General Blade Design (Benchmade and Spyderco) -- Post your thoughts--

[Sharpening]

Hello Everyone,
I've recently been thinking a lot about the general blade design of Benchmade and Spyderco blades. My two favorite knifes are my benchmade 940 and spyderco paramilitary 2.

What I've noticed, is that the spyderco appears to cut better. This isn't in regards to the sharpness because they are both off the sharpening stone, and also are both s30v steel.

I have a feeling that it is the actual cut of the blade. Most spyderco knives appear like mini kitchen knives, and benchmades have lots of geometric cuts. I am suspicious that the kitchen-knife blade design slices through objects much more smoothly, while the edges on the benchmade blades seem to 'catch' on the object.

I wanted to hear your thoughts on this because I really love my benchmade, but I am pretty convinced that spyderco might be onto something with their sleek blade design.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this. NOTE: This isn't a typical benchmade vs spyderco thread. I am looking more towards the direction each company is heading with their blade styles.

 

[Monofletch]

I am always using the long pointy tip of my Military. The 'leaf' shape with a ffg is perfect for me.

 

[palonej]

You're comparing 2 very different blade profiles. I would say the BM 761 slices just as good as the PM2. A comparison of those 2 would be more fair.
If you compare a Rubicon to a 761 I think you'll see the same results as you saw with the 940 compared to the Para 2.
Have to agree with Mono above......LOVE that pointy slicing machine!! Love the Millie so much I have 3 of them!
Joe

 

[Brock O Lee]

In general, reasonable thickness blade stock (+-3mm) + full flat grind + distal taper + thin behind the edge bevel + leaf shape = good slicer.

A wider leaf or triangle shaped blade gives some blade width, which allows a gradual transition between spine and edge (less of a wedge than narrower blade of the same thickness). The distal taper towards the point creates a thin and fine point, which is great for slicing.

I do not have a Benchmade, but most of my Spyderco's are like this.

 

[ejames13]

This is the reason I always end up selling any Benchmade I buy. In general, Spydercos just cut better.

 

[BladeScout]

I like some Bencmades but am a big Spyderco fan.

Some Spydies are pure slicing machines.

As some others, Im also a fan of the leaf shape

 

[Sharpening]

You're comparing 2 very different blade profiles. I would say the BM 761 slices just as good as the PM2. A comparison of those 2 would be more fair.
If you compare a Rubicon to a 761 I think you'll see the same results as you saw with the 940 compared to the Para 2.
Have to agree with Mono above......LOVE that pointy slicing machine!! Love the Millie so much I have 3 of them!
Joe

I agree, but I'm more trying to think of the side of the blade. If you pushed a blade through butter, the blade with the smooth sides would sink right into it. The blade with the different angles will have more trouble? I've never seen a bench made which had the blade profile of a kitchen knife, so I'm not sure if the difference is noticeable

 

[Sharpening]

The grind on the side of the blade is so smooth rather than the benchmade knifes with all their different angles


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[onojoe]

What you are referring to is the difference between a full flat grid (Spyderco) and a saber grind (benchmade) each have their own distinct advantage.

 

[jpm2]

I have reservations using my FFG spydercos like I use my benchmades, due to the grinds.
Benchmade grinds for extra tough utilitarian uses.
Spyderco FFG for better deep cutting performance.
There are some spyderco blades ground for tougher use, but unfortunately none in a configuration that suites me.
This is also one reason I prefer tougher (non stainless) blades.

 

[Sharpening]

I have reservations using my FFG spydercos like I use my benchmades, due to the grinds.
Benchmade grinds for extra tough utilitarian uses.
Spyderco FFG for better deep cutting performance.
There are some spyderco blades ground for tougher use, but unfortunately none in a configuration that suites me.
This is also one reason I prefer tougher (non stainless) blades.

Interesting- so you are saying that the spiderco knives are better for slicing things, but the full flat bring sacrifices strength? So benchmade makes non full flat grind blades in order to make the blade/tip stronger? Do you think this makes much of a noticeable difference if both blades, let's say, had the exact same shape (one full flat grind, one partial flat grind)?


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[Sharpening]

What you are referring to is the difference between a full flat grid (Spyderco) and a saber grind (benchmade) each have their own distinct advantage.

If someone doesn't need to puncture or pry anything open on a daily basis, do you think they could take advantage of the full flat grind's cutting ability?


