Dear Benchmade,

[Josh K]

The BM has it's method of finish, yes. We are used to seeing squared edges and flat features on knives that give the feeling it was finished by hand on a grinder.

Exactly. The knife was assembled and finished as an assembly. BM had each piece individually finished, then assembled. All the rounded off parts mean each was individually done. I view that as having more hand work, not less. It bites less, too. No 90 edges on all sides of the scales.

Or it could mean the parts are stamped out at lower tolerances and Benchmade is hiding that by rounding everything off instead of properly finishing it.

Relieving the liners is an individual thing, it would be nice if they had done so. For the trade off, the TiN coating - that grey stuff - is atomic grade bomb proof in daily use. I have rubbed the clip up against concrete blocks, metal work benches, and dozens of other things, it always wins, and isn't scratched. The double finger grip pattern works in use, too - people complain about clips all the time, but nobody praises the Vex for fixing their problem.

Not my experience with TiN coatings.

The TiN on the blade is very slippery, won't stain, scratch, or rub off. I've got a BM CQC 7 from the day, and the first time I used it on a fiber shipping tube, the teflon wore off to the metal. I've been cutting double corrugated antifreeze boxes with the Vex for months, nada, no scratches or wear.

Spyderco can make a great knife, but BM makes a better one for somebody who uses one daily, rather than wearing one because it will deploy faster - a major mall ninja combatives plus.

Benchmade makes a better knife because it deploys slower? All deployment is subject to the individual carrying the knife.

For those of us who don't wear the bling goggles, the Vex is a great user for a guy needing a working tool. The Tenacious falls short with no TiN, an obstrusive clip, and more finish than function. It's should be cheaper.

Quite a few people prefer no blade coatings. I'm one of them. Blade coatings (look at the Busse CG line) are often used to hide unfinished blades. Making it cheaper and less expensive.

Again - OP - look at the BM lineup, the listed features are there. Take time to observe and understand why knives are shaped the way they are, not how the marketers portray them. BM really can't say the Vex is better than a Blue class knife - it would show the public too much honesty.

In your eyes the Vex is better because it provides features you desire.

 

[ron_m80]

I had heard (validity unknown, however it checks on some sources when tested in google) that the rights regarding the hole opening assist, were not exclusive to spyderco now, patent expired. However it was narrowly written and specifically mentioned only one hole or depression for thumb assisted opening. I think benchmade circumvented this with multiple holes on the skirmish.

Everyone knows spyderco was first.

 

[Bierkameel]

Just picked up a 5500 auto mini Presidio a few days back and it was hair popping sharp out of the box, no complains about that.

And if you have so much complaints about Benchmade just buy another brand, plenty of options for everyone.

 

[Seanski]

There sits the whole Benchmade knife lineup before me. Yes pretty much all models I can actually play with before buying at my local cutlery shop.
Nothing though I've grabbed (which in all honesty have been few) have excited me enough to buy.
One of these days I will buy my first Benchmade knife.

Sean

 

[Thalestin]

I like BM the way they are. Id like to see sme new knives but I am very happy with the 940 line as well as the 710. To me these knives are enough.

Ive had great experiences with them. I broke my clip on the skirmish--I bent it bad on a door and went to bend it back and it snapped. I emailed them and told them what happened and they sent me a new clip for no charge. Pretty cool imo--they didnt even want the broken clip

 

[tjsulli790]

I had heard (validity unknown, however it checks on some sources when tested in google) that the rights regarding the hole opening assist, were not exclusive to spyderco now, patent expired. However it was narrowly written and specifically mentioned only one hole or depression for thumb assisted opening. I think benchmade circumvented this with multiple holes on the skirmish.

Everyone knows spyderco was first.

You don't seriously think BM designed the Skirmish do you? That knife was being made (with a hole) by custom knife maker Neil Blackwood long before BM did a production version of it. The same goes for the Dejavoo, it's based on a Bob Lum custom (which also has the hole). There's no secret way to "circumvent" a Spyderco patent, it's actually much more simple than that. Some people decide to put a hole in the blade and some don't. Luckily there's still plenty of people that don't.

 

[tjsulli790]

That is simply the dumbest thing I have ever read on here. Thank god for the ignore feature.

