Input about Benchmade, Spyderco, Kershaw, and coldsteel folders.

MEJ

MEJ

Joined
Jul 24, 2011
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I was wondering what you guys think about these companies folders? For starterss i dont think you can beat Kershaw for its low price at decent quality. Coldsteel seems a bit more durable. I have never been attracted to spyderco as they seem to have crappy handles. Benchmade seems really expensive to me so i dont know if they are all worth the price.
 
Cold Steel makes good blades. Benchmade, Spyderco and Kershaw make fantastic blades. Benchmade aren't so expensive if you know where to look. Spyderco's are super ergonomic and bring high end steels, they feel like an extension of my hand. Kershaw has the best F&F (imho) of all of them and they have a current obsession with European PM steels.
 
All the companies you mentioned have great offerings. It's hard to comment on something with words like "seems" until you've either owned or used one. Not everyone has the same budget for knives, but you happen to be in a place where spending upwards of $400+ on a knife is not an amazing feat. Some people, that is all they own is custom folders that cost what 10 Benchmades would run for.
My advice, buy a Spyderco use it, then make some comments based on actual use. Anyone can speculate, that doesn't say much about the person speculating or the knife itself. :rolleyes:
 
My opinion:

1. Kershaw offers the largest line of good-value for folders. If you have only $30-$60 to spend on a folding knife, you'll find a lot of solid choices from Kershaw. And their Zero Tolerance line gets you into higher-end, extremely rugged knives (though heavy for EDC I think).

2. Spyderco offers some excellent value folders (Tenacious, Ambitious etc.) and a lot of top end knives. I just got a paramilitary 2 the other day, and it lives up to all the hype you might read. And while the FRN handles on some knives might look "crappy", I find them to be very comfortable. If someone said I could only buy knives from one company ever again, Spyderco might well be my choice.

3. Cold Steel has some good folding knives, and I like the Tri-Ad lock a lot. But their handles can be overly grippy, some folks don't like their AUS-8 steel choice and their advertising and promotional work is way over the top. But I still really like my Recon 1 tanto, American Lawman and Mini Lawman a lot.

4. Benchmade also offers top end knives. I've personally thought them to be overpriced, but you'll find a lot of people who disagree. And while I like the AXIS lock, I'm not a fanatic about it.
 
They are all very good at what they do. Spyderco's knife handles are no cheaper than the others. All of those companies have different knives at different prices depending on the type of handles you want , steel, ect. They all make cheaper knives to high priced knives and it is up to you as to what you want to spend. Good Luck! Kevin :D
 
They are all very good companies, i dont like cold steel folder but i do like their fixed blades, kershaw makes good knives if you can get past some crazy pocketclips,spydercos are great and prices good. i love benchmade, they can be found at low prices, try gpknives.com
it really just depends on what your looking fornd your tastes
 
you just asked a pretty broad question about the biggest knife manufacturers, there is so much information on this site about them it is so difficult to answer, you could fill couple of books. Just sit tight and wait, you will absorb allot you will be able to answer your question soon without really looking
 
Cold Steel has no place with the other three IMO. They have a horrible warranty, low-end steel, and only manufacture in Taiwan. Some of the money you pay for their knives goes into their ridiculous advertising instead of into the knife itself. For the same price you can get something nicer from the other companies. I'd agree that Kershaw tends to offer the best value of the three, and it has the best customer service. If you want something tough, take a look at their Zero Tolerance line. Spyderco is purely function; they may not be pretty, but they tend to have the best grinds for slicing and the best heat treat on their steels. Benchmade tends to be more expensive for what you get, but their axis lock is great.
 
i'm more into traditional knives but i do dabble around a bit in the modern side. so i have limited experience with most brands.

spyderco--i first had the tenacious and gave it to my girlfriend when i got the paramilitary 2. the tenacious is a bad ass knife especially for the money, but for once i felt satisfied with just one spyderco, the paramilitary 2. and after ~7 months the satisfaction stayed, and i never felt the need/want to buy another modern knife. traditionals on the other hand, im lucky i make it through a month without buying another one :D

kershaw--i received one in a trade(i forget the name), and i gave it to my brother since his knife broke. it was a decent knife, nothing amazing.

benchmade---never handled one. but judging purely by pictures and videos, they seem to be pretty generic, tho they have a few nice models and im sure if i used one it would all click(but the para 2 is stopping me :D)

cold steel---i always took his company as "smoke and mirrors" due to their gimmicky promotions. i never really was interested in them the slightest. i'm sure their knives are ok, just not for me.

i hope that helps you!
 
I've owned and carried all the brands you mentioned. They all make decent knives and they will do exactly what a knife is supposed to do... cut things. And they'll all keep on cutting for a long, long time if you treat them right. The oldest folder I have is a Cold Steel from the mid to late 80's. It's still rock solid when it's open. There is no blade play and the backlock works as well as it did on day one. My second oldest knife is a Spyderco that's probably 5 years old and was an EDC for a couple of years. Still good to go if I want to carry it. Spyderco's designs don't appeal to some people, but their knives do what a knife is supposed to do and they do it very well. Spyderco focuses on performance instead of "cosmetics", so some of the materials they use may not appeal to everyone. FRN is damn tough for a working knife handle. It ain't pretty, but it's hard to beat for durability, light weight, & cost.

The Kershaws and the ZT that I've had have all been solid performers. The ZT was bigger and heavier than I like, but it was an excellent knife. I really like some Kershaw models and I'm really blah about others. The Blur and Leek are outstanding knives for EDC AFAIC. I also like their use of different blade steels on some models like the Blur and the Leek. Their CS is supposed to be as good as anyone's from what I hear, but I've never used it myself.

