All three companies make excellent knives. You would be better off coming up with some criteria for the knife you will buy, Narrowing down the list to a few offerings from each company, then asking for advice. Alternatively you could just set the criteria and the companies you are willing to consider and see what folks suggest.
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Best bang for your buck knife company?
- Thread starter JDX
- Start date
It is interesting that the OP is asking for the biggest bang for the buck, and is selling off the knives he has that many would immediately recommend as best buys. People are also recommending knives he is selling!
Best bang for the buck will always be the least expensive for the job you want it to do. Some will be all over me for saying this, but the Sanrenmu 7010 is a great buy for $10. It has a bit of a low end steel but very serviceable. The rest is built very well and will last a lifetime. It is probably the biggest bang for buck knife you can buy. The bang for buck curve goes downhill from there. The Cold Steel Code 4 at $70 is also a big bang for buck knife, but a little less bang for the buck than the Sanrenmu IMHO. The PM2 at $120 is even less a bang for the buck knife. And on and on....
So you need to define what you want a knife to do and what quality you want. Bang for buck is a useless term given that you don't specify the need. It also makes little sense when the PM2 is excluded as this is one the most highly regarded quality knife that can take a beating and at a good price.
Best bang for the buck will always be the least expensive for the job you want it to do. Some will be all over me for saying this, but the Sanrenmu 7010 is a great buy for $10. It has a bit of a low end steel but very serviceable. The rest is built very well and will last a lifetime. It is probably the biggest bang for buck knife you can buy. The bang for buck curve goes downhill from there. The Cold Steel Code 4 at $70 is also a big bang for buck knife, but a little less bang for the buck than the Sanrenmu IMHO. The PM2 at $120 is even less a bang for the buck knife. And on and on....
So you need to define what you want a knife to do and what quality you want. Bang for buck is a useless term given that you don't specify the need. It also makes little sense when the PM2 is excluded as this is one the most highly regarded quality knife that can take a beating and at a good price.
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Actually, ZDP 189 isn't going to be tougher than s30v due to it's extreme high hardness. S30V is heat treated around 58-60 hrc and ZDP 189 is around 62-64. The higher hardness makes it less tough.
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yeah benchmade cant be a bang for the buck anymore. sure used to be prior to ridiculously high map pricing. now just costs to much compard to their vast competition. fine knives just too expensive.
of your list spyderco...but i agree with cm's cold steel pick.
of your list spyderco...but i agree with cm's cold steel pick.
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I think you're asking (in a round about way) if the grass is greener..
I could be wrong, but I'm guessing if you went the benchmade/zt route, you'd probably miss spyderco. Just looking at your history.
You would be like the guy with a new girlfriend who is still caught up on his ex. Haha
In that price range I don't think spyderco can be beat. Others have suggested Cold Steel but I couldn't say because I've never owned any.
I could be wrong, but I'm guessing if you went the benchmade/zt route, you'd probably miss spyderco. Just looking at your history.
You would be like the guy with a new girlfriend who is still caught up on his ex. Haha
In that price range I don't think spyderco can be beat. Others have suggested Cold Steel but I couldn't say because I've never owned any.
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Cold Steel is the best bang for buck knife ! But Benchmade makes the best knives!
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Herein is the problem with these kinds of posts, what are you gonna use the knife for or did I miss that somewhere? (it's possible 
)
No, I looked, you didn't mention what you were gonna use it for, is it gonna be a utility knife, a tactical knife, a food prep, SD?
One of the reasons I carry a variety and have different quality knives by different manufacturers and custom makers is because there's no such thing as a one knife does it all knife. That's a unicorn, it doesn't exist. Now if you added a few other parameters such as what you do during a typical day, do you also work, (most college students do), what kid a job? Is it related to your major? Will it have to be a camp knife, do you live in a humid climate?
I really wanna help, I can tell you what I think but it's really not relevant because my answer wouldn't be based on anything other than my own experience which I'm sure is unlike yours. Help us to help you and don't make me work hard to figure out what type of lifestyle you live.
I was happy with this type of knife till I was about 8-10 y/o, a Trim Trio, always saw them in the rest rooms at the truck stops and rest areas, they sold them in a machine next to a Balloon machine, I asked my Old Man why the balloons had ribs, was that so you didn't lose your grip? Oh and why would mom be happy about it as there was always one that said "...ribbed for her pleasure!"
Anyway, I must've had 20 of these and I still have a couple from the 60s I've come across over the years. IIRC they cost under a $1 back then and not much more now.
Then around 13 everyone either had a Buck 110/Schrade LB8 folding lock back hunter or an Italian/German Stiletto/Switchblade, I had both. The LB8 was expensive for me back in the 70s, I think I paid $35-$45 for my Schrade and I traded a leather bullwhip for the Stiletto, Still well under your limits but based on my needs and age, the Trim Trio, Schrade and the stiletto all worked fine for what I needed at the time.
