Can you all help me out with a sensitive question?

[elkins45]

Only Kershaw can compare to Spyderco when it comes to listening to the customers and fulfilling their desires. Benchmade's quality is as good or better than Spyderco's (depends on what models you're comparing), but they seem to go their own way hoping the customers will follow.

I'll echo this comment, and add that CRKT seemed to produce a petter product when they first hit the market 15 years or so ago. Most of their newer stuff is not in the same class as the other two companies, and the steels they use are low quality.

 

[Handwrecker]

OBenchmade has a tendency to underharden steels. Their M2 was at a stated RC 60-62 but I've never seen one above RC 59. Likewise their M4 is the same, whereas Spyderco's is closer to RC 62-63.

This was what turned me away from Benchmade. They make well made knives out of nice materials, but they don't seem to hold nearly as good an edge as other makers blades. And ergonomics are non-existant compared to a Spyderco, but it does look more like a traditional knife.

 

[kozak6]

Quick impression:

Spyderco- user
Benchmade- luxury
CRKT- cheap with a lot of gimmicks

 

[kawr]

Quick impression:

Spyderco- user
Benchmade- luxury
CRKT- cheap with a lot of gimmicks

I still dont understand why BM gets this reputation as a luxury brand. What exactly do they do that seperates them into such a class and makes them exude such luxury? Better quality? Not really. Better materials? Nope. So what is it then. Must be that nice cloth baggy the knife comes with and inflated prices .

 

[Jeremy Barnard]

I still dont understand why BM gets this reputation as a luxury brand. What exactly do they do that seperates them into such a class and makes them exude such luxury? Better quality? Not really. Better materials? Nope. So what is it then. Must be that nice cloth baggy the knife comes with and inflated prices .

I think BM makes nicer knives then most. Maybe not any better materials but the designs are much more classy and relaxed in my opinion then a "stab you in the face" Spyderco. I also think that BM knives are of better fit and finish then most other production. They are also 100% made in the USA. The better fit and finish and all the knives being made in the USA costs a bit more. In my opinion having a high quality BM that's made in the USA with great FF is worth the extra bucks.

 

[THG]

I still dont understand why BM gets this reputation as a luxury brand.

You see, I've been saying that this is the purpose of their keeping prices high. That's why they discontinue stuff like the 42, and that's why they cut out distributors to virtually eliminate "street prices." This way, the public sees them as a "luxury."

But I will say, though, that their quality has surpassed that of Spyderco every time in my experience.

 

[Joshua J.]

Benchmade and Spyderco both make a solid product. Spyderco offers more variety and is practically oriented. Benchmade focuses a little more on the looks.

CRKT is all style and no substance. Many of their knives are designed to compete with the performance of your average butter knife.

 

[Tsujigiri]

But I will say, though, that their quality has surpassed that of Spyderco every time in my experience.

That was true for me until I got my Gayle Bradley.

 

[The Mastiff]

I think BM makes nicer knives then most. Maybe not any better materials but the designs are much more classy and relaxed in my opinion then a "stab you in the face" Spyderco

WTF are you talking about? "stab you in the face spyderco" makes no sense to me at all.

But I will say, though, that their quality has surpassed that of Spyderco every time in my experience.

Pretty much opposite for me. I will only order from people I know who will hand pick Benchmades due to things like bad alignment, sticky locks ( non Axis lock obviously), and the occasional poor fit of grips. I don't bother having the edge checked as I can sharpen myself, and I know it's going to be dull anyhow. Quite often the whole blade needs regrinding to get a decent cutting blade.

Now they no longer allow advertising of low prices, and the prices seem to have gone up I don't bother buying benchmades unless it's to try a new steel or some similar reason.

Can't say I have had these troubles with my spydercos, kershaws, and even Buck blades. CRKT I quit buying 5 years ago for the most part, perhaps having bought 5-8 since.

 

[Jason B.]

Benchmade makes a "nicer" knife at a glance but overall I feel taken after buying one for above reason, with HT being the biggest. They have excellent CS though.

Spyderco is pure performance, not pretty at first sight but use one and the looks start to make sense. Besides that I echo pertty much what everyone else has said with the exception of their CS, its not bad but finger pointing can ruffle the feathers of a experienced knife user.

CRKT doesn't even rank on my list, to me they look like toys.

Kershaw- all around very very good.

 

[Speed Triple]

Spyderco - High quality expensive knives.
Cold Steel - High quality less expensive knives.
Don't need BM or CRKT when you have above.

