Benchmades

[MrGlockJock25]

I would say get a Spyderco Paramilitary 2. It is better than benchmade. I have had a Griptillian and the F&F was terrible. The scales were off and blade centering was terrible.

 

[mley1]

I would say get a Spyderco Paramilitary 2. It is better than benchmade. I have had a Griptillian and the F&F was terrible. The scales were off and blade centering was terrible.

Para 2's are great knives, and I recommend them. But, I wouldn't judge Benchmade based on only one knife. So far each of my Benchmades(5) have been great, with excellent fit and finish.

 

[RetiredGuns]

I would say get a Spyderco Paramilitary 2. It is better than benchmade. I have had a Griptillian and the F&F was terrible. The scales were off and blade centering was terrible.

A 1 knife sample from each company is an extremely weak comparison. Ive had 4 BMs & 20+ Spydercos so you can see where I lean between these 2 brands but all 4 of my Benchmades have been pretty much perfect. I will say that dollar for dollar I believe Spyderco wins for me. I find some of the higher end Benchmade designs a bit gaudy.

 

[bdmicarta]

I am a Benchmade fan, and now a Spyderco fan as well. As has been said their models are generally much different in styling. I think the quality of each one is very good.

There are a limited few people that like one brand and don't like the other brand. I haven't agreed with their arguments either way though. There are lots of people that like and buy both. All I can say is to pick and buy the models that you like. I think if a knife enthusiast would be restricted to buying from one of these companies only, or possibly from both companies but no others, they could have a large and varied collection and be served very well by them.

I'll add one more thing-
Spyderco styling has been criticized sometimes but the owner of Spyderco has said that his knives are designed for function over appearance. Benchmade knives usually look better to me and I pick the ones that seem to function well for me, but Spyderco knives do seem to feel and work well.

 

[michaelm466]

I really like both as well, I currently have a few more Spydercos than Benchmades, but that's mostly due to all the sprint runs Spyderco puts out of my favorite models. I'd say just go for the design you like the best of either company. My favorites from Benchmade (that are regular production/more available) are: 810 Contego, 275 Adamas, 581 Barrage, 710, 950 Rift. From Spyderco: Para-Military 2, Military, Manix 2, Manix 2 XL, and Gayle Bradley.

 

[10mm Glock]

Benchmade

 

[Jesse B.]

If your value system is based solely on price-to-performance ratio, I'd probably give Spyderco a slight edge. If aesthetic value factors in, Benchmade imo has the edge. They're both excellent companies and hopefully in time you'll get to experience and appreciate the differences between the two.

 

[miltmaldo]

Look at the pictures posted by Michealm thats the reason I like Spyderco. Blade shape and the spyder hole . Benchmade has some nice knives I just can't see my self spending 150 on any of there knives. I do like the Ritter Griptilian a lot.

 

[kestrel57]

To some extent, BM makes the knives with the looks and Spy. makes the knives that work. But Spyderco has only shapes --- primarily leaf in small, medium, large, and XL. And a few with the Military shape. Few very handsome. Take the best of both brands and you'd have great knives. In the meantime, ZT is passing by BM and near to passing by Spy. I've rarely seen two companies rest on their laurels like this. But they are. Bring on the competition.

 

[asupernothing]

Both are good, and both are different. I have a bunch of both and like both.

 

[Ares1307]

WillyDigger, Those are gorgeous knives. I love the wood handles.

I tried out Spyderco a while back and fell inlove with the brand and the spydie hole.. I always had trouble using thumbstuds but the spydie hole is amazing. I bought my first benchmade last week, a Mini Bone Collector, which I also fell inlove with. I also just received a Griptilian 550HG a few days ago, Benchmade is now one of my favorite brands, and the Axis lock is an amazing locking mechanism.

Personally you cant go wrong with either brand.. it just depends on which individual knife you want most.. but both brands are worth the money. Personally I like Benchmade a bit better because the axis lock and because of the fact that they will replace a blade for a fee.. not alot of companies will do that.

Good luck buddy!

 

[Aias]

Looks like you are getting good advice. My two cents: I have both Spydies and BM; I rotate them in and out of my pocket with no real plan... but the one that gets carried most (of these) is the spyderco paramilitary 2. The blade is not too big (in terms of legality, if that is an issue for you) though still quite substantial, and the cpm-s30v is excellent. The knife is light and practical, the lock is great, and it is very well made. As these things go, it is not too expensive either. If you are looking for an alternative to both, I prefer my ZT 0561... it is more money and more material to pocket than the para 2 and many (not all) BM's but very nice aesthetically and an excellent performer. In all, you will do well with any of these.

 

[jasperjb]

Here in Australia the axis lock is classified a "Gravity knife".
I would definitely own a mini-grip or something like that if it weren't for customs. I might try and get a used one soon
I'm happy with my spydies though
Also, balisongs, switchblades, flippers and assisted openers are out of the question. If you are caught with *any* knife (even multi tools) you will be charged 2,000 dollars on the spot.
If you already have a flipper/AO/axis lock then it's legal to own… just not to import.

 

[RevDevil]

I really like both as well, I currently have a few more Spydercos than Benchmades, but that's mostly due to all the sprint runs Spyderco puts out of my favorite models. I'd say just go for the design you like the best of either company. My favorites from Benchmade (that are regular production/more available) are: 810 Contego, 275 Adamas, 581 Barrage, 710, 950 Rift. From Spyderco: Para-Military 2, Military, Manix 2, Manix 2 XL, and Gayle Bradley.

Well, based on the first photo, I'm going to buy the Contego. that thing is bigger than I thought it was.

 

[Brimstone]

I am partial to the axis lock and U.S. manufacturing of Benchmade, but both are great choices.

 

[Will I Am]

I recommend the paramilitary 2 OR the benchmade griptilian. Both are extremely high quality and fun to use and to handle on a daily basis. They both are under the $150 cap.

 

[The_Iron_Joe]

As others have already said; Both are excellent brands, all that's left to you is to figure out which knife you want first!

 

[72jroberts]

Great Question!!!
I own both brands, spydie Native- love it, and an Endura, factory black blade coating and serrations all the way on the blade. Benchmade: CQC7, mini afck, Stryker (these I got in the late 90s), and recently I bought the 581 Barrage (hair freaking popping sharp ) and the 275 tan Adamas: Im so in love with that knife!
BUT, flame me guys, but hey, ALL the spydies look the same, so its hard for me to keep buying spydies for that reason. Look at the BM's: man, they got some personalities!!! and thanks to you BUTTHOLES out there that have and love the Contego-Im gonna have to buy one!!! thanks jerks....my wallet suffereth.....
NOW, that being said, about all spydies looking the same, like it's a negative, then Im a hypocrite coz I have a half dozen Glocks that all look the same too. I know, guns are different.
But ending and being intellectually honest: both brands use top-notch materials generally, and I think that other responders got it right, you won't go wrong with either brand. AND Im glad I have both. I really enjoy running and get about 15 miles a week in, and guess what's in my shorts pocket when I run- my Native....
John

 

[Charlie Choil]

i own several offerings from both companies and am happy with them all.

 

[Chris Pierce]

I'm a big fan of the Spyderco Military and the Para Military. I'm I also carry a Benchmade Stryker nearly everyday. If you're here to find one good knife, then you might look at Hogue. They're brand new, but make some very very nice knives especially for the money. I also like Kershaw.

If you're here to start collecting knives, then buy whatever it is that you fancy and keep doing it. If you get a half way decent deal then you can always get 95% of your money back in a sale or trade.