By the time I started working at 15 I realized I needed a quality knife and started to figure out what I was gonna use my knives for, so I got a sturdy Schrade Old Timer 51OT. This was the best knife for my needs as a mechanic at the time. It had to cut heavy materials like serpentine belts and heater hoses, I had a need to open it with one hand which the 51OT did very nicely if you did a blade pinch handle drop to open the knife. Still well under $60 and it did everything I asked of it.
It wasn't till the 80s when I bought a Buck Titanium 186 that I met Sal Glesser from Spyderco and Bud Nealy a custom maker from my neck of the woods and AG Russell. All these gentlemen had a profound affect on my buying habits and how much I was willing to spend on a quality knife after that. Sal Sold me a C01 Worker, the first Spyderco made, AG sold me a K87 one hand knife and Bud sold me my first handmade custom knife. The day I met them all at the ECCKS or the NYCKS, (i forget) they taught me that there was nothin' wrong with havin' more than one knife.
Oh and they also showed me how fast $600 can go.
Eventually I got some BMs, ZTs and even CRK Sebenzas but again my lifestyle changed and my work environment was more office and classroom, less shop and field work, I was teachin' more so I found myself in a suit more often than not and the big Ti 186, the 730 Ares and the AFO just didn't fit so I got into more traditional knives again along with higher end gentlemen's knives like William Henry and custom slipjoints.
Are ya startin' to see my point or was this a TL;DR type of post for ya. See I can't answer the "...what are you gonna use it for?" question, I can probably guess what you'll use it for but there's no fun in that and I don't get to know you. As you can see I'm not averse to helpin' out and answerin' questions from new members and certainly not afraid to offer up my opinion to old timers as well but when I have nothing to work with I'm left to my own imagination and then I tend to just ramble. Not that there's anything wrong with that, some actually enjoy the ramblings of an old man.
Well I've left you a long reply so you see I'm willing to take the time to answer but if I don't know the real question I'm left to my own musings and inane ramblings so you only have yourself to blame if I didn't answer your OP's question.
)No, I looked, you didn't mention what you were gonna use it for, is it gonna be a utility knife, a tactical knife, a food prep, SD?
One of the reasons I carry a variety and have different quality knives by different manufacturers and custom makers is because there's no such thing as a one knife does it all knife. That's a unicorn, it doesn't exist. Now if you added a few other parameters such as what you do during a typical day, do you also work, (most college students do), what kid a job? Is it related to your major? Will it have to be a camp knife, do you live in a humid climate?
I really wanna help, I can tell you what I think but it's really not relevant because my answer wouldn't be based on anything other than my own experience which I'm sure is unlike yours. Help us to help you and don't make me work hard to figure out what type of lifestyle you live.
I was happy with this type of knife till I was about 8-10 y/o, a Trim Trio, always saw them in the rest rooms at the truck stops and rest areas, they sold them in a machine next to a Balloon machine, I asked my Old Man why the balloons had ribs, was that so you didn't lose your grip? Oh and why would mom be happy about it as there was always one that said "...ribbed for her pleasure!"
Anyway, I must've had 20 of these and I still have a couple from the 60s I've come across over the years. IIRC they cost under a $1 back then and not much more now.
Then around 13 everyone either had a Buck 110/Schrade LB8 folding lock back hunter or an Italian/German Stiletto/Switchblade, I had both. The LB8 was expensive for me back in the 70s, I think I paid $35-$45 for my Schrade and I traded a leather bullwhip for the Stiletto, Still well under your limits but based on my needs and age, the Trim Trio, Schrade and the stiletto all worked fine for what I needed at the time.
By the time I started working at 15 I realized I needed a quality knife and started to figure out what I was gonna use my knives for, so I got a sturdy Schrade Old Timer 51OT. This was the best knife for my needs as a mechanic at the time. It had to cut heavy materials like serpentine belts and heater hoses, I had a need to open it with one hand which the 51OT did very nicely if you did a blade pinch handle drop to open the knife. Still well under $60 and it did everything I asked of it.
It wasn't till the 80s when I bought a Buck Titanium 186 that I met Sal Glesser from Spyderco and Bud Nealy a custom maker from my neck of the woods and AG Russell. All these gentlemen had a profound affect on my buying habits and how much I was willing to spend on a quality knife after that. Sal Sold me a C01 Worker, the first Spyderco made, AG sold me a K87 one hand knife and Bud sold me my first handmade custom knife. The day I met them all at the ECCKS or the NYCKS, (i forget) they taught me that there was nothin' wrong with havin' more than one knife.
Oh and they also showed me how fast $600 can go. Eventually I got some BMs, ZTs and even CRK Sebenzas but again my lifestyle changed and my work environment was more office and classroom, less shop and field work, I was teachin' more so I found myself in a suit more often than not and the big Ti 186, the 730 Ares and the AFO just didn't fit so I got into more traditional knives again along with higher end gentlemen's knives like William Henry and custom slipjoints.