Benchmade makes solid performers. I like their D2 steel and I like some of their working knife designs (Bone Collector, Grip & mini-Grip, Sequel, Presidio, Rift). Their AXIS lock is an outstanding design that works well and gives a solid lockup for a folder. Spyderco & Benchmade are the two brands that I carry most often and I have no reservations about either company producing a knife that I can works well on for my daily uses.
 
MEJ said:
I have never been attracted to spyderco as they seem to have crappy handles.
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So what seems different to you about the Kershaw FRN handdles? Not bashing either company here I'm a big fan of Kershaw as well and I just don't see what would make their handles made of the same materials better?
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I don't go for higher end knives too much so I may be biased. My two favorites are Spyderco and Kershaw. Kershaw has outstanding customer service and the quality of knife for the lower cost is pretty much unmatched. Spyderco's knives are just addictive. They have a unique style and stray away from the typically generic folder. Not only that, but the knife build and strength of just about every one of their knives are top notch. They have a lot of diversity of knives, ranging from small to huge, slim to thick, classy to hardcore, just about anything. Kershaw has a very diverse selection as well
 
I've owned three of the four. I've currently got 2 Spyders and have sold another. As someone else said, good, solid knife that is very utilitarian. Kershaw is an excellent knife also and I love their assisted opening. But for me, Benchmade is my favorite. I've got three in rotation now and I can't get enough of the Axis lock. Quick and smooth opening and they are tough. I can't speak to Cold Steel as I've never owned.
 
I've owned stuff from all of those companies, and I can say that Cold Steel isn't at the same level with the other three. Each of the Big Three offers so many great knives its really hard to recommend a single knife. I'd say check out an Endura 4 FFG from Spyderco, a Griptillian from Benchmade, and a Skyline from Kershaw. As others have stated, Kershaw has a heavy duty subdivision called Zero Tolerance that makes some really awesome, but pricier knives. Do some research and find out what you like.:thumbup:
 
MEJ said:
I was wondering what you guys think about these companies folders? For starterss i dont think you can beat Kershaw for its low price at decent quality. Coldsteel seems a bit more durable. I have never been attracted to spyderco as they seem to have crappy handles. Benchmade seems really expensive to me so i dont know if they are all worth the price.
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All four companies make enough models that your statements can apply to many of their offerings. Spyderco and Benchmade have many folders of decent quality at a low price. Spyderco's Byrd and Tenacious, Persistence, and Resilience are the ones to look at here. Benchmade's H&K line fits the niche for them.

Spyderco has non-crappy handles in steel, carbon fiber, colored G10, bone, and wood. The Kiwi and Kopa have a myriad of natural materials like coral or mother of pearl. The Zulu and Perrin have thicker handles if that's what you want.

While Cold Steel does make some durable folders, that is not the case for all of them, and the other three have comparable offerings. Kershaw's Zero Tolerance line is as durable or more so than most Cold Steel models. Spyderco's SuperLeaf or Manix are pretty stout. Benchmade's Skirmish or Rukus are pretty tough.
 
MEJ said:
I have never been attracted to spyderco as they seem to have crappy handles..
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The handles depend on what model of knife you get, not the company. My Spyderco Dragonfly has the nicest handles of any knife I own. It's the stainless steel acid-etched version. I don't know what Spyderco you got that made you form such an opinion, are you sure you aren't mistaking Spyderco for their cheaper Chinese brand "Byrd"? If you are looking for quality handles, look for linerless construction, metal (as opposed to any plastic type material), and first world manufacturing.

Kershaw has some very nice knives but like with Spyderco and other brands you get what you pay for. Kershaw is better at hiding everything that you're not getting on their cheaper models which may be why you think they're better.
 
I have owned many knives from each of these companies. Ive sold all the spydercos, most of the kershaws and all the benchmades. I edc a cold steel lawman almost everyday and just picked up two more that i plan to carry.
Heres how i see it.
If you like small inexpensive but high value knives then kershaw is the way to go.
If you like funky looking knives that preform well then spyderco is for you.
If you can apprecite a finely made knife then benchmade is it.
If you want a tool, then buy a cold steel knife with a trid lock.
 
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Here's my suggestion:

Buy a Benchmade Mini-grip

Spyderco Manix 2

Kershaw Blur

They're all great knives for very decent prices...Use them, get to know them, the steels, the ergonomics, the fit & finish.

After which you'll have a good appreciation of what these companies have to offer. And those are just a very small sampling of what they have to offer.

I don't think you'll be disappointed :D
 
Cold Steel's Recon 1 in one form or another always rides in my pocket, they are good quality, great working knives. I have had the ZT's, Emersons, Spydies and Benchmade and have either sold them or traded them off. The nice thing about Cold Steel is you can afford to break them, where as with a ZT your out 150 bucks at least, every time.
Kershaw's are ok for cheap stuff that isn't crap, I bought a Leek and gave it to my little brother, he likes it.
 
Zombie Zeke said:
Cold Steel's Recon 1 in one form or another always rides in my pocket, they are good quality, great working knives. I have had the ZT's, Emersons, Spydies and Benchmade and have either sold them or traded them off. The nice thing about Cold Steel is you can afford to break them, where as with a ZT your out 150 bucks at least, every time.
Kershaw's are ok for cheap stuff that isn't crap, I bought a Leek and gave it to my little brother, he likes it.
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That's not true. If you brake a ZT unintentionally during use, you are covered by an excellent lifetime warranty.
 
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