Holes on BM

R

Recursion

Joined
Feb 18, 2007
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Could someone please explain to me why BM now uses the round hole like the Spyderco knives do. I just noticed it and dont really know why. I always thought BM said the Oval hole was superior for opening and such, if so why would they move down to a round hole which was not the best according to them.
 
I can't say that I have the answer, but I do know that patents expire after 17 years. I don't have a Spyderco catalog with me at the moment, but they have probably been making knives that long.

If you look, you will see that there are many knives now with round holes. Makes me think the patent on the hole may have expired.

One thing is for sure, Spydercos are one heck of a knife and Sal and gang are connected to their customers too. Great company and great people, imo.
:)
 
Round hole is the best, oval hole the best is marketing crap pure and simple.

I don't know why BM has completely given up on creating new designs of their own, you'd have to ask them.
 
DaveH said:
Round hole is the best, oval hole the best is marketing crap pure and simple.

I don't know why BM has completely given up on creating new designs of their own, you'd have to ask them.
Click to expand...

The oval hole is actually much better for me, as I have large hands and can barely get any leverage with the round hole. I can get a good part of my thumb into the oval hole.
I recently sold my BM 800HSSR and Spyderco Endura 4 because of this.
I kept the 806D2 and 804HS though.:D
 
The patent for a depression to give purchase for the thumb to facilitate one hand opening expired years ago. The registered trademark of a particular implementation of the patent (the round opening hole a.k.a Spyderhole) is still in force. Benchmade and Spyderco have come to an agreement regarding BM's use of the trademarked Spyderhole. That is all the information that has come out of Golden, CO.

Personally, I no longer buy, carry, or use Benchmade products.
 
fst966 - Sounds like you are having a problem indexing due to large hands (or fingers) you should look for a larger Spyderco or a Spyderco with a larger MM hole (the hole sizes for each model are different and some are larger than others).

I have used an Oval hole and it just didn't fit my finger, kind of pinched when opening.

Back on Topic - I agree wholeheartedly with DaveH . BM lost alot of respect in the Knife Comm. this year when they released their new Catalog with all the Spyderco look-alikes (incl the Hole).
 
There was a big thread on this very topic several months ago, a search can probably find it.

If I recall correctly, Sal Glesser stated that Spyderco and Benchmade had come to some type of agreement.
 
either shape works the same for me, and I prefer thumbstuds anyway. It doesn't bother me that a company other than Spyderco is using the hole, but it does bother me that it means there are even more knives on the market with the hole. I think the griptilian looks worse now than it did with the oval.
 
Always the bigger company taking advantage of the smaller one. I haven't bought BM in years and I guess it will stay that way
 
I have read that many people (maybe more than not) seem to like the "round" hole over oval or other sizes, they say it's easier to use/open, so I would guess BM is marketing to the masses.
 
I see no difference as far as ease of opening between oval or round. I would prefer the oval as it takes less space and does not make the back of the blade protrude more than a round hole. Blade-tech holes are perfect in my opinion.:thumbup:
 
Pretty sure Benchmade and Spyderco trade ideas back and forth.

In fact, I believe Benchmade has clearance from Spyderco to use the round spydey-hole, and pays royalties for its' use.
 
yablanowitz said:
The patent for a depression to give purchase for the thumb to facilitate one hand opening expired years ago. The registered trademark of a particular implementation of the patent (the round opening hole a.k.a Spyderhole) is still in force. Benchmade and Spyderco have come to an agreement regarding BM's use of the trademarked Spyderhole. That is all the information that has come out of Golden, CO.

Personally, I no longer buy, carry, or use Benchmade products.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Yablanowitz. That was the key of the other thread. Sal posted and said that Spyderco had made an agreement with Benchmade. This is commerce, not patent infringement nor trademark infringement.

Personally, I prefer a thumbstud. I find it more comfortable. And I have no problems buying a Benchmade, although I have slightly more Spydercos than Benchmades.
 
I so agree with you alejandrino, less profile, better fit where space is limited..
 
I am a BM user and I prefer the oval hole. (I have a 550S Grip with the oval)
Actually, I like the thimb disk best of all....
 
Recursion said:
Could someone please explain to me why BM now uses the round hole like the Spyderco knives do. I just noticed it and dont really know why. I always thought BM said the Oval hole was superior for opening and such, if so why would they move down to a round hole which was not the best according to them.
Click to expand...

I could put a Star of David on a blade and call that the best, and with decent advertising, people would buy it. From what I have seen, opening mechanisms are generally adapted to by their users after some usage. Indeed, the large round Spyderco Hole is much easier to use than an oval or stud when wearing thick gloves.

Benchmade began swearing by the oval hole only after some falling out supposedly occurred between the two companies...prior to that, they used the round hole themselves. Is the round hole a Spyderco trademark? ...well I've owned a lot of Spydercos in my day and every single one has had a hole in it... When I first saw the Vex, I thought it was a Spyderco design from the late 80s, early 90s, maybe with a bit of Bob Terzuola.

Is someone getting shafted here? Given no one has talked about what the heck is going on, we could probably say yes, or something is at least not right. Given the fact we see Benchmade using Spyderco's design and not vice versa (or at least not as of yet), many people claim to smell stink.
 
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