I admit that I am a Benchmade guy over Spyderco

I try pinching the ball lock... No go...you must pin & pull down...but stiff...it's not like I have weak hands...really touch to close this spydie... Axis much better
 
I'm a benchmade guy too... or at least more so than a Spyderco guy.

Most Spyderco designs just look goofy to me. But then again on a few occasions they hit it out of the park and produce a grail knife, like the Sage I & II. I'm also not really a fan of lockbacks, even though I really like my Endura and Delica. But my Benchmade 707 is my most often EDC knife.

Overall, they make great stuff. There just aren't that many out there that I like. I'm more of a fan of Benchmade and Kershaw.
 
The Manix can be stiff at first for sure. Also the Caged Ball Lock is meant to be closed with two fingers - one on each side of the lock - pulling it down and swinging the blade closed with no danger of hurting your fingers.

It takes some getting used to. Maybe it's just not the right Spyderco for you.

No problem with liking one brand over another, I'm the same way. I prefer Spyderco over Benchmade. =]
 
Spyderco and Benchmade are the worst companies to compare.

Both set industry standards for high-quality that come in at an incredibly high value. Each company offers superb warranty services, excellent designs, and lead the industry in terms of innovation and style.

If I had to identify major strengths and weakness, I'd point to the following:

(1) Benchmade's usually have much better action and are tougher than Spyderco knives due to thicker blade designs;

(2) Spydercos are usually better slicers due to flatter blade grinds;

(3) Spydercos usually have better ergonomics due to pronounced choils;

(4) Benchmade's primary lines and best models are made in the USA (several of Spyderco's best models are made in Taiwan);

(5) Spyderco is more innovative in designs.

At the end of the day, both companies are amazing, and we're fortunate to have access to both of their extensive and impressive inventories.
 
Im actually surprised that there are so many who prefer Benchmade.

I think im still a Spyderco man at heart, but ive had a BM in my pocket since i got it a couple of weeks ago. I dont see that changing either unless i get a pm2 or southard, and even then i just dont know as i havent even seen either in the flesh. If im honest i only really want those because of the hype. I certainly dont NEED them because my Benchmade excels at pretty much everything. Its super sharp, very slicy, gorgeous, fun (axis), ergonomic and completely practical. Its going to be hard for another knife to best the one thats in my pocket right now!
 
My manix2 is a tank. Never owned a benchmade though. Non of their knives appeal to me except maybe the bone collector. It seems most axis lock knives have thick handles. I hate thick handles.
 
I currently carry the large bone collector daily and have for the last 2 years. There are things I would change about it, but it's still a great folder. Admittedly I've never owned a Spyderco, so can't speak much on them. Really it's because they're designs never really jump out at me. I've heard great things about their slicing ability. I had a Gunny when I was still in the Corps that carried a Spyderco. He was damn near intimate with that knife.
 
I'm kind of in the same boat as the OP.

Admire Spyderco for their designs and innovation, but prefer the Benchmades for usability and ergonomics.


Or he could just get the Benchmade Vex and get the best of both worlds. ;)
 
I've never had a spyderco. I'm looking to get one in the near future. I have several benchmades and love em. I've played with spydercos at gun and knife shows and they feel just as solid as benchmade. Until I own one I can't say which I prefer though.
 
Oakengroves said:
(1) Benchmade's usually have much better action and are tougher than Spyderco knives due to thicker blade designs;
Click to expand...

Though I've nodded my head at a lot of what's been said in this thread, I can't agree with this statement.
All my Spyders (as well as the Benchmades I've handled/owned) have had great action. As far as toughness due to thickness etc... well... both companies have thicker and thinner blades.
 
I am all kind of knife guy: I mean Benchmade, Spyderco and Kershaw mostly, and also some Ka-Bar and Ontario and ESEE and SOG and sure something else. I think I may have more Benchmades than other brands all together. But I would rather stop at that and would not call myself Benchmade guy: because I enjoy all kind of knives and would like to see as many options open for me as possible! I do not look at some brands because I feel like drawing a line somewhere. But I still appreciate all manufacturers and grateful for them being there for me: even if I choose not to buy them!
 
To me I think Kershaw knives best fit my hand. They just do, doesn't matter if it's my Kershaw chubby, or my Blur they just fit perfectly. I also don't like the spyderhole. And alot of my Kershaw knives just feel smoother than Spyderco. The smoothness is on par with Benchmade IMHO, but I'm more of a Kershaw guy myself (can't you tell?)
 
I'm a 3:1 ratio Spyderco guy as their knives in the $100 range are outstanding compared to BM. I do like the mini-grip and absolutely love the 940. I think it is one of the best BMs ever made and it sure has had a long run.
 
estate4life said:
I admit that I am a Benchmade guy over Spyderco. I think it really varies from person to person. ....
Click to expand...

I am a Spydie nut. I love 'em; never had a bad one, or one that was difficult to open, or one that wasn't razor-sharp. I did carry a BM 690 for several yrs, although the 154cm steel is stone-age. I think the 710 in D2 would be a good EDC for me, but my energies and interest are all tied up in Spyderco.


NjHart said:
spyderco knives always feel delicate to me.
Click to expand...

Today I got in my NIB Spyderco TUFF, CPM 3v blade-steel. Delicate? There are YT videos where they use this to chop through a 2x4 and the blade and lock is just as strong and wiggle-free and sharp after it becomes two pieces. The 3v blade can be bent to 90 degrees several times before it suffers any damage. Perhaps the toughest steel out there. A great survival blade. I've watched videos where they use a sledgehammer on the spine to chop through tree limbs, with no apparent damage to the blade spine or the edge.
IMO... I had to laugh at "delicate." The Gayle Bradley in CPM M4 is a great knife and loved by its owners. How about the new Brad Southard? Definitely NOT delicate. I believe you need to check out some of these.

Sonnydaze
 
I think there is quite a bit of variation in how difficult the ball lock is to operate. I had a manix 2 that I sold a while back that had lock that was sticky, or required a lot of force to disengage. Currently I have a manix 2xl that unlocks very smoothly with much less effort. I think in some knives the spring in the ball lock can catch on the plastic part holding the ball when you try to pull the lock down.
 
I see where you are coming from. I can't say for sure that I'm one over the other as I have both, but I seem to be more attracted to Spyderco designs.
 
I like both, but have more Spyderco, CRK, Case, Busse, and customs than I do Benchmade.
 
Yeah Sonnydaze, I was thinking the exact same things.

Echoing what Elgreco said, again it's obviously relative from model to model concerning these two companies. It's not like In-N-Out vs Five Guys where it's only burgers and fries-- one type of design philosophy (not trying to open any can of worms here). There's a whole menu of offering :)

My Tuff has actually built up strength in the hand (had to spend some time doing this) that makes opening all other knives easier no joke.

BTW, you should grab a Benchmade 710 at some point. Great knife and the recurve is not so overly dramatic :thumbup:
 
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