Do you think your posts are any less delusional? This coming from the person that said they won't use a Benchmade because they think every single one of them will fail? Face it, you're completely narrow sighted and think Spyderco is the only company that can make a knife. Get off your high horse and quit bashing companies with inadequate claims just because they are not Spyderco.

 

[Josh K]

Do you think your posts are any less delusional? This coming from the person that said they won't use a Benchmade because they think every single one of them will fail? Face it, you're completely narrow sighted and think Spyderco is the only company that can make a knife. Get off your high horse and quit bashing companies with inadequate claims just because they are not Spyderco.

Funny. People say the same thing about me.

You're taking what he said out of context. If you're so hung up on Benchmade then why are you muddling around in a thread designed as critique of their designs?

 

[tjsulli790]

Funny. People say the same thing about me.

You're taking what he said out of context. If you're so hung up on Benchmade then why are you muddling around in a thread designed as critique of their designs?

That's funny. You know there's always a little truth in every claim.

And I'm definitely not "hung up" on Benchmade. I own knives from many different companies and at times I've been disappointed with them all. Few examples. My Spyderco Pacific Salt has uneven grinds. My BM 760 had extremely weak detent and an off center blade. My SNG had vertical blade play. Some of my Kershaws had torsion bars break. I know what to expect from production companies. But when people start making silly claims about BM stealing a hole, or every BM will fail I will call them out on it. I'd also do the same for a lot of other companies.

 

[Joshua J.]

Do you go barefoot?

My workboots are made in Canada thank you very much.
It takes a while to track down the locally made stuff, but it's worth it.

Spyderco can make a great knife, but BM makes a better one for somebody who uses one daily

I suppose you've never used CPM S90V have you?

I had heard (validity unknown, however it checks on some sources when tested in google) that the rights regarding the hole opening assist, were not exclusive to spyderco now, patent expired. However it was narrowly written and specifically mentioned only one hole or depression for thumb assisted opening. I think benchmade circumvented this with multiple holes on the skirmish.

Everyone knows spyderco was first.

IIRC that's actually correct. The trademark is for "one" hole in the blade, not three or four in growing succession like Ken Onion (which Benchmade had to put a fourth, smaller hole in the Skirmish to avoid).

 

[dericdesmond]

Do you think your posts are any less delusional? This coming from the person that said they won't use a Benchmade because they think every single one of them will fail? Face it, you're completely narrow sighted and think Spyderco is the only company that can make a knife. Get off your high horse and quit bashing companies with inadequate claims just because they are not Spyderco.

Please quote me where I said I think every benchmade will fail. I think I recall sayin something along the lines that almost all BM's lack finger protection, which if they do fail, bye bye fingers. I have owned, and very lightly used apx a half dozen BM's in the PAST, never did any of them fail on me, nor did I ever have a reason to think they would fail on me. However, if any of them would of, I can guarentee that I could hold the knife ideally and my fingers are in the line of fire. None of the Spyderco's I own can I say that for, making them IMO, more user friendly.

I was simply making the comment you quoted me on in regards to someone saying Benchmade are better users. I did not even argue with him, he simply made a remark that can never actually be proven. My remarks about benchmade being slightly un-original is not at all off base, nor is my remark regarding almost all of there models having lack of finger protection. I am not a pocket knife nazi, I own many different companies products and support even more. All my claims are easily backed.

 

[notso sharp]

Bring Back Mini AFCK, that Pika is not even in the same field as the Mini AFCK. I owned a Mini AFCK in 154CM until someone decided they needed it more than I did. That knife was just about as perfect as you could get as far as I am concerned. Maybe bring it back with an axis lock and offer it in S30 or D2.

 

[unky_gumbi]

Please quote me where I said I think every benchmade will fail. I think I recall sayin something along the lines that almost all BM's lack finger protection, which if they do fail, bye bye fingers. I have owned, and very lightly used apx a half dozen BM's in the PAST, never did any of them fail on me, nor did I ever have a reason to think they would fail on me. However, if any of them would of, I can guarentee that I could hold the knife ideally and my fingers are in the line of fire. None of the Spyderco's I own can I say that for, making them IMO, more user friendly.