Are ya startin' to see my point or was this a TL;DR type of post for ya. See I can't answer the "...what are you gonna use it for?" question, I can probably guess what you'll use it for but there's no fun in that and I don't get to know you. As you can see I'm not averse to helpin' out and answerin' questions from new members and certainly not afraid to offer up my opinion to old timers as well but when I have nothing to work with I'm left to my own imagination and then I tend to just ramble. Not that there's anything wrong with that, some actually enjoy the ramblings of an old man.
Well I've left you a long reply so you see I'm willing to take the time to answer but if I don't know the real question I'm left to my own musings and inane ramblings so you only have yourself to blame if I didn't answer your OP's question.
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You win post of the day T dot. That was a good run.
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ZT >Spyderco*>Benchmade
*Spyderco, as far as I know, does not offer any reblade service. While Spyderco makes a measurably superior knife to Benchmade any day of the week and twice on sundays, your screwed if you have any accident with your blade, or love the knife so much it gets sharpened to a toothpick. So that $125 PM2 has a blade replacement cost of $125.
*Spyderco, as far as I know, does not offer any reblade service. While Spyderco makes a measurably superior knife to Benchmade any day of the week and twice on sundays, your screwed if you have any accident with your blade, or love the knife so much it gets sharpened to a toothpick. So that $125 PM2 has a blade replacement cost of $125.
Popsickle
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Spyderco - golden, CO made knives
Cold steel - old designs released in cts-xhp
WE knife co. - budget line
we knife co is probably the most impressive at $100 for any of their budget line knives using ceramic detent balls and ceramic bearing pivots. Spyderco with the para 2, manix 2, and native 5 are all hard to beat at their price points. Cold steel American lawman, mini recon 1, talwar. Cold steel is also using an awesome DLC coating on their blades now with xhp steel.
I used to spend 500+ on folders like strider, hinderer, and crk. I will never do that again, because there is much more out there at much lower price points.
All of the knives I listed above are all under/over $100.
Cold steel - old designs released in cts-xhp
WE knife co. - budget line
we knife co is probably the most impressive at $100 for any of their budget line knives using ceramic detent balls and ceramic bearing pivots. Spyderco with the para 2, manix 2, and native 5 are all hard to beat at their price points. Cold steel American lawman, mini recon 1, talwar. Cold steel is also using an awesome DLC coating on their blades now with xhp steel.
I used to spend 500+ on folders like strider, hinderer, and crk. I will never do that again, because there is much more out there at much lower price points.
All of the knives I listed above are all under/over $100.
Spyderco is unbeatable for value, ZT is good but considering an 0450 is $160-180 and an 0452 is $220 you have to admit a paramilitary 2 at $120 or military s110v for $170 are better deals especially with the FFG blades which sadly ZT doesn't offer for most (all?) of their knives. And then you have the $60 delica or endura which punch well above their weight in all categories except fidget-ability because of the backlock and stiffer pivot.
I would also wager spydercos are ultimately more durable than any ZT with bearings in the pivot, and generally speaking have stronger locks, as well as being objectively better at cutting due to FFG and superior blade profiles.
I would also wager spydercos are ultimately more durable than any ZT with bearings in the pivot, and generally speaking have stronger locks, as well as being objectively better at cutting due to FFG and superior blade profiles.
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I've never bought any of these brands before but I can tell you right now that benchmade folders (at least most of them) are overpriced for what they actually are, although their balisongs are very high quality
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Agreed. Benchmades are overprices scrap metal (at least the folders are)
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One knife? What's that?
You really need three knives. Minimum. Beyond that, the details are up to you.
1) Small folder (less than 3 in.).
2) Medium folder (3-4 in.).
3) Fixed blade.
Out of the companies you list, I would have to say Spyderco. I hate to say that because I love the Axis Lock.
I would suggest that you also consider Kershaw and Ontario knife companies.
You really need three knives. Minimum. Beyond that, the details are up to you.
1) Small folder (less than 3 in.).
2) Medium folder (3-4 in.).
3) Fixed blade.
Out of the companies you list, I would have to say Spyderco. I hate to say that because I love the Axis Lock.
I would suggest that you also consider Kershaw and Ontario knife companies.
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Spyderco, then Zero Tolerance.
Both of them are top tier to me value-wise, it's just hard to find ZT knives under $150, while there are plenty of Spyderco knives in that category.
Even though Benchmade is one of my favorite companies, they're overall not good value knives, especially if you're not taking warranty into consideration.
If you're willing to go outside those three brands, overall best value knives are Cold Steel knives (as many have also pointed out)
Both of them are top tier to me value-wise, it's just hard to find ZT knives under $150, while there are plenty of Spyderco knives in that category.
Even though Benchmade is one of my favorite companies, they're overall not good value knives, especially if you're not taking warranty into consideration.
If you're willing to go outside those three brands, overall best value knives are Cold Steel knives (as many have also pointed out)