Big 3 vs Big 3

J

jfrye

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Nov 21, 2008
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What is your experience, or opinion, regarding the quality of Benchmade
Syderco and Kershaw (GROUP 1) vs Case, Queen and GEC (Group 2). If you only have experience with one in each group that's OK.
 
I only know group 1.

Spyderco- Best edge geometry and they pay the most attention to steels and heat treats. For function, these are the best cutters. They also serve a niche market, and make a lot of things you won't find anywhere else. However, their customer service is the worst (not bad, though).

Kershaw- Great overall knife and by far the best customer service. Great values at every price point (I count ZT as Kershaw, same company).

Benchmade- Good finishing and design, very high quality. They do have the softest heat treat, though.
 
In my experience, when you get a "bad" sample of a Case, it's quite a bit worse than anything "bad" from group 1.
Maybe that's a comment on "quality control" more so than "quality" though.
 
Oh did you mean compare group 1 to group 2 or compare the brands in each group to each other?
 
these products are mostly different in application & construction. sorta like comparing shotguns to rifles.--dennis
 
My intent wasn't to pit Tactical vs Traditional. They have different uses I understand that. I'm a traditional guy at heart, but the quality of the production traditional knives of today, in my opinion, is not what it was say in the 70's and in my opinion is not up to the levels found on the tactical ones I selected in Group 1. If they can do it, why can't Case, Queen and GEC? My intent was to see what other people thought on this subject.
 
All I know is I was appalled that Queen restored their factory edge (or lack thereof) on my sodbuster when I sent it in for warranty work. (All that time spent putting on a hair splitting edge, just to have them go and undo it, I almost cried. I still haven't gotton that edge back to it's former glory. I had even taped the edge for them before I sent it in, so that no one would accidentally cut themselves.)
 
uncouth said:
All I know is I was appalled that Queen restored their factory edge (or lack thereof) on my sodbuster when I sent it in for warranty work. (All that time spent putting on a hair splitting edge, just to have them go and undo it, I almost cried. I still haven't gotton that edge back to it's former glory. I had even taped the edge for them before I sent it in, so that no one would accidentally cut themselves.)
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That is so sad. Were they trying to protect you from your scary sharp edge by blunting it for you?
 
If you want sparks to fly, compare the big 3 traditional with SAK.
 
uncouth said:
All I know is I was appalled that Queen restored their factory edge (or lack thereof) on my sodbuster when I sent it in for warranty work. (All that time spent putting on a hair splitting edge, just to have them go and undo it, I almost cried. I still haven't gotton that edge back to it's former glory. I had even taped the edge for them before I sent it in, so that no one would accidentally cut themselves.)
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This is why I put a big note that says "DO NOT SHARPEN" in with my knives whenever they need warranty work.
 
IMO traditionals are way different than the current line of knives. Spyderco, BM and kershaw have merits in their own right and are all fantastic knives that can get the job done.

Traditional blades have a kind of magic to them that the newer knives lost along the way. Tradtionals usually dont have the same clean fit and finish but they have something special about them. They cut and get the job done much like any of the new knives. Traditionals when brand new compared to say a spyderco may seem underwhelming to some, especially when comparing things such as smoothness to open and such. However, a used traditional blade ages so elegantly and becomes something more imo. I find that they gain character through time, while todays blades just look used. YMMV,
 
jfrye said:
If they can do it, why can't Case, Queen and GEC? My intent was to see what other people thought on this subject.
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After reading quite a bit about people's complaints of group 2 I think in comes down to tighter tolerances on newer equipment and tooling. This would help explain the higher level of fit and finish attributed to GEC knives compared with the others in the group. Case's Swayback Jack also gets great reviews and I think that the newer tooling is part of the reason. Modern knives generally use scale materials that are much more consistent and stable which may contribute to it a bit as well.

Sometimes when reading a thread I find myself questioning whether or not the person is too picky. You can't expect production knives to have the quality of a custom. Now with all of that said, there is still not much of an excuse for sub-par knives to be shipped out to dealers.
 
My experience only extends to the Group one and i really use ( read abuse) my knifes so I tend to value some characteristics differently than others might.

Spyderco- I Actually lived in Golden Colorado for a few years and have been to the Spyderco site numerous times and own a lot of the different models and have had access back in the day to some of their prototypes before they hit the market. All in all top notch company, and very consistent production. They also in my opinion have a very good price point so it is not the end of the world if you break or lose one. It is also easy to pick one up on the go should you be travelling and find your self in need of an EDC. My only complaint is the tips are a little thin.

Benchmade- I would rate slightly higher than spyderco just on the merit of the axis lock. I have had a lot of experience using their knives and they hold up. I probably have 15 benchmades and all but one had a glass like action. Very good F&F for a production knife.

Kershaw-

I have mixed feelings about this brand. My first folder was a Kershaw that I still have, but to be honest I have been hit or miss with Kerhsaw. I think they come the sharpest from the factory, but I have had numerous ones with poor F&F and I have actually had several with really bad blade play. I also have a pretty decent scar on my right forefinger from a lock on a kershaw that failed.

Now my family ( of hunters) swear by them so it might just be my bad luck, but I am a bit snake bit on Kershaw.

That being said I am one of their biggest fans when it comes to their ZT line. I have used, abused and destroyed a few of them, but they have never failed in the line of duty.

In my very humble opinion ZT's would be the only knives in the Group one that I would trust my life to if it hit the fan.

For banging around the civilized world in Jeans and T-shirt you cant beat a Benchmade or a Spyderco.:)
 
The real difference is in value. You can get a little more for what you pay for with a modern knife. That does not mean that traditional knives are overpriced -they just have a smaller market to sell to. By having a smaller market, they cant take advantage of such large economies of scale.

(just a guess really, I don't know any actual market numbers for the knife industry)

Also, consider the country of origin. Those traditional knives are all made in the USA. Modern knives may have a lot more overseas parts.
 
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Quality? Group 1 beats Group 2. GEC helps bring up Group 2's average, but not enough. Group 1 are all strong performers.
 
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