have no clue who might be in charge at BenchMade.
I've had one BenchMade 690 which was a decent knife, although I don't like 154cm.
If I look around in my hobby-room, I probably have 15 NIB Spydercos, a few Striders and CRK's, a custom or two.
I have an obvious preference. However, I gotta say that I know a cop-shop in Kansas where they buy all BenchMade products. Apples and oranges, perhaps, but Spyderco is my game.
 
I don't consider BM knives over priced considering they are made in the US. I do consider Spydercos Taiwanese made knives overpriced however
 
I prefer Benchmade as they are USA made, whereas some Spydercos are not. Also, I've always HATED how tall Spyderco blades are in order to get that ridiculous thumb hole in them. Thumb studs are just so much cleaner.

90% of the Spydercos I've run across look... chintzy. I do want my knives to perform, but they don't have to be fat, heavy, and have comically large blades on them.
 
Another frame lock bites the dust compared to a axis lock which is far superior. . .

You tube spyderco tuff. . . New vid of one failing with a mere light hit...

Like I said, for every one omega spring break, there are 10 slipping frame locks or liner locks. The axis lock is the only thing that attracts me to benchmade. . . . I have 2 afck liner locks, and I wouldn't trust them at all for heavy use, the axis lock afck is now a completely different game.. .

Don't get me wrong, most of my knifes are spyderco, and prefer them, but benchmade with axis is a better performer in my opinion. They just don't have as many cool different designs are spyderco. . . And the new Taiwanese models from spyderco are oozing quality!!!
 
bm seems more focused on looks than actually new, interesting designs, IMO. most of their handles feel exactly the same in hand, not exactly bad feeling, but they don't leave me in awe like when I handle a spyderco with the classic 50/50 choil.

spyderco maximizes the steel, ergonomics, and carry factor in their price range compared to just about anyone else. I couldn't care less if people think they look ugly. once you hold it in your hand you either know you love them or don't. holding a bm, the ergonomics just feel sterile, like all the thought and design went into how it looks, not feels.
 
crom said:
I do consider Spydercos Taiwanese made knives overpriced however
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I thought the same thing, until I examined one in person.

The Taiwanese Spydercos have better fit an finish than most top shelf US and Japanese made knives and are made from premium materials (the Gayle Bradley uses M4 steel and carbon fiber and can be found for $120).
 
I'm not necessarily saying the Taiwanese knives are subpar, own a few myself and I agree they are impressive. But in Spyderco's case, that's not true carbon fiber and I can get a M4 knife by Benchmade, made in the US for around the same price.
 
crom said:
I'm not necessarily saying the Taiwanese knives are subpar, own a few myself and I agree they are impressive. But in Spyderco's case, that's not true carbon fiber and I can get a M4 knife by Benchmade, made in the US for around the same price.
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Which one?
 
Both companies make great stuff. I have both. However, calling an AXIS weak or unreliable is simply odd. Yes, those springs could fail. It would take both failing to render the lock useless. That isn't likely.

I also wish someone could purchase an omega spring, although I've never needed one. Getting to them and taking them out takes about 45 seconds. I trust the AXIS over any liner or frame locks, personally

Again, though, I like both and own both.
 
Fanglekai, which one what? I should clarify I own Taiwanese made knives that are made very well, no Spyderco Taiwan knives at the present although I have handled a Sage 2 and liked it enough to be on the lookout for a gently used one here on the boards.
 
JasonG said:
Another frame lock bites the dust compared to a axis lock which is far superior. . .

You tube spyderco tuff. . . New vid of one failing with a mere light hit...

Like I said, for every one omega spring break, there are 10 slipping frame locks or liner locks. The axis lock is the only thing that attracts me to benchmade. . . . I have 2 afck liner locks, and I wouldn't trust them at all for heavy use, the axis lock afck is now a completely different game.. .

Don't get me wrong, most of my knifes are spyderco, and prefer them, but benchmade with axis is a better performer in my opinion. They just don't have as many cool different designs are spyderco. . . And the new Taiwanese models from spyderco are oozing quality!!!
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I take youtube knife fail vids with a 50lb bag of salt.
 
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