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[Zidfeldts]

Spyderco fans like Spyderco blades and Benchmade fans like Benchmade blades. Both think they cut better than the other guy.

 

[jpm2]

Interesting- so you are saying that the spiderco knives are better for slicing things, but the full flat bring sacrifices strength? So benchmade makes non full flat grind blades in order to make the blade/tip stronger? Do you think this makes much of a noticeable difference if both blades, let's say, had the exact same shape (one full flat grind, one partial flat grind)?

Starting with same length, thickness and shape, the FFG has a more acute primary, less metal thickness from the spine down, and from handle to tip. Less metal is less strength, for a given steel. Less acute angles and thickness will always cut and slice better, assuming there's enough metal present to support it.
Notable difference in strength of non FFG ? - Maybe not, depends on how rough you are with it. I tend to be very rough with mine at work (scraping, prying, twisting, drilling, etc), so am more mindful with a FFG.

 

[22-rimfire]

I think it's a function of blade design, blade steel thickness, and grind angle. To use a crazy example, see if your BK-2 will slice as well as your Spyderco Endura or Delica with a full flat grind.

 

[Sharpening]

Starting with same length, thickness and shape, the FFG has a more acute primary, less metal thickness from the spine down, and from handle to tip. Less metal is less strength, for a given steel. Less acute angles and thickness will always cut and slice better, assuming there's enough metal present to support it.
Notable difference in strength of non FFG ? - Maybe not, depends on how rough you are with it. I tend to be very rough with mine at work (scraping, prying, twisting, drilling, etc), so am more mindful with a FFG.

That's an interesting point! The grind angle will be way more steep because there is less metal behind the cutting edge; therefor, making a marginally sharper slicing blade

If this is the case, then we could potentially make the argument that benchmade designs their blades around a more generic, hard use tool. Spyderco, on the other hand, makes more slicing/clean cutting knifes.

Of course I'd imagine the differences are only slight, but it's possible they are trying to produce for slightly different markets.

I know that I would never use the sharp/narrow tip on my sypderco to pry on anything, but I wouldn't be concerned on my 940 Osborne. Or from a different perspective, my sypderco can poke through just about anything.


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[onojoe]

That's an interesting point! The grind angle will be way more steep because there is less metal behind the cutting edge; therefor, making a marginally sharper slicing blade

If this is the case, then we could potentially make the argument that benchmade designs their blades around a more generic, hard use tool. Spyderco, on the other hand, makes more slicing/clean cutting knifes.

Of course I'd imagine the differences are only slight, but it's possible they are trying to produce for slightly different markets.

I know that I would never use the sharp/narrow tip on my sypderco to pry on anything, but I wouldn't be concerned on my 940 Osborne. Or from a different perspective, my sypderco can poke through just about anything.


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I think you got the gist of the difference. But one thing to take into consideration it the height of the blade (the measurement from the cutting edge to the spine). On a full flat grind you will need that height to be greater in order to get to the same blade thickness. In general, spydercos with a full flat grind will be taller than others. The 940 is a much slimmer blade in the pocket

 

[marcinek]

Interesting- so you are saying that the spiderco knives are better for slicing things, Yes. but the full flat bring sacrifices strength? Yes. So benchmade makes non full flat grind blades in order to make the blade/tip stronger? Yes. Do you think this makes much of a noticeable difference if both blades, let's say, had the exact same shape (one full flat grind, one partial flat grind)? Yes.

Yes. And more yes.

 

[marcinek]

If someone doesn't need to puncture or pry anything open on a daily basis, do you think they could take advantage of the full flat grind's cutting ability?

Again yes. Though it depends on what you want to puncture. Balloons? Skin? Tractor tires?

 

[marcinek]

That's an interesting point! The grind angle will be way more steep because there is less metal behind the cutting edge; therefor, making a marginally sharper slicing blade

If this is the case, then we could potentially make the argument that benchmade designs their blades around a more generic, hard use tool. Spyderco, on the other hand, makes more slicing/clean cutting knifes.

Of course I'd imagine the differences are only slight, but it's possible they are trying to produce for slightly different markets.

I know that I would never use the sharp/narrow tip on my sypderco to pry on anything, but I wouldn't be concerned on my 940 Osborne. Or from a different perspective, my sypderco can poke through just about anything.

Thin slices better. Thick is stronger. Its not terribly complicated. Get the blade geometry you want/need. Geometry matters.

Go buy an Opinel. It will all become clear.