How do You rate them?

In terms of sheer quality of fit and finish, in 1-10, how do you rate these PRODUCTION knives?

Benchmade, Camillus, Spyderco, Cold Steel, Ka-Bar, and others in the same category.
Of course, add and rate your own preferred makes. The above 5 are only to start it off.

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Member #7071

 

[FullerH]

As you would guess from my previous posts, I am a Spyderco man. I rate Spyderco as the best production knife for the money, bar none. The StarMate and the Military are the functional equals of the Chris Reeves Sebenzas that I have handled at one third the price. They lack only the fanatical detailing that Chris Reeves gives his knives, but the have, I believe, better steel in their blades.

Next, I would rate Benchmade. Their product is almost as good as Spyderco's in fit and finish, but they don't use 440V. They do, however, have the axis lock. It is theoretically better than the liner lock that Spyderco uses although I have never had a Spydie liner lock fail on me.

Similar to Benchmade, I would rate REKAT. They have come a very long way lately in their quality control and their products are hell for leather strong. They are probably THE standard for solidity when it comes to working knives. The Carnivour is built like a tank and will probably outlast any knife you can name, and their Sifu has become a legend in its own time as a mega-folder. They are, however, outside of the price range of $100 that you set in your other post.

Buck has long made one of the standard folders, the 110 Folding Hunter, of the industry. It is the knife that you will most likely see around construction sites, on fishing boats, and on long-distance truckers. They have been making and selling them forever and they have the system down pat, so that there are no bugs in it. They are cheap, solid, and a great buy for your money, if a bit old fashioned.

I do not like Cold Steel. Their products are sold mostly on the owner's hype and the ones that I have bought do not seem to be up to snuff in quality control. Further, they do not offer the option of factory resharpening their serrated blades as does Spyderco, so that you have to attempt it yourself, and probably mess it up, or grind the serrations off, as many did with their Grand Vaqueros. This sees to me a bad practice of not supporting your own products.

I cannot speak to the other brands that you have named.

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Walk in the Light,
Hugh Fuller

 

[PhilL]

I have a short list when it comes to production knives.
#1 Spyderco, great selection, a quality product.
#2 Colombia River Knife & Tool, quality knives at unbeatable prices.
#3 Everybody else.

 

Thanks guys....FullerH, thanks again---I think you really show good cause for these Spydies.
The more I look at them with their great selection and pricing, the more I like them. I have actually handled a few so I know the quality is there.
As compared to Spyderco, Benchmade--with their very limited price selection(they're ALL about the same!), is shutting me out and driving me towards Spyderco.

 

[Stiletto Raggio]

I must defend Cold Steel.

I rank Cold Steel as being very solid knives, but avoid their serrations simply because I no longer feel that ny type of serratio is worth the hassle and impracticality factors.

My daily carry knife is a Spyderco Native Lightweight. The steel is sharp, the handle comforatble and fit and finish are great for a knife that cost forty bucks. However, it is not a "tough" knife. My CS XL Tanto is not a beautiful knife, except in an industrial sort of way, but I can actually CHOP at tree limbs and not worry about damaging the knife. It is strong and resilient, and AUS-8 is tougher than ATS-34 (tougher meaning impact resistant). To make an analogy, A Hammerlis Target pistol is nice looking and has precision fit and accuracy, but when push comes to shove, give me my HK USP 45 for sheer durability. You may not like Lynn Thompson, but he makes damn good knives for the money.

In short, Cold Steel does not make "refined" folding knives, they make workers.

 

[allenC]

I like all kinds of knives from alot of different makers but Victorinox and Wenger are simple the best for the price. Their pocket-knives and large folders are all reliable and well made. One thing I really like about Vics and wengers is that they smooth and round off all edges (other than the cutting edge). All of the blades are mirror-polished too. And I think their ergonomics are hard to beat (comfortable to use and well balanced).
Buck is my #2 choice, once again, for the money spent.
Not to mention that Victorinox, Wenger, and Buck all offer terrific warranties.
There are more refined knives but you really pay for it.
Worst I had was probably a Fury, it was'nt a good knife at all.

[This message has been edited by allenC (edited 07-26-2000).]

 

[Knife Outlet]

Fit and finish only, huh? OK.

Spyderco - 8.5
Cold Steel - 8
Benchmade - 7
Camillus - 6.5
Kabar - 2

That isn't the way I would rate performance or value or fashion or feel or any other parameter but that's my opinion on fit and finish.


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Fred
Knife Outlet
http://www.knifeoutlet.com

 

[USAFSP]

I rate MOD #1. I feel there is no better. Fit and finish are flawless. My Trident is the most perfect knife I've ever held
Spyderco #2. I also love my Mil in CPM440V that is a great knife.
CRKT win the #3 slot due to thier innovation. I just love thier knives, and prices.
Cold Steel #4. Specificaly the Voyager series. Great strength.
Emerson #5. They would have been higher on the food chain, but too many QC errors..

 

[Chang]

For fit and finish quality (does not reflect overall quality of the knife, just the fit and finish work quality):

Microtech 9.75
Spyderco 8.00
Leatherman 7.50
Buck 7.50
Benchmade 7.35
CRKT 7.25
Emerson 7.00
Gerber 6.50
EDI 6.00 (What is up with my wobbling linerlock? The knife is otherwise nice. Fit and finish not so hot though.)
Jaguar 1.25
Frost Cutlery 0.50

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Chang and the Rebels of the East!
Southern Taiwan Will Rise Again!

 

[Stompy]

I've got to give Benchmade a 10 for excellant products, quality control, and customer service, bar none. But some would say that's just because I don't have a Sebenza.

And regarding Cold Steel, I believe their straight blades are nicer than their folders, but that's just a matter of preference. Now I've never bought a CS before so I can't speak of their warranty reliability or customer service. But just the other day I thought I'd check out their website. I found the product claims to be rather humerous but was apalled when I came across a long rant made by the pres. of CS against Gerber. Some of the things said were plain rediculous and others were irrelevant and demeaning. Certainly not very business-like. Cold Steel will not be getting any business from me unless they tone back what is on their website. So they get a 0 for attitude.

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You could put nacho cheese sauce on it...