I was simply making the comment you quoted me on in regards to someone saying Benchmade are better users. I did not even argue with him, he simply made a remark that can never actually be proven. My remarks about benchmade being slightly un-original is not at all off base, nor is my remark regarding almost all of there models having lack of finger protection. I am not a pocket knife nazi, I own many different companies products and support even more. All my claims are easily backed.

I am going to step in here and say no folding knife has any figer protection if the lock fails while your hand is grasping the handle. The force it would take to break a good lock is going to take the so call finger protection and drive it through your leading finger and then the sharp part of the blade is getting the others. Not trying to pick a fight, just make a point. Use your knife properly and you never have to worry about cutting yourself.

 

[Josh K]

I am going to step in here and say no folding knife has any figer protection if the lock fails while your hand is grasping the handle. The force it would take to break a good lock is going to take the so call finger protection and drive it through your leading finger and then the sharp part of the blade is getting the others. Not trying to pick a fight, just make a point. Use your knife properly and you never have to worry about cutting yourself.

I did a review about the UKPK a while back. Granted it is a slip joint, but using the choil and intentionally loading the tip before slipping it didn't cause any more damage then a minor pinch.

 

[loonybin]

bring back mini afck, that pika is not even in the same field as the mini afck. I owned a mini afck in 154cm until someone decided they needed it more than i did. That knife was just about as perfect as you could get as far as i am concerned. Maybe bring it back with an axis lock and offer it in s30 or d2.

Amen!!!

 

[orthogonal1]

Please quote me where I said I think every benchmade will fail. I think I recall sayin something along the lines that almost all BM's lack finger protection, which if they do fail, bye bye fingers. I have owned, and very lightly used apx a half dozen BM's in the PAST, never did any of them fail on me, nor did I ever have a reason to think they would fail on me. However, if any of them would of, I can guarentee that I could hold the knife ideally and my fingers are in the line of fire. None of the Spyderco's I own can I say that for, making them IMO, more user friendly.

...

I just pulled out 6 different Benchmade models and 6 different Spyderco models. Griped them and used them for slicing cardboard and rag cutting.

HOW is there some difference in grip that accounts for your statement? Or are you alluding to the preference for pinched fingers caused by the "finger choil", a feature not present on all Spyderco knives.

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

Stop using obtuse edges on your knives, some of their folders come with angles good for an AXE!:barf:

 

[dericdesmond]

Sorry for the late response, was jamming to METALLICA LIVE suckerz!

Here are some pics to illustrate my point. All it takes is a 10 min drive and I can take pics of over 50 BMs to compare if need be.

I wouldn't expect a quality manufacture such as BM or Spyderco to have a lock fail, but it has happened. Also take into account accidentally disengaging your lock.

Im not trying to dog BM. If stating personal preference and why than I guess I am guilty. This is a Dear BM thread, if everything I complained about was non existent, than I would probably give them my $. Before I had any clue about designs (that I truly apprecaite) or ethics, I gave them my $, I could again someday.

 

[Steven Andrews]

The Axis Lock isn't going to fail when I'm using the knife, so having a "kick" on the blade isn't necessary.
Choils and finger grooves put me off a knife.

 

[brownshoe]

I wish Benchmade would bring back the Spike.

The customer service I have experience from Benchmade (over 10 years) has been excellent. Benchmade stocks spare parts...spyderco doesn't. A friend had a blade replaced on a Spike just last year.

I hate the spyderco "finger protecting choils", they don't work for the way I use a knife. Not a plus in my book. I'd rather have a knife where the lock is dependable.

IIRC Benchmade had spydreco's permission to use the hole, then they decided not pay them anymore and used the oval. The patent ran out on the hole, and they switched back. When the patent ran out Spyderco tried a fast one and called it a trademark. Hard to call the hole a trademark when they let both custom knifemakers and production companies use it under license. Now, to protect their claim of the hole being a trademark, they have fixed blades with stupid holes that are ugly and collect crap. I don't believe the trademark BS has worked, since there are more than a couple of knives out there with hole openers.

The reason why the Tenacious exists is that they could not put a hole in a knife and call it a Byrd if they wished to maintain their fiction about the hole being a trademark. They know the Byrd opening "flare?" is not popular, thus if they were to sell a cheapo china made knife with a hole, it had to be a Spyderco to defend their claim of trademark. The Tenacious is really an overpriced Byrd.