Benchmade

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Scattergun2570

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Apr 24, 2013
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I was told by an experienced sharpener that Benchmade is among his least favorite companies. He claims that Spyderco makes much better steel,and suggested I buy from them.Does anyone share this opinion?
 
No.
Benchmade tends to make thicker blades and utilizes a tougher heat treat.
Spyderco tends towards thinner blades and heat treats a bit harder for edge retention.

It totally depends on your use. My Spydercos tend to cut longer because they are usually made with thinner harder blades, but I'd be willing to bet more Spydercos have been snapped than Benchmades from being abused and used as pry bars.

Better and different are two different things. Claiming Spyderco or Benchmade as being better than the other is the result of a lack of understanding. I could imagine a sharpener getting "better" results from something that is easier to sharpen. However, there's chemistry, geometry, and physics at play that will break that argument pretty quickly and leave you with the decision of which one suits your needs the best.

Both reputable companies that make quality blades. Do your own research and decide what fits your bill the best.
 
Another tip.
Don't try to find "the" knife when you should be finding "a" knife for different tasks.

If you just want a knife for general use like opening boxes and cutting string just go with whatever looks and feels the best. The one that makes you happy and brightens your day to carry.
Most get along just fine with a hardware store Case knockoff and a utility razor and a Spyderco or Benchmade is already a nicer blade.
 
Korean Hog said:
No.
Benchmade tends to make thicker blades and utilizes a tougher heat treat.
Spyderco tends towards thinner blades and heat treats a bit harder for edge retention.

It totally depends on your use. My Spydercos tend to cut longer because they are usually made with thinner harder blades, but I'd be willing to bet more Spydercos have been snapped than Benchmades from being abused and used as pry bars.

Better and different are two different things. Claiming Spyderco or Benchmade as being better than the other is the result of a lack of understanding. I could imagine a sharpener getting "better" results from something that is easier to sharpen. However, there's chemistry, geometry, and physics at play that will break that argument pretty quickly and leave you with the decision of which one suits your needs the best.

Both reputable companies that make quality blades. Do your own research and decide what fits your bill the best.
Click to expand...
Korean Hog said:
No.
Benchmade tends to make thicker blades and utilizes a tougher heat treat.
Spyderco tends towards thinner blades and heat treats a bit harder for edge retention.

It totally depends on your use. My Spydercos tend to cut longer because they are usually made with thinner harder blades, but I'd be willing to bet more Spydercos have been snapped than Benchmades from being abused and used as pry bars.

Better and different are two different things. Claiming Spyderco or Benchmade as being better than the other is the result of a lack of understanding. I could imagine a sharpener getting "better" results from something that is easier to sharpen. However, there's chemistry, geometry, and physics at play that will break that argument pretty quickly and leave you with the decision of which one suits your needs the best.

Both reputable companies that make quality blades. Do your own research and decide what fits your bill the best.
Click to expand...

I bought a Benchmade Leopard Cub many years ago..and I have to be honest,never liked it..didn`t seem very sharp out of the box,and I sent it to Benchmade for sharpening and it wasn`t any better when it got back.. I still have it,but never use it..its ATS-34 Steel..did this still get dull very quick?
 
Scattergun2570 said:
I bought a Benchmade Leopard Cub many years ago..and I have to be honest,never liked it..didn`t seem very sharp out of the box,and I sent it to Benchmade for sharpening and it wasn`t any better when it got back.. I still have it,but never use it..its ATS-34 Steel..did this still get dull very quick?
Click to expand...
I'll level with you here...
I was never impressed with Benchmade's sharpness either and prefer Spyderco because my knives are by and large, soley cutting implements. Gave it away to a co-worker who abuses knives and I've been impressed with the toughness, but I'd never let that dude near one of my Spydies.
He's a tip snapping wonder...Emersons and Benchmades are better for that guy where as I cut with my Spydercos and pry with a pry bar or worn out flat head.
 
Korean Hog said:
I'll level with you here...
I was never impressed with Benchmade's sharpness either and prefer Spyderco because my knives are by and large, soley cutting implements. Gave it away to a co-worker who abuses knives and I've been impressed with the toughness, but I'd never let that dude near one of my Spydies.
He's a tip snapping wonder...Emersons and Benchmades are better for that guy where as I cut with my Spydercos and pry with a pry bar or worn out flat head.
Click to expand...
Korean Hog said:
I'll level with you here...
I was never impressed with Benchmade's sharpness either and prefer Spyderco because my knives are by and large, soley cutting implements. Gave it away to a co-worker who abuses knives and I've been impressed with the toughness, but I'd never let that dude near one of my Spydies.
He's a tip snapping wonder...Emersons and Benchmades are better for that guy where as I cut with my Spydercos and pry with a pry bar or worn out flat head.
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Well..I dont use knives incorrectly,,never snapped a tip in my life..but I won`t carry something that is not very sharp. I was told Benchmade makes all knives in USA,,which I like...always want to support American business. So I don`t know what to buy.
 
I'd say if sharpness and USA made is what you're after. Go with an American made Spyderco.
Native, Manix, Military, and PM2 to name a few are all hair popping sharp and USA made
Anything Spyderco makes overseas is quality and ethical as well.
But if you're thinking Spyderco and USA made is a top priority, there are plenty of options.
Hard to beat those Golden, Colorado Spydies...
 
Korean Hog said:
I'd say if sharpness and USA made is what you're after. Go with an American made Spyderco.
Native, Manix, Military, and PM2 to name a few are all hair popping sharp and USA made
Anything Spyderco made overseas is quality and ethical as well.
But if you're thinking Spyderco and USA made is a top priority, there are plenty of options.
Hard to beat those Golden, Colorado Spydies...
Click to expand...

Golden?
 
Factory edges on knives generally suck anyway and should be touched up by the user if they're capable of it. Even a good factory edge won't feel sharp after cutting down some cardboard. Unless the edge is burnt or very obtuse/uneven (which will take you time to fix), I wouldn't worry about the factory edge. If you don't plan on sharpening your knife, go get a utility knife and a bunch of disposable razors. Don't bother sending a nice knife back every time it goes dull.

BTW: no major knife companies make their own steel. They source it from steel foundries and heat treat it, which is where the difference in steel performance would come from.
 
marrenmiller said:
Factory edges on knives generally suck anyway and should be touched up by the user if they're capable of it. Even a good factory edge won't feel sharp after cutting down some cardboard. Unless the edge is burnt or very obtuse/uneven (which will take you time to fix), I wouldn't worry about the factory edge. If you don't plan on sharpening your knife, go get a utility knife and a bunch of disposable razors. Don't bother sending a nice knife back every time it goes dull.

BTW: no major knife companies make their own steel. They source it from steel foundries and heat treat it, which is where the difference in steel performance would come from.
Click to expand...

So are you saying these Foundries may be overseas ,and there may not be a way to get a 100% American Made product?
 
Scattergun2570 said:
ok,,well are there any other companies that make ALL their knives in USA?
Click to expand...
If hardworking Americans working for an American company producing blades in America with American Crucible Industries steel isn't good enough for you, I am no help.
I am going to humbly, bow out of this conversation. You seem more concerned with politics and hearsay than facts and blades.
 
Korean Hog said:
If hardworking Americans working for an American company producing blades in America with American Crucible Industries steel isn't good enough for you, I am no help.
I am going to humbly, bow out of this conversation. You seem more concerned with politics and hearsay than facts and blades.
Click to expand...

lol yeah thats it
 
Scattergun2570 said:
So are you saying these Foundries may be overseas ,and there may not be a way to get a 100% American Made product?
Click to expand...
The steels made by Carpenter or Crucible (like CTS-XHP, S30V/S35VN/S90V/S110V, 20CV, CPM-154, MAXAMET, etc) are made in the USA. M390/Elmax are made in Austria. There are also prominent foundries in Japan that some US knifemakers work with (Hitachi).
 
marrenmiller said:
The steels made by Carpenter or Crucible (like CTS-XHP, S30V/S35VN/S90V/S110V, 20CV, CPM-154, MAXAMET, etc) are made in the USA. M390/Elmax are made in Austria. There are also prominent foundries in Japan that some US knifemakers work with (Hitachi).
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very interesting..just curious,what companies do you like? Specific models ? very interested in your thoughts.
 
Scattergun2570 said:
very interesting..just curious,what companies do you like? Specific models ? very interested in your thoughts.
Click to expand...
For general use, I like Spyderco Golden models quite a bit, like the PM2 and Manix 2. But I also love Benchmade (810, Griptilian), Hogue (RSK, EX-01), and especially Cold Steel (AD-10, Recon 1, American Lawman) for the kind of knives they offer.
 
I know I humbly bowed, BUT
It's worth mentioning I plop my half South Korean, half South Alabama white boy behind in a Japanese truck filled with American gasoline to shoot an Austrian pistol filled with American bullets to shoot at Chinese plastic. And hell yeah I put kimchi on my cheeseburger with a side of French fries and Irish stout.
Finish the day sharpening an American knife made by South Africans.
The world has lots to offer...
 
marrenmiller said:
For general use, I like Spyderco Golden models quite a bit, like the PM2 and Manix 2. But I also love Benchmade (810, Griptilian), Hogue (RSK, EX-01), and especially Cold Steel (AD-10, Recon 1, American Lawman) for the kind of knives they offer.
Click to expand...

ok looking at those as we speak...so what you are saying is if I picked up a Griptilian,,it can be sharpened and actually be very sharp....I guess I got turned off by my Leopard Cub never being sharp even after sending it in.
 
I am pretty new to knives... but im fairly sure thing like screws, lubricant and small parts are probably not exactly 100% sourced in US.

and sadly, even if the metal used to create the screws was made in US, AND it was made in US.. they provably used Chinese machines or machines using Chinese parts to make the screws.
 
Korean Hog said:
I know I humbly bowed, BUT
It's worth mentioning I plop my half South Korean, half South Alabama white boy behind in a Japanese truck filled with American gasoline to shoot an Austrian pistol filled with American bullets to shoot at Chinese plastic. And hell yeah I put kimchi on my cheeseburger with a side of French fries and Irish stout.
Finish the day sharpening an American knife made by South Africans.
The world has lots to offer...
Click to expand...

There was no need to bow..I am the last person interested in politics..just asking questions.. I don`t know alot about knives. Yes I like to support American companies..I don`t think that`s bad.
 
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