Benchmade???

[M2HSSR-910SBK]

GO with the 14205 you can find them for around $100-$130 all day and it is the best knife design that BM has right now. SMOOTH!

 

[Nuke_Spook]

While all comments are appreciated, it would probably help to clarify that I have never spent over $60 on a knife, much less the $100-$150 that has been suggested. My expectation was not that I would be getting $100 knives for $40, but that they would be better than the less than $30 knives I have bought in the past. As to handling them before they purchased, that is a valid point. However, despite what this post might seem to indicate I am pretty lenient as far as how a knife handles. Yes, I have my preferences, but I can use a Kershaw Vapor, Buck Crosslock, CrKT M16 SF, Byrd Cara Cara, Victorinox Explorer, or others (all of which are very different handling knives) and be perfectly happy. I just expected more from the Benchmade name. The Vex may grow on me, the Fecas Snipe I doubt it.

 

[Kaizen1]

While all comments are appreciated, it would probably help to clarify that I have never spent over $60 on a knife, much less the $100-$150 that has been suggested. My expectation was not that I would be getting $100 knives for $40, but that they would be better than the less than $30 knives I have bought in the past. As to handling them before they purchased, that is a valid point. However, despite what this post might seem to indicate I am pretty lenient as far as how a knife handles. Yes, I have my preferences, but I can use a Kershaw Vapor, Buck Crosslock, CrKT M16 SF, Byrd Cara Cara, Victorinox Explorer, or others (all of which are very different handling knives) and be perfectly happy. I just expected more from the Benchmade name. The Vex may grow on me, the Fecas Snipe I doubt it.

You should also keep in mind that most of the raves of Benchmade knives are about specific models. I very rarely read great reviews about BM's Red Class. Most of the positive reviews are in reference to the Blue and Black classes (Gold is generally not mentioned very often because of rarity and price). Some knives that seem to get the best reviews are:

707, 710
960, 940s
14200s
610, 615
630, 635
520, 525
Etc

Even with Spyderco's Byrd line, people give positive reviews about them specifically, which is why I'm not surprised that you found them to be a good value.

So I understand that you've read all the great stuff about the name of BM, but invariably, there's almost always a specific model(s) that the individual is excited about. Again, very rarely is it ever a Red Class knife. If possible, do yourself a favor and visit a store that carries Blue and Black Class knives and handle those. I'm sure you'll at least find that the Red Class doesn't really compare, regardless of if they fit your style or not.

 

[hardheart]

Steve Fecas designed the Fecas Snipe. According to a quick search, he's been making since 1980. I don't think price really has anything to do with ergonomics, beyond some extra labor to round over edges.