 

[mdauben]

How does Spyderco, Benchmade and CRKT compare?

Personally, I am a fan of Spyderco but Benchmade knives are every bit as good. It really comes down to how a specific model meets your needs, or your feelings about thumbstuds versus thumbholes. You can't really go wrong with either brand.

On the other hand, CRKT makes some knives that a pretty good values for the money, but in general are an "economy" knife maker and their products are IMO not really comparable to premium knife makers like Spyderco and Benchmade.

 

[dsmegst]

"stab you in the face" Spyderco

That made me laugh. Some how "utilitarian" and "hard-working" got turned into "tactical." No offense, but I think you missed the philosophy behind the Spyderco designs.

 

[A.P.F.]

Spyderco offers the best value on the market and brings the best steels and is always pushing to bring better and higher quality knives to market. :thumbup:

Spyderco offers excellent steels and other materials coupled with designs that are innovative and extremely ergonomic, if not always visually exciting. On top of that, Sal has always walked the high road when it comes to respecting the intellectual property of others.

Paul

It is hard to improve on these statements. Simply put, Spyderco is one of the best brands out there, IMO.

 

[JNewell]

It is hard to improve on these statements. Simply put, Spyderco is one of the best brands out there, IMO.

Yes. At equivalent price points, Spyderco and Benchmade are comparable in quality overall. Benchmade is in general much, much less innovative with different/new blade steels than Spyderco. I own knives from both and am glad I do. :thumbup:

 

[timberweasel]

I have a very humble collection so far. Most are Spyderco and I don't have a Benchmade yet, but I do have two Columbia River knives. One is great, the other is just 'okay' bordering on 'disposable' (Ripple 1/M16-01KZ.)

I think CRKT is certainly capable of making a decent knife, but perhaps they pander too much to the big chain stores by pumping out a lot of low-grade economy blades. This cheapens the brand-name (imo) and with so many variants, it can be very confusing to the consumer. Sadly, CRKT is not the only company guilty of this... :/

 

[Jesse B.]

As a generalization, Benchmade puts a slighter emphasis on design and form whereas Spyderco tends to build their knives around function and utility. (I don't have any CRKTs.) The average Benchmade is more expensive than the average Spyderco. The former is largely (or exclusively?) produced in the West/United States while the latter is mostly produced in the East/Asia.

This may seem like an inaccurate comparison, but take the Spyderco Gayle Bradley vs. the Benchmade gold class Griptilian:

They are about the same size, and both feature a carbon fiber handle with a CPM-M4 blade. Aesthetically and ergonomically, I find the Benchmade a step above the Spyderco. However, the blade shape/grind of the Spyderco is arguably more useful and the knife feels a bit more solid. The gold Griptilian is made in the United States (far as I know) and the MSRP is $400. The Gayle Bradley is made in Taiwan and the MSRP is $225.

Benchmades were my first "real" knives and up to a couple years ago I might have said Benchmade, despite being less affordable, is superior to Spyderco. Now I see how that's like saying green is better than blue. It's a matter of taste, yes, but it's also important in this instance to put the knife ahead of the brand.

 

[spydercomil]

Where would you guys say cold steel fits?

 

[The Mastiff]

They are about the same size, and both feature a carbon fiber handle with a CPM-M4 blade. Aesthetically and ergonomically, I find the Benchmade a step above the Spyderco. However, the blade shape/grind of the Spyderco is arguably more useful and the knife feels a bit more solid. The gold Griptilian is made in the United States (far as I know) and the MSRP is $400. The Gayle Bradley is made in Taiwan and the MSRP is $225.

Benchmades were my first "real" knives and up to a couple years ago I might have said Benchmade, despite being less affordable, is superior to Spyderco. Now I see how that's like saying green is better than blue. It's a matter of taste, yes, but it's also important in this instance to put the knife ahead of the brand.

The street price of the Gayle Bradley CPM M4 is in the $130's. What do you pay for the "gold class" benchmade?

A couple hundred dollars more? Yes, two hundred dollars more. For a lower performing knife. Doesn't make much sense to me. Plus, I don't have to sharpen the Spyderco when I take it out of the box.

 

[Jeremy Barnard]

WTF are you talking about? "stab you in the face spyderco" makes no sense to me at all.

I'm talking about the overly aggressive look of most Spyderco knives.

That made me laugh. Some how "utilitarian" and "hard-working" got turned into "tactical." No offense, but I think you missed the philosophy behind the Spyderco designs.

What philosophy are